The 1995-96 campaign was a season of historic new beginnings for Middlesbrough, marking their return to the top-flight Premier League and the exciting dawn of the "Riverside Revolution" at their brand-new Riverside Stadium. Under player-manager Bryan Robson, The Boro started brilliantly, briefly peaking at fourth place in the table in late October. Leading the attack was the new £5.25 million record signing Nick Barmby, whose 7 league goals topped the charts, and the sensational arrival of young Brazilian star Juninho Paulista. Despite a difficult mid-season slump and an eight-match losing run, The Boro ultimately secured a respectable 12th-place finish, a solid mid-table position that firmly re-established the club in the elite and remains a pivotal, foundational chapter in their modern history.