I thought it was probably best if i try to answer a few of the obvious questions that people might have, whilst also giving a bit of history and background to the site itself.

1. So is this a Boro website or not?

When i began this site my only intention was to document the first 100 issues of Middlesbrough fanzine Fly Me To The Moon.

However, as time passed i realised i needed to keep people interested / entertained whilst i worked on that back catalogue. So I added two additional areas that focussed on football art and player interviews.

These new areas soon began to increase in popularity (especially the art / illustrations) to a point where the original focus of the site began to get a little blurred.

The only solution was to give all three sections equal weighting, which is why i decided to change the look, feel and ultimately the direction of the site.

2. Can you tell me more about the fanzine archive?

It’s a retrospective look at the ‘best bits’ from the first 100 issues of FMTTM. From the 0 – 1 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in 88, to the relegation haunted 3 – 3 draw against Norwich in 93.

The aim of the archive is to trace Boro’s recent history through the dog-eared pages of its long standing fanzine. Think of it as a website with hindsight if you will?

3. Fair enough, but why bother?

I wanted to hold a mirror up to the past to see if our Ayresome Park memories had become diluted or distorted over the years.

Was Mogga always held in such high regard? Did FMTTM really campaign for Mark Page to be installed in favour of Bernard Gent and just how bad were the Holgate bogs?

For some it will be a history lesson, for others a trip down memory lane but either way i hope it will be an interesting and entertaining read.

4. Does Rob Nichols (FMTTM Editor) know about this?

Yes he does and has been very supportive, giving his kind permission to reproduce the covers and articles that make up the fanzine archive section of the site.

5. Why the first 100 issues?

I’ve always felt we never really did enough to preserve or celebrate our history; hopefully this archive might go some way to redressing that balance.

I do not lay claim to the FMTTM articles themselves, they remain (bar a few grammatical tweaks) as the authors originally intended.

I have tried to be as even handed as possible regarding the treatment that was doled out to certain players. Including both good and bad articles to give a true reflection of the attitudes that existed at the time.

I suppose the main reason for archiving all this info, is so that it’s avaialble to all Boro fans from any era.

I’m not that interested in commenting on the current team or recent matches, especially as enough Boro sites already cater for that type of thing. But if its unashamed nostalgia and bias you’re after then you’ve come to the right place.

6. Why are issues 7 and 13 missing?

To the best of my knowledge issue 13 was never produced, they were a superstitious lot back then. As for issue 7, like Boro at an Ewood Park fixture it has simply failed to turn up. If anyone out there could help me find it i’d be eternally grateful as it’s the only issue i’m missing from the first 100.

Even though i’m having to sacrifice what i thought was a pretty witty explanation (see strike-through text) I can’t thank Shaun Wilson enough for supplying the final piece in my Boro jigsaw (Issue 7), he’s a top Boro fan too, get him followed on Twitter @shaunwilson71 you’ll be glad you did.

7. So what now?

Why don’t you browse the articles; leave a comment or tell me what you think of the interviews.

Just try to remember this is not my full time job, i will endeavour to keep the site regularly updated but I have always viewed this as a long term project, so you might just have to bear with me.

Finally, if you feel your work has been represented here without credit, please do get in touch and i will amend the site accordingly. Enjoy the site