R's on The Road.......... To Middlesbrough.

This Saturday the "long ol poke" up north takes us to Middlesbrough as Rangers' look to continue winning ways as they seek revenge for the 5-1 mauling in December. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.



The Stadium.

Current Capacity – 35,100

Middlesbrough were founded in 1876 by Middlesbrough Cricket team players so they could keep fit during the winter. The club turned professional in 1889 but returned to amateur status in 1892. In 1899 the club turned professional permanently and it took them three years to gain promotion into the First Division.
The club moved into a new ground in time for the start of their first season in the time flight. Ayresome Park was Middlesbrough’s home from 1903 for 92 years before the club moved into the brand new Riverside Stadium in 1995. The original Ayresome Park gates have been incorporated in front of the ground along with two statues. The Riverside Stadium was built in a lightening quick 32 weeks.
In 1986 the club came close to folding due to financial difficulties but were saved by a consortium led by the current Club Chairman Steve Gibson.
The club won their first major silverware under the guidance of Steve McLaren in 2004 when they beat Bolton in the League Cup Final, running out 2-1winners.
Just two years later Middlesbrough reached the UEFA Cup Final, after coming back from 3-0 down in two previous fixtures, unfortunately the club were unable to overcome Sevilla and lost 4-0.
For this fixture the away fans will be housed in the South Stand, around 4,500 fans can be housed in there. The leg room is decent but the concourse at the back is could get very cramped if there is a decent following at this fixture. There is a Ladbrokes and screens on the concourse, which do show the match once its kicked off, and a list of rough prices from food are listed in the usual grub section.



The History between the teams.

At Middlesbrough (20)

Middlesbrough 11
QPR 5
Draw 4

A League fixture between these two sides hasn’t happened since 8th November 1997 when Middlesbrough ran out clear 3-0 winners. Middlesbrough also beat Rangers’ in the FA Cup 3rd round replay at the Riverside in the same season when they won 2-0.
Rangers’ last win on Teeside came in January 1993 when they won 1-0 courtesy of a Les Ferdinand winner. Incidentally that is the last time the R’s scored at Boro’ so there is some history to be written, if a Rangers’ player can put one in the back of the net.



How to get there.

By Car:- The postcode to get you there today is TS3 6RS.
Go up the M1 to junction 32 and join the M18. On the M18 come off at junction 2 and join the A1 (alternatively you can just use the A1 from the start). Leave the A1 at junction 49 and join the A168, which leads onto the A19 and then onto the A66 (just follow the signs for Teeside). You will pass Darlington’s new(ish) ground along the way. As you enter Middlesbrough you will see the Riverside Stadium signposted.
There is no official parking at the Riverside so it has been advised that you follow signs for ‘away coaches’, this will lead you towards a host of private car parking areas that will cost in the region of £4-5 and is a 15-20 minute walk from the stadium.

By Train:- The ground is a walkable distance from the train station so here’s a rough guide on how to get to your destination.
Leaving the station via the main entrance you take a left onto Zetland Road and then another left onto Albert Road and go under the railway bridge. After going under the bridge turn immediately right onto Bridge Street East, going past the Bridge pub and take the next right onto Wynward Way. The stadium is just down this road.


Pubs 'n' Grub.

After reading reviews the only pub that is recommended is Doctor Browns just at the bottom of Corporation Road in the City Centre. The Bridge Pub by the train station isn’t recommended to away fans, but if you’re not wearing colours then I can’t see any harm in paying them a visit.
The usual host of food outlets are available in the City Centre but there isn’t much available around the ground.
A few prices of the food inside the ground are as follows :- balti pies (£1.80), minced beef pies (£1.80), rollover sausages (£2.40), cheeseburgers (£2.40), pizza (£2.30), chips (£1.50) and curry sauce (£0.50).