On the pitch at Anfield, sitting in boss Rafa Benitez's dugout seat- I've had worse Monday mornings.

First we paid a poignant and reflective five minutes at the club's front gates which serve as an emotional homage to the 96 fans who lost their lives in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

Adorned with scarves from clubs including Barcelona and even Wolves, it served as a touching and fitting tribute.

We were later greeted by former 1970s midfielder Brian Hall who gave us a VIP tour of the stadium.

Enveloped by monstrous stands of red seats including the awe-inspiring Kop proved an unparalleled buzz.

To share a pitch where legends once tread was a true lump-in-the-throat moment.

Across Stanley Park, Everton matched their rivals in the hospitality stakes.

Living up to their 'People's Club' mantra, fans queuing up for season tickets put £18.50 into our bucket and club staff let us into Goodison Park.

How far corporate football has come was further illustrated by the fact you can get an Everton mortgage.

Bolton's Reebok Stadium followed with a glimpse at an awesome and contemporary arena.

A similar scene at neighbours Wigan at their JJB base.

If Wigan and Bolton showed footballs future, then Accrington Stanley was a trip into the sports past.

Only one stand with a roof, almost total terracing, this near football outpost was a stark but welcome contrast to the all-seater arenas fans are more used to.

Blackburn's Jack Walker Memorial Garden also served as a poignant moment and a reflective chance to remember Steve.

A rare break from seeing empty stadiums came at Turf Moor as we watched Burnley versus West Brom that night.

Wooden seats, five goals, a dodgy ref, contraversial sending-off and a half-time tunnel scuffle- not bad to watch for a neutral like me.