Chairman Steve Gibson has issued an unequivocal denial of reports that he is on the brink of selling Middlesbrough.
Gibson has this summer further enhanced his reputation as one of the most affable and patient chairmen by keeping faith with Boro manager Gareth Southgate despite relegation to The Championship.
However, speculation in the Sunday Express intimated that the lifeling Boro fan could be ready to sever ties with the club in order to stimulate fresh investment.
"This report is totally inaccurate," said Gibson. "The club is not for sale. I'm absolutely committed to Middlesbrough Football Club and I'm going to stay with the club. The fans can ignore this silly report.
"I've made that absolutely clear in the recent past. My sole focus for Middlesbrough Football Club is getting us back in The Premier League. That's what we're all working towards and we believe we can do it."
Boro chief executive Keith Lamb added further weight to Gibson’s rebuffal, dismissing the reports as ‘wide of the mark’.
"Steve and I have gone to extraordinary lengths recently to make it clear to the media that the club is not for sale and never has been," said Lamb.
"Steve's commitment remains as strong as ever. We would not normally react to what has become known as football's 'silly season' but this is so wide of the mark it's important Boro fans know that Steve's loyalty to the club has never wavered."