They are historically a Yorkshire region (the north riding) , but, teeside was 'created' and for several years adopted by government. The area is complex as it has several identity's along the border but the majority of older citizens probably think of themselves as being from North Yorkshire. Teeside, I believe is no longer officially used but it has stuck.
My very first heart interest was from Cleveland in the North East (the North Riding of Yorkshire)
As far as I am concerned Middlesbrough is Yorkshire all the way. Just because the Torie Government, created those new Local Authorities in the 1970's such as Teeside, (and Humberside / S Yorks & it back fired on them by the way), doesn't mean we have disregard a longer history. I would image the younger generation don't really care either way in Middlesbrough itself. They will see themselves as Teesiders.
Brian Clough was a very proud Yorkshireman (born in Middlesbrough in the same neighbourhood as Don Revie, now there's a thing !). Cloughie, apparently used to have the white rose of Yorkshire on the wall behind his desk, in the office. It's not that long since Yorkshire CCC stopped playing one dayers there.
Hull is also in Yorkshire. They did fight to have Humberside name taken away and East Yorkshire is now in its place.
I was born 1969 if that mekks any difference.
Birkenhead's in Cheshire, Manchester in Lancs, Newcastle in Northumberland & Bristol's in Gloucestercesterstershshshshire.
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Scratch that, clearly every sentence was nonesence !
Oh aye, for sure Ian. I had it drilled into me by the old man ! You see, he moved down south in about 1978 or 9. We stayed up north as ma got custody of us lads. By 'eck an exiled Yorkshireman can't half go on & on about his beloved home County! He was a wee bit embarrassing in his local pub, but fair play.... he had the landlord putting up an old map on the wall, with all the old Ridings marked.
He still never refers to Rotherham being in 'South' Yorkshire. That was a Government invention in 1974, he maintains ! My post is about as interesting as he was in that pub, after a few ales. Strangely though, he was never that arsed about cricket ! Still isn't.
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Scratch that, clearly every sentence was nonesence !
Middlesborough is most definitely Yorkshire just as Hull was when the authorities created Humberside. My mother (God rest her) used to write EAST YORKSHIRE underlined three times as her little protest when writing letters back to family. They can try lopping great lumps off this great county but they can't change the fact that people born here will always identify as being from Yorkshire. As for South Yorkshire v's West Riding it's a bit comme si comme ca - it's still Yorkshire after all and that's the key thing.
