Soccer Players Support Corus Steelworkers

Championship footballers have showed solidarity with steel workers who are facing redundancy.

Players from Middlesbrough FC wore "Save Our Steel" t-shirts to warm up ahead of their home fixture with Cardiff City.

They were supporting workers at the Corus factory, at Redcar, who are facing a bleak Christmas after plans were announced to mothball part of its giant plant in the New Year, with the loss of 1,700 jobs.

Up to 100 steel workers and their families marched around the Riverside Stadium ahead of kick off parading banners before lining up to welcome the teams onto the pitch.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson said: "We were devastated to hear this potentially catastrophic news for Teesside and we will do all in our power to continue to support steel workers in their fight to get Government intervention.
"The issue is of huge importance to the whole area and we want our local MPs to fight not just to get cash for training but to save these jobs."

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon added: "The people of Teesside simply do not accept the Government's position to let the steel industry in this region die without a fight with the loss of so many jobs and the human cost that brings.
"I know the people want action from this Government to keep the furnace open. Along with Steve Gibson and the unions, I will be relentless in my pursuit of that action."

The demonstration follows a massive show of unity on the day of the game against Ipswich Town earlier in the season when fans of both sides applauded a delegation of steelworkers as they paraded around the perimeter of the Riverside pitch.