There are compensations that come with a tumble down the divisions. While Championship fans must largely contend with a sequence of out of town meccano sheds, visits to Frankie and Benny’s and repeated attempts to negotiate those ubiquitous metal railings that align our national dual carriageways, League 2 in particular can throw up some pleasingly traditional sensations.

It’s sad then to recount that Football League fans will be deprived of the chance to re-enact our 2011-12 Best Away Trip next season for a TTU jaunt ^[1] to Hereford United wins the accolade. Edgar Street is marvellously quirky and old-fashioned of course but its city centre location allows one to enjoy the pleasing half-timbered lanes and alleyways, one of Britain’s finest cathedrals and a clutch of excellent pubs. Most prominent among these is The Barrels ^[2] – a Chaucerian den that drags the whole community of this county town together.

Running it close are Cheltenham and Shrewsbury, with the latter’s sheen only partially removed by the move from Gay Meadow, as well as Chesterfield – our correspondent’s favourites may have lost 4-1 but the ale in the nearby Derby Tup ^[3] and at the Bolsover Rotary Club Beer Festival was a real treat.

But we’re not insistent on ‘Merrie England’ – a trip to West Ham provides the chance to stop off in Whitechapel or its surrounds for a taste of the vibrant East End and a curry at Tayyabs ^[4].

2010-11 winner: Swindon Town
2009-10 winner: Peterborough United ^[5]