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| Pre-Season News 1998-99 | |
Friday 21st August 1998 All set for the big kick-off The waiting is nearly over. Three weeks after the Scottish League, a fortnight after the Nationwide League and a week after the Premiership and Football Conference, the Dr. Marten's League belatedly gets underway tomorrow - a season which could be the last for the league in it's present format. A Conference Second Division is planned from the start of the 1999-2000 season, with several established clubs from the Dr. Marten's League expected to apply to join the new venture. The Brewers will certainly be amongst those staking a claim, a two year program of improvements - culminating with the new floodlights now towering over Eton Park- having brought the Brewers home ground up to Conference standard - now all that is required is a succesful league campaign to make sure they will be amongst the clubs called upon to join, if and when the new league is formed. Of course, the Dr. Marten's League title remains the ultimate goal for the season, and though John Barton's team have as good a chance as any of lifting the shield, after last seasons anti-climactic season, no-one at Eton Park will be making any rash predictions this time around. The Brewers begin their campaign away from home - and never can a trip to Rothwell Town have been so eagerly anticipated. The Bones spent much of last season hovering above the relegation zone, but still managed to embarass Albion, defeating them 1-0 at Cecil Street in January, with the Brewers extracting a 3-0 revenge at Eton Park in April. For tomorrow's game, close season signings Brendan Hackett and Craig Smith will be expected to make their league debuts for the club - the latter having struck up a promising strike partnership with David Holmes in pre-season matches. Fellow striker Micky Cotter will be absent from the squad due to suspension, with Pat Lyons also expected to miss the game through injury. The place of defender Darren Grocutt is also in doubt - he is suffering from a leg wound picked up at Moor Green last week. Monday 17th August 1998 Draw rounds off season build-up Pre-season round-up A 1-1 draw at Hinckley United on Saturday rounded off an unbeaten final week of the Brewers' pre-season campaign, with the new Dr. Marten's League season finally kicking-off this Saturday. Andy Garner came on as substitute to claim a late equaliser at Middlefield Road (although my contacts inform me that he was two feet away from the ball when it went in off the defender!) Garner's "goal" cancelled out Carl Nolan's opener for a Hinckley side which included ex-Brewers Les Hornby and Charlie Palmer amongst their ranks. Hinckley were the third Dr. Marten's Midland Division side Albion have faced this week. Tuesday evening saw a goal feast at the Moorlands, as the Brewers overcame Moor Green 4-3. Goals from Tony Marsden, David Holmes and Steve Spooner had given them a seemingly unassailable lead when Kim Casey - who faced the Brewers in their 1987 FA Trophy Final as a Kidderminster player - struck twice in a minute for Moor Green. Craig Smith continued his scoring form since arriving at Eton Park with a 67th minute goal, but there was still time for the home side to pull one back, Paul Jones converting from the penalty spot. Tuesday night's goal was Smith's third in Albion colours - the ex-Derby striker was also on the scoresheet in last Saturday's match at Bilston Town when he converted a cross from fellow new-boy Brendan Hackett. The Steelmen pulled one back twenty minutes from time courtesy of Harry Wright to deny the Brewers victory in a match where they had the better chances. Attention now turns to Saturday, and the long awaited opening fixture of the new season away at Rothwell Town (kick-off 3pm). Pat Lyons is the only expected injury casualty of the Brewers' pre-season campaign, with Tony Marsden likely to take his place on the right side of midfield, although there is also some doubt about Darren Grocutt. The central defender suffered a leg wound in Tuesday evening's clash at Moor Green. Rothwell spent much of last season hovering above the relegation zone, but managed to kill off any lingering hopes of promotion for the Brewers with a 1-0 victory at Cecil Street in January. Albion gained revenge with a 3-0 victory at Eton Park as they surged to a third place finish in the Dr. Marten's League. Rothwell was also many people's vote for the worst ground in the Dr. Marten's League last season. The Brewers fans making the trip on Saturday will be hoping it's more welcoming in mid-August than in January.
