England v Azerbaijan
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
29 March 2005

Fans in the North East can profit from fantastic value ticket prices to watch England’s Under-21 team play Azerbaijan at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium in a crucial European Under-21 qualifier on Tuesday, 29 March. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

Tickets go on sale from tomorrow, Friday 04 February via the Middlesbrough FC Ticket Hotline on 0870 4211986, and are priced at £5 for adults and £1 for under-16s and senior citizens.

England Under-21s Coach Peter Taylor said: "This is a massive game for us and these great value tickets should attract a big crowd to create a great atmosphere and give us that extra boost.

"England’s Under-21s have a great record at the Riverside and we will be confident of claiming all three points against Azerbaijan. The away match showed that they are a good team who should not be underestimated, but we have started our campaign strongly and that breeds self-belief.

"We have a squad filled with exciting and talented players and it should be a great occasion."

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren added: "We are delighted that the Riverside is getting another chance to host an England Under-21 match. It is an honour not only for theclub but also for the people of Teesside.

"These matches have proved to be a big success in the past and I am sure that the Teesside public will come out in force to see the stars of the future."

Taylor’s team currently sit top of their European Under-21 Championship qualifying group with three wins and a draw from their first four matches, and will be looking to continue their run against the Azeris, who are the only team to have denied them three points so far.

The Riverside has been the scene of four England Under-21s matches, including wins over Austria, Georgia and Albania.

The most recent encounter was a 3-1 victory over Ukraine on 17 August 2004 which saw Peter Taylor get off to a winning start. Carlton Cole scored twice in the first half with Darren Bent notching a third in the last minute.

England Under-21s have played Azerbaijan only once, the 0-0 draw in Baku on 12 October 2004.

England were denied victory in the last minute when Jon Stead’s close-range effort cannoned off the crossbar.

Before the return match at the Riverside Stadium, England meet Holland on Tuesday, 08 February for a mouth-watering friendly before taking on Germany in a European Championship qualifier on Friday 25 March at Hull’s KC Stadium.

Ticketing Details

England U21 v Azerbaijan U21
Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough FC
Tuesday 29 March 2005

Prices
Adults: £5
Children under 16 and OAPs: £1

Ticket Hotline: 0870 421 1986