#Spygate

[coalman]

3 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

The fact they thought it was a legitimate ask to be on the panel is just crazy. Do they not understand how this all works? The EFL are always the broker in these situations, same as Fifa, same as the FA, same as the EPL.

If a club lodges a complaint with the respective authority, the authority then becomes the broker between the 2 parties. It gathers evidence from both sides, and the alleged will have a chance to fight the allegations. Boro aren't fighting the allegations, we are. Having clubs going to 'war' against each other in these ways would not create the fair and INDEPENDANT nature of this hearing.

What planet are these guys living on? What the fuck is all this. This is basically shaping up to be a Steve Gibson sue everyone special, I can smell it a mile away. 

Asking to be on the panel is crazy. Making a statement which reads as "decide the way we want or else" is brave to say the least.

[Plastic]

this guy knows the score..

[Farmer Saint]

I see people are starting to change their backgrounds on Facebook to the Middlesbrough crest to show their support.

[Toadhall Saint]

6 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

If he didn't think it was an issue, he wouldn't be hiding behind a tree.

Looked as if he was standing by a tree. Given its 2d and the angle is straight on 😉

[Wurzel]

Do they not see the irony that the League has appointed an Independent Committee to ensure neutrality with no influence clouding judgement and they then request to take part in the hearing.  #deluded

[Mattio]

Just now, Farmer Saint said:

I see people are starting to change their backgrounds on Facebook to the Middlesbrough crest to show their support.

Seriously? It's not a fucking war, it's a game of football 🤣

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

What a bunch of bitter, snivelling pricks. Publicly stating they want saints kicked out the play offs is pretty disgraceful. Pretty clear they’re trying to bully their way into the play offs. 

They've got form for this sort of snivelling though - remember their outcry over Rob Edwards leaving? Rob Edwards, rightly or wrongly, wanted a crack at his former club in the PL (although not for long). They created such an outcry, the Boro fans hate him, the club made a crying statement about it as well iirc.

[coalman]

1 minute ago, Farmer Saint said:

I see people are starting to change their backgrounds on Facebook to the Middlesbrough crest to show their support.

That's it then. We're fucked.

[Gary R76]

I know its a mates mate but this has just come up on Not606 forum

Le Saint

Well-Known Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

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one of my mates is mates with Ed Chamberlain who is currently at York races where boro are having a day out. He spoke with Gibson who said they are expecting £5 million and 6 points

[hypochondriac]

Having another read of that statement, it seems to me that he's trying to put pressure on the efl to push for expulsion. Of they don't do that (and presumably there's some sort of transcript of the hearing) will he be looking to sue them as well as us? 

[Mt.B-Real]

This is like the boardroom equivalent of those people who think that the ball being right on the edge of the quadrant at a corner is worth screaming at the referee for

[Farmer Saint]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

Having another read of that statement, it seems to me that he's trying to put pressure on the efl to push for expulsion. Of they don't do that (and presumably there's some sort of transcript of the hearing) will he be looking to sue them as well as us? 

The last sentence effectively means they will sue.

[Smirking_Saint]

Just now, Gary R76 said:

I know its a mates mate but this has just come up on Not606 forum

Le Saint

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one of my mates is mates with Ed Chamberlain who is currently at York races where boro are having a day out. He spoke with Gibson who said they are expecting £5 million and 6 points

That’s just a regurgitation of that crap whatsapp message thats doing the rounds

[Dman]

1 minute ago, Gary R76 said:

I know its a mates mate but this has just come up on Not606 forum

Le Saint

Well-Known Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 9 minutes ago

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one of my mates is mates with Ed Chamberlain who is currently at York races where boro are having a day out. He spoke with Gibson who said they are expecting £5 million and 6 points

If true I hope he chins him

[egg]

1 minute ago, coalman said:

Asking to be on the panel is crazy. Making a statement which reads as "decide the way we want or else" is brave to say the least.

In a court, we'd be in or hovering around contempt territory here. They're blatantly trying to influence the outcome. 

[hypochondriac]

Just now, Farmer Saint said:

The last sentence effectively means they will sue.

Yes I gathered that and he was always going to sue us but I wondered if it meant he was going after them too if he feels they are too lenient. 

[Smirking_Saint]

Just now, Farmer Saint said:

The last sentence effectively means they will sue.