Pre-season results round-up
Wednesday 5th August 1998 Stoke and Notts through to Vase final Two of the oldest clubs in the world will compete in the final of this season's historic Bass Charity Vase. A 2-0 victory for Stoke City over Leicester City at Stapenhill FC's Edge Hill Ground tonight, was enough to take the Potteries side through as Group B winners, meaning Albion go out of the competition they won last year. Stoke finish top on six points, with the Brewers second on three points. Leicester finish last with no points. Stoke now go on to meet the winners of Group A -Notts County- in Friday evening's final at Eton Park. Notts qualified courtesy of Gresley's 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Moat Ground yesterday. The Brewers, meanwhile, are next in action this Saturday afternoon when they travel to Dr. Marten's Midland Division side Bilston Town, in the first of a run of away matches which completes John Barton's team's build-up to the new season. Monday 3rd August 1998 Smith on song as Brewers outfox Leicester Bass Charity Vase: Burton Albion 3 Leicester City 1 The Brewers are still in with a shout of retaining their Bass Vase title after perhaps the most encouraging of their pre-season performances so far. New signing from Derby Craig Smith opened his Eton Park account as Albion overturned a Leicester side containing stars Graham Fenton, Garry Parker and Robert Ullathorne, in their final Group B match of the competition. Midfielder Pat Lyons put Albion ahead on 25 minutes with a lob of keeper Hodges from the edge of the box, but Lawrie Dudfield equalised for City just before the interval. The Brewers recovered their lead in the second half, courtesy of an encouraging partnership upfront between Smith and David Holmes. It was Holmes' pass which set up the Brewers second goal, his long searching ball finding Lyons, who's cross into the box was driven in by Craig Smith. Then Holmes himself found the net, latching on to a fine pass from substitute Micky Cotter to drive past the keeper, to make it 3-1. The Brewers now wait for the result of Wednesday's final Group B match between Leicester and Stoke City at Stapenhill's Edge Hill Ground. A narrow victory for Leicester could be enough to send the Brewers through to Friday evening's final at Eton Park. Sunday 2nd August 1998 Robins too flighty for jaded Brewers Pre-season round up Steve Cotterill's Cheltenham Town won 2-0 at Eton Park in yesterday's friendly, rounding off a mixed week for the Brewers as their pre-season campaign finally got underway. Jason Eaton scored the opener for the Robins, with star striker Dale Watkins adding to the tally from the penalty spot after Darren Stride was penalised for a trip in the box- both goals coming in the second half. John Barton replaced uninspired strike partnership Andy Garner and Micky Cotter with Emeka Ejiofor and new signing Craig Smith late on, but to no avail, as the Robins - FA Trophy winners and Conference runners-up last season- proved too good for an Albion team yet to get into their full stride. Brewers fans had got their first glimpse of John Barton's two summer signings- Smith, and left sided midfielder Brendan Hackett, earlier in the week. Tuesday night saw a 4-0 victory over Belper Town at Christchurch Meadow, David Holmes (obviously buoyed by the news that he's being sponsored by BrewersNet next season!) netting two, and promising young striker Daniel Davidson also bagging a brace to give the Brewers a convincing victory over the Unibond Division One side. Thursday, and the Brewers were back in Burton - Edge Hill, the home of Stapenhill Swans- played host to the first Group B match in the Bass Charity Vase. Stoke City fielded several first-team players in their line up, including ex-Liverpool and Sunderland player Paul Stewart, and their mix of youth and experience combined with superior fitness, made the Nationwide Division Two side too much of a match for the Brewers. Simon Sturridge and Neil MacKenzie were the scorers in a 2-0 victory, but the Potters could have won by a far wider margin. The defeat means Albion will almost certainly go out of the competition they won last year. Their second and final Group B match is tomorrow (Monday 3rd August) against Leicester City at Eton Park. The final will be played at Eton Park this Friday evening. Wednesday 22nd July 1998 Home tie for Brewers in Trophy The Brewers have been handed a home tie in the First Round of the FA Umbro Trophy, against fellow Dr. Marten's Premier League side Grantham Town. The Trophy has been re-organized for the 1998-99 season, with the Qualifying Rounds having been abolished, so the Brewers now enter the competition at the First hurdle - Conference clubs are exempt to the Second Round. Grantham will make tough opposition for the Brewers. After having just been promoted from the Dr. Marten's League Midland Division, the go-ahead Lincolnshire outfit, backed by the finances of former Sheffield United Chairman Reg Brealey, have turned full-time professional during the close season. They are managed by the Uruguayan Danny Bergara, long time Stockport County boss and last seen trying to make the best of a bad job under the Ken Richardson reigime at Doncaster Rovers. Other all-Dr. Marten's League ties include a West Country derby between Dorchester and Bath, and a long trek to newly promoted Weymouth for King's Lynn. Here are the ties involving Dr. Marten's Premier League sides: FA Umbro Trophy First Round
