A very impressive new stadium, purpose built as a consequence of the Taylor Report. The Riverside Stadium is named after the clubs main sponsor, Cellnet, a trend popular today with the need to find more finance in modern football.

The design is a now typical bowl shape which fills in the corners, a move away from traditional seperate stands approach. Though certainly impressive, there are those who feel this type of design lacks soul in comparison with past constructions. In todays footballing climate, money plays an increasing part, so the need to create a new stadium have been balanced with an efficient, economical design.

Another trait of this type of design is its location. Middlesbros' previous home, Ayresome Park, was situated in amongst the terraced houses of the community. Todays home is located in the old redundent docks area of the city, thus allowing such a large construction to be built without the NIMBY attitude of todays residents.

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