A Middlesbrough pub owner talks about banning Rob Edwards months on from hosting a meeting for him and his staff.
The Longlands Bar, on Marton Road in Middlesbrough, has banned manager Rob Edwards with the manager now set to join Wolves after just 14 games.
They had welcomed Edwards and his staff just after he was appointed when a meeting with fan group the Red Faction.
Owner Paul McDonald, who runs the bar with his 29 year old brother Jack, posted a photo with a message written in chalk on their sign, with the warning displayed outside the newly renovated sports venue.
The Longlands Bar posted: “Official Statement: Rob Edwards is now barred from The Longlands. Steps are also being taken to keep rats away from The Longlands to ensure a clean and safe environment for everyone.”
It has caused outrage among some fans of the club, and one pub, just a 10-minute walk from the Riverside stadium, has taken matters into its own hands.
The Longlands Bar on Marton Road, Middlesbrough, hosted Edwards and his staff after his appointment in the summer for a meeting with fan group the Red Faction. But now, owner Paul McDonald confirmed he was barred from ever returning.
“We’re all upset about it,” Paul said, per Northern Echo.
“When he brought his staff here to meet the Red Faction, he said he was here for the long haul, that he was passionate about the club and that he would put his heart and soul into the job.
“But he’s leaving after a couple of months.
“I don’t think he’d be welcome here again.”
He commented on the post: “Police warn the football public to be on the lookout for this Scammer!
“Do not let this man get into your hearts, he is a smooth good looking man with a mild manner but renowned for his deception!
“He will lift your spirits, promise the world and then disappear with the family Silver – normally found at his lowest ebb you will instinctively give him a chance to rebuild he’s life. Provide him with money, security and stability and for a while it will be dreamlike – but if something seems too good to be true it usually is!
“You’ll lower your guard and share all your hopes and dreams with him, give him a seat at your table and regard him as one of your own.
“Then one morning you’ll awaken to find him gone, taking your family silver and your trust with him – a master of bullshittery he will be on to charm he’s next victim whilst you are left betrayed & confused – feeling angry & bitter.
“A snake of a man – don’t let that smile and warm words fool you…”
“Rob Edwards is now barred from The Longlands,” the post read, as seen above.
“Steps are also being taken to keep rats away from The Longlands to ensure a clean and safe environment for everyone.”
A banner was on display for Boro’s game at the weekend, it read: “The fans “deserve to see people who really want to be here”, making their feelings known about Rob Edwards.
‘We don’t care about Edwards’ was one of the less expletive chants sung…
Boro fans quick to make their feelings known about Rob Edwards. They’re clearly not happy about his decision to want the Wolves move. ‘We don’t care about Edwards’ is one of the nicer chants … pic.twitter.com/srCSOdpEpr
— Rephrase Media (@RephraseMedia) November 8, 2025
A club statement last week read: “Middlesbrough Football Club have, subject to the completion of an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, given head coach Rob Edwards permission to speak to Wolves.
“We initially rejected an approach from Wolves on the basis that Rob signed a three-year contract with MFC less than six months ago.
“Following discussions with Rob we were disappointed to learn that he wanted to speak with Wolves regarding their head coach vacancy. We have now agreed terms with Wolves, subject to completion of the relevant paperwork.
“First team coaches Adi Viveash and Harry Watling, and Academy manager Craig Liddle, will take charge of team affairs for Saturday’s game against Birmingham City at the Riverside.”
Middlesbrough defeated Birmingham 2-1, with first-half goals from Dael Fry and Hayden Hackney securing the win despite managerial uncertainty.
Assistant Adi Viveash led the team as manager Rob Edwards was granted permission to speak with Wolves after agreed compensation.
Birmingham, on a run of two 4-0 home wins, went in front through Demarai Gray but couldn’t overcome Boro, who ended a turbulent week on a high with all three points.
Middlesbrough assistant manager Ali Viveash told BBC Radio Tees:
“Today was about the players and the fans and they dovetailed together, they suffered together and we’ve come out on the right side of a really important victory.
“The positives were; the resilience, the grit, the fight that we showed.
“We dominated the opening 20 minutes, could have been two or three up. Dael took his chance and it took us time to adjust after he went off and they scored their equaliser which we are aggrieved about. We felt there was a foul and it shouldn’t have been allowed.
“Hayden got us that little bit of luck but perhaps the day was about that. They pushed us back in the second half, they’ve got a lot of quality attacking players.
“It’s not my first rodeo – I’ve been in the game a long time. We were asked by the club to prepare everything as normal.
“We were ready to go. Training was good, the lads were in good spirits and focused.
“Then I was asked by the club to lead and I said: ‘No problem.’
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster and I should enjoy a glass of red tonight.”
Twitter users reacted after a Middlesbrough pub owner talks banning Rob Edwards months on from hosting him and his staff…
@Quack1876: 👀 up the longlands
@Markysix: Bet he’s gutted. 😂😂😂😂😂
@BarryCellnet: Even the lads at the Longlands Club have turned
@hemps23: Love it! And rightly so after all the bollox he’s talked about being honoured to be here blah blah blah…
Martin John: Bet he was planning on dropping in for a swift half before he headed for Wolverhampton as well! That’ll show him 👏👏👏.
Gretna Green Hotel: Lol. That’s one way to do it The Longlands Bar.
Alison Heeley: I’m sure he will be gutted about being barred from that shithole 😂 xx
Andy Connor: Let’s be honest, he’s not the first and probably won’t be the last, but karma comes to them all one way or another, just wait and see. #UTFB
Laura Mary Denny: That will attract more customers 🤣
Steve Wozencroft: Somewhere to avoid
Lau Ra: Get a grip
@foreverayellow: not being funny but who can blame him?! his boyhood club, previously part of the club, more money, an opportunity he probably thought he’d never get the chance to do and leaves middlesbrough in a great place, and while a blow, it’s football, it happens, boro can keep on striving with the form they’re on, they dont need him to help them win promotion judging by their win over birmingham in their first game without him at the helm at the weekend
