Barnet fan Adam Hern recently won a nationwide competition to find the best young reporter from all The Football League 2 clubs. His prize was a VIP trip to Wembley for the L2 play-off final...

My Day out at Wembley Stadium by Adam Hern, League 2 Junior Reporter 2009, Saturday 23rd May 2009.

I was here, pitch side at Wembley Stadium. One of the best football stadiums in the world. People were whizzing around doing their jobs, getting prepared for the day's match. But I was standing still, soaking up the whole atmosphere. For once, I was lost for words.

I was here, because I had won a junior football reporting competition. I had written a report on a Barnet match and won the prize for the best report. Later, I found out that I had also won the national writing competition for the Coca Cola League 2 final.

Walking down Olympic Way, the contrast between Barnet's stadium, Underhill, and the giant that was standing in front of me became apparent. My eyes were focused on the soaring arch, tall enough for the London Eye to be rolled underneath it. It was breathtakingly beautiful!

I had experienced this walk before, for the Soccer Aid match that took place in 2008. However, this was a completely different occasion. This was special. Although this was just the beginning of a huge football week, this was the day that I could attend.

The tour of the stadium was superb. The changing rooms were large and luxurious and the press rooms enormous. It was such a privilege to experience such things that boys my age can only dream of. Whizzing through my head were a thousand thoughts. Why am I standing here where superstars have stood? I'm not exactly a top football star, so how can this be happening to me? I was still taking in the whole occasion, when I was called to do an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live. It was hosted by friendly Mark Clemmit and broadcast to many thousands of listeners. Mark asked me a few questions before I got to interview the flamboyant new Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway. I had to contend with the tannoy announcer doing some pre-match checks, so it was pretty hard getting my voice heard. In addition, it was my first live interview. Then we got the opportunity to sit where the sets of managers sit. Just thinking that the seat I was on was where top managers such as Fabio Cappello and Sir Alex Ferguson have sat, made a shiver trickle down my spine.

I was soon rushed to interview two managers of under 11 teams, who had battled throughout the whole season to get their team to play under the arch. In all fairness, I didn't have much idea about the two teams, but it was fun doing an interview with the cameras and I really enjoyed that experience. I also got the opportunity to talk to a senior Sky Sports reporter about journalism and football.

After a delicious lunch, I talked to top sports reporter Tony Leighton, who gave me some more advice on how to excel in the field of journalism. Tony, who has over thirty years of experience and worked for papers such as the Guardian and The Mirror, gave me some world class tips on how to succeed at being a sports journalist like himself. He told me how he researched articles, about the travel involved and how hard, but fun the job was. I was really honoured to have so much time in his company, especially as he was preparing to report on the game.

When the match kicked off I got to sit in the press area, with luxurious leather seats and also an individual television screen of the game courtesy of Sky Sports. The match was between Gillingham and Shrewsbury Town with the winner being promoted to the higher division. It was a fantastic atmosphere, and eventually the match was won 1-0 by Gillingham, who scored a controversial goal in the last minute of the match.

Unfortunately, this wonderful day was drawing to a close. However, there was still enough time to speak to the delighted Gillingham chairman Paul Scally, and man of the match, ex-Barnet player Simon King, who plays for Gillingham. In addition, I spoke to Gillingham's captain who was proudly clutching the stunning trophy that was awarded to the winning team.

As quickly as the day had started, it was to end. How seven hours had gone so quickly I don't know. I guess they say that time flies when you're having fun!

Adam Hern