Pre-Season Friendlies 2012

[TaxDodger]

I went in the away end at Burton with my Bradford City supporting friend last season. Lee Hendrie played. Their programmes are tiny.

[cdbearsfan]

Good to see a nice local away match played on a Saturday, unlike all last year's friendlies which seemed to be chosen to inconvenience me personally. I'll probably go.

I'm sure the rest of the Barton's Mafia will be happy to join me in Burton, the spiritual home of British beer.



*runs for cover*

[Bottom Right 89]

As a former resident of Burton this is the friendly I've been waiting for. For league 2 the Pirelli punches well above its weight, the away end houses about 1500 standing although when I watch Albion I stand on the side then swap ends h/t depending on which end we're (supposed to be) attacking. Brewers fans are a friendly bunch so will be no aggro mixing unless Tamworth is your other team. The main stand is seated so you can opt out if you like but as as a Holte veteran the disco option is too tempting.

Pub wise if you're parking by the ground cross over from the Pirelli head towards Burton then a short walk up on the left is the Great Northern, a cracking pub for a pre match pint, they'll probably go wild and crack out the nibbles for a special and you can comfortably leave here at 5 to 3 and make kick off without getting stitch.

If you're going by train, the station to the Pirelli is a couple of miles walk along Derby road so either grab a taxi or if you have a few hours to kick off turn right out the station and head down the hill to the Devonshire Arms - its a blue and white building but don't let that put you off, for real ale fans it's like an all you can drink buffet.

Drink responsibly Villa fans.

[Stu]

Photos and info here.

[cheltenhamlion]

I'm with you Coops. Seen Cheltenham play there a few times (including the day we got promoted to the conference) so will go to Burton but just go on the piss all day.

[Simon Ward]

Appeals for a ticket already! Thanks.

[Dave Cooper please]

I'm with you Coops. Seen Cheltenham play there a few times (including the day we got promoted to the conference) so will go to Burton but just go on the piss all day.

Surely when 'Nam got promoted to the Conference Burton were still at their old ground?

[Dave Cooper please]

Brewers fans are a friendly bunch so will be no aggro mixing unless Tamworth is your other team.

Are the Marmite Miners still insisting that Tamworth are some sort of rivals? Burton were never our rivals, we've got Nuneaton Borough/United/Town (whatever they call themselves these days), Burton were just the nearest team in their Conference days (which will be coming back soon enough!)

[cheltenhamlion]

For the promotion game then yes. In league football, no.

[DeKuip]

A pre-season tour of Staffordshire eh? Very nice in July. Hopefully we can go and drop some pennies in Port Vale's collecting tin as well, I'm sure they'd be grateful. Last time I went there Robbie Williams scored against us!

Then off to Holland, Germany, Scotland or Ireland for me please Mr Fixture Planner.

[Dave Cooper please]

For the promotion game then yes. In league football, no.

Got you.

[Bottom Right 89]

Brewers fans are a friendly bunch so will be no aggro mixing unless Tamworth is your other team.

Are the Marmite Miners still insisting that Tamworth are some sort of rivals? Burton were never our rivals, we've got Nuneaton Borough/United/Town (whatever they call themselves these days), Burton were just the nearest team in their Conference days (which will be coming back soon enough!)

Of course they are, it's still El-classico to the Burton masses.

[Dave Cooper please]

Blimey. We stopped caring about them as soon as they got promoted!

[The Laughing Policeman]

I too would like us to play Port Vale pre season.(If they're still in business by then) I have happy memories of the Seventies when we seemed to play them every pre season.
However a day out in Beer Town sounds good to me.

[big 1st serve]

 Was down in Torquay for the weekend & went to the  Torquay v Port Vale game , stood with the Vale fans @ 400 of them ,

  A good few stayed over on the lash.

 Last went to see us play at Vale , @ the time BFR was signing Guy Whittingham.

 Torquay away would also get my vote for a friendly, their new main stand should be ready by then.