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Post-riot football exhibition given permanent home

Stuart WhincupMiddlesbrough
News imageTom Banks and Paul Thompson Abdillah has short black stubbled and is wearing a black Middlesbrough football shirt bright blue detailing including chevrons down the sleeve. The large red Tees Newport Bridge is blurred in the background.Tom Banks and Paul Thompson
The art hopes to showcase "the real Middlesbrough"

An exhibition celebrating diversity through football has been unveiled, aimed at showing ''the real Middlesbrough" after divisions seen during previous rioting in the town.

My Boro My Shirt highlights the different stories of Middlesbrough fans, showing how the game welcomes everyone regardless of race, religion or background.

The permanent exhibition – which has been installed at the railway station - was funded with government money to improve community cohesion following the violent disorder in August 2024.

Sahida Ditta, who is photographed as part of the exhibition and took part in the clean-up after the riot, said: "We are a resilient community who will not be divided."

She said Middlesbrough Football Club brings people together irrespective of their background and everyone should feel safe in the town.

News imageTom Banks and Paul Thompson Sahida Ditta is leaning against a brightly painted pillar in a red and white Middlesbrough shirt. She has long black hair which has been dyed red towards the ends and has her arms folded. She is smiling broadly.Tom Banks and Paul Thompson
Sahida Ditta said the Riverside Stadium is an inclusive home
News imageTom Banks and Paul Thompson Theo, Oscar and Isaac are stood in the middle of a field with a forest behind them in the distance. They are all smiling and wearing red and white Middlesbrough shirts from different eras.Tom Banks and Paul Thompson
A diversity of shirts are also on display

The exhibition was organised by Rob Nichols, editor of the Fly Me To The Moon fanzine.

He said he was ''shocked, appalled and sickened'' by the racism and violent scenes taking place during rioting which passed through his street.

News imageTom Banks and Paul Thompson Olga is a young girl in a wheelchair with the Riverside Stadium in the background to her left. She is smiling at the camera and wearing a yellow and navy Middlesbrough kit.Tom Banks and Paul Thompson
My Boro My Shirt shows the different stories of Middlesbrough fans

Police officers were attacked with bricks and bottles, cars were set alight and homes and businesses were smashed up.

Nichols said: ''I hope this is part of the healing process and we move away from those scenes.

"This is the true community, this is the real Middlesbrough.''

News imageTom Banks and Paul Thompson Jas, Anita, Aran and Tony are in a variety of Middlesbrough shirts, one green, two different blue designs and a red shirt. They are standing in front of the Dorman Memorial Museum with the two males wearing black turban head coverings. They are all smiling.Tom Banks and Paul Thompson
The exhibition is on display at Middlesbrough railway station
News imageTom Banks and Paul Thompson Grace and Eve are standing in an entrance tunnel at a stadium and wearing different white and blue Middlesbrough shirts. They have long ginger hair and they are both smiling at the camera. Tom Banks and Paul Thompson
The exhibition hopes to be part of the "healing process" after the riots

Fifteen fan portraits were taken by photographers Tom Banks and Paul Thompson, with the supporters sharing what the shirt and the club means to them.

The pictures have been displayed at events around the town but have now been given a permanent home on platform two of Middlesbrough station.

Helena Bowman, the club's chief operating officer, said she thought the positioning of the exhibition was crucial.

''When people get off the train to attend the Boro matches it'll be the first thing they will see," she said.

"It will provide a welcome to Middlesbrough.''

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