Black painted ceilings, not enough showers and split mirrors on toilet doors, I'm in the Southampton away dressing room basking in the mind games the club adopts for visiting teams.

This was part of a near access-all-areas trip around the clubs' St Mary's base.

An impressive structure which, on leaving the tunnel, opens up a warm and inviting arena of 32,000 red and white seats and a green carpet of a pitch.

Inside, the club embraces its heritage with suites named after past players and walls draped with countless historic club images.

The receptionists were lovely and gave us a signed ball and wished us luck.

Just 13 miles down the road rivals Prtsmouth extended their welcome by giving us a similar tour and signed Sol Campbell Pompey shirt.

A chance to sit in boss Harry Redknapp's dugout seat was also a treat.

The sun sprinkled our visit to the South Coast and South West with trips to Plymouth (which had a neigbouring giant fun fair in full flight), Torquay (which was shut) and Bournemouth.

We were ushered through to the stands at The Fitness First stadium and saw the Bournemouth first-team squad training on the sunkist turf below.

A calmer day than its London dominated predecessors but with plenty of mini-bus travelling, the chance to take in the beautiful countryside including the New Forest and Torquay's Riviera coastline.

The final whistle on the day saw us travel to Weston-Super-Mare for our stop over.