Middlesbrough

The Riverside Stadium opened in 1995 as a replacement for Ayresome Park after the Taylor Report declared that stadiums needed to be all-seater and it was decided that it would be too difficult to expand the original ground. Teeside Development Corporation offered Middlesbrough the Middlehaven location near to the River Tees. The 30,000 seat stadium cost £16 million to build and was constructed by Taylor Woodrow Construction. The stadium opened with a win for the home side when they beat Chelsea 2-0 on the 26th of August 1995. The first ever goal at the new stadium was scored by Craig Hignett and the second goal was netted by Jan Åge Fjørtoft. The first season at the ground was also the club’s first back in the Premier League after two seasons away. Sadly their second season wasn’t as successful, with Boro losing out in the final of both domestic cups as well as relegated from the top-flight.