Matches to be played Saturday 24th October 1998 Friday 17th July 1998 Brewers kick-off at sunny Rothwell The Dr. Marten's League Fixture List is nothing if not predictable as far as the Brewers are concerned - an opening day trip South followed by a night match at home, an early season trip to St Georges Lane, Worcester, and a final day home fixture against Southern opposition - regular as clockwork. This year is no exception. Rothwell Town - perhaps the worst ground in the whole league - is the venue for the Brewers opening day fixture of the 1998-99 season, with Brewers fans likely to outnumber the home supporters on August 22nd. Worcester City are the visitors for Eton Park's first match of the season on Tuesday 25th August, with -yes- the return at St Georges Lane a few weeks later. There are also early season fixtures at home to last season's runners-up Merthyr Tydfil (29th August) and away to Halesowen Town on Bank Holiday Monday (31st August). The traditional festive double-derby with Gresley remains- for this season at least- Eton Park hosts the Boxing Day clash, with the return at the Moat Ground on New Years day. The fixture planners have also handed Albion a more attractive Easter Monday clash than last season's trek to Cambridge, as newly promoted Ilkeston Town make the short trip down the A38 to Eton Park.The first big derby of the season is at Nuneaton (8th September) with the Eton Park return two months later- Tamworth host the Brewers on 19th December, and visit Eton Park in March. Other highlights of the season include sunny seaside trips to Weymouth (in February!), and why not combine your visit to Boston United - transferred from the Unibond League- with a "bracing" trip to nearby Skegness - in December! The new fixture list also clears up the long running saga of who will take the place of reprieved Telford United in the Premier Division next season - Sittingbourne are condemned to relegation, as Hastings Town are dragged kicking and screaming back from the Rymans League without playing a match there! Wednesday 23rd June 1998 The future's bright- the future's yellow Albion have been granted planning permission to install a new £80,000 floodlighting system at Eton Park. And in another major phase of redevelopment by the club, a new roof will be constructed over the presently uncovered Eton Road end of the ground. The latest phase of an ongoing redevelopment of Eton Park by the club's board was approved on Monday at a meeting of East Staffs Borough Council's planning commitee. The new floodlight system, complying to Nationwide League standard, will comprise four 25 metre high pylons each holding 12 lights, but despite the increased size and brightness, "light pollution" to neighbouring streets will be reduced thanks to a more modern system which concentrates more light on the pitch area. The new roof over the Eton Road end of the ground - the first time that end has been covered- will be especially welcome to fans -home and away- who have braved the elements at that end of the ground over the years, and should also help to improve the sometimes morgue-like Eton Park atmosphere. The old grass bank was replaced by terracing in the late eighties - around the same time the present floodlighting system was installed - and work was undertaken during last season to enclose the terrace to comply with Conference standards.
Here's what the fasion conscious Burtonian will be sporting this summer. The new Borussia Dortmund shirt? A day-glo commemoration of the tenth anniversary of acid house? No, it's the new Brewers team strip for the 1998-99 season, unleashed on an unsuspecting public this week. Not one for the traditionalists, this shocking yellow and black ensemble, described by John Barton as "fashionable and distinctive", should certainly stand out under the new Eton Park floodlights next season. You can purchase it at the Brewers club shop on Thursday evenings during the close season, and of course on matchdays (see below for pre-season schedule). Wednesday June 10th 1998 Cotterill Eton Park return in pre-season clash As the 1998 World Cup got underway in St Denis, the rather less eagerly anticipated pre-season scedule of fixtures for Burton Albion was announced by the club. A short trip to Belper Town begins the build up to the new Dr. Marten's League campaign, which kicks off again on August 22nd. Steve Cotterill will return to Eton Park with his Cheltenham Town team, fresh from FA Trophy glory, and the Brewers' pre-season schedule concludes with three away trips to lower league Midlands opposition. Inbetween, Albion face Stoke City and Leicester City XI's as they attempt to defend their Bass Charity Vase title, with a possible Eton Park final clash with rivals Gresley Rovers the only prospect of excitement in an otherwise pretty mundane pre-season line-up for the Brewers.
Full pre-season schedule:
Monday 8th June 1998 Telford's great escape could save Brickies Sittingbourne could have earned an eleventh hour reprieve from relegation to the Dr. Marten's Southern Division in the wake of Telford United's own "great escape" from relegation. The Buck's Head side were due to take their place in the Dr. Marten's League Premier Division next season after landing in the Conference relegation zone for the first time in their history, but were reprieved at the weekend when Slough Town announced their resignation from the Conference due to financial and ground problems. The Dr. Marten's League are now trying to coax back Hastings Town from the Ryman's League in order to maintain a full 22 team line-up for the new season, but another option would be for only two teams- Ashford and St Leonards- to drop out of the Premier Division, with Sittingbourne avoiding the drop. Fourth from bottom Bromsgrove Rovers already avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth, after Chelmsford City were denied promotion from the Southern Division due to their inadequate facilities. Friday 22nd May 1998 Albion go Ram rustling Derby County striker and former Brewer Craig Smith became the latest addition to John Barton's squad as he attempts to build a team capable of improving on last season's third place finish. 21 year old Smith made his Albion youth team debut four years ago, when his goalscoring prowess soon attracted the interest of league clubs. Smith has made first team appearances as substitute in the Premiership this season and according to John Barton was "well thought of at Derby, but didn't feel his career was going in the right direction." The young striker decided his career prospects would be better served away from the fiercely competetive atmosphere of the Premiership, and chose the Brewers ahead of non-league rivals Kettering and Hereford United.
