Fly Me To The Moon column: What it was like attending Middlesbrough's draw with Bournemouth from a fan's perspective

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Back in March when the country slammed into lockdown we talked about how one day, hopefully soon, we would return triumphant back into society. In football it would be just like after World War II when the relief of a return to normality and sporting endeavour would spill over into packed out stadia, heralding a golden age of football watching. A far cry then from the 1000 testing the waters at the Riverside on Saturday but such a significant baby step, that it felt like a giant leap forward all the same.

On Saturday 1000 lucky, first come served supporters, returned to the Riverside for the first time in six months. The fact that manager, Neil Warnock would not also be there, made this affair even more poignant. No one was in any doubt that we had to treat the pandemic with the deepest respect. Safety was uppermost on everyone's mind. Yet there were still broad smiles worn everywhere, until they were covered with masks.

There were checkpoints at the perimeters, tickets were shown, directions given. Middlesbrough Council wardens offered free #UTB face masks, everyone donned their protection. Hand sanitiser was available on both sides of the turnstiles and clear signing on the walls gave guidance and reassurance as we followed a one way path through the empty concourses, all bars closed and out to the seating.

Just one stand open, people dispersed throughout but instantly showing real gratitude to be back involved. And yes I do mean involved, as the players were warmly applauded onto and off the field in warm up. The volleys of applause continued right through the pre-match and a first chance to get behind players taking the knee.

Yet, as surreal as the circumstances were, this was no friendly. The fans were witness to an extremely important league match. Boro were taking on recently relegated AFC Bournemouth and after defeat at Watford and then in the Cup to Barnsley, there was urgent need for points, goals and a season start- up performance.

In the event, and yes with some fans returned, it was an event, Boro performed really well. There was plenty of good, crisp attacking football for the supporters to enjoy. No one was shy in coming forward with applause. It was not long before chanting rippled and rumbled through the socially distant seating of the main stand.

Boro were unlucky to fall behind to an own goal but fought back gamely. When Paddy McNair was given licence to push forward it was a game changer. The Northern Ireland international carved out an opening with a pearler of a cross, clinically converted by sub Marcus Browne. I could imagine the cheers ringing around in front of laptops and smartphones. Yet for the first time in this era fans at the game were leaping to their feet, punching the air and roaring with delight. In the 25th years of the Riverside there have been few more significant goals than that five-yard header. Let's hope it is the start of something significant for the team and for their fans.

Up The Boro

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