Boro went on a massive spending spree after their promotion to the Premiership, paying £5.25million for 21-year-old Tottenham Hotspur F.C. winger Nick Barmby and £4.75million for 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder Juninho Paulista.
Boro's three point deduction eventually cost them their Premiership status and they were relegated on the final day of the season after a draw at Elland Road.