The play and much more...

The BORO'S 37mins - The Synopsis.

It’s 1986 and supporters fear the worst as the Ayresome Park gates

are locked… and then there is the town itself. Coping with work,

school, relationships, Lisa wants a family and when she falls pregnant,

Boro reach the ZDS Cup Final. Can things get any better?

The Boro in the Noughties, a new stadium, The Carling Cup and

even Europe… Lisa has brought up Sean on her own and has much

to be thankful for. But all is not well at The Riverside or with the fans,

yet Lisa still hopes… for a happy ending.


The BORO's 37mins: what you get. 

32 scenes

27 characters.

15 Pop classics

9 Football Chants

6 goals.

2 Halves

Just one team: The BORO!!


What they said about the play.

HAZEL PEARSON THEATRE (2010)

Reviews from the Fly me to the Moon website.

Rob Nicholls.  fmttm website editor

Away all week, so only got the chance to watch a new play The Boro’s 37 minutes this afternoon.  Get along to Middlesbrough College this evening (7pm kick off) if you possibly can for this emotional rollercoaster by Alan Spence. Nah! That is a cliche – this play is anything but a cliche – it is the wild and wonderful, frustrating and frightening Boro story. Sadness and heart break, ecstasy and agony on and off the field.

From liquidation to Location, Location, Location. Pak Do Ik to Premier League. Parmos to Corus closure.  Big screen highlights of some memorable football action. But also a gritty drama that is intertwined with the football but in a most unexpected and dramatic way.

Karaoke in the Shakey was so funny. But the alienation of a dislocated family was no laughing matter at all. I saw at least one person dabbing away at tears in the audience. Middlesbrough college theatre is through the main doors, town entrance. 7 pm kick off. I think it is £6 in. But it is amazing actually – knocked me out. If you can do get to see it. Definitely worth it

 

Cleveleyssmoggie Posted on 17/07/2010 17:34

 

Boro’s 37 Minutes – See it tonight.

“There is some swearing so they reckon not suitable for kids.” A bit like a football match then Rob?

asredastheycome Posted on 17/07/2010 17:37

 

Boro’s 37 Minutes – See it tonight

Is it only tonight Rob. Would like to see this but I’m away until Wednesday.

Riggott_misses Posted on 17/07/2010 18:51

 

Boro’s 37 Minutes – See it tonight.

I can vouch for how good the play is too. Worthwhile for the video clips alone. A must for any boro fan. If you have given up your season ticket, watching this would have you rushing down to the ticket office.

caz_boro Posted on 17/07/2010 21:25

 

Boro’s 37 Minutes – See it tonight.

Totally agree that it was worth seeing! It was probably me who you saw wiping my eyes.  It is worth the ups and downs with the Boro! I love the emotion!

Come on Boro!!

 


What they said about the book.

 "A thoroughly enjoyable piece of work that is both educational and fun. It is a complete package for anyone to put on the play and the ‘additional’ material provides a ‘feel’ of the play.  It’s a brilliant piece of work – well done!

I’ve put comments on in bullet points as I’ve gone through. Hope this is what your wanted. Again – well done, fantastic piece of work and something to be proud of" .

 Lesley. 

Firstly I'd like to say thank you for asking me to read your play, I feel very honoured. I've been stupidly busy these last few weeks. Anyway, back to the play.

The information you gave on the background of the play and the etc was great. I learnt a lot.  For those not from the area, I think this helps them understand a bit better what was going on at the time and how the area is still affected and just how important football was and continues to be important to us. 

I know a lot of people in the South, my age, who say they lived through those times yet still don't have a clue what went on and seem shocked to hear what it was actually like living through it.  That's shut a few up over the years! 

As they say - you can take the mouthy girl out of Grangetown, but you can never take Grangetown out of the girl! 

There were so many depressing things going on economically back then. Things never looked so bad though when the Boro did well! The whole area seemed to have a different atmosphere. 

In short, I loved it. It really took me back home and brought back so many memories, some happy and some sad. I think you've captured perfectly what was going on back then and how Thatcher brought the area and its people to its knees.

Watching the industrial heart being ripped away from a hard working community was heart-breaking as was the knowledge that we could no longer rely on getting a job locally when we finished school. I think you've got the Teesside, sarcastic humour perfectly.  Cutting, dry, amusing and quick! 

Local people will love your play as they'll know all the places you mention eg - Binns, The Madison, Marton Country Club etc  (I was half expecting you to mention The Dragonara Hotel - now that's showing my age! ).

Francesca. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, but felt very emotional a lot of the time as it brought up so many memories. My late son was a mega Boro fan from early childhood & if he hadn’t found girls & cigarettes he had great potential scouts said, when they watched him play.

