FOR Jonny Howson, Middlesbrough's season didn't end as he'd hoped - with promotion - but there was a special moment that will stay with him for a long time to come.

When Boro's captain was replaced midway through the second half of the final day win over Watford - 24 hours after signing his new contract at the club - he made his way off and around the pitch and was serenaded by the Red Faction supporter group situated in the Riverside Stadium's South Stand.

The chant is one that Howson is very familiar with, not just because he hears it from Boro's fans home and away but because barely a day goes by without his four-year-old son singing it at home.

Howson's three kids are at the Riverside for every home game and the midfielder cherishes the debrief on the drive home - even if his eldest son thinks he's "the worst player on the side".

He's been up there with Boro's very best in recent seasons, which is why his latest contract extension was celebrated on Teesside.

Howson is playing on because he still has so much to offer and one burning Boro desire remains but also because he still wants more special moments with the supporters and his kids.

"My three children all love football, love coming to the games, love to have a chat about it," he told the club website.

"Sometimes on the home games they'll come to the match, drive home back to Leeds and they'll be asking questions.

"My youngest is four and he knows all the numbers of the players, my middle lad thinks I'm the worst player on the side but wants to know everything, my daughter likes some of the lads and stuff.

"I want to keep that going because it's part of my life and it's such a nice moment to get back in the car and they're asking questions. Don't get me wrong, when I get back home, they're wanting to play football in the room and I have to kick the ball around with them again. But that's part of their life as well and I want to keep that going as long as possible. It creates more moments and memories for me and my family."

He added: "Probably this season in particular I'm not ashamed to admit it, when you have fans singing your name and my kids sometimes - or my youngest one - will sing my song to me. There's not many jobs in the world that can create moments like that.

"The moments that you can get from this sport are unbelievable and something I'm so proud of and cherish so much. I'll always remember those moments. I just want to say thanks to the fans, I'll keep giving everything I've got for this club. Keep supporting us, keep hanging in there and we'll keep giving it everything we've got."

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When Howson headed for Teesside from Norwich seven years ago, his ambition was promotion. That remains unchanged. In fact, with each year that Boro have come up short, Howson's desire has deepened. He's established himself as a club legend but there'd be much more than a tinge of disappointment if his time at the Riverside came to an end - not that he's thinking about that - with Boro still in the second tier.

"That’s the aim and that won’t change," he said.

Boro didn't have enough this season but having ended the campaign strongly and finishing just four points shy of the top six, Howson is confident that Michael Carrick's side will be right there in the mix next term.

"I’m already looking forward to getting back and getting started again," he said.

"I think we can look back with a lot of pride. Yeah, we’ve fallen short, but sometimes certain circumstances go against you.

"You’ve got to be able to deal with it and adapt and I think we did that. It’s probably taken its toll at times to stop us getting in those play-offs, but I think if you look back at some of the performances, with certain squads that we’ve had - our bench has been very young at times - it’s been difficult.

"But testament to everybody that’s been involved. To contend with everything we’ve had going and still finish just outside the play-offs, I think was good going.

"We said similar after missing out on promotion last season, and we can stand here now and say this, that and the other, but we’ve got to go and do it.

"I think if we start and can go how we’ve finished this season, we’ll be there or thereabouts. But it’s easy saying that, we’ve got to go and do it."