Praise and Grumble

On Sunday, 26 April 2009, Burton Albion secured a place in the Football League for the first time in their history...but not until the final day of the season, and not without making their fans suffer!

Despite holding a 19-point lead at the top of the table as recently as mid-February, the team spluttered and faltered during the reminder of the season.
Many fans will of course put the team's latter-season failings down to the fact that long-serving manager, and Burton icon, Nigel Clough left the club at just that point - to join Derby County.

Under replacement manager Roy McFarland, performances failed to match the promise.
As points were thrown away and lost in March and April, the media and fans saw the lead whittled away - but knew that all the team had to do to secure the championship was to win its penultimate game of the season, home to Oxford.
To their fans' despair, the Albion lost to Oxford in that game by the single goal.

When Saturday - and The Championship - Comes

The Brewers definitely did it the hard way. On the last day of the season, they failed to win again (losing away to Torquay), all the while knowing that all Cambridge had to do to pass them in the table was to win.

Celebrations

For many Albion fans, the real chance to cheer their team's success came three days later at the testimonial match for loyal player Aaron Webster.
What made the occasion sweeter was that Nigel Clough was at the game - as manager of the other team in the game, Derby County.
A wonderful evening included a treasured moment, when Nigel too was given a Championship Winner's medal!

To see photos of the evening, click on the link below

Town tribute

For the town, the chance to cheer the town comes on Saturday (2nd May) when the official bus tour takes place, and civic reception. See the club website (link in top right hand corner of this page) for details.

But how will the effect of Burton Albion's promotion be felt in the community and what will be the possible benefits to the town? BBC reporter Kelly Smith went to find out. Listen to her report by clicking on the link below...

Facts

Though the Albion (founded 1950) have never been in the Football League, the town of Burton upon Trent did have a league team until 1907.