Fly Me Over the Pond: The Thoughts Of a USA Based Middlesbrough Fan

“We are men of iron, we are men of Steele,” sang Brucey Rioch’s boys back in the 1980’s.  Now the original man of Steele they sung about has come to pass.

Since Boro sold Mark Schwarzer, things have gone downhill in the goalkeeping department.  First Brad Jones, then Ross Turnbull, and then Danny Coyne, have all tried to fill the gloves of the great Australian keeper.

From the outside it looks like Boro have produced magnificent goalkeepers who have went on to play for Champions League clubs, all the while having an able veteran backing up.  The truth is quite different.

Jones contributed to the relegation in a big way, showing hesitance and doubt that seemed to spread through the team as a series of late winners or equalizing goals were shipped.  He had some undoubtedly good games, but overall his contribution was poor, and the fact his Middlesbrough career ends in a multi-million pound move to Liverpool is astounding to most fans.   

Turnbull was the next keeper to fill the void. He started very well and won the praise of many fans.  He was far from the excellent level of Mark Schwarzer though. 

Turnbull fell out of favour swiftly with Gareth Southgate, and after a bad error at Stamford Bridge was harshly benched, and his Boro career cut short.  Turnbull secured a move to Chelsea, who obviously did not put much stock in his poor Stamford Bridge display.

Next, through the revolving goal posts is Danny Coyne.  Coyne is an excellent communicator, a brave character, and popular among the fan base.  Despite some good performances, Coyne has not quite cemented his place in goal, and we all waited for Gordon to head north to bring us the second coming of Andy Goram down, or at least Artur Boruc!  A move for a keeper never materialized.

Was Strachan putting his faith in Coyne and Jones to see us to a promotion season, or did he know something we all didn’t?  Did he realize that when called upon, Jason ‘Man of’ Steele would perform so well?

Few of us batted an eyelid when Steele played against Chesterfield in the Carling Cup, thinking it was merely an opportunity to give the young boy some game time against  inferior opposition. 

A mere seven days later, and it seems Steele may be the face of the future in goal. 

Boro made hard work of a Chesterfield team that included the impressive Jack Lester.  A small but hostile crowd turned up the heat hoping for an upset, but Steele stood strong and helped Boro hold on to a 2-1 victory, keeping the Carling Cup dream alive.

What few in Middlesbrough will realize is that the performance of Steele drew worldwide acclaim.  ESPN is the American equivalent of Sky Sports and does a daily “Top 10 Plays” segment.  Your author received a pleasant shock on Wednesday when among the home runs and touchdowns was a save by our young keeper in the previous night’s game.  You really have to hear it read out by an American commentator to realize what a fantastic name he has;

“Jason STEELE from MiddlesBRO” we were told was making the save.

Last weekend Steele followed up that performance with some excellent saves as Boro gained a point against Leicester City, a feat that proved beyond us last season.  The Sheffield United game today will be the next step on the road. 

Are we watching our next great Boro keeper to add to the lineage of Platt, Pears, and Schwarzer?  Or will he disappoint before moving to Manchester United?