Scandalous Boro chairman who was banned for life for throwing a match

Middlesbrough: So, let me tell you about this guy, Gibson Poole. He was a big deal back in the day, serving as the chairman of Middlesbrough FC. But, oh boy, did he get himself into some hot water! In 1911, he tried to throw a match to help his political career. Can you believe that?

He was a watchmaker who turned into a local hero, even becoming mayor. But when the club was struggling, he made some questionable moves. He paid off debts and even bought a player for a record sum, which raised eyebrows everywhere.

Things got really messy when he tried to bribe the Sunderland captain to ensure a win just before an election. The captain said no, but the scandal was out. The FA caught wind of it and banned Poole and the manager for life.

Surprisingly, he bounced back and even became mayor again in 1928. He later donated a mansion to the town, which helped clean up his image. It’s wild how someone can go from a scandalous figure to a respected local leader, right?