Middlesbrough FC news: Season card details, Robbie Keane discusses future plus Adam Clayton on Birmingham challenge

Middlesbrough’s early bird season card scheme will re-open at 2pm on Friday as the club look to bring supporters back to the Riverside.
Supporters may be allowed back to the Riverside Stadium in October.Supporters may be allowed back to the Riverside Stadium in October.
Supporters may be allowed back to the Riverside Stadium in October.

Fans could be allowed to return to stadiums on October 3 at the earliest but clubs will have to operate with a reduced capacity.

Boro anticipate they could accommodate around 10,000 supporters and have currently sold 7,900 season cards for the 2020/21 campaign.

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That leaves around 2,000 season cards available to fans wishing to renew, which will be distributed by a computer-generated ballot system.

Supporters who are unsuccessful will be refunded or offered a season pass for the live streaming of all home fixtures, and midweek away fixtures, in accordance with EFL guidance.

The early bird deadline will run until Wednesday September 9

You can find more details by visiting the club’s website.

Keane in no rush to return to coaching

Robbie Keane says he’s had offers to return to coaching after leaving Middlesbrough but hasn’t felt the time is right.

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Keane’s Boro departure was confirmed after Jonathan Woodgate’s dismissal in June, while the former Leeds and Tottenham striker also worked as Mick McCarthy’s assistant with the Republic of Ireland national team.

Keane told PA news agency: "I’m certainly in no rush, I’m not desperate. I’ll wait for the right opportunity. I’ve had opportunities already and I’ve turned them down because it didn’t feel like they were right for me.

“It has to be the right fit, it has to be the right opportunity. If it comes up, I’ll certainly look at it – like I have done – and assess it, but I’m not really in a rush to jump into something that doesn’t suit me.

“These past two years, I’ve fitted a lot in that maybe a lot of people wouldn’t fit in, in terms of being with Mick McCarthy for 18 months and then at Middlesbrough, thrown in at the deep end there for one year in the Championship which, as we know, is full-on.”

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Clayton reflects on Boro spell

Finally, former Boro midfielder Adam Clayton says it was tough to leave the Riverside this summer following six memorable years at the club.

The 31-year-old signed for Birmingham City, now managed by Aitor Karanka, this week after penning a two year deal, with an optional third, at St Andrew’s.

When looking back on his time at Boro, Clayton told Blues TV: “It's always hard to say goodbye to something that's been such a big part of your life but that's football, it evolves daily.

"I was sad to go, but it was on the cards and I think it was the right time to move on and find a new challenge.

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"I'm really looking forward to that challenge and hope we can achieve something here. When Aitor first arrived at Boro I remember the mentality was when we achieve something not if, so if we can match that here that will stand us in good stead."

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