They need a demonstrable loss for that to be achieved tbh

Which I think would be difficult 

[S-Clarke]

2 minutes ago, coalman said:

Asking to be on the panel is crazy. Making a statement which reads as "decide the way we want or else" is brave to say the least.

That 'decide the way we want' angle is a clear posturing towards them laying the groundwork for Legal Action when they don't get the result they want. 

They're not being very sportsmanlike here, because we beat them over the 2 legs because we were better - and because they couldn't finish their dinner. We gave them more chances to score than we have any team all season, it's not our fault they couldn't put the ball away. 

They tired, we took control, and they forgot how to defend a cross shot. They are the worst kind of losers.

[CanadaSaint]

5 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Honestly what is it with Boro fans and this weird belief that Gibson is some sort of Don Corleone type figure that is able to pull strings everywhere 

There may be a sequel to this sorry saga - Gibson v Solak, in a tantrum, attempted shake-down court case. I don't think Gibson knows who he'd be screwing with. 😂

[Farmer Saint]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

Yes I gathered that and he was always going to sue us but I wondered if it meant he was going after them too if he feels they are too lenient. 

I think that is a statement to the EFL.

[James G]

I think it's last roll of the dice time for Middlesbrough 

They've concocted mass hysteria, now they've released a strongly worded, desperate, statement

They have tried to pressure the enquiry with all sorts of shenanigans, but obviously they'll justify their behavior because we were in the wrong in the beginning.

Hopefully after this, they let the panel decide.

I'm hoping afterwards that their behaviour is addressed as well. Two wrongs don't make a right, or so they say

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, S-Clarke said:

That 'decide the way we want' angle is a clear posturing towards them laying the groundwork for Legal Action when they don't get the result they want. 

They're not being very sportsmanlike here, because we beat them over the 2 legs because we were better - and because they couldn't finish their dinner. We gave them more chances to score than we have any team all season, it's not our fault they couldn't put the ball away. 

They tired, we took control, and they forgot how to defend a cross shot. They are the worst kind of losers.

Simon Jordan said effectively that is Gibson feels sighted he's like a dog with a bone and will not let it go until he receives compensation. I expect it is the principle of the thing that annoys him more than the result. 

[SNSUN]

4 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

I see people are starting to change their backgrounds on Facebook to the Middlesbrough crest to show their support.

It's #RIPHarambe all over again.

[RedArmy]

The slow realisation on the Boro forums that their season is over is a glorious read I have to say. 

[LGTL]

This is typical of Gibbo, by the way. He’s an absolute cunt. Always the most important man in the room, or so he’d have you believe. 

He preparing to sue the EFL, and probably us, for millions. Good luck with that. And his shit football club still won’t be in the play-off final. 

Also interesting to note the reaction to that statement. Some of the sympathy towards them from some quarters is starting to drain quickly. 

[disconnect]

Boro are embarrassing themselves now. Throwing this all around in the media is totally unprofessional, and is surely very similar to those "unsporting behaviours" they are trying to get us kicked out over. Life is not all about who cries loudest, but annoyingly it does seem like the EFL have been reeled in by this a bit. 

A larger fine than what Leeds got is appropriate (and I don't think anyone is arguing with that), but being kicked out of the playoffs is totally unrealistic. It may be that rules are changed in the future to state that expulsion / voiding the result if guilty, but in this situation, any expulsion would be massively more severe than anyone in their right mind is expecting, and cause the EFL a lot of issues. Saints aren't simply going to say "yes, we sent a lad to take some photos at training, and we accept that made us win the tie. We stand aside for (the holier than thou) Middlesbrough to go through". It had a negative impact if anything!

In the end, they were some good games, which ultimately left with Saints (widely seen as having a stronger team / squad with better players) won the tie. I think sensible Boro fans do accept that and probably want to move on, but the powers that be at the club seem hell bent on effectively buying their way into the big time through any means possible. 

[Badger]

10 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

The Middlesbrough statement today asking for us to be kicked out is the equivalent of a player doing a tackle and the opponents surrounding the ref and demanding he give a red card! Acting like that isn't allowed on the pitch, nor should it be off it.

Agree, it's just designed to bring pressure and undue influence on the EFL and the panel sitting.

And as a sop to their fanbase.

Facts for me are that Middlesbrough aren't entitled to be involved in the process, and whatever our misdemeanors or crimes, they didn't suffer as a result.

