Ben is happy to be beside the seaside

This is despite the 20-year-old almost calling time on his spell at Boro when the season was just in its infancy.

Middleton was left looking over his shoulder after former boss Rudy Funk’s summer recruitment, but it was current joint-manager Paul Foot who made sure he stayed put rather than joining Ossett Town.

“I had enjoyed my first season at the club, but because of the players that Rudy had brought in it looked as though I wouldn’t be getting as much game time,” said Middleton.