Going to Burton Albion, 23rd November?
BURTON ALBION
Friday 23rd November 2007, Kick-Off: 7.45pm
The Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 0AR. Tel: 01283 565938
Directions by Car: Leave the M1 at Junction 24 and follow the signs for the A50 (Stoke and Uttoxeter). Keep on this road, heading west until you reach the Toyota Island and the junction with the A38. Head south on the A38 (Burton and Birmingham) until you reach the first Burton turn off. Take this exit (A5121) and proceed along Derby Road, passing McDonald's and the Pirelli factory on your right and a BP Garage and Cash & Carry on your left until you reach a roundabout. Turn right at this roundabout into Princess Way and the entrance to the ground is 300 yards on your right.
Parking: For the ample (400 spaces) car park at the ground (£2), turn right at the roundabout into Princess Way. Also consider the nearby Rykneld Industrial Estate across the road (also £2), or indeed street parking.
Train: If travelling from Cambridge, you will not be able to make a same-day return journey. For those staying overnight or coming from elsewhere; the station is around a mile and a half from the ground, a 20-25 minute walk. Turn left and wander down the hill before turning right into Derby Road. Continue along this road until you reach the Pirelli Stadium. Alternatively a taxi from the station rank will not break the bank.
The Away Travel Club will be running a coach to the game, priced at £16 for non-members, £14 for members and £8 for children and Junior U's. It is due to leave Ely at 2.30 and the Abbey at 3.15. Please call 01223 566500 to reserve your seat.
Admission: In the South Terrace, £12 for adults, £10 for senior citizens and £3 for under 16's
Programme: £2
The Ground: U's fans will be allocated the South Terrace behind the goal. It is a good-sized covered affair - not too big and as such, conducive to creating a decent atmosphere. The remainder of the newly built (July 2005 - that's the finishing date, it wasn't built entirely in July!) Pirelli is wonderfully functional, as you would expect from such a recent construction. However, the Main Stand is the only seated area of the stadium. Capacity: 6,068.
Pre-Match Refreshment: Unlike many grounds at this level, Burton serves alcohol beneath the stand, i.e. once one has passed through the turnstiles. This bar area also houses a small television and a number of seats. Otherwise, the Beech Inn may be found a little way along Derby Road; drivers should pass it in on the way, likewise the McDonald's. In the other direction along Derby Road - towards the town centre - ramblers will find rather more establishments.
Local attractions: Burton is famous for brewing, hence the club's nickname, 'The Brewers', so why not pop into the Coors Visitor Centre, a museum of brewing, where beer is still brewed. It is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm, with adult entry £6.
For nature lovers with a little more time, the National Forest reaches into Burton. I think the forest is largely comprised of trees, but don't take my word for it, see for yourselves.
Burton is twinned with Lingen Ems in Germany and Rochefort in France
Henry Milward
