WITH the city hosting the world’s largest watch convention this week, Basle’s hotels are full to bursting and Middlesbrough have endured the minor inconvenience of staying in Zurich, an hour’s drive away, before this evening’s Uefa Cup quarter-final, first leg.

It is not for that reason, however, that the passage of time has been playing on the mind of Steve Gibson, the club’s chairman.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Middlesbrough’s liquidation, when the gates of Ayresome Park, the club’s former ground, were locked and they confronted the possibility of extinction. In 1986, Europe was so far removed from reality that it can scarcely have been a distant dream for Gibson, who was a board member at the time and who has subsequently steered them towards rebirth, salvation and triumph.

Middlesbrough are now a pair of two-leg fixtures away from the final — they also remain involved in the FA Cup — and their tie against FC Basle represents a suitable moment for reflection. There have been some epic occasions during Gibson’s tenure — from the rollercoaster years under Bryan Robson, the new stadium, the Carling Cup win and the recent victory over AS Roma — and he can sense another.

“It’s a big, big couple of weeks for the club, the town and the team,” Gibson said. “I can’t remember anything like it; the quarter-finals of two cups, after also getting to the same stage of the Carling Cup. There are great expectations around the place and it will be a big disappointment if we don’t quite get there. The season is on a knife-edge, but I’d rather be here than not.

“Twenty years ago, this club was on its knees and it’s fitting that the anniversary could bring us a special reward. We have got to make sure we end what’s been, at times, a difficult season, on a high. Our league position has been disappointing for everybody concerned and we still haven’t achieved anything yet. We have to remember that as a group and deal with it, because things can fall apart very quickly, but we’re quietly confident. I would happily take either cup.”

Maintaining focus will be a primary requirement for Middlesbrough; as Steve McClaren admitted, this is “a dangerous round because expectations are so high.” Basle, coached by Christian Gross, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager, are leading the Swiss Super League, they have beaten AS Monaco and RC Strasbourg and have a formidable record at St Jakob Park. “Both sides will see this as a fantastic opportunity,” McClaren said.

McClaren is lacking George Boateng and Lee Cattermole, his leading midfield players, both of whom are suspended, and Gareth Southgate, the injured captain. Chris Riggott, who has missed the past two games with a calf problem, is another doubt. They would be significant losses. “We are missing big players,” the manager said, “but the others have to step forward and take the opportunity. We have other leaders.”

They also possess in-form strikers. While keeping a clean sheet is a priority, in Yakubu Ayegbeni, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka, Middlesbrough have three forwards with 46 goals between them this season and, in Massimo Maccarone, one who cost Ł8.5 million.

“I think we have the four best strikers in the country,” Yakubu, who has scored 19 times, said. “I don’t think there’s a single side in the Premiership that could claim to have four better than we do. Nobody else has the same strength in depth and that is one of the main reasons why we have done so well.”