This Is Tees Valley This Is Tees Valley - Issue 1 2020 | Page 11

“Teesside is a
special place
that completely
defies inaccurate
perceptions."
Steve McClaren
about it until I was made Middlesbrough FC
manager in 2001 but I’ve retained my family
home here for the last 20 years throughout
my spells coaching England and clubs across
the UK and overseas. The people are friendly
and hard working, the countryside and coast
are truly spectacular and there’s a lifestyle to
fit all tastes.”
and job opportunities that I now realise have
shaped the direction my career has taken.
Teesside has a great sense of community, plus
a pride in its history and the direction its
future is taking. Put simply, it's home.”
camaraderie are fundamental to the success
of our region – we look after each other. I’m
one very proud ‘Smoggie’!”
Jeff Stelling (pictured centre),
Sky Sports News presenter
“The people are what makes Teesside special.
When I get back to Teesside, I feel like I’ve
never been away. The people are as loyal as
they come but welcome outsiders who have
the same values as them – just ask my sons!
I live a long way away but while my body is
near my work, my heart is in Teesside with
its fantastic people.”
Mackenzie Thorpe, artist
“Pride, passion, honesty, warmth, humanity,
integrity, dignity... that’s what the people of
Teesside are about and that is the palette I
work with. One thing about Teessiders is a
willingness to work hard. It’s in our history
and in our DNA – and we’ve exported that.
All over the world, wherever there is a big
building project, the air is thick with Teesside
accents. Middlesbrough was the Ironopolis
of the world, the capital of steel. Look at
what we’ve done with hardly any support: the
biggest ships, the best bridges. We’ve built
the world here and we can be totally proud of
our heritage.”
Glenn Durrant, professional darts
player
“I travel the world playing professional darts
– but coming home after a gruelling weekend
of competition to fly over Teesside always
makes me proud. I wear the red and white
shirt of Middlesbrough FC and champion
our area wherever I go. The community and
Pete Firman, magician and
comedian
“I don't live there anymore but my heart is
firmly on Teesside. It holds so many positive
experiences and happy memories for me. A
happy childhood and school life, plus work
"Pride, passion,
honesty, warmth,
humanity, integrity,
dignity...that's what
the people of the
Tees region are
about"
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