Gibson’s response to job application

If you cast your collective minds back to 2006, you may remember that Middlesbrough FC was caught at a bit of a crossroads. Steve McClaren had just been poached by the FA (so far untarnished by his ‘Wally with the Brolly’ moniker) and we were once again left with a choice of going for managerial youth or experience.

Since the Riverside Revolution began Steve Gibson has never been shy of taking a longshot; Bryan Robson and Steve McClaren were both relative novices when they took their roles, neither having managed before. If any sports betting sites had tipped us to secure a number of Wembley appearances, a first piece of silverware and a European final under their stewardship, I’m not sure many of us would have been rushing to the bookies.

So with our Chairman’s track record, it’s probably little wonder John Boileau, a 25yr old Football Manager enthusiast, decided to throw his own hat into the ring when McClaren moved on.

Having taken Nuneaton Borough from Conference North to the Championship in eight seasons, whilst also winning the Swedish top flight with minnows Kalmar FF, John was pretty confident the job was as good as his. Below is John’s original speculative application plus the fantastic response he got Steve Gibson.

The irony is that we opted for yet another novice when Gareth Southgate took the reins. The fact he eventually took the club down makes me wonder if this Boileau guy wasn’t such a bad bet after all.

This story first appeared on John’s own site which can be found here