Back to Map

"The Brewers"	Burton Albion Eton Park Princess Way, Burton-On-Trent, Staffs DE14 2RU  Tel: (01283) 565938    Clubcall: 0930 555883 Ground capacity: 4,500  Seats: 400
	The perennial underacheivers of the Dr. Martens League will be hoping that the arrival of Nigel Clough as manager in October 1998 can finally bring the success their long suffering supporters crave. This is the Brewers' 50th Anniversary season and they've never won a league title - Wembley appearances, FA Cup Third round appearances, we've had 'em, but never the one that counts. Eton Park, home of the Brewers Failure to even come close to bringing the shield to Eton Park after substantial investment on and off the pitch by the club's board cost former manager John Barton his job, but early indications suggest Clough Jnr has not intention of being overawed by the reputation of his famous father - who is a regular spectator in the main stand at Eton Park these days. One of the better grounds in the league after recent improvements, with recently extended main stand with "Popside" covered terrace opposite, part covered terrace at on end, newly-covered terrace (good for making a noise) at the other end. New club shop and office building, and swanky new state of the art £80,000 floodlights switched on for the start of last season. Plenty of parking in the car park and surrounding streets. Note that the old "Football Tavern" social club inside the ground is now part of the "Albion Suite" which will be entirely given over to corporate types for certain matches this season. On these occasions, notices will be placed to this effect at the turnstiles, and us peasants will have to make do with the newly acquired social club (confusingly renamed the "Football Tavern") which is outside the ground on the car park. Got that? Large support base, with a tendency to be fickle when it comes to the run-of-the-mill league games if things aren't going well,  good away support but home fans have in the past been quick to turn on their team - especially some of the "Victor Meldrew" types who hang out at the rear of the Popside. The record was the 97-98 season when the first chants of "Barton Out!" were heard two weeks into the season! Will the arrival of Clough prove to be the turning point, or another false dawn? Look Back in Amber - the complete Brewers history, from humble Birmingham League beginnings, to Wembley glory.
Stuff to do:	Burton-On-Trent might not be on many peoples lists of top tourist destinations, but for beer lovers everywhere, it's mecca. No shortage of pubs in the Brewing Capital of Britain, what better excuse do you need to get well and truly smashed (and support the local industry at the same time - at least that's my excuse!)? Theres also the splendid Bass Museum for real enthusiasts, where you can take in the history of the industry, learn the brewing process, stroke the Shire Horses and even brew your own beer. And it's got a bar!
Famous people?	Amongst famous ex-Brewers are Peter Taylor (later of Clough and Taylor fame), Ian Storey-Moore (Man Utd & Nottm Forest), Neil Warnock (manager of Scarborough, Notts County, Plymouth, Huddersfield and Oldham). William Arthur Bass (founder of the famous brewery, and First Lord Burton - his statue stands in front of the town hall), William Henry Worthington, Messrs Marston, Thompson & Evershed, Mr Ind, Mr Coope and Mr Allsopp all left their mark on the town. Sir Oswald Moseley (fascist) lived at nearby Rolleston, Len Ganley (snooker referee) lives (lived?) on a council estate in Winshill, Jack Stamps (legendary ex-Albion and Derby player who scored two goals for the Rams in the 1946 Cup Final) lived on the same estate (and now has a street nearby named after him), Philip de Freitas (cricketer) lives in the posh area, also Neville Brown (boxer) and "that bloke who plays Lenny in Eastenders" are residents (the words "scraping" and "barrel" come to mind!)
On the air:	BBC Radio Derby (104.5 FM & 1116 MW) has match reports and reaction on the Brewers, and occasionally match commentary if the R**s aren't playing that day. Centre FM (101.6/102.4 FM) has also just started broadcasting to the area, and features the Brewers along with Gresley and Tamworth.
On the net:	BrewersNet
Directions:	From the South and M1 Jct 22: Leave the M1 at Junction 22 (signposted A511 Coalville/Ashby). Stay on the A511 for 17 miles into Burton. Cross the Trent Bridge and go past the Bass Museum and brewery until you come to a roundabout near the Derby Turn pub. Turn right into Derby Road and continue to the next roundabout. Turn left into Princess Way. Ground is 100 yards on left. From the South West and M42 Jct 11: Leave the M42 at Jct 11 and follow the A444 all the way into Burton. Go past the Black Horse and  Copper Hearth pubs and straight over the mini-roundabout. You will then come to a large roundabout. Turn right and follow the road running alongside the river, then left at the lights onto the Trent Bridge (A511). Continue past the Bass Museum and brewery until you come to a roundabout near the Derby Turn pub. Turn right into Derby Road and continue to the next roundabout. Turn left into Princess Way. Ground is 100 yards on left. From the A38 Derby-Birmingham road: Take the exit for Burton North - the second exit if you're coming from Lichfield and the South, the first if you're coming from the Derby and the North. Follow the signs for Burton A5121. You will pass the Pirelli factory on your right hand side, then come to a roundabout. Turn right into Princess Way. Ground is 100 yds on left.

Rough Guide     BrewersNet home

mail@brewersnet.com