Pirelli Stadium – Burton Albion

The Pirelli Stadium was opened in 2005 and is almost a stone’s throw from the site of their old Eton Park Ground, which is now a housing estate located across the road from the stadium. Although a fairly simple affair the Pirelli Stadium is tidy and functional. On one side is the attractive looking Main Stand, which is covered and all seated. The Clubs administration offices and corporate facilities are located in this stand and so at the back of the seated area is a row of windows running across it. Above this glassed area is white panelling, which gives the stand an interesting look. This stand has a capacity of 2,034 seats.

The other three sides are small, steep covered terraces. They are a little ugly looking as they each have a large visible back wall. Each of these terraced stands has solid windshields to either side, apart from one side of the South Stand where there is a Police Control Box present. On the roof of the East Terrace at one end is an electric scoreboard. The stadium is completed with a set of four tall looking floodlights.

Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium has not undergone a lot of changes. There have been a few minor tweaks to the stadium’s capacity but Burton Albion’s ground was built in 2005; that means it is relatively new compared to that of most teams in the Football League. Despite the recent build, there are plans to add more facilities to the stadium complex like a 40-room hotel development adjacent to the ground. Due to the costs, however, those plans have been put on hold. Permissions have been obtained though so, at some point, we expect the works to take place.

Away fans are predominantly housed in the East Terrace at one end of the ground, where just over 1,400 fans can be accommodated. In addition, 400 seats are also made available to visiting supporters in the Main Stand. The turnstiles open 90 minutes prior to kick off and fans are normally searched on entry to the stadium. As you would expect from a modern stadium, the view of the playing action (there are no supporting pillars) and facilities are good. The atmosphere is not bad too (although there is a bit of a monotonous drummer in the home end), as well as the grub available including the legendary Faggots & Mushy peas (£3.20). Other food on offer includes; Double Cheeseburgers (£4.50), Double Burgers (£4), Cheeseburgers (£3.50), Burgers (£3.20), Pukka Pies (£3.50), Sausage Rolls (£1.80), Hot Dogs (£3.20), Chip Butties in crusty bread (£2.90) and Chips (£2.50). There is also a bar for away fans in which you can sit inside, There are TV screens showing Sky Sports News and then live coverage of the match itself. The bar is open until 15 minutes after the second half has started.

If you are in need of a cashpoint then there is an ATM located at the Co-operative Store across the road from the stadium.

Also look out for the cumbersome looking ‘Billy Brewer Mascot’, who is a bit of a character. On one visit the announcer reminded younger supporters that they shouldn’t forget to obtain Billy Brewer’s autograph!

On the whole, Burton is one of the better days out in the league, with excellent pubs, a good stadium with good facilities, atmosphere and virtually hassle-free.

The nearest pub is probably the ‘The Beech Inn’ which is around a ten minute walk, up the A5121 Derby Road (going in the opposite direction to Burton town centre) on the left. You can also park your car there at a cost of £5. Further on past the Beech pub on the same side of the road is a McDonalds outlet. Otherwise, there is the Great Northern pub, which serves Burton Bridge Beers, along with a guest ale. This pub is located on Wetmore Road, which leads off the roundabout near to the stadium entrance, go up and over the railway bridge and the pub is on the left. If you particularly like your real ale then just under a half a mile away from the stadium is the Burton Town Brewery. Situated in a small industrial unit in Falcon Close (off Hawkins Lane, which itself also runs off the main roundabout by the ground), it opens its doors before matches and has available real and craft ales, lagers, cider and wine. There is plenty of on-street parking in the area and fans are welcome to bring in their own food. Also nearby is the fabulous Tower Brewery on Glensyl Way. Featuring a cosy snug room it also has a large function area that looks out onto the brewing vessels. However, it is not always open before matches so check with them first via their website. On the way to the ground on Hawkins Lane is the handy ‘Fish Hut’ Fish and Chip shop.

