Burton v Grimsby Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 06/05/2010

WHATEVER the outcome the team we have now doesn't deserve to be tarnished with the record they sent our club down to non-league. That privilege lies at the feet of those who we started the season with. Nevertheless the miracle could may well happen!

Their History...

Burton has predominantly been a rugby union town and it wasn't until 1950 that Burton Albion was formed. Prior to this several teams had tried and failed to become the prominent team in the town. Burton Swifts, Town, United and Wanderers were all given a go before the Brewers were established. Joining the Birmingham and District league promotions and a steady rise ensued and not unlike ourselves the FA weren't always a 100% certain where to place us in the north, south divide, Burton sporadically played in both just below the National Conference for a time. In 2003 The Brewers were promoted to the Conference and joined us up here in the Football League this season.

Last Season Was...

Was a naturally impressive one - Burton dealt with the loss of long-term manager Nigel Clough as well as they could after he fled up the road to now local rivals Derby County. The club averted a stumble half way through the season as there lead was been slowly eaten away at managing to secure the Championship on the last day of the season despite losing to also promoted Torquay.

This Season Is...

It’s been a season to cherish for Burton fans, the club has taken on their first ever Football League season with confidence and though many would have hoped for that confidence to push them up a little higher after last year's promotion. A midtable finish is very commendable considering the quality in the league this year, which has seen clubs like ourselves and Bradford struggle on much larger budgets. Brewers' fans have not only a good league position to look back on but also some fantastic performances such as the 6-1 win over Aldershot and a thrilling 5-6 defeat to Chesterfield. All in all Burton Albion have to be given a B for their introduction to the Football League.

The Future Is:

With operation League status complete, Burton have now seen what is expected from them in order to succeed in this league. The Brewers can now plan for that with the additional revenue, which comes from being a league team. Paul Peschisolido may know nothing about tackling but he has certainly started to create a team with a mixture of youth and experience at a higher level such as with our very own Steve Kabba and with the likes of Morecambe and Dagenham and Redbridge showing the way Burton must be quietly confident in what they can achieve.

Key Players... Shaun Harrad

The number 9 is certainly living up to the number on his shirt this year. The Nottingham born striker has netter some 20 goals throughout the campaign and has picked up the pace of late scoring against Dagenham and Redbridge, Bradford and mot recently Rochdale all within the last 5 matches. The former Notts County and Tamworth player is the clubs current leading goal scorer and will finish as such unless some awful event happens on Saturday. His goals have been crucial to the Brewers successful campaign and could deal a huge blow to our League survival should him and ex-Mariner Steve Kabba turn up with shooting boots.

Famous Players to Wear the Shirt...

Daryl Clare? Maybe not but our former striker and a legend of 1998 graced Burton for a time becoming the natural goal scorer he is and is remembered fondly for his time there also Steve Chettle spent a little time in Burton. Other than former Town players Burton have had the privilege of having, Eddie Shimwell, Mark Robins, Steve Cotterill, Andy Sinton and of course Nigel Clough entertain them on a Saturday.

Cult Heroes...

Nigel Clough joined wet eared and inexperienced but his steady progress with Burton made them one of the favourites for promotion for a few seasons before accomplishing it without him last year. The deal at Derby was an impossible one for Clough to decline the most obvious links aside considering the past. Derby are a club with a huge fan base and the chance to see what he could do was too tempting. Burton quietly took the loss in their stride and asked Roy McFarland to take over as caretaker for the rest of the season before Burton announced that Peschisolido would be taking the helm in the summer. Nevertheless Cough’s influence still resonates around the club and it must have been disappointment to him that he himself didn't take Burton to the Football League.

Prediction

The hope is alive again Town will win whatever 2-0 inspired by a takeover of black and white at the Pirelli Stadium, while on Rochdale who already seem to be on their holidays will go out with a bang or at least turn up drawing 1-1 with Barnet.

Burton 0-2 Grimsby Barnet 1-1 Rochdale

With the fact that close to 3,000 fans are going to descend on Burton with the hope of The Mariners retaining their league status it’s probably best to give you all some help in what there is around the ground.

Best Away Pub...

The Beech Inn is the closest pub to the ground that serves away fans it is along Derby Road. From the stadium head away from the town centre and it is on the left. Alternatively Burton serve drinks for away fans within the ground and of course the Brewers didn't get their name from their need to make tea. Coors, Marston and several other companies brew beer in the town so you will find a wide selection of pubs within the town centre. The Devonshire on Milton Street offers several locally brewed ales as well as alternative continental beers.

Best Place to Eat...

McDonalds is just a little further along from the Beech Inn on the same side of the road and of course they sell food within the ground.

Best Place to Park...

The club has its own car park with a charge of around £2 but best get their early alternatively there is the Industrial estate on Princess Way and of course there is the good old street parking around the area.

Team News

Will appear on Friday.…

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