Neil Bausor's message to Middlesbrough fans after club launches vaccination centre at the Riverside Stadium

A new large vaccination centre opened at the Riverside Stadium this week, and Bausor says the club has always been at the heart of the community.

Speaking at the vaccination centre launch, Bausor told the club’s website: "Steve Gibson has always wanted to build a club around the community.

"We're particularly proud of the club's Foundation, who have done some tremendous work already during the pandemic.

"The vaccine centre is yet another example of how the club can help support the Teesside area.

"It gives another option for people to get the vaccine, and continues the rollout as quickly as possible."

Aside from a test event in September, when 1,000 supporters watched Boro’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, it’s been over a year since fans last attended a match at the Riverside.

And with Boro's 2020/21 season ticket cards now on sale, Bausor is looking forward to welcoming back supporters.

"It’s vital, we’ve all watched games this season without fans, within the club we’ve watched them,” Boro’s CEO added.

"It’s missing the fans, they are vital to football, to our club and we are desperate to get them back.

“Anything that can help with that including the vaccinations we are fully behind.”

On fans returning, he added: “I think it’s something we can all look forward to.

“Coming back and getting back to some normality in our normal routines and hopefully that’s watching football and cheering their team on to do as well as they possibly can.”

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