bNick Waites/b first secured a place in the club’s history by turning a routine visit into an unwavering promise to be present at every home fixture of iMiddlesbrough FC/i since the 1996 opener, an achievement that has now counted 1 400 consecutive appearances. The figure is more than a statistic; it represents a personal contract with a community that shares his loyalty, reflecting a cultural ritual that extends beyond the pitch. The count will be added to his official record immediately before the next scheduled match, as he has confirmed that his streak will extend further into the season. b_2_/b Even with the consistency the numbers imply, Waites acknowledges that the journey has continual pressures. Health challenges, travel disruptions and short-notice changes to his work schedule have forced him to arrive at the stadium in the final moments of transportation. Whether it was a forgotten bus connection or a last‑minute vehicle repair, the outcomes were close calls that could have counted as a missed match. In the few instances when he arrived with only minutes to spare, he has confirmed that the club’s gates were still open enough to secure a seat, thereby preserving his flawless string of attendance. b_3_/b The sheer length of the fan’s commitment has drawn attention from local media, fan forums, and the club’s own history archives. It has sparked conversation regarding the boundaries between individual devotion and collective identity, as well as the human limits of physical endurance. With the upcoming match in the third round of the FA Cup, the Football Association will likely include Waites in an official acknowledgment that could translate into a formal emblem or article on the club’s website, ensuring that his perseverance is immortalized for future supporters.