Branco: From World Cup Winner to Middlesbrough Outcast

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Mike Brown, reporter for Bridlington Free Press, profiles World Cup ’94 winner Branco and his time on Teeside…

Football fans everywhere, imagine the scene if you can.

Before Chelsea, and Manchester City, and all those French clubs made it boring, a wildly rich and benevolent owner is bestowing millions of pounds of his own money on your club in order to gatecrash the top table, challenge for honours, and compete for the world’s top stars. Even better, this man is not a shady oil baron, but a local lad made good.

Then imagine him installing a world renowned football icon as player manager, getting promoted in your first season, then moving being the first club in decades to move to a purpose built new stadium.

Along the way you’re signing international forwards from Norway, Denmark, England, Italy and Brazil.

Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Continue reading