I've mentioned before, there's a bloke at work with a son who's about 9 or 10. The bloke is Boro through and through but his son was born and bred here so naturally supported Newcastle, and his dad always said that was fine with him.
About 18 months ago, photos started popping up on Facebook of them going to Boro, with the lad newly kitted out with shirt and scarf. I asked his dad about it and it turns out his son had asked to go. Now they go regularly.
Obviously it helps that Boro are doing well at the moment but the Premier League is not the be-all and end-all. Far more important to have a club you can be proud of that are constantly striving to improve. No child, no matter where they come from, can possibly be inspired by this shower.