Burton Albion Football Club

The Burton Albion Community Trust Boys Football and Education team are hoping to win national honours tomorrow evening when they travel to Liverpool to play in the national U19s football development Cup Final against Liverpool Foundation. 

The game will take place at Liverpool’s multi-million-pound training complex kicking off at 7.30pm under floodlights. The game sees the top two teams in the league battling it out for cup honours to cap off what has already been another successful season for the young Brewers. It’s likely they will finish 2nd behind Liverpool in the league and have also reached a semi-final in another cup competition. 

Boys Manager Ollie Crooks is hoping for the team to go one better than last season where the team had success winning the Staffordshire Youth Cup Final and the Boys are looking forward to the occasion.

“It’s a massive opportunity for the lads to showcase their skills on the same playing surface that some of the best players in country have played on, the pitch will be in great condition as it’s an exact replica of the Anfield and its always enjoyable to play under floodlights”

 “Last season was fantastic and the boys have shown real character and desire to go one better reaching the national final this year, win or lose were all proud of their efforts but