Steve Gibson

100 North East Heroes

Born: Middlesbrough, 1958.

Steve Gibson is a working class lad made good who has the rare distinction of being a football club chairman revered by the fans.

When Middlesbrough won the Carling Cup in 2004 - the first trophy in their history - it was Gibson's name which was chanted by the club's supporters.

He was raised in the tough Park End area of Middlesbrough and dreamed of playing for his home town club.

In 1981 Gibson borrowed £1000 from his dad and founded Bulkhaul Limited, a company dedicated to the global transportation of bulk liquids, powders and gasses.

With his business booming, he was approached by Boro's board in 1984 and initially agreed to take an advertising board at the club's then ground, Ayresome Park. Then in November 1984 he became the club's youngest ever director, aged only 26.

In 1986 he formed the consortium which saved the club during the liquidation crisis and in 1993 he became chairman.

He brought in Bryan Robson as manager, masterminded the move to the Riverside, and funded a series of high-profile signings.

While the club reached three cup finals in the space of a couple of seasons it was also relegated. Gibson displayed another trait uncharacteristic of most football chairmen by remaining loyal to the manager. However Robson was eventually replaced by Steve McClaren in 2001 who, apart from the Carling Cup success, also took the team to the UEFA Cup Final last year.

Quote/fact: Gibson became Middlesbrough's youngest ever Labour councillor at 21 when he was elected for the Park End ward.