[Gary R76]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

Simon Jordan said effectively that is Gibson feels sighted he's like a dog with a bone and will not let it go until he receives compensation. I expect it is the principle of the thing that annoys him more than the result. 

Its not principles its being a bully and sometimes you need to stand up to bullies

[Tommy]

What i dont get is that the EFL said they have contingency to move the play off final, but when too? or where for that matter as it certainly wont be Wembley unless they can find a midweek to stuff it into. And thats without considering players are entitled to a holiday, theres a world cup etc

There will have to be a final, no why the EFL want to be refunding broadcasters, sponsors, other partners etc. 

Here is the list of all weekends between now and the start of the season, along with the officially confirmed bookings and events at Wembley Stadium during this period. I have also included weekday events as notes so you have the full schedule.

May 2026

• Weekend of May 30–31

• • Saturday, May 30: The Betfred Challenge Cup Final

  • Sunday, May 31: Adobe Women's FA Cup Final

June 2026

• Weekend of June 6–7

  • Saturday, June 6: Capital's Summertime Ball with Barclaycard

• Weekend of June 13–14

  • Saturday, June 13: Harry Styles (Together, Together Tour)

• Weekend of June 20–21

  • Saturday, June 20: Harry Styles (Together, Together Tour)

• Weekend of June 27–28

  • Saturday, June 27: Harry Styles (Together, Together Tour)

July 2026

• Weekend of July 4–5

  • Saturday, July 4: Harry Styles (Together, Together Tour)

• Weekend of July 11–12

  • Saturday, July 11: My Chemical Romance (Long Live The Black Parade Tour)

• Weekend of July 18–19

  • Saturday, July 18: Bruno Mars (The Romantic Tour)

  • Sunday, July 19: Bruno Mars (The Romantic Tour)

• Weekend of July 25–26

  • Saturday, July 25: Bruno Mars (The Romantic Tour)

August 2026

• Weekend of August 1–2

  • Saturday, August 1: Luke Combs (My Kinda Saturday Night Tour)

  • Sunday, August 2: Luke Combs (My Kinda Saturday Night Tour)

• Weekend of August 8–9

  • No confirmed Wembley Stadium events.

• Weekend of August 15–16

  • Saturday, August 15: The Weeknd (After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour)

  • Sunday, August 16: The Weeknd (After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour)

  •  

Saturday, August 22, 2026: Opening weekend of the Premier League 2026/27 season begins.

Edited 1 hour ago by Tommy

[James G]

I wish FIFA had mini game where football club owners could fight, Street Fighter style, with special moves

[The Kraken]

5 minutes ago, Gary R76 said:

I know its a mates mate but this has just come up on Not606 forum

Le Saint

Well-Known Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 9 minutes ago

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one of my mates is mates with Ed Chamberlain who is currently at York races where boro are having a day out. He spoke with Gibson who said they are expecting £5 million and 6 points

Doesn’t tally with Boro’s statement. 6 points this season keeps us in the playoffs playing Boro, albeit the other way round. 6 points next season keeps us in the playoff final.

This is getting very silly, can’t wait to get back to normality (whatever that is).

[Football Special]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

Simon Jordan said effectively that is Gibson feels sighted he's like a dog with a bone and will not let it go until he receives compensation. I expect it is the principle of the thing that annoys him more than the result. 

He'll be turning up at Wembley following us around stomping his feet , can see it now chasing Phil Parsons car 

[scumbag]

12 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

#prayforboro

I can just see a projection of the crest on the side of a factory (closed down, obviously) lighting up the night sky. Boro fans standing around tea candles, John Lennon's 'Imagine' playing...framed pictures of that numpty manager with tears in his eyes.

Edited 1 hour ago by scumbag

[whelk]

50 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

You'd be like the new Bea Smith from Prisoner Cell Block H

Phooaaaar, now that was a woman

[Saint NL]

Turn it up, gangsta Gibbo will crush all those suits at the EFL 

 

😂😂😂

 

 

[Saint_clark]

17 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

If he didn't think it was an issue, he wouldn't be hiding behind a tree.

He was stood next to it, not hiding 😂

[Saint In Cornwall]

EFL website updated in last few minutes confirming Saturday 23rd match.

