Burton Albion Football Club

BURTON Albion fans are invited to nominate die-hard supporters for a new annual award.

The George Rider Memorial Trophy will be an annual award for a supporter who has shown dedication and commitment beyond the norm in following the Brewers over the course of the season.

The trophy has been donated by Margaret Morton, whose grandfather George Rider was a long-standing Brewers fan.

George was the treasurer of the old Burton Albion Supporters’ Club. He invested £1,600 in Burton Albion in 1958 ensuring that £56 per year would be given to the club in perpetuity to help the advance of senior football.

After Government rules brought the investment to an end, Margaret, who was also a member of the supporters’ club, decided to donate the £1,600 to BACT to help pay for a new artificial pitch at the Pirelli Stadium.

George was a dedicated Brewers supporter at the old Lloyd’s ground on Wellington Street, where he worked on the turnstiles.

Margaret said: “I wanted my grandfather to be remembered for his dedication to Burton Albion and hope this trophy goes to a fan who has shown the same devotion and commitment to the football club.”

To nominate a supporter for the George Rider Memorial Trophy fans should email nigel.powlson@burtonalbionfc.co.uk by April 15.

We need to know the name, address and phone number of the fan being nominated as well as the contact details of the person who is doing the nominating. We also need to know why they deserve the award in no more than 150 words.

The award will be presented by Margaret at half-time at the home game against Gillingham on Saturday, April 30.


Meanwhile, the £1,600 donation will go towards the cost of the £1 million 3G pitch project, with BACT in the middle of a fund-raising drive to reach that target.
 
Brewers chairman Ben Robinson said: “This is a fantastic gesture to donate £1,600 towards the charitable arm of Burton Albion. It will help contribute towards the costs of the 3G pitch project which is going to be a huge benefit to all once it is completed.”

Andy Taylor, BACT head of community, said: “The Burton Albion Community Trust is grateful for the donation. The facility will be a huge benefit to the whole of Burton and the community.”

Any business interested in supporting the pitch project can go to Just Giving  at https://www.justgiving.com/bact or  contact  andy.taylor@burtonalbionfc.co.uk