Burton Albion fans can look forward to the season ahead in the knowledge that they'll be safe and secure at the Pirelli Stadium after it was given the seal of approval for safety by a group of specialist advisers.

A safety certificate was issued by Staffordshire County Council on Thursday 1st July after the stadium passed its safety inspection. The team of advisers was made up of representatives from the emergency services, local councils and the club.

Staffordshire County Council is responsible for issuing safety certificates for sports stadiums with capacities of over 500. It carries out an annual inspections and event day checks to ensure that they are safe for spectators, working with its colleagues.

In order to achieve the certificate the club must take into consideration the safety of all spectators, including those with disabilities, older residents, families and children. The club management must take the lead in identifying possible improvements in spectator safety and implement a range of controls to promote the well being of the people within the stadium.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture Ben Adams said: "It's vital that our sports stadiums are fit for purpose and safe for spectators. In light of events like the Bradford stadium fire and the Hillsborough disaster, there are very strict controls in place to ensure the clubs take the safety of their spectators seriously.

"Burton Albion is the most successful club in our area and I'd like to commend it for its continual efforts to ensure its supporters are secure and can enjoy watching their team with peace of mind.

"The work that has gone towards achieving this level of spectator safety is a real team effort with the club working with us and the emergency services and East Staffordshire Borough Council.
"Burton Albion plays an important role in the community and I'd like to wish the club well for the season ahead."

Burton Albion's Commercial director, Fleur Robinson, said 'We are delighted that Staffordshire County Council has issued the Pirelli Stadium with the new Safety Certificate and this seals the hard work achieved by all parties within the Safety Advisory Group to achieve this status and the new capacity figure'

'This will help the Club to build on increasing the home attendances and to reiterates the Club's continued message of being a community club and one that still enables supporters to feel safe and have the ability to enjoy a family day out watching their team in a traditional football environment'