John Neal’s final season in charge at the club proved to be a mixed bag for Middlesbrough. They had a fairly respectable season in the top flight, finishing off the campaign in 14th place. They did embark on a fine FA Cup run, reaching the quarter finals. They lost 3-1 against Wolves in the last eight which was much better than their miserable FA Cup campaign the following season that saw the side lose against QPR 3-2. By that point Bobby Murdoch had been installed as the new manager at the club, an appointment that only lasted a year. It was an awful season within regards about the football club as they finished the season off rock bottom, condemned to a lowly 22nd position finish, in turn relegating the club to the second division.
New players had arrived at the club, including, Tony Mowbray and Bernie Slaven. Their new manager, Malcolm Allison saw his side struggle in the second division as they could only manage a poor 16th place finish. They were unfortunate in the FA Cup, losing in the last sixteen against Arsenal 3-2. They faired even worse during the following two seasons as they finished the seasons off in 17th and 19th position respectively. Boro reached the fifth round of the 1984 FA Cup; however they narrowly lost an encounter against Notts County. Former player, Willie Maddren was installed as the clubs new manager in 1984; however they narrowly escaped relegation by the end of his first season in charge at the club.