Ayresome over Riverside

Started going to AP in 1977,first game was against Liverpool a certain mr Dalglish making his debut. I was stood in the family end of east stand in front of the seats, and I just fell in love with the place instantly. I actually cut my finger on the fence and to this day I still have the scar it was m first Boro tattoo 😂. It’s weird I can remember so much about the place, I did my works experience there as well and I went up to the TV gantry and the views were great. So many memories though, I just wish the club had known the general hospital closing down, we could of moved next door. We have to be honest though as much as us older ones feel the nostalgia for the ground it was bloody cursed. We won nothing there did we really? All of best times as a Boro fan happened because we moved to the Riverside . The whole experience is loads better! toilets ,bars, catering, corporate hospitality. I just hate that long walk back . Give me the atmosphere of the Liverpool semi final ,the Brighton game and definitely the European nights all day long over Notts County in front of 4K at AP.
 
Archienoeyes said:
Started going to AP in 1977,first game was against Liverpool a certain mr Dalglish making his debut. I was stood in the family end of east stand in front of the seats, and I just fell in love with the place instantly. I actually cut my finger on the fence and to this day I still have the scar it was m first Boro tattoo 😂. It’s weird I can remember so much about the place, I did my works experience there as well and I went up to the TV gantry and the views were great. So many memories though, I just wish the club had known the general hospital closing down, we could of moved next door. We have to be honest though as much as us older ones feel the nostalgia for the ground it was bloody cursed. We won nothing there did we really? All of best times as a Boro fan happened because we moved to the Riverside . The whole experience is loads better! toilets ,bars, catering, corporate hospitality. I just hate that long walk back . Give me the atmosphere of the Liverpool semi final ,the Brighton game and definitely the European nights all day long over Notts County in front of 4K at AP.
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I agree with a lot of what you say except the last bit. That's not comparing apples with apples! I'd take Ayresome any day with 4K against Notts County compared to the Riverside with 10K against (insert anyone from Strachans time). And how did Ayresome with 35000 in a big Cup tie compare with the Riverside on a European night?
 
I went to all the big games at AP post 73, and can't say anything compared to the atmosphere at the Riverside for the Brighton game. Constant noise from all parts of the ground.
That said being in the middle of the Holgate for some of the big cup games was some experience for the senses! A physical experience that will never be fully replicated.
 
Archienoeyes said:
I just wish the club had known the general hospital closing down, we could of moved next door.
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I sometimes think of that. However, AP could not have held on for another 10 years or so, and by waiting, we would have missed out on arguably the greatest decade in the club's history.

And, same site or not, the new ground wouldn't really be AP. No all seater stadium could be. In some ways, I'm happy not to spoil the memory.
 
You never forget your first love.

Ayresome park was a feared venue, Opposition teams knew they were in for a challenge. The atmosphere was electric for the big games. Ayresome for me, but I’m very biased, despite loving the Riverside era and all that came with it.

I agree post relegation after Murdoch, the atmosphere and crowds dwindled at AP accordingly, but times were different back then in the 80’s, the football standards were not solely to blame. We had high unemployment and falling output, inflationary pressures our own war etc, times were financially very hard for many people, I was one of the lucky ones really, never out of work since I left education.

The only issue I have with the Riverside is the people who constantly are up and down from their seats to the loos due to too much pre game beers or those getting up after around 30 minutes onwards to beat the half time bar queues and they are always late back after half time has kicked off, apologising every week in a totally pathetic and banal manner. I mean if the drink is that important stay in the flipping concourse or watch in a pub. It is the same people week in week out, If you recognise yourself, you all probably have individual nicknames now, those around where we sit do, and trust me, whilst they are funny to many of us, they’d not seem pleasant to you 🤣
 
coluka said:
The only issue I have with the Riverside is the people who constantly are up and down from their seats to the loos due to too much pre game beers or those getting up after around 30 minutes onwards to beat the half time bar queues and they are always late back after half time has kicked off, apologising every week in a totally pathetic and banal manner. I mean if the drink is that important stay in the flipping concourse or watch in a pub.
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Yes; maybe I'm biased as I never want a drink in the afternoon, but I think serving beer in the ground is bad for the atmosphere. Fans would have been on the AP terraces 20 minutes before kick-off if they could get a pint in the ground. The worst thing we could do to the RS atmosphere would be to make it allowable for fans to drink in the seats.
 
Frozen Horse said:
Yes; maybe I'm biased as I never want a drink in the afternoon, but I think serving beer in the ground is bad for the atmosphere. Fans would have been on the AP terraces 20 minutes before kick-off if they could get a pint in the ground. The worst thing we could do to the RS atmosphere would be to make it allowable for fans to drink in the seats.
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If drink were ever allowed in the seats, it would lead to arguments and scuffles every time a goal was scored as some people get drenched in others beer. Away games are bad enough as it is because of the drinking and drug use at games, especially if you end up adjacent to the idiots.
 
One massive advantage the Riverside has over Ayresome Park is the area outside the ground.
I was just looking at pictures of people on their way to the turnstiles at Ayresome and of course everyone is walking along people's streets. I remember when a few of us wanted to celebrate promotion (secured by midweek results elsewhere) there wasn't really anywhere to go. Just the Warwick Street cul-de-sac in front of the gates. Now we have car parks, a Fanzone, Boro Brick Road, all sorts of room for things that are not on neighbours doorsteps.
 
Walking up to the Riverside, particularly for a night game, it looks impressive.
That said, catching the first glimpse of a floodlight at AP through the terraced streets was something special.
 
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