The English Football Belt · reign 790

Middlesbrough

Took the belt from Newcastle United, 2–1, on April 6, 1953. Lost it to Preston North End, 4–0, on August 22, 1953.

5Defenses

138Days

23rdReign for the club

+3Closest call · May 2, 1953

4.0Average winning margin

46thLongest of 1,686 reigns, by days

140thMost defenses of 1,686 reigns

How it started

Took the belt from Newcastle United, 2–1, on April 6, 1953.

How it ended

Lost it to Preston North End, 4–0, on August 22, 1953.

Defended against

BlackpoolChelseaMan UnitedPortsmouthCardiff City

1952–53: Middlesbrough finished 14–17–11, 13th of 22 by record; 5 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 16 times that season.
1953–54: Wolverhampton Wanderers had the best record (25–10–7); 2 belt games of this reign; the belt changed hands 16 times that season.

margins from Middlesbrough’s side

Belt game	Date	Result	Margin
2,010	Apr 6, 1953	Middlesbrough beat Newcastle United 2–1 Game →	+1	Title change
2,011	Apr 11, 1953	Middlesbrough beat Blackpool 5–1	+4	Defense
2,012	Apr 18, 1953	Middlesbrough and Chelsea tied 1–1	0	Tie · defense
2,013	Apr 25, 1953	Middlesbrough beat Manchester United 5–0	+5	Defense
2,014	May 2, 1953	Middlesbrough beat Portsmouth 4–1	+3	Defense
2,015	Aug 19, 1953	Middlesbrough and Cardiff City tied 0–0	0	Tie · defense
2,016	Aug 22, 1953	Preston North End beat Middlesbrough 4–0	−4	Title change