Boro fans told to be quiet

Safety officer Sue Watson had letters handed out to fans during Saturday's 0-0 home draw with Wigan Athletic asking them keep the noise down as they had received complaints from some supporters.

That goalless draw - for which there were more than 11,000 empty seats at the 34,000-capacity venue - leaves Boro in the relegation zone, two points from safety in 19th place.

Watson said in the letter: "I am receiving more and more complaints from our own fans about both the persistent standing and the constant banging and noise coming from the back of this stand.

"Please stop. Make as much noise as you like when we score, but this constant noise is driving some fans mad."

Middlesbrough have scored only 10 league goals at home all season, and just once in their last nine games on Teesside.

Many fans have reacted angrily to the letter, with one saying: "The letter's an utter disgrace. The anger and resentment it's caused shows what a PR disaster it is."

Middlesbrough's chief operating officer Neil Basour has since apologised for the letter, saying: "We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and we accept the letter could easily have been misunderstood.

"We apologise to any supporters who have therefore been understandably annoyed."