Chris Hogg has shared his overriding pride in everyone associated with Bristol City after the Robins ended a traumatic week with an impressive win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
City have had to deal with the tragic event surrounding head coach Liam Manning and the loss of his young son Theo, with assistant boss Hogg tasked with stepping into the senior role on an interim basis while Manning takes a leave of absence.
The footballing community has rallied around the Robins and the Manning family this week in a show of support ahead of what was always likely to be a highly-emotional afternoon on Teesside.
Both sets of players, staff and supporters united in a round of applause ahead of kick-off for the Manning family, a moment Hogg admits was ‘difficult’ to deal with, before City were able to register their first away win of the season with a real gritty and determined display.
Anis Mehmeti opened the scoring just before the half hour somewhat against the run of play as Middlesbrough dominated possession – the home side finishing the game with 69 per cent of the ball – when hammering in from inside the penalty area after Jason Knight capitalised on a short goal kick from Seny Dieng.
Knight drove into the area before cutting back for Mehmeti who escaped the challenge of Hayden Hackney before unleashing a fierce strike into the roof of the net beyond Dieng and the defender on the line.
The goal gave Hogg’s side a renewed confidence as they stymied Michael Carrick’s men with relative ease before doubling their lead before the break.
Knight again won possession back for City in Boro’s half after a lapse from defender George Edmundson as the ball fell kindly for Yu Hirakawa who curled delightfully into the bottom corner at the first time of asking.
The Robins had to withstand heavy pressure in the second half but remained a threat on the counter-attack as they blunted a Middlesbrough side who lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
And Hogg, who shared a moment with his players and staff in front of away supporters at the final whistle, unfurling a banner which read: “Fly high Theo,” was unable to hide his pride with everyone associated with the club in a week which ended in City climbing up to 10th in the Championship table.
“It’s been an emotional week, said Hogg. “It’s one of them where I think you see the reaction between the players and the supporters at the end and it’s one that united the city really, and the wider football community.
“You look at the support everyone has given to Liam and his family and it’s really heart-warming and it shows you the power of football and the power of community.
“It can be a hard world to live in so, from the bottom of my heart, the support Liam and his family are getting is huge for them and it’s definitely a source of strength so, from the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank people enough for that support.”
Hogg added: “My job this week has been trying to be there as best as I can for Liam. He’s one of my closest friends and everything will be led by Liam.
“I’m sure he’ll give me a call – knowing him he’s probably watched it, even though I advised him not to. Hopefully I do speak to him, and I will do in time anyway, but he’ll be so proud of the players.
“I’ve said to the group; the fact I know his little boy, Isaac, will have smiled today just warms my heart. I’m so proud of the players and proud of the football club, everyone has come together this week and really been united behind the players and Liam.”