Day 14 – Ground no. 11: Bramall Lane, Sheffield United

Located right in the centre of this proud old football city, the history of Bramall Lane makes it something special. And if you don’t know the history, you are told by the red plaques on the fence, marking whereto the cricket pitch went until 1973. Behind the fence, the almost brutal 70’ish concrete stand and a memorial garden. But the outstanding feature of Bramall Lane is the traditional Kop embankment that you have to climb to get into the stand. Fantastic. “Forged in Steel”

11. Bramall Lane, Sheffield United

12. Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers

13. The City Ground, Nottingham Forest

14. Priestfield, Gillingham

15. Valley Parade, Bradford City

16. Villa Park, Aston Villa

17. Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic

18. Turf Moor, Burnley

19. Bootham Crescent, York City

20. Anfield Road, Liverpool F.C.

21. Elland Road, Leeds United

22. The County Ground, Swindon Town

23. St. Andrew’s, Birmingham City

24. St. James’ Park, Exeter City

Day 13 – Ground no. 12: Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers

Hidden behind terraced houses to three sides, Loftus Road is another Old School ground with that distinct community feeling. It feels as though they have just managed to squeeze in the ground. You feel that the stands are placed almost on top of the pitch. There is NO leg room between the seats, there is NO room in the concourse. But it just adds to the feeling of being so fortunate that you managed to squeeze in. The sight of floodlight pylons is wonderful. I have to go back for an evening kick-off.

12. Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers

13. The City Ground, Nottingham Forest

14. Priestfield, Gillingham

15. Valley Parade, Bradford City

16. Villa Park, Aston Villa

17. Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic

18. Turf Moor, Burnley

19. Bootham Crescent, York City

20. Anfield Road, Liverpool F.C.

21. Elland Road, Leeds United

22. The County Ground, Swindon Town

23. St. Andrew’s, Birmingham City

24. St. James’ Park, Exeter City

Day 12 – Ground no. 13: City Ground, Nottingham Forest

There is something special about a football ground by the river. Especially when you have the ground of your local rivals just on the other side. And you could throw in the cricket ground at Trent Bridge as well. Terraced housing, floodlight pylons, individual stands rather than the modern bowl-shape, and a cracking atmosphere. But it is riverside walk before and at the end of the match, which makes the City Ground something special.

13. The City Ground, Nottingham Forest

14. Priestfield, Gillingham

15. Valley Parade, Bradford City

16. Villa Park, Aston Villa

17. Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic

18. Turf Moor, Burnley

19. Bootham Crescent, York City

20. Anfield Road, Liverpool F.C.

21. Elland Road, Leeds United

22. The County Ground, Swindon Town

23. St. Andrew’s, Birmingham City

24. St. James’ Park, Exeter City

Day 11 – Ground 14: Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham

Floodlights at the end of a terraced street. In fact, a stand at the end of it. Priestfield is mainly about the location. Perfect old school ground right in the middle of a residential area. The temporary uncovered Brian Moore stand for visiting supporters look rather bizar, stuck between the more traditional Gordon Road and Medway Stands. This is the first English ground, where I had paella for my prematch meal. But it was the walk from the ground through the floodlit streets that really made it an experience to remember.

14. Priestfield, Gillingham

15. Valley Parade, Bradford City

16. Villa Park, Aston Villa

17. Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic

18. Turf Moor, Burnley

19. Bootham Crescent, York City

20. Anfield Road, Liverpool F.C.

21. Elland Road, Leeds United

22. The County Ground, Swindon Town

23. St. Andrew’s, Birmingham City

24. St. James’ Park, Exeter City