A CAMPAIGN to get a long-suffering chairman a knighthood is going from strength to strength.

Fans of Middlesbrough Football Club have started a Facebook campaign to make Steve Gibson a sir, despite the club’s recent relegation woes.

The group, which was estblished less than a week ago, already has more than 250 members and the numbers are increasing daily.

The calls follow Mr Gibson wiping off almost £70m worth of debt from the club’s books and his “continued commitment to the town”.

Group creator Adam Turnbull said: “Gibson is widely regarded as one of the best chairmen in the business and is seen by many to be a fan fuelling his passion rather than a businessman looking for profit.

“As a result of this, the fans of Middlesbrough FC have nicknamed him the King of Teesside and want to see him with a knighthood.”

Mr Gibson was given the freedom of the town in Middlesbrough after the club won the League Cup on February 29, 2004.