BORO QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS!

MIDDLESBROUGH FUTSAL Club have qualified for the playoffs with a 19-0 over East Coast last weekend, cementing their place in the top two of the FA Futsal National League North and will now head to London in May to contest the grand finals.

The top two of the North will join the top two sides from the South and Midlands in a six team tournament with the winners being crowned national champions and qualifying for Europe.

Boro last contested the finals in 2009 when they were denied a fair crack at the title by controversial decisions from the FA but put up a good showing drawing 1-1 with Tranmere Victoria and 5-5 with Newham Genesis. The Teessiders could face Genesis again, who were runners-up in the south, second to four times champions Helvecia London.

Team Bath and newcomers Oxford Lions represent the midlands league and Manchester, who finished first in the northern region ahead of Boro, make up the six teams.

Manager Damon Shaw is pleased his team have reached the finals, a minimum target for the season, and is looking forward to challenging for the title.

“We go to the finals after a good season that has had plenty of drama, but we always knew what we had to do to qualify and that has been the aim! We want to be playing these teams each week so we can’t wait to test ourselves and have a shot at the title. Let’s hope Boro can reach the Championship playoffs now as well!”

The finals will be held in London on 12th and 13th May, with the group matches being played on the Saturday followed by the final on Sunday. The venue is the fantastic Sporthouse Arena in Barking.

Meanwhile, Theo Furness who scored 17 goals for Middlesbrough this season has left the club to go to play for Icelandic outfit Tindastol in the 2nd division so will miss the finals, but Shaw wishes him all the best.

“Any team would miss a player of Theo’s quality but he’s got a great opportunity to play professional football for the summer and we will welcome him back next season, hopefully with a UEFA Cup campaign to challenge in!”




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com