'It's a dream': Boro fans gear up for Wembley

Middlesbrough will fight for a place in the Premier League after Southampton were thrown out over spying [PA Media] Middlesbrough fans have said they are in a dream after Southampton were thrown out of the Championship play-offs - meaning Boro will now take on Hull City at Wembley for a spot in the Premier League. The EFL charged Saints with watching training sessions involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town, in addition to filming Middlesbrough as they prepared for the first leg of their play-off semi-final on 7 May. Southampton, who beat Boro in the semi-final, are appealing the decision.

But Middlesbrough fans have said the punishment is just and the club has been allocated 35,984 tickets for the West End of Wembley Stadium, which are being sold online for a 15:30 BST kick off. It said tickets were only available on its ticketing website "in recognition of the short timescales and number of tickets available". Local MP Andy McDonald called on Southampton to withdraw its appeal.

"It's a nonsense and they shouldn't be putting anybody through any more inconvenience because of their behaviour," the Labour politician said. "It really was the only decision the commission could come to, but that said, I was still worried that they wouldn't do it, so fair play to them. "What an opportunity.

Now the Boro have got to seize it with both hands. " Middlesbrough continued training after the play-off semi-finals last week [Reuters] Former Middlesbrough captain Julio Arca said it was a "great opportunity" for the team. "Opportunities often come when you don't expect it and you have to take advantage of them.