This oil painting of the Riverside Stadium is a celebration of Middlesbrough’s identity, bridging the gap between the club’s storied past and its modern home on the banks of the River Tees.

From Ayresome Park to the Riverside
The move in 1995 from Ayresome Park—a traditional, landlocked neighbourhood ground—to the Riverside marked a pivotal moment in the club’s history. By painting the stadium from across the water I wanted to highlight this transition. While Ayresome Park represented the “Old Boro,” the Riverside symbolizes the club’s rebirth and ambition, literally built upon the reclaimed land of the town’s industrial heart.

Middlesbrough was built on iron and steel, and I chose this specific perspective to honour that industrial heritage. The stadium stands as a modern cathedral of steel, reflected in the River Tees—the very waterway that once powered the region’s global shipping and shipbuilding industries. The dramatic, fiery tones of the sky in this piece are a nod to the “Infant Hercules” era, evoking the glow of the blast furnaces that once dominated the skyline.

The Riverside is more than just a sports venue; it is a monument to the resilience of Teesside. I used the rich textures of oil paint to capture the contrast between the sharp, white structural steel of the stadium and the atmospheric, heavy clouds. This painting is intended to resonate with every fan who remembers the walk through the old streets of Ayresome, but who now finds their pride in this iconic landmark standing tall by the river.

Original Painting on Board measuring 60cm x 60cm. All original paintings are supplied unframed. This is to allow you to choose your own style of frame once you’ve taken delivery of the work. All original paintings are supplied unframed. This is to allow you to choose your own style of frame once you’ve taken delivery of the work.