FOR the last 16 years, I’ve been in the privileged position of turning up on a match-day for a football game and getting paid for it.

By the end of this season – when I tick Gillingham off my list - I will have covered games as a journalist at 89 current Football League grounds, missing only West Ham and Barnet’s new home, and Burton Albion.

Let me start by saying that my view of a ground, sat tapping away at a keyboard, is different to watching your team on the pitch.

Going to the game as a supporter is a ritual experience. Hard-earned cash has been exchanged for a ticket, and whatever luxury you choose to improve your day – a few pints, a meal, good company, or a half-time pie, it will all feel better or worse depending on how your team fares.

Going to a ground to work has its perks and its pitfalls. It can also be a bit clinical. You are there to do a job and while it can go better with a good result for your team, it doesn’t add or subtract from the number of words the paper want from you.

I’ve sampled the high life with Wanderers, ate Chelsea’s five-star buffet and sat on the padded seats at the Emirates. But I’ve also done a Tuesday nighter in Exeter, and crammed myself into press boxes which could double-up as medieval torture chambers. I’m talking to you, Macclesfield Town.

Ask any journalist and they will judge a ground on the same general criteria – how easy it is to get to, what the parking is like, whether you get any food or drink, what the view is like from the press box, what the post-match access to players and managers is like, and the all-important plug-socket-to-person ratio, which decreases exponentially the lower you fall down the football pyramid.

Atmosphere doesn’t often come into it. But there are odd exceptions, and Wanderers happen to be travelling to one today.

I like Bramall Lane. There, I said it. I spent four years living in Sheffield and spent many happy Saturday afternoons watching my Blades-supporting mates getting wound up at the inconsistency of Brazilian striker Marcelo, or the fact Steve Bruce, Dean Saunders and Graham Stuart were “past it”.

I watched Wednesday too, although it was more expensive and United were a few minutes from my house, as opposed to a crammed ride on the Supertram.

What I enjoy about Bramall Lane is that is has a unique atmosphere. The music, the chants, the feel of the ground is unlike anywhere else – even from the sanitised view of the press box.

It sits comfortably in my top 10 grounds outside the Premier League. I have listed them below but excluded Wanderers on the basis I virtually live there and have lost a bit of impartiality. I have also excluded Villa Park and St James’s Park as I have never visited them as a Football League club.

Number 10 - Valley Parade: If parking wasn’t such a pain in the behind, Bradford City’s home would be higher on my list.

Number nine - St Andrew’s – Not a glamorous ground. Not the best vantage point in the world. But Birmingham’s ground has a nostalgic feel.

Number eight - City Ground: History hangs off every wall at Forest, adding to the intimidation factor.

Number seven – Amex Stadium: Posh with some great food. Unfortunately, didn’t legislate for if there is bad weather by covering the press box.

Number six – Portman Road: Without doubt the friendliest ground in the Football League, just a right bleeder to drive to from the North West.

Number five – Spotland: Rochdale’s stadium is in no way luxurious but, my word, it has pre-match music down to a tee.

Number four – Molineux: Never exactly ‘welcoming’ to us Bolton types but looks and feels like a proper football ground.

Number three – iPro Stadium: A new stadium but one of the very best around. Perfectly situated, excellent facilities.

Number two – Bramall Lane: Greasy chip butties and all, a ground I have grown really attached to down the years.

Number one – Craven Cottage: Just gorgeous. Well treated from the minute you step off the street through the door. Old wooden press benches and rickety corridors just add to the charm.