Following a victory for a Blades XI against Chesterfield on Saturday and a visit to Sheffield FC for the U21’s this evening, the opening “First Team” fixture of the Sheffield United 2014/2015 Pre-Season is a game against Burton Albion, at the Pirelli Stadium on the 19th July.
A trip to the Brewers won’t just be familiar to the Unitedites who’ve followed our previous visits in both the Johnstones Paint Trophy and pre-season, but to manager Nigel Clough, who spent 11 years of his career with the Staffordshire club.
Having re-joined Burton Albion on a six-month loan deal from the Blades at the beginning of July, United academy graduate Callum McFadzean will be available for selection.
With the help of McFadzean for ten games at the end of the 2013/2014 season, the Brewers finished sixth in League Two, missing out on promotion with a 1-0 defeat to Fleetwood Town in the Wembley Play-Off Final.
As always, we’ll be updating from the match on Twitter, so if you aren’t already, then follow us via: http://twitter.com/s24su for coverage.
About the Ground
The Pirelli Stadium was built in 2005 after the Brewers former home Eton Park was demolished to make way for housing developments.
The site of the stadium was formerly the Pirelli Tyres UK sports and social club, with the company donating the land to the club in exchange for the naming rights.
Costing around £7million to build, the ground has a capacity of 6,912 (2,034 seated) with a sell out game against Oxford United during the club’s conference title winning season holding the current attendance record.
Away fans are normally situated in the East Stand terrace behind one of the goals. The terrace holds around 1,400 fans and will be familiar to the Blades fans who’ve taken in our multiple visits to Burton in the last few years. Around 400 seated tickets can also be made available to visiting fans in the Main Stand.
There is a decent sized bar for away fans with TV screens, which is usually open until 15 minutes after the start of the second half.
In terms of drinking outside of the ground, being a town famous for brewing, there is no shortage of options. Options close to the ground are:
“The Mill House” – a few minutes walk up Derby Road back towards Sheffield, behind the large car dealership. This is a chain pub serving food and featuring a “Wacky Warehouse”, so it’s handy if you are after a cheap pint, some food, or have kids with you.
“The Beech Inn” – A Marston’s pub up Derby Road (heading away from the town centre). A traditional looking pub with a large car park. Further up the same road, is a McDonalds outlet.
“The Great Northern” – A community style pub run by the Burton Bridge Brewery group and a couple of minutes walk from the ground. From the roundabout near the stadium entrance, head up Wetmore Road, over the railway bridge and you’ll find the pub on your left hand side. Bridge beers, guest ales and kegs from Burton are served, so if you fancy something different to the usual lagers, you’ll be well served here.
As expected there are also a number of pubs near the railway station, including the Roebuck, Cooper’s Tavern and the Devonshire.
Getting there
It’s approximately 50 miles from Sheffield to the Pirelli Stadium and a relatively simple journey south via either the A38 or M1/A38, the postcode for your SatNav is DE13 0AR.
Parking is never usually a problem, with a large car park at the stadium, which usually offers places for supporters for a couple of quid, along with a trading estate across the roundabout and street parking in the area.
Burton train station is around a mile and a half from the ground, so a short walk. If you want to rest your legs, a taxi from the station to the ground is around a fiver.
Ticket Details
The Brewers have allocated United an initial 480 tickets which will be available for advance purchase.
Tickets are priced at £13 Adult and £7 Juniors (under 17) for the seated area and £10 Adult and £5 Juniors (under 17) for the terrace.
Supporters requiring wheelchair access can contact Burton Albion directly on 01283 565938.
100 loyalty points will be awarded to supporters purchasing tickets with their customer numbers from Sheffield United.
Contact Details:
Official Website: http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/
Burton Albion FC
Pirelli Stadium,
Burton Upon Trent,
Staffs,
DE13 0AR
Phone: 01283 565 938
Email: [email protected]
6 Comments
Thanks, its my first visit to Burton so this is really useful as answered all my questions.
See you on the terraces!
Any idea if you will be able to pay on the day as I wont know if I can make it until 12-00pm
Yep, you'll be okay on the day… Cash only though.
Is ched playing ?
Looking forward to this. Optimism of last season, and 10 minutes up the road from me!
Any blades getting in Burton early doors The Oak And Ivy opens at 11. Turn a left out the station then another left when you get to main road (Wellington Street) and you will soon spot it. Cracking little pub.