Away to the Saints on the opening day

Last updated : 14 June 2002 By Reggie Holdsworth
Due to FA restrictions we are unable to publish the full list of fixtures but here are the highlights of the season.

Boro kick off the season at St. Mary's against Southampton on Saturday 17th August followed a week later with the first home game against Fulham at the Riverside.

We then travel to Old Trafford for a midweek game against Manchester United (Wednesday 28th) before returning to the Riverside for a game against Blackburn Rovers.

The first North East derby is the opening game in September, at the Riverside against Sunderland (Tuesday 10th). September also sees games against Everton(a), Birmingham City(h) and Tottenham Hotspur(a).

Into October and we have games against Bolton Wanderers(h), Charlton Athletic(a) and Leeds United(h), then a difficult November with a trip to Newcastle United (Saturday 2nd) followed by Liverpool(h), Chelsea(a), Manchester City(h) and finally West Bromwich Albion(a).

December sees us play three London clubs on the trot with West Ham United(h), Chelsea(h) and Arsenal(a) before a mouthwatering game with Manchester United at the Riverside on Boxing Day. A trip to Aston Villa finishes the year off.

Boro visit Blackburn Rovers on New Years Day before games with Southampton (h), Fulham(a) and a swift return with Aston Villa(h) complete January.

February is another difficult month with games against Newcastle United at the Riverside (Saturday 1st) then Liverpool and Sunderland (Saturday 22nd), both away.

Everton visit the Riverside in March as Boro also play Leeds United(a) and Charlton Athletic(h).

April is busy with games against West Bromwich Albion(h), Manchester City(a), Arsenal(h), West Ham United(a) and Birmingham City(a).

The season closes in May with Tottenham Hotspur visiting the Riverside and a trip to Bolton Wanderers (Saturday 11th).

All the above games are subject to change.