 

https://www.efl.com/competitions/efl-championship/

[hypochondriac]

2 minutes ago, Gary R76 said:

Its not principles its being a bully and sometimes you need to stand up to bullies

He feels he has been wronged and in his kind he will take whatever steps he needs to in order to get a semblance of justice. I expect he knows there's a low chance we will actually get kicked out and boro reinstated but it's all theatre to some extent to maximise his eventual returns. Worth going back to that statement from Simon Jordan. 20 million for Middlesbrough to drop things. He didn't pull that number out of thin air. 

[coalman]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

He feels he has been wronged and in his kind he will take whatever steps he needs to in order to get a semblance of justice. I expect he knows there's a low chance we will actually get kicked out and boro reinstated but it's all theatre to some extent to maximise his eventual returns. Worth going back to that statement from Simon Jordan. 20 million for Middlesbrough to drop things. He didn't pull that number out of thin air. 

Sounds like we didn't offer that either.

[hypochondriac]

5 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

The slow realisation on the Boro forums that their season is over is a glorious read I have to say. 

I'm waiting to go back and read it once it's confirmed. I'll have a nice glass of wine and drink it all in. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

20 minutes ago, sadoldgit said:

I’d say trying to influence a panel whose job it is to be impartial is pretty disgraceful no matter what we have or haven’t done.

And should be subject to sanction. The EFL needs to remind Middlesbrough that there's a difference between making a complaint and trying to influence an impartial panel which should be stamped on straightaway.

Something isn't right. Maybe the Saints hierarchy are keeping quiet and letting Middlesbrough make fools of themselves because they know something we don't.

[hypochondriac]

Just now, coalman said:

Sounds like we didn't offer that either.

Clearly not but he's going to say and do whatever he can in order to get as much as he can. Big lawsuits I'm sure. 

[SNSUN]

2 minutes ago, Saint In Cornwall said:

EFL website updated in last few minutes confirming Saturday 23rd match.

 

https://www.efl.com/competitions/efl-championship/

Well, if they've mistakenly published that then the world has truly gone bonkers.

Get your tickets guys, we're going to fucking Wem-ber-lee!!!

[coalman]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

I'm waiting to go back and read it once it's confirmed. I'll have a nice glass of wine and drink it all in. 

Following both forums is an oddly surreal experience.

[Dman]

12 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

They've got form for this sort of snivelling though - remember their outcry over Rob Edwards leaving? Rob Edwards, rightly or wrongly, wanted a crack at his former club in the PL (although not for long). They created such an outcry, the Boro fans hate him, the club made a crying statement about it as well iirc.

Yeah they hate Azaz for leaving their nothing club as well. Odd bunch. 

[Pilchards]

Let’s get this right, Boro get 6 points and 5m.

That means they overtake Ipswich in 2nd place so the playoffs are between Ipswich, Saints and Hull?

😀

[do i not like fizzy pop]

So....

We get fined, say £4m, and a suspended 6 points deduction which applies the next time we are in the Championship (if we got promoted).

Borough/Gibbo get royally reamed by the ICO for £17.5m (on the basis of £17.5m or 4% of turnover whichever is higher) and on the back of their annual loss from 2024/2026 of £11.4m go into administration get a 10 point deduction from the EFL and get relegated to L1.

I'd be happy with that. 

[Saint NL]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

I'm waiting to go back and read it once it's confirmed. I'll have a nice glass of wine and drink it all in. 

And in an alternate universe.....

[Gloucester Saint]

28 minutes ago, sfc4prem said:

I walked past the Middlesbrough cordon outside St Mary's on Tuesday. I had two peeking through a gap in the material around the fence, screaming "cunt" and "you cheating bastard, you know what you are". I chuckled. The level of animosity is mind-boggling.

One member of the public who has probably worked hard for their match shouting abuse at another. From grown men.

Steve Gibson, Hellberg, their MP, Sky, Telegraph, TalkSPORT, Mail, BBC and Guardian have really not done themselves any favours from initially being in the right and wronged. The latest tantrum over not being on the panel - they were never going to be nor should they - their voice is through their statement like any other hearing - is mind-boggling and Sky should not be encouraging Gibson further as they have been this afternoon.

Time well tell, I have a feeling it’s backfired on them. But I hope I’m not wrong… 

Edited 1 hour ago by Gloucester Saint

[SNSUN]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

Clearly not but he's going to say and do whatever he can in order to get as much as he can. Big lawsuits I'm sure. 

Anyone got that bucket we used for the Bournemouth whip round back in the day? We could use it again and get a few quid for Boro.

I'm putting in 15p and a Polo mint.