UK Stadiums: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough FC, Middlesbrough, England
Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough is the home of Middlesbrough FC Football Club and opened in 1995, replacing the club's historic Ayresome Park ground. Ayresome Park had been the Boro's home for over 90 years before the move, and its closure marked the end of an era for both the club and its supporters. The stadium has a current capacity of around 34,742 with plans in place to expand if necessary.
Capacity
The current capacity of the Riverside is 34,742.
Stands
The ground has four main stands: the North Stand, South Stand, East Stand, and the West Stand.
Club History
The club's early success came in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when they won the FA Cup in 1912 and enjoyed stints in the top division of English football. However, the club's golden era came in the 1990s and early 2000s under manager Bryan Robson, with Middlesbrough securing a strong place in the Premier League.
The most significant achievement during this period came in 2004 when they won the League Cup, their first major trophy, with a tight 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
Throughout the club's history, Middlesbrough has produced and attracted a number of standout players, both British and foreign, who have left a lasting impact on the club. Brian Clough scored 197 goals for the Boro in just 213 games from 1955 to 1961.
Other British talents such as Bryan Robson, who is considered one of the club's greatest-ever players, and John Hickton, who scored over 150 goals for Boro, have become club legends.
In more recent years, players like Stewart Downing, who played a pivotal role in Boro's Premier League years, and former captain and manager Gareth Southgate have cemented their place in the club's history.
On the international stage, Middlesbrough also attracted some world-class talent in their Premier League heyday, with Brazilians like Juninho Paulista, who dazzled with his flair and skill, and Italian international Fabrizio Ravanelli, who was instrumental in their successful 1996-97 season, both becoming cult heroes for the club.
Other foreign stars to represent the club include graceful Spanish midfielder Gaizka Mendieta, Christian Karembeu, Austrian stopper Robert Huth, Argentina's Julio Arca, who represented both Sunderland and Boro, Dutchman Marten de Roon, South Korea's Lee Dong-gook and Australian striker Mark Viduka, who netted 44 times in 91 games. Indeed, Viduka still holds the record for scoring the most goals at the Riverside. Fellow Aussie Craig Johnstone also spent time up in Teeside.
Previous managers at Boro include Malcolm Allison, Jack Charlton, Bruce Rioch, Byran Robson, Terry Venables, Steve McClaren, Sir Gareth Southgate, Aitor Karanka, Tony Pulis, Jonathan Woodgate, Neil Warnock, Chris Wilder, and Michael Carrick.
The Boro were last in the top flight in the 2016-17 season, which was their 15th season in the Premier League since their first relegation in the 2008-09 season.
The fans' nickname is the Smoggies.
Access - Getting There
The stadium is close to both the River Tees and Middlesbrough Docks in a largely industrial landscape. The nearest railway station to the ground is Middlesbrough Station just 20 minutes or so on foot to the west.
Middlesbrough Station has trains to Newcastle, Darlington, Hartlepool and Whitby. There are also connections to Manchester Airport via York and London King's Cross also via York.
The RP1 bus stops near the ground.
Address: Middlehaven Way, Middlesbrough TS3 6RS
Nearby Hotels
See here for a complete listing of hotels in Middlesbrough.
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