Raising Aspirations, Changing Lives

As a native Teessider and lifelong Middlesbrough fan, it has always been my firmly-held belief that the football club exists as part of, and to serve, the local community. It was with this conviction that the official charitable arm of Middlesbrough FC was first registered on November 25, 1996. The aim of the charity was – as it remains – to give something back to the people of Teesside, who are the lifeblood of the Club. I look back with great pride on those early ambitions, and the fact that the Foundation has gone from strength to strength in the intervening years. I would like to thank the countless individuals and organisations that have lent the charity their support over the past two decades: together, we really have made a difference and, with your continuing support, we look to achieve even more in the years ahead.

Steve Gibson, Chairman, Middlesbrough Football Club

Some young people, and indeed their parents, have little or no hope or aspiration for the future. I have often said, that "a person who has no hope, will be a person who has no life". I believe those words to be true, because hope is probably one of the best things in life. Hope can lead to ambition, aspiration, self-belief and greater self-esteem.

MFC Foundation is about raising hope in all of the young people we work with, by using the power and influence of football, so that they aspire to greater things.

Ray Mallon, Chair of Trustees

The courses organised and delivered by MFC Foundation have been particularly beneficial to our school in many different ways. Having a team of young, inspiring, professional staff to deliver our syllabus eases pressure on our staff, allows children to interact with different people and releases planning and assessment time in our school. All courses are well planned, resourced and delivered in a flexible manner.

Lead Enterprise Teacher, Horizons Academy

My attitude has really improved since 2011 and I have really knuckled down the past year. I have come to realise that I need to start thinking about what I want to do as a career and the fact I am still able to work with MFC Foundation on the Futsal and Education course is great. I hope to work in the sports industry and this course will help me with this. I hope to also use the opportunity to volunteer more on the Kicks programme.

Kicks Participant

The input from Middlesbrough Football Club has made a significant impact on the school as a whole. Children are physically more active, and are enjoying their PE more, and teachers, particularly those new to the profession, are developing the confidence and skill to deliver good PE lessons themselves therefore ensuring sustainability. Several parents have commented on how their children look forward to PE.

Sheila Hauxwell, Head Teacher, Beechgrove Primary School