1986–87 Middlesbrough F.C. season
| 1986-87 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Colin Henderson |
| Manager | Bruce Rioch |
| Football League Third Division | 2nd |
| FA Cup | 3rd round |
| League Cup | 2nd round |
| Top goalscorer |
League: Bernie Slaven (17) All: Bernie Slaven (21) |
| Highest home attendance | 18,523 v Wigan Athletic Away: 13,835 v A.F.C. Bournemouth |
| Lowest home attendance | 3,690 v Port Vale Away: 2,788 v Newport County |
During the 1986-87 season, Middlesbrough participated in the Football League Third Division following their relegation the previous season. They were promoted back to the Second Division at the end of the season having finished second in the league.
During the 1986–87 season, Middlesbrough maintained the white band on their home kit from the previous two seasons and were sponsored by Dickens.
The financial problems that had been plaguing the club since the early 1980s almost led the club into extinction following their relegation the previous season.
After Alf Duffield's resignation near the end of the previous season, Boro had been operating without a chairman. On 21 May 1986, the worst fears of Middlesbrough fans were realised. Debts believed to be in the region of £2 million meant the club were forced to call in the provisional liquidator. Late in July, the Inland Revenue took the club to court, claiming that it was owed £115,156 in tax arrears and so the judge issued a winding up order. On the second of August, Bruce Rioch and twenty-nine other non-playing staff were sacked by the Official Receiver and the gates of Ayresome Park were padlocked. Some players chose to remain and train under Rioch and coach Colin Todd, while others chose to leave.
Steve Gibson approached the local council, ICI and Graham Fordy of Scottish & Newcastle for help. An advert was placed in The Times for help, and Henry Moszkowicz was one of those who replied. Gibson reached an agreement with former chairman Alf Duffield, who was owed £500,000, that he would wind up the company. Clubs in less serious situations had previously used liquidation to get out of problems, but when it came to Middlesbrough's turn, the Football League showed a lack of support.
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