Middlesbrough Futsal Club Season 2012-13 preview

MIDDLESBROUGH Futsal Club are preparing for another tilt at silverware when they open their FA National League campaign against Sheffield on September 23rd.

Boro enjoyed a solid season last year, finishing second in their regional league and only losing out to eventual winners Helvecia at the national finals.

Boro have lost a number of experienced players over the summer with Spaniards Ernesto Casan, Marc Caballeria and Samu Gallego all moving on as well as experienced last season's top scorer Mikey Roberts and 'keeper Elliot Brown.

However, manager Damon Shaw has moved quickly to replace them with a torrent of rising Teesside talent as he seeks to build a side squad bursting with local players that he can build over a number of years.

Shaw has put his faith in a number of players from the club's flourishing academy setup and the early signs look promising.

Bradley Mills, 16, is one prospect who has already been rewarded for the potential he's shown with a call up to the England development squad. Mills made his Boro debut at the end of last season and even scored in the national finals. He is set to play a key role in the coming season.

Whilst Mills was away on international duty, his team mates impressed in a 10-4 pre-season victory away to Leeds in a performance that showed the new faces are ready for the campaign ahead.

Boro are hoping to welcome back Theo Furness and Ben Everson who are currently playing football in the Icelandic top flight. They will not be available for the start of the season but Shaw is not afraid to throw his youngsters straight in.

He said: "Sheffield will be a baptism of fire for some of the new players and we shouldn’t put pressure on them. It could take a while for the boys to get used to national league futsal, but long term I am confident they’ll have what it takes.”

The opening game of the season is sure to be a clear indicator of what Boro can expect to achieve this season when they come up against a Sheffield side that on paper appear to be the strongest team in the division.

Regardless, it is sure to be another roller coaster season for the country's most supported futsal team.

Middlesbrough vs Sheffield kicks off at 2pm on Sunday September 23rd at Thornaby Pavillion. Tickets are priced at £4 for adults and £2 for under-18s.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com