MIDDLESBROUGH Former Players Association exists to help former Boro players keep in touch with each other and to raise funds for ex-stars who are in need, as well as other good causes.

On this page we'll be keeping you in touch with all the latest fundraising activities and events as the Association goes from strength to strength.

Here's on overview of some things that have been happening since the group began... 

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THE FUNDRAISING drive to buy a new minibus for Middlesbrough Disabled Supporters Association has been given a major boost by the club's past players.

Middlesbrough Former Players Association president Alan Peacock handed over a £1,000 cheque towards the fund at the MDSA's annual dinner.

In addition, Boro's Brisbane-based fans contributed a further £300 which was also handed over to chair Paddy Cronesberry.

The close links between Boro's former players and disabled fans have been further strengthened by the appointment of MFPA chairman Gordon Jones as MDSA's honourary president.

"When I walked through the doors at Ayresome Park I fell in love with the club immediately and I'm sure it was the same for many of you," said Gordon.

"As president of the Disabled Supporters Association I would like to work with Paddy and not be somebody who does nothing."

Gordon succeeds the late Willie Maddren, MDSA's president until his death from Motor Neurone Disease.

AFTER waiting a quarter of a century to see Boro in a European final, it's no wonder loyal fan Andrew Southall wants to remember the occasion forever.

So when we auctioned a shirt signed by UEFA Cup hero Mark Viduka on eBay, he was determined not to be outbid.

Andrew, a chef at the Scotch Corner Hotel, saw off rival bidders to pay £400 for the memento, with the funds all going to Middlesbrough Former Players Association.

Our picture shows Mark and friends meeting Mark Viduka and MFPA's Alan Peacock at the Boro training HQ.

BORO stars Alan Peacock and Gordon Jones from the Middlesbrough Ex-Players Association presented cheques to three local charities at the Riverside Stadium.

Teesside Hospice, Butterwick Children's Hospice and Zoe's Place received substantial sums following a series of highly successful fundraising dinners and player forums by the Association.

Chairman Alan Peacock, who represented England as a Boro striker at the 1962 World Cup, said: "We're delighted to support these local charities who do so much good work on Teesside."

The group supports and keeps in contact with hundreds of ex-Boro players spanning the Ayresome Park and Riverside eras. Much-loved heroes make regular appearances at home matches where they relish the chance to talk about old times.

Recently the Association paid for 60s stars John Craggs and Billy Horner to have vital surgery for injuries originally sustained in their playing days.

To find out more about the Association, visit our Forever Boro section by clicking on the link on the left-hand side of the mfc.co.uk homepage. 

Our picture shows Frank Spraggon with Emma Collins of Teesside Hospice, Gordon Jones with Liz Jacobs of Zoe's Place and Alan Peaock with Steph Wood of the Butterwick Hospice.

GRANTS

*Boro legends John Craggs and Billy Horner (above) were given assistance to help them recover after operations for football-related injuries. Our picture shows Jim Platt, Alan Peacock, John Craggs, Billy Horner, Frank Spraggon, Alastair Brownlee and Gordon Jones.  Click here for a full report.

*1970s Boro coach Jimmy Greenhalgh, who suffered from Alzheimer's Disease, was presented with a selection of Boro books to help him relive the good old days. Our picture shows Frank Spraggon, Jimmy and Gordon Jones at the presentation. Click here for a full report. 

*MFPA bought a mobile phone for 60s Boro player Peter Bryan, who now lives in a residential home, to make it easier for him to keep in touch with friends and relatives

*Former Wales midfielder John Mahoney, pictured, was given help after having a joint replacement.

DONATIONS

*A £500 donation was made to Boro's Disabled Supporters Association to help with the running costs of "Willie", pictured above, the minibus that takes disabled fans to away games. A further £1,000 cheque was presented in 2008 to help pay for Willie's replacement.

ACTIVITIES

*MFPA members including Peacock, Jones, Platt, John Hendrie and Curtis Fleming attended a dinner at Guisborough Town Football Club to raise funds for junior football development.

*Members have regularly appeared as guests at Middlesbrough Official Supporters Club functions.

*A former player is invited to each Boro home game as a guest of MFPA.

If you know a former Boro player who would like to meet up with ex-team mates, whether they played just once or hundreds of times for the team, they would like to hear from you.

Email jim.platt@mac.com.

We'll be keeping you up to date with the Association's activites throughout the season.

Click here for the full story of how the association was formed.