Middlesbrough make unwanted history by missing three promotion chances

Middlesbrough have recorded an unwanted piece of history, failing to capitalize on three distinct opportunities to reach the Premier League within the same season. Their campaign ultimately ended in agony at Wembley, where an injury-time winner from Oli McBurnie handed Hull City victory and denied Boro for the third time.

It was a rollercoaster year for the club. After missing out on automatic promotion on the final day of the regular season, they were defeated by Southampton in the play-off semi-finals. However, following the high-profile Spygate scandal that resulted in the Saints' expulsion from the final, Boro were handed an unexpected lifeline to reach the top flight, which they ultimately could not convert.

Head coach Kim Hellberg described the period as emotionally draining. Despite spending most of the season in the Championship's top two, a late dip in form saw them win just twice in their final ten league matches, effectively shifting their fate toward the playoffs.

I wish I could have done better through this period. It's been two heart-breaking losses in two weeks, and when the game ended today, you feel very, very empty. Kim Hellberg

The defeat also extended the club's miserable record at Wembley, which now stands at one draw and five losses in six visits over the past 36 years. Hellberg now faces the significant challenge of lifting the squad for the upcoming season in August.