Visits to Football Grounds/Matches: 1st March 2025

1st March 2025: EFL Championship-Middlesbrough 1v0 Derby County.

This was going to be my first visit to the Riverside Stadium. Getting a ticket was 'no-problem', but the manner I received it was intriging. It was downloade to my Android mobile phone, to my Google Wallet. How to use it would wait till I got to the ground.

The Riverside Stadium.

A train to York and then to Middlesbrough. This could be classed as a 'local game', as the journey time is only 1hr 20mins. Though I did have to amuse myself in York for an hour!

Ship moored just by stadium.

The ground is not far from the railway station, about 20 minutes walk. On first sight, I have to say that the Riverside Stadium is very impressive. Getting into the ground was not an issue as a very helpful steward showed me how to activate the turnsile by inserting my mobile phone under the electronic reader with the QR code on the ticket being read.

Teams warm-up before match.

Teams on pitch for start of match.

A very good-sized crowd of 25,000, boosted by the large Derby support of 2,000, sold-out, saw the match kick-off. Both sides appeared to be very cautious with 'Boro causing Derby a few problems. The passing from both teams was very inaccurate at times and you could feel the 'Boro supporters becoming restless. For me, it had '0-0' written all over it!

As with most football matches, the second half began with a bit more intensity. Derby had come here, winning their last 3 matches so fancied their chances. But 'Boro had the better of the play of a poor game.

The goal from Middlesbrough came in the 80 minute from Finn Azaz who had earlier in the first half, hit the Derby post with a fine shot.  This seemed to deflate their opponents who had nothing else to offer. So they couldn't quite make it 4 wins on the trot and they drop to the foot of the Championship.

Players applaud the fans

End of Match Middlesbrough 1 Derby 1 

After struggling to get to the rail station, which took me 45 minutes, I caught the train south to York with the disgruntled Rams supporters. I got talking to one who said that they were resigned to going to the various grounds in League One.

Very glad I did this trip, both to get a new stadium and to see Derby County. Once again, I'm very impressed with the stadium and the facilities.

Wilf Mannion 1918-2000

George Camsell 1902-1966

Middlesbrough Hydraulic Lock Tower

Temenos Sculpture, Middlesbrough Docks

Sunset over Middlesborough

RJC

END.

End of Game-Middlesbro players appreiate fans 01Mar2025