Source: Daily_Mail
Southgate stunned by fans' criticism of Middlesbrough owner Gibson
Middlesbrough[LNB]manager Gareth Southgate has hit back at the fans who have dared to question owner Steve Gibson's commitment to the club.[LNB]With Boro in relegation trouble in the Barclays Premier League, their supporters are becoming alarmed at the situation.[LNB]That has led some to query the role of Gibson, the local man turned self-made millionaire who has bankrolled the club over recent years.[LNB]Criticism: Gibson has come under fire from sections of the Riverside[LNB] As one of the directors in 1986, Gibson formed a consortium that saved Boro from liquidation, prior to becoming chairman in 1994.[LNB]Although Gibson in the past splashed out big money on big-name players and their considerable salaries, of late the club has had to cut its cloth accordingly, resulting in the current fight for survival.[LNB]Southgate feels the detractors are in need of a severe dose of reality.[LNB]'If he wasn't here, we wouldn't have a club - as simple as that,' was Southgate's frank assessment.[LNB]'I'm amazed people could possibly question his role in anything because there would be no Middlesbrough Football Club but for his intervention in '86, and since then.[LNB]'The success of the last 10 to 12 years is because he salvaged the club at the time, and he has been the one who has enabled us to have success in the cups and maintain Premier League status.[LNB]'We have to remember our size as a club because without his backing and support we wouldn't have brought in the types of players who have played at this club over those years.[LNB]'So it's very simple for me - he is someone who cares about the club, cares about the long term of the club, and that is why we have had to do certain things this year financially.[LNB]'We couldn't have afforded to have stayed in the way we have been going the last couple of years, and without Steve taking on board that debt, again there would be no football club.[LNB]'It has left us a huge challenge in terms of staying in the league, but it's a challenge we can win.[LNB]'Long term, it might be the most important couple of years for the future of the club, and without his role in that you could forget everything else.'[LNB] Flabbergasted: Southgate blasted Gibson's detractors[LNB] Southgate acknowledges his assessment of the situation at Boro is a radical one that is unlikely to please the supporters.[LNB]But he believes it is time everyone realised why certain financial decisions have been taken this year, and why the money is no longer flowing like it once was.[LNB]'At the moment there is short-term suffering, but you look at other clubs that have gone into administration and find themselves in the lower divisions,' added Southgate.[LNB]'Through necessity we have a much more restricted budget than we have had in the last few years, and that's the challenge.[LNB]'We couldn't go on doing it the way we were. So we have to take pride in the players we are bringing through, in the way we are trying to do it.[LNB]'Anything else would be a short-term shot in the arm, but you then lose the values your club is based on.[LNB]'This club is based on a proud town, an owner that is from the town and on local talent given its opportunity.[LNB]'That won't win us the league at the moment, but that is where we are and we have to deal in the realities of that.[LNB]'Unfortunately, I'm the first manager for a few years at this club who has had to stand here and give that message, which won't make me particular popular, but that's the reality.[LNB] Middlesbrough legend Juninho on the verge of shock comeback[LNB]West Ham 1 Boro 1: Zola's core values give Hammers reason to be hopeful[LNB]Arteta for England? He joins Almunia, Distin, N'Zogbia, Malbranque and Aliadiere among others who could catch Fabio Capello's eye[LNB]MIDDLESBROUGH FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB] [LNB]
