NEARLY 10 years on from the official opening of the Pirelli Stadium, one of the guests of honour from that night returned to the home of Burton Albion.
On November 14, 2005, the stadium was officially opened with a prestige friendly against Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson, Pirelli managing director Dominic Sandivasci and Barbara Clough officially opened the ground and there is a plaque in reception to commemorate the occasion.
At the Sheffield United home game, Mr Sandivasci, Pirelli’s chairman and CEO, came to watch the Brewers earn a well-deserved point and stay top of League One.
Pirelli were match and man of the match sponsors on the evening and Mr Sandivasci’s party enjoyed an exciting game.
He also took time out to pose for pictures and to look back on 10 years of the Pirelli Stadium.
He said: “We are immensely proud with our association with the club and very proud that we were able to help in some small way with the land 10 years ago when the stadium was built. And it’s a fantastic stadium.
“It’s unbelievable how far the club has come in those ten years and not just how far they have come but the quality of the stadium, the fans, the manager. Let’s hope we can take that up another division as well.”
Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinon said: “The move to the new stadium was an important point in the club’s history which has enabled us to grow and earn promotion to the Football League and now League One.
“We are grateful to Pirelli for the part they played in that and their continued support.”