Boro hope for big crowd

Middlesbrough Futsal Club Sheffield FC
The FA Futsal National League North
1.30pm, Sunday 6 March 2011
Thornaby Pavilion
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Middlesbrough Futsal Club host Sheffield FC in The FA Futsal League North on Sunday and Boro are expecting a record crowd with the help of Middlesbrough FC supporters group, Red Faction.

Boro haven’t had the best opening half of the season and need a vast improvement if they are to move up the table and challenge for a play-off spot, although manager Damon Shaw admits that is very unlikely.

“We are all but out of it," he conceded. "I’ve challenged the players to show a big improvement over the second half of the season. There’s still plenty to play for and while play-offs may just be out of our reach, we want to show we are still one of the top teams. 

"The players are young and are gaining experience with every match and a couple of wins and we can start to think about carrying on that good run."

Boro’s supporters are planning to attend Sunday’s match in their numbers too and the atmosphere will no doubt be the best seen at an English Futsal fixture. The Red Faction have already travelled away to Manchester and Sheffield, but this weekend’s match is the first time they will have been at home and they have plans to make Thornaby Pavilion a fortress for Boro Futsal.

Fan spokesperson Craig Broadbent is urging his fellow Boro fans to come along and make some noise.

“As Middlesbrough supporters we feel it's right to support all things Boro and so we have taken on supporting the Futsal and we are loving every minute of it. The games are cheap and the players are approachable - it's a breath of fresh air.  We hope to make the numbers as huge as possible to come and support our lads!”

Entry on Sunday is only £1 and parking is free in Thornaby town centre, with the doors to the Pavilion opening at 12.30pm.

For more information about the game, go to BoroFutsal.com or follow on twitter, @BoroFutsal.