He loved the fact that I started working as a rep for MFC in late 80s & was proud of the fact I had the only promo car we got to Wembley. He also got to come on the staff bus to watch the final.

He’d have loved to read this history come to life on the pages, as even British Steel ref was apt, as he worked there until he was made redundant when it closed down (twice). I literally followed the pages through my life with each memory, so thanks Alan for writing this & keeping the memories alive. 

Marie. 

What they said about the
 Middlesbrough 86 Project
and the education pack.


"It is extremely comprehensive and a wonderful reminder of everything you achieved with the project and the people that you engaged with.  Well done on undertaking such a brilliant community-based project"
 
Claire Wordsworth 
Economic Development Officer - 
                      Visitor Economy. Middlesbrough Council.

 
"I think the Education Pack is excellent in every way.  I use it personally to show how the University has engaged with the project. I have also made copies for our Schools Liaison Team for use when they go into schools".
 
                                                                         Mark White.
   Head of the Vice Chancellors Office.
   Teesside University.
    
The Education Pack is absolutely fantastic, our youth club members love it. It has so many pictures in it and the history is so educational, which brings out lots of discussion between the young people and the adults.

 We have so much more to do and we always make sure we have photocopies for the
members to work on. After Christmas we are planning to take the members on a stadium   tour because the project has got them really engaged.
          
Amanda Buck
Centre Manager
Breckon Hill Community Centre
Middlesbrough.

I have had a look through the resources and they are really strong and successfully use the hook of football to engage children and young people in a variety of curriculum topics. I like the clear literacy theme that runs throughout. There are lots of chances for decision-making. There is also a nice mix of local and national social history stories. 

 Denise Lambert.

                                                          Learning and Communities Officer,                                                        National Football Museum, Manchester.

         What they said about the second production; 

                The Brittan Hall, Teesside University, Middlesbrough (2011).

"Variety of ages represented, memories in the backdrop and the music. - Local accents and the personal accounts of the football". 

"I enjoyed the football story and how it linked to the community / spirit. Some really good actors. The plays ambition. The dancing".

       "I liked the lads, thought they were quality. Dead funny. Loved the                    poetry. School part took me back to the 80’s. Loved Mark Viduka.                          Enjoyed it".

"The memories that it evoked. The music linking the period, to the football story. A real sense of history and a continuing story". 

"Almost everything in the play relates to me and my life in the Boro. Especially the matches mentioned, I was probably at them, even the World Cup ones. I picked out Sam Hills early on as being a useful actor. The information that comes on the screen at the back".

"Middlesbrough has always been a poor town and sometimes all we have to hangonto, is our football club. The thought of that not being there is just devastating".

Middlesbrough 86 Project Partnership: 
Remembering the Past, Creating the Future.


      Aug 22nd 2011.   Project Launch Day.         
Tony, Ali, Ivor Crowther HLF and me.

Ivor Crowther, Head of HLF in the North East, said: “Middlesbrough has a long and proud footballing heritage and this project, an exciting opportunity for local people to share memories and experiences, to create a permanent record for future generations”. 

“In the run-up to the Olympics, it is important to remember our sporting history, how it has shaped communities across the country. HLF is delighted to be involved with this project and look forward  to seeing it progress over the coming months.”                                                     
                       

“My first game we lost 3-1 but the result was academic. I was hooked, and still am. Squashed in the Holgate, that young entertaining team, so much spirit, passion and togetherness, Pallys, Coops, Rippers, Parkys, and our very own captain marvel, Mogga!!
                                             Harvey Thomas.

“We’d been through this period, where all the jobs were going and the town was fighting back, through the football. The whole town was really behind that team - probably my favourite time of being a Boro supporter. Something special about that particular time.    

Andy Willoughby.



For more on the Middlesbrough 86 Project, which received funding from the Heritage Lottery please follow this link. 

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd-MCMRwV04&t=190s

Back from the Brink Exhibition
Dorman Museum. Jan 17th – April 15th 2012.
Curated by Louise Harrison.

Many Boro legends were reunited. just a stone’s throw away from Ayresome Park as Tony Mowbray opened the Exhibition of previously unseen memorabilia from Middlesbrough FC, along with items donated by fans, and Dorman Museum’s own collection. 

  






     

                  
                                                

                                                         All photographs courtesy of Doug Moody. 

“Went 2 the dormans 2 day waz Fantastic 2 see all the boro stuff especially on 2 day of all days...the 29th of Feb.

              boromad!!

“Had a very emotional visit to back from the brink yesterday with family, great memories, fab exhibition, should stay at Dormans"!!

             Jo Connolly.

 





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