Pictured: Tony Mowbray, centre with Middlesbrough FC Chief Operating Officer Neil Bausor meets, from left, SSI Training Manager Stuart Wardle, HR Director Jo Davies, Chief Executive Phil Dryden, and PR and Media Director John Baker at the stadium
BORO manager Tony Mowbray has pledged his support for the saviours of Teesside's steel industry.
Thai steel giants SSI, which is creating hundreds of new jobs by breathing new life into the former Teesside Cast Products plant, has struck up a strong relationship with Middlesbrough Football Club.
SSI is currently using the Riverside Stadium for a series of induction days for new employees as it prepares to fire up the mothballed blast furnaces in January and restart production.
Redcar-born Mowbray, whose father worked in the local steel industry, met senior SSI staff including Chief Executive Phil Dryden at the stadium to learn about their plans to revitalise the plants.
"It's fantastic news for Teesside to know that the future of steel is safe," he said. "Like everyone, I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I learned that SSI had come in to take over the Teesside sites.
"Traditionally, we have always drawn a large support from those associated with the local steel industry and SSI's investment is tremendous news for the local economy."
HR Director Jo Davies said: "The Riverside Stadium is a magical place for most of us from Teesside, so making the decision to hold our induction programme there was an easy one.
“Our inductions there have been a tremendous success."
Training Manager Stuart Wardale said: "Our restart project at SSI provided us with the challenge of recruiting large numbers within a short period of time.
"We needed a first-class venue with the space and flexibility to support our event.”
PR and Media Director John Baker said: "MFC were very supportive of the Save Our Steel campaign and it is fitting that the Riverside is now the venue for some of our important training programmes, which support the restart of steel-making on Teesside."
Middlesbrough FC Chief Operating Officer Neil Bausor said: "We are delighted SSI has chosen to stage its induction programme at the Riverside and wish the company every success in reviving steel production."
