The new season will bring about a new dawn in Derby County's history as they return to the Barclays Premier League after a five-year absence.

There will be new grounds to visit, a few returns to some popular venues, and the chance to be reunited with a few old friends and foes.

And before Saturday August 11 comes around www.dcfc.co.uk is taking a look at every club Derby will face next season - next up it's the boys from Teeside, Middlesbrough.

Only 21 years ago, Middlesbrough fans were staring down the barrel of third-tier football after defeat to Shrewsbury at the end of 1985/86 saw them relegated.

Indeed, they were concerned as to whether they would even have a club come the start of the new campaign after Middlesbrough went into liquidation and the gates to Ayresome Park were locked up.

The club without a trip to Wembley in its existence, without a major trophy, was on the verge of collapse.

If you'd have offered the fans a shiny new stadium and some of the world's top players within a decade, along with Wembley cup finals, they'd have laughed.

If you'd have also said that a few more years down the line they'd finally win that major honour, and they'd even go all the way through to a UEFA Cup final, Teeside would have roared as one, such was the state of its team at the time.

Yet that's exactly what happened.

How? Well they've not been short of a bob or two but that comes from the shrewd backing of a wealthy chairman in charge of the club he has supported since childhood.

But it's not just money, as Middlesbrough's Academy is a credit to the club with player upon player coming through the ranks.

They've got the ability to bring in big-name players, they've had some great adventures in recent years, and - like everywhere - they can't wait for 2007/08 to come around on Teeside.

THIS SEASON

The Riverside Stadium. Empics

Saturday December 15 at the Riverside Stadium
Saturday March 22 at Pride Park

HEAD TO HEAD IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Derby wins	Draws	Boro wins
3	2	5

THE LAST GAMES

April 1 2002
Derby County 0
Middlesbrough 1 (Mustoe 12)

Derby: Oakes, Barton, Riggott, Higginbotham, Zavagno (Elliott 83), Valakari, Lee, Boertien, Morris, Ravanelli (Christie 45), Strupar (Kinkladze 45).
Subs: Foletti, Grenet.
Middlesbrough: Crossley, Stockdale, Southgate, Ehiogu, Queudrue, Wilkshire, Ince, Greening, Mustoe, Carbone, Whelan.
Subs: Beresford, Festa, Windass, Marinelli, Johnston.
Attendance: 30,822.

November 3 2001
Middlesbrough 5 (Nemeth 49; Marinelli 57, 82; Boksic 61; Mustoe 73)
Derby County 1 (Ravanelli 89)

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Southgate, Ehiogu, Queudrue, Greening (Johnston 78), Mustoe, Ince, Marinelli, Boksic (Deane 84), Nemeth (Windass 78).
Subs: Crossley, Cooper.
Derby: Poom, Powell, Riggott, Mawene, Higginbotham, Carbone, Burley, Ducrocq (Christie 67), Zavagno, Burton, Ravanelli.
Subs: Elliott, Feuer, Murray, Boertien.
Attendance: 28,117.

CLUB WEBSITE

www.mfc.co.uk

PRE-ORDER YOUR 2007/08 HOME SHIRT

The new adidas kit is coming soon - and you can be among the first to sport the new shirt as the Rams return to the Premier League.

Pre-order now to get behind Billy's boys and make sure you don't miss out.

Adult-sized shirts are priced at £40 and junior sizes at £30.

Simply call 0870 444 1884 or visit www.shopdcfc.co.uk/instore/e-tail.asp to pre-order now.