For the first time in nine years, the 2023-4 campaign saw Boro’ take up residence in League One and out to ruffle more feathers. Under the continued leadership of Steve Evans, the previous season had seen us defy expectations; a crackin’ effort that ended up earning promotion from League Two. And we carried that momentum through into the League One odyssey… at least to start with. It would unfortunately unravel in more ways than one come the end of proceedings, with Boro’ missing out on the playoffs and Evans then departing for pastures new.
First, this talk of ruffling feathers.
We didn’t exactly make too many friends in League Two. Many of them we’d leave behind. In their place, we’d pick up an array of new foes to vanquish; from the likes of Burton Albion then managed by former Boro’ gaffer Dino Maamria to the fallen FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic. The giants of Derby County and Barnsley were both vanquished at home, while an age-old hoodoo ended as we won at Northampton Town for the first time. All this saw us banish the memories of our last time in League One that ended in dismal fashion.
As far as the cup competitions were concerned, not much joy was to be found. We got past Watford in the first stage of the League Cup, only to fall to defeat at Exeter. The FA Cup was more memorable, but not for the right reasons; a defeat against non-league Maidstone United (for the second time in our history) making us feel humble.
