Exclusive: Don Goodman names the EFL Championship sides with the best home atmospheres | OneFootball

FLW have spoken exclusively to Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman about the best atmospheres in the Championship, and this is what he told us.

Football League World have spoken exclusively to Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman about the best stadiums atmospheres in the Championship, and this is what he told us.

With the new season less than a fortnight away, it's time for fans to start getting excited for the big kick-off again.

There's no experience like live football, and the atmosphere at matches is a huge part of what makes attending matches such a draw, even when an ever-increasing number of matches are broadcast live on the television.

Former player and Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has been around the EFL for decades, first as a player and then as a pundit, so Football League World has asked him what he thought the best match-day atmosphere is in the Championship.

Goodman narrows the best atmospheres in the Championship down to four clubs

Don Goodman knew he had to tread carefully answering this question, telling us, "I'm not sure if you realise, but a lot of football fans out there already have beef with me and my opinions, so it's not a question that's easy to answer!"

But when pushed on the subject, he was able to narrow it down to four, starting with the city that many believe to be the game's birthplace. "Obviously the two Sheffield clubs", he told us, "I've heard the roof nearly come off when those grounds are full and bouncing, though he added that this is widespread across the division.

"I have with all the clubs in the division, I'm sure I've been at all those grounds when the team has been doing well and the noise is incredible", he continued, specifically adding that he'd seen both Derby and Coventry "bouncing".

But Don single out two other clubs beyond Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday for special praise. "Portsmouth is quite a unique one, and you saw their home form last season compared to their away form", he told us, "I'm pretty sure that was down to the home fans."

And he also had a special mention for his favourite song. "And a special mention to Birmingham City, who have my favourite song in football, he told us, "Keep Right on 'Til The End of The Road is one of my favourites. When they get that going and they're doing well, it's a pretty special place to be."

A ground's atmosphere can be affected by a number of different factors

The atmosphere inside a football ground can be affected by any of a number of factors, from the size of the crowd, to the layout of the stadium itself and even the mood of the home supporters.

Some layouts have more of an effect than others. Oxford United have suffered from the Kassam Stadium being three-sided for years, to the extent that the club are trying to get planning permission for a new home. Sheffield Wednesday may well find that the same happens at Hillsborough, should they not get their certificate for the North Stand issued before the start of the new season.

But while the size of the crowd and their mood are important, it is notable that all four of those singled out for praise by Goodman are older, more 'traditional' grounds, though it should be added that none of this is to say that a good atmosphere can only be found at an older ground. After all, Goodman singled out both Derby County and Coventry City for praise.

But it's something that the new owners of Birmingham City, who are planning a move from St Andrew's to a new 62,000-capacity Sports Quarter, should consider ahead of their move. Because if Don Goodman's view on Portsmouth is true, the Blues could even find that a fearsome atmosphere could even earn them points when they move in.