Middlesbrough fans are unlikely to agree with talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham’s verdict on the Riverside Stadium.
Boro have been plying their trade at the Riverside Stadium for close to 30 years now.
Since the club was founded in 1876, Middlesbrough have called multiple stadiums their home.
The Teessiders’ first proper fixtures took place at Albert Park until 1879. Linthorpe Road ground then served as their home until 1903 when they moved into Ayresome Park.
After a long and storied history at Ayersome Park though, Middlesbrough moved into the brand-new Riverside Stadium in 1995.
Boro have enjoyed their most successful period while calling the Riverside their home.
They have reached multiple domestic cup finals, including winning the League Cup back in 2004.
Middlesbrough also enjoyed a number of sensational European nights at the Riverside, which eventually culminated in them making it to the UEFA Cup final back in 2006 where they lost 4-0 to Sevilla.
- READ MORE: Middlesbrough predicted lineup, team and injury news as Aidan Morris dropped vs Bristol City
Adrian Durham shares verdict on Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium
TalkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham has now shared his view on the Riverside Stadium and fans are unlikely to be too pleased.
Durham ranked every stadium of the current 24 Championship teams with Queens Park Rangers’ Loftus Road taking top spot and Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ranked dead last.
As for the Riverside, Durham opted to rank Middlesbrough’s home the 16th-best in the second tier and claimed it is ‘inferior’ to Ayersome Park.
He said: “Riverside’s not bad, but their old ground was brilliant, Ayresome Park. I did a couple of games there. I was in the home end for one cup tie they had with Everton years and years ago.
“It’d be in my top ten atmospheres ever. It was so good. The old ground was so good that it makes the Riverside look far inferior by comparison.”
- READ MORE: Michael Carrick gives surprising verdict on struggling Middlesbrough star ahead of Bristol City
How the Riverside Stadium compares to Middlesbrough rivals
As well as giving a less-than-positive verdict on the Riverside, Middlesbrough fans are unlikely to be too pleased to see it ranked below some of their rivals.
Durham ranked Sunderland’s Stadium of Light 10th on his list and said: “The old ground Roker Park was fantastic. The new one isn’t the same as the new. It’s been there since the 90s but it’s not as good.
“However, they fill it regularly and when they do fill it, the Stadium of Light is actually pretty good. That’s why it’s quite high up the list.”
Leeds United’s Elland Road was awarded second place by Durham as well.
He said: “I lived and worked in Leeds so I went quite a lot and looking at parts of the outside of it, I would say you’re taken back to the 70s because it feels like nothing’s changed. So you’re back there with Don Revie and Billy Bremner and all that.
“I think it’s got a wonderful nostalgic charm and there’s a history there and it’s a one-club city. In terms of match atmosphere, Leeds are no. 1.”