Hundreds of Boro fans were in high spirits early this morning as they left the Riverside ahead of this afternoon’s FA Cup fifth round clash against Arsenal.
The sell out away day following, which was allocated 5,186 tickets, descended on the Emirates Stadium for the much anticipated game which kicks off at 4pm.
At around 7am, 16 coaches left the Riverside destined for north London for what fans hope will be another winning performance.
David Hutchinson, 42, from Ingleby Barwick, was one of the first fans to arrive at the Riverside along with his two daughters, Caitlin, 15 and Lucy, 13.
David said: “I am quietly confident about today’s game. We have been excellent so far.”
Friends Connor Armes, 17 and Luke Stephenson, 17, both from Eston, had good feelings too.
Connor said: “They have been better than what they usually are. They usually flop at Christmas time but they have kept it going this year. I think it will be 2-2.”
Luke added: “If we keep going in the Cup we could go all the way.”
Paul Berry, 52, from Redcar, was heading to the match with his son, Wayne, 29.
Paul said: “Wayne wants them to win. He wants to go to Wembley.
“They have been unbelievable so far. I think we will win 2-1.”
Denise Pearson, 63 and her daughter, Amy, 29, from Markse, were looking forward to their first away game.
Amy said: “We can’t wait. It has been a great season so far. We are definitley going to win.”
Stephen Cowley, 32, was with partner, Michelle Atkinson, 29.
Stephen, from Ingleby Barwick, said: “We were at the Manchester City game and it was an amazing day. We’re hoping for the same again today.”
Margaret Dowey, 76, from Ormesby, was with friend, Jean Lowe, 79, from Norton.
Margaret said: “We are really excited. I haven’t slept.”
Jean added: “We have been to every one. We were at Manchester City. We are just hoping it will be 2-1.”
Aitor Karanka’s side have so far beaten the former Premier League champions, Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round last month as well as reaching the top of the Championship after their win against Blackpool last Tuesday.
John Leverseidge, 73 and Eileen Wright, 67, from Port Mulgrave, were looking forward to the match.
John said: “It is a game that we would hope to win. We went to Manchester City. If they can repeat that then okay but if they don’t we will just get on with the League.”
Husband and wife, Linda and Bill Sigsworth from Marton were also among the crowds.
Linda, 63, said: “I am apprehensive but I am sure we have more fire power than the Gunners. We will give it all we have got.”
Today’s match against Arsene Wenger’s Gunners is the third time that a sell out away support has stood by the team this season. An army of supporters travelled to the Etihad stadium last month as well as backing them at Liverpool in September.
With over 60,000 seats at the Emirates Stadium, there is not one spare at today’s match which will see the 5,186 strong army of Boro fans cheering their side on in the hope of another win.
The match will be shown live on BT Sport.
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