RIVERSIDE - SMOG CITY
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away supporters are housed in the South Stand at one end of the stadium. Up to 4,500 fans can be accommodated in this area. The turnstiles are electronic which means that you have to insert your ticket in a reader, to gain entry. Once inside then the leg room is okay and the view from the away section is excellent. However, the concourse running behind the stand is quite narrow, meaning that it can get quite crowded at half time and before kick off. There is a Ladbrokes betting outlet available and there are a number of flat screen televisions, showing Sky Sports (and the match itself once it has kicked off).
One thing to point out is that there is very little in the way of pubs or eating establishments nearby, so you will need to head into the town centre for these. And be very careful wearing colours ... because they can get very naughty those nasty Smog Monsters.
Where To Drink?
Chris Taylor, recommends Doctor Browns, a ten minute walk away from the ground at the bottom of Corporation Road, in the city centre. This pub serves real ale, has SKY TV and on my last visit had a good mix of home and away fans, both inside and outside of the pub. On the corner opposite the pub, is also a sandwich bar, which was doing a brisk trade in amongst other things, trays of roast potatoes and gravy. To find this pub; If you were standing outside the stadium with the main entrance behind you, head over to your left and turn right down the road, going under a bridge. A little way down this road on your left, there is an underpass (there is usually some programme & fanzine sellers standing by its entrance). Go down through the underpass and as you emerge on the other side turn right and go down the road and through another underpass. You will emerge in a small retail park (there is a McDonalds over on your right), which you walk through unto you come to a main road. Turn right along this road and you will see the Doctor Browns pub over on your left. Otherwise, there is a bar at the back of the away stand within the ground.
Simon Lorch a visiting Chelsea fans adds; 'We went into the Bridge Inn, which is next door to the railway station on Bridge street...the road that leads to the ground. It was mainly locals but we had no colours on and went in. The people and staff were very friendly and the beer in there was very cheap.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
It is quite easy to find. Just follow the A66 on into Middlesbrough. Carry on up the A66, through the centre of Middlesbrough and you will pick up signs for the Riverside Stadium. Although there is no parking available directly at the stadium itself, there are a number of private parks (mostly on waste land)nearby. Also when you reach the turn off the A66 (as signposted) for the stadium, then rather than at the top of the slip road turning left towards the stadium, then instead if your turn right to go back across the A66, then there is plenty of street parking available in this area. It is then about a 15-20 minute walk to the away turnstiles.
Jerry Hill adds; 'I would suggest that away fans should follow the route marked "away coaches" from the A66, as this passes many private car parks along the river, all priced at £4'. Bear in mind though that if you do park at one of these car parks, then it may take 45 minutes or so after the game, before you can exit them. Otherwise, as the stadium is about one mile from the town centre you could also consider parking in a long stay car park in the town centre (about a 15-20 minute walk away from the ground).
By Train
The ground is walkable from Middlesbrough train station which is on Albert Road. Although there is a direct train service from the North West, fans travelling from other parts of the country, will most likely find themselves changing at Darlington , for Middlesbrough.
If you come out of the main entrance , t urn left ontoZetland Road. Then left againinto Albert Road andproceedunder the railway bridge. Turn immediately rightintoBridge Street East,goingpastt he Bridge pub (not recommended for away fans) and then take the next right intoWynward Way. The stadium is down this road. If you come out of the rear station entrance, turn right ontoBridge Street East. Go straight past the Bridge pub andthen take thenext right intoWynward Way for the ground.