Winger Albert Adomah has hailed Boroââ¬â¢s loyal supporters after more than 38,000 fans made the 500-mile round trip to Wembley Stadium.
Aitor Karankaââ¬â¢s side were beaten 2-0 by Norwich in the play-off final, a result that condemned Boro to a seventh straight season in the Championship.
Adomah was among Boroââ¬â¢s brightest performers on a disappointing afternoon, and the Ghanaian shared his sympathy for the travelling Boro fans.
ââ¬ÅI feel bad for the supporters. Itââ¬â¢s a long journey for them to see us lose,â⬠Adomah told the clubââ¬â¢s website.
ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s a shame but at the same time we just have to look forward to next season.
ââ¬ÅThroughout the season the support has been immense all of the time and theyââ¬â¢re always with us whether we win, lose or draw, and you could see at Wembley.
ââ¬ÅEven when we lost the game, they were still hanging around.
ââ¬ÅNormally when a team lose, the supporters just leave the stadium and they were still there, and I appreciate that.ââ¬
Two goals from former Boro trialist Cameron Jerome and Nathan Redmond extinguished the Teessidersââ¬â¢ promotion hopes inside the opening 15 minutes.
And Adomah admitted the team paid the ultimate price for making a number of errors on the big day.
ââ¬ÅWe started okay but, to be honest, we made mistakes and when you play against the top teams and make mistakes theyââ¬â¢ll punish you,â⬠he added.
ââ¬ÅWe lost the game in the first 15 minutes. If you watch the game, they probably only had one shot in the second half and we had them on the back foot, but the game was won already.
ââ¬ÅWe tried our best but we just couldnââ¬â¢t score. We just have to think about next season.ââ¬