Near to the railway station are the Roebuck, Devonshire, the Last Heretic micropub and the Cooper’s Tavern which are all recommended. the Last Heretic opens from 11am, has a large beer garden and has a range of ales and ciders (see advert below). If you walk from the station to the ground, you will pass the Albert Ale House on your left which also serves well kept Burton Bridge Beers and then a little further on towards the stadium (just past the roundabout), is the Derby Inn, which has five real ales on tap. Alcohol is also served within the stadium, with away fans being ‘treated’ to their own little inside bar/refreshment area. Beer costs £4.20 a pint.

Alex Winter, a visiting Cheltenham Town fan adds; ‘In the town centre just off the end of the High Street is the Burton Bridge Inn. Not only does it serve the excellent Burton Bridge Beers (the pub is also known as the Brewery Tap for the nearby Burton Bridge Brewery) but great pub grub too.’ Also not far away on the High Street is a micropub called the Fuggle & Nugget.

Terry Doran a visiting Oldham Athletic supporter adds; ‘When in Burton-on-Trent, described by Molson Coors as the “Global Brewing Capital”, it is worthwhile allowing time to visit a few of the local pubs before and/or after the match to sample the town‘s brewing delights:

If arriving at Burton Railway Station, then turn right for the Roebuck (Burton Ale House) which has a good selection of beers plus televised sports. Continue heading down the right-hand side of Station Street to the Last Heretic micropub and then onto the Devonshire Arms on the corner of Milton Street. The ‘Devvie’ has a large range of Burton Bridge beers, guest ales and an extensive food menu. Also has a range of continental bottled beers as well as traditional fruit wines.

Turn right into Milton Street, cross over and you will see a narrow entry to the Cooper’s Tavern. This gem of a pub is pretty unique, with an interior unchanged since the 19th Century. A small bar and lounge with beers poured straight from the barrel in the cosy back bar. A very friendly local with good value food.

Retracing your route back to the railway station, continue past it and cross over, turning right into Derby Street, which eventually becomes Derby Road and leads directly to the Pirelli Stadium. Along Derby Street on your left is the Alfred Ale House which serves Burton Bridge beers with at least one guest ale and has an extensive food menu.

At the roundabout in front of the Pirelli Stadium turn right and walk for two minutes over the railway to the Great Northern on the left in Wetmore Road. Burton Bridge beers and a guest ale are served, along with the usual keg beers associated with Burton-on-Trent. The pub has a big screen showing Sky Sports.

Returning to the roundabout and heading past the stadium along the busy Derby Road you come to the Beech Inn pub on your left between the Pirelli factory and McDonald’s. This is a Marston’s local with a bar on the front, a smaller lounge at the rear and a beer garden.

Continuing along Derby Road going away from the stadium and turning left at Ian Shipton Cars you come to The Mill House, part of a national chain of family bar/restaurants and situated by the canal between Stretton church and Derby Road. It is at least a 10 minute walk from the ground (one minute in the car) and is very handy for people approaching from the A38 – just turn right at the island by Ian Shipton Cars. The food is good, but not cheap, and beers include Bass, Marston’s and Theakston‘s. Children welcome with both indoor and outdoor play areas’.

The Last Heretic

Just a couple of minutes walk from Burton-upon-Trent Railway Station, on Station Street is the Last Heretic micropub. Offering up to five real ales, four ciders, craft lagers, wine and soft drinks, it welcomes away fans. As you exit Burton-upon-Trent Station turn right, proceed down the hill, go past the Roebuck pub on your right and the Last Heretic is a few doors further down. Although situated in a former shop it has a large beer garden to the rear, which can accommodate large groups. Open from 11am on Saturday match days and 4pm for mid-week games, it is family friendly and offers food in the form of pork pies and filled cobs.
Address: 94 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1BX (Location Map)
Telephone: 0771 5097797
Website: www.thelastheretic.co.uk
Twitter: @micropubheretic

After Burton Albion was formed, the club played their home games at the Lloyd’s Foundry Ground. The problem was, the Foundry Ground wasn’t enough to contain the crowds that showed up to watch their games. The solution was a new stadium. This saw work start on Eton Park with the build completed in 1958. In the early 21st century, Pirelli donated the former site of their sports and social club to Burton Albion; in exchange, Burton Albion would have to name their new stadium after the company. In 2005, the Pirelli Stadium was completed at the donated site and Burton Albion relocated there.