Craig Smith greets his new manager John Barton (right) and assistant John Newman (left) (Burton Mail) Friday 8th May 1998 Barton's rejects just can't Hackett John Barton wasted no time in strengthening his squad for next season- just days after the final game of this campaign, the Brewers boss snapped up the Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Brendan Hackett. The 30 year old ex-Hednesford, Telford and Kidderminster player, who arrives on a free transfer under the terms of the Bosman ruling, was wanted as part of Diamonds' full time squad as the big spending Conference side make another assault on promotion to the Football League. However, according to John Barton, Hackett was unwilling to "sacrifice a very good job in the steel industry". Claims Barton "it's quite a scoop for us to sign a player of Brendan's quality...(he is) a winner with with an appetite and hunger for trophies and I can't think of a better signing I could make."* Barton also hinted there could be more new arrivals at Eton Park before the close season is out.
New signing Brendan Hackett, pictured with John Barton and club secretary Tony Kirkland (Burton Mail) The arrival of Hackett spells the end of the Albion career of another left sided midfielder- Les Hornby. Hornby has been plagued by injuries this season and has been unable to claim a regular first team place. Also on their way out of Eton Park during the close season will be Andy Marlowe and Darren Acton. Wide midfielder Marlowe has, in Barton's words "not quite fulfilled the potential we thought he possessed, whilst Acton - player of the year in his first season with the Brewers- has been confined to the reserves ever since veteran keeper Nick Goodwin returned to the club in October to take Acton's number 1 jersey. Meanwhile, the Brewers continue to splash the cash to improve the facilities at Eton Park. The club has applied for planning permission for a new £80,000 set of floodlights to football league standard, to replace the current system installed in the late eighties. Ben Robinson's board, boosted by another cash injection from the club's financial backers, is also considering building a roof over the Eton Road (Gordon Bray Terrace) end of the ground, as part of an ongoing series of improvements which has seen the main stand extended, a new club shop and office block built, and areas of terracing improved to comply with Conference standards. *source- Burton Mail
How they finished...all the 97-98 promotion & relegation issues Saturday 2nd May 1998 Dr. Marten's Premier Dr. Marten's Midland Dr. Marten's Southern Vauxhall Conference Jubilant Rovers up at first attempt... Scenes of jubilation in Nailsworth as Forest Green secure the Dr. Marten's League Championship, and their second successive promotion, courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Bath City in front of 1,678 fans at The Lawn. This represents an incredible acheivement by Rovers boss Frank Gregan, bearing in mind his limited financial resources. Rovers now take their place in the Conference, continuing their remarkable rise through the non-league ranks over the past decade. Second placed Merthyr could only draw at Ashford, whilst Burton Albion take third place, despite their 2-1 defeat at home to Salisbury. Brickies make the drop...Bromsgrove hang on.. At the opposite end of the table, Sittingbourne are relegated as they can only draw at Rothwell. Meanwhile, Bromsgrove appear to have escaped a second successive relegation by the skin of their teeth. Former Brewer Karl Payne was on the scoresheet as Rovers came from behind to beat Gloucester 3-1. Bromsgrove finish fourth from bottom, but have Chelmsford City to thank for their expected Premier Division survival. The Essex club finish second ahead of Bashley in the Dr. Marten's Southern Division, but the ground they share with Billericay Town, is not expected to reach Premier Division standard, meaning only Champions Weymouth will be promoted. The Terra's, roared on by 400 travelling fans, clinched the title with their fifteenth successive victory at Baldock. In the Midland Division, Grantham Town got the point they needed against Stourbridge to secure the Championship, despite fellow promoted Ilkeston Town's victory over Moor Green. End of an era for Telford... At the bottom of the the Conference, founder members Telford United were condemned to relegation for the first time in their history, after going down 3-2 against Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park. Leek Town survive, despite being beaten at Hayes, and being forced to cram four crucial games into the final week of their season. Farnborough Town got a point at Morecambe to secure their Conference place.
Dr. Marten's Premier Division (top)
Dr. Marten's Premier Division (bottom)
Final Dr. Marten's Premier Division table in full...
Dr. Marten's Midland Division (top)
Dr. Marten's Southern Division (top)
GM Vauxhall Conference (bottom)
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