On Saturday we were delighted to unveil the new mural commemorating two real fan favourites at the Riverside Stadium.
The club was honoured to be joined by the families of Sol Bamba and Ugo Ehiogu to unveil this special artwork in their memory.
Ugo Ehiogu was an England international and a club record signing when he joined Boro in 2000. A hugely popular figure and a colossus on the pitch, Ugo would make over 150 appearances in his six years with the club, the most successful years in our history.
His partnership with Gareth Southgate at the back was the bedrock for our Carling Cup trophy success in 2004, and paved the way for the European adventures that followed.
We tragically lost Ugo in April 2017, aged just 44, while coaching with Tottenham Hotspur.
Ivory Coast international Sol Bamba reunited with his old boss Neil Warnock when he joined Boro as a 36-year-old in 2021. Sol arrived focusing on fitness and coaching with our younger players, having been given the all-clear from cancer a few months prior, but the defender made a remarkable return to senior football to enjoy 29 matches with Boro.
His infectious personality and positivity left a lasting impression on the club and its supporters.
Sadly, Sol’s cancer returned, and he passed in August 2024, aged 39.
The mural was created by artist Dan Walls, and facilitated with the help of Shaun Campbell.
