MIDDLESBROUGH have announced new legacy numbers, which mark the contribution of every player that has represented the club at first-team level.

And the research that has led to the numerical system has revealed that 998 different players have made a senior competitive appearance, meaning two more debutants will break the 1,000 mark.

Following extensive research from volunteer historians among the Boro-supporting community, an official legacy number has been assigned to each and every senior men’s player to feature in a competitive fixture since the club permanently turned professional in 1899.

The first 11 are therefore those who turned out in the club’s maiden Football League appearance against Lincoln City on September 2,1899, with North Ormesby-born Henry ‘Harry’ Allport taking the prestigious number one spot on the basis of being first alphabetically.

The list continues through 125 years of club history to the present day, featuring the likes of George Camsell (250), Wilf Mannion (312), George Hardwick (316), Brian Clough (393), John Hickton (456), Graeme Souness (492), Tony Mowbray (542), Bernie Slaven (570), Juninho (656), Gareth Southgate (701) and Stewart Downing (710).

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The club is rapidly approaching the 1,000-player milestone, with the most recent players to earn their legacy numbers - Ajay Matthews (997) and Charlie Lennon (998) - debuting from the bench against Leeds United and Cardiff City respectively.

Club author Anthony Vickers is penning a new book which will chronicle the legacy numbers, while the club has plans to further commemorate the players and their contributions.

A club spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to launch the club’s legacy numbers and honour those central figures in our rich history, the players on the pitch.

“The numbers link the club’s past, present and future, and celebrate the pride that comes with wearing a Boro shirt.

“We also thank those supporters, particularly Shaun Wilson and Colin Galloway, without whose efforts this launch would not be possible.”