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The Pirelli Stadium is situated in North Burton, just off the A5121 (Derby Road). This is about a mile from the A38 which runs across the Midlands.

From the North (M1)

Leave the M1 at junction 28 and join the A38 towards Derby. Continue on the A38 through Derby towards Burton. Leave the A38 at the Burton North exit and follow the A5121 towards Burton. Go straight across a roundabout and you will then pass a McDonalds on your right. Just before the next roundabout you will see the stadium on your right. Turn right at the roundabout into Princess Way. A short distance along Princess Way on the right, is the entrance to the Club Car Park.

From the South (M1)

Leave the M1 at junction 22 and join the A511 towards Coalville/Burton. Turn right at the junction of the A5121, towards Burton North. As you come into the outskirts of Burton you will pass a McDonalds on your right. Just before the next roundabout you will see the stadium on your right. Turn right at the roundabout into Princess Way. A short distance along Princess Way on the right, is the entrance to the Club Car Park.

Car Parking

There is a large car park at the ground which costs £5, however, this gets full pretty quickly. Car parking is also available at the Ryknild Trading Estate (also costing £5), just off the roundabout right by the stadium. Also nearby is the Eton Park Junior School (Masefield Crescent – DE14 2SG) which offers parking at £4 per car. The Beech Inn on the Derby Road (which is the main pub for away fans) also offers parking at £5. Whilst behind the Beech Inn is the Pirelli Factory Car Park which is available to fans for weekend fixtures only at a cost of £3 per car. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near in the local area via YourParkingSpace.co.uk. Otherwise street parking.

Post Code for Sat-Nav: DE13 0AR

Burton Railway Station is around a mile and a half away from the Pirelli Stadium. As you come out of the station turn left and go down the hill. Turn right into Derby Street and from there it is a straight road up to the stadium. It should take about 25 minutes to walk. Otherwise, there is a taxi rank at the station and the cost up to the ground is around £6.

Robert Coates adds; ‘You can also get a bus to the ground from the station. The Trent Barton Villager V1 bus, which starts in the town centre and then passes the railway station and the Pirelli Stadium. As you exit the station, turn left and you will immediately come to the stop. On Saturday afternoon, buses leave at 19 and 49 minutes past the hour. It stops right outside the ground and the journey takes about 5 minutes. Returning, the stop is opposite where you got off and buses are 17 and 47 minutes past the hour. On weekday evenings the buses are 6 and 36 past approximately from the station. Returning they are down to one an hour, so 22:00 if you’re quick out, then it’s 23:00 so quicker to walk!’

Please note that the prices quoted below are for tickets bought in advance of matchday. Tickets bought on the day of the game cost £2 more per ticket.

Seating
Adults £22
Over 65’s and Under 23’s £20
Under 17’s £12

Terrace
Adults £18
Over 65’s £16
Under 23’s £13
Under 17’s £5

Official Programme £3

Burton Albion vs Port Vale rivalry: This is a fairly new rivalry, which came about after Burton Albion came in to the football league back in 2009. Despite the home crowd being buoyed when Port Vale come to the Burton Albion stadium the rivalry is a tad one sided as Port Vale have at least four other teams they consider to be bigger rivals.

Burton Albion vs Derby rivalry: This is a friendly rivalry. Both sets of fans are united in their love for Nigel Clough, who spent over 15 years at Burton Albion as both player and manager and four years as Derby’s manager.

Burton Albion FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.

Record Attendance

6,746 v Derby County
Championship League, 26th August 2016.

Average Attendance
2019-2020: 2,986 (League One)
2018-2019: 3,351 (League One)
2017-2018: 4,645 (Championship League)

Official Web Site: www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk

Unofficial Web Sites: Any recommendations?

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: conta[email protected] and I’ll update the guide.