Young midfielder Bobby Highton came up through Boro’s EFCO scheme and into the first team frame – but couldn’t make that leap. Of course, it wasn’t for the want of trying. For a young player such as himself, however, the volume of players ahead of him didn’t make it easy. In early 2000, Highton left the club on a free at the age of 18; a Boro’ spokesperson saying that “regular, competitive football” was needed to continue his development. At the time, our squad contained 20 players and offered “little chance” of any future opportunity.