Middlesbrough Vs Blackburn Rovers

Matchday 48 marked the beginning of our journey to visit three North East clubs, and what better way to kick off our adventure than with a Tim Hortons breakfast, this time accompanied by Mumma Bear (Amanda) before she set off for holiday shopping in Birmingham. We hopped on a train at our local station, Cradley Heath, bound for Birmingham Snowhill, a journey that took about 20 minutes. From there, it was just a short 10-minute stroll to Tim Hortons, where we indulged in our usual food choices. This time, I decided to treat myself to a delightful Frappe. Once we finished breakfast, we made our way to Birmingham New Street, where we awaited the CrossCountry Train that would take us directly to Darlington. As always, the staff on board were exceptional and friendly. The train ran virtually on time, and after a 20-minute wait, we boarded a small 2-coach Northern Rail train bound for Middlesbrough.

During our stop at Darlington, a local gentleman, somewhat inebriated, attempted to explain the route to Middlesbrough Stadium. Eventually, he walked us to the top of a road, making our journey more straightforward as we simply followed this road, passing through several Middlesbrough College campuses along the way. The architecture of Middlesbrough College buildings was striking, with some charmingly quirky structures. Continuing along the road around the docks, we soaked in the sights, easily identifying the stadium’s location. Upon arrival, we made our way to the club shop to purchase our customary matchday scarf, grabbing a matchday program en route.

Afterward, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the stadium, admiring some impressive artwork along the way. Once our circuit was complete, we noticed the turnstiles were open and proceeded inside. After a quick visit to the restroom, we found our seats, which offered a fantastic view, situated nearly at the halfway line and just two rows from the front. While Liam busied himself filming his VLOG, I settled in to watch the players warm up.

The atmosphere inside the stadium gradually intensified, reaching its peak at the start of the game, with plenty of flag-waving children adding to the excitement. However, despite the lively ambiance, the gameplay left much to be desired, with both teams struggling to find the target. The match ended in a goalless draw, a result that seemed inevitable throughout the game. Despite the efforts of both sets of fans to rally their teams, the Middlesbrough supporters were notably the loudest.

Post-match, we joined the throngs of people heading back to the station, a brisk 15-minute walk away. Concerned about the small size of the train, I worried whether we’d all fit on board. Fortunately, we managed, and we embarked on the journey back to Darlington, where we awaited our train to Birmingham.

We finally arrived home around 22:10, over five hours after the final whistle had blown. With this visit complete, Newcastle and Sunderland remain as the two remaining North East clubs on our list.

As we prepare for a trip to Australia, both Liam and I will enjoy a three-week break from the challenge. However, we fully intend to finish the season on a high note.

Five interesting facts about the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough:

1 Opening and Construction: The Riverside Stadium officially opened on August 26, 1995, with a match against Chelsea. It replaced Middlesbrough’s former home, Ayresome Park. Construction of the stadium began in 1994 and was completed in less than a year.

2 Architectural Design: The stadium was designed by architect HOK Sport (now known as Populous) and is known for its distinctive asymmetrical cantilever roof, which covers most of the seating areas. This design allows for unobstructed views from every seat in the stadium.

3 Capacity and Expansion: Initially, the Riverside Stadium had a seating capacity of around 30,000. However, over the years, there have been several expansions and developments. The stadium’s capacity has fluctuated, reaching its peak at over 35,000 during Middlesbrough’s tenure in the Premier League.

4 Euro 96 Venue: The Riverside Stadium played a significant role in the UEFA Euro 1996 football championship hosted by England. It hosted three group stage matches: Spain vs. Romania, Switzerland vs. England, and Spain vs. Bulgaria. These matches brought international attention to the newly built stadium.

5 Floodlights: The Riverside Stadium features four floodlights, each standing at 70 meters tall. These floodlights are a prominent feature of the stadium’s skyline, especially when illuminated during evening matches. They contribute to the stadium’s modern and imposing appearance.

These facts showcase the history, architecture, and significance of the Riverside Stadium as a prominent football venue in England.