David Holliday, TF90M’s Lower League Correspondent, investigates Burton Albion, the team running away with the Conference league title...
This season the Conference has been a one horse race from the very beginning and it’s fairly obvious looking at the table that one team stands head and shoulders above the rest.
This team is Burton Albion.
Burton Albion, otherwise known as the Brewers, currently lead the conference by an incredible 19 points and look set for promotion to the Football League.
But who are Burton Albion?
Based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, Albion have had to compete with the traditionally more popular sport of Rugby Union. Financial issues also contributed to the failings of many clubs that Albion can claim lineage to including Burton Swifts, Burton Town, Burton United, and Burton Wanderers. Burton Albion (nicknamed "the Brewers", given that brewing is one of Burton's main industries) was formed in 1950, and joined the Birmingham & District League.
Burton Albion began life at the Lloyds Foundry ground on Wellington Street, but high attendances meant that the club quickly searched for a more suitable home. Eton Park was built off Derby Road and officially opened on 20 September 1958, coinciding with their promotion to the Southern League. From then until its demolition in 2005 the Brewers played all of their home games at Eton Park. They have also had spells in the Northern Premier League (NPL), due to their location in the central Midlands. They entered the Conference in 2002 after winning the NPL title.
Eton Park was demolished to make way for housing, as a new stadium, at a cost of £7.2 million was built directly opposite Eton Park and was named the Pirelli Stadium, situated as it was a short distance from Pirelli's factory in Burton.
Burton enjoyed the limelight when they drew 0-0 with Manchester United in the FA Cup third round in 2006. Despite a 5-0 hammering in the return leg, the lucrative replay boosted funds for Albion and allowed over 11,000 Brewers fans to make the trip up to Old Trafford
Since the Man United encounters, Burton have been fighting for promotion from the Conference. The Brewers reached their highest ever league position to date in 2007–08, finishing in the end of season play-off places for the first time in their history.
Despite the loss of manager Nigel Clough to Derby, Burton are enjoying their spell at the top of the league.
Roy McFarland has been installed as caretaker manager until the end of the season and so far the change in management persona hasn’t unsettled the Brewers as they seek promotion to the Football League.
Known for their exciting attacking play, they are unbeaten at home and their goal difference is nearly double every other team’s, bar two. They have one of the most potent strike forces in the country with Shaun Harrad (15 goals) and Greg Pearson (16 goals) on top form all season.
The club could be a breath of fresh air to League 2 next season and many people are looking forward to seeing how Burton Albion cope with Football League life for the first time in their history.
Bookmark with:
