Middlesbrough were relegated at the end of a remarkable 1996/97 season, having lost both the League Cup and FA Cup finals. They received a three point penalty after cancelling a game against Blackburn because of an outbreak of winter flu and it was this punishment that condemned them to finish 19th in the league - they would have stayed up without it.
They came second in 1997/98 League division 1 (now called the League Championship) and were promoted automatically, staying in the top flight until finishing 19th again in the 2008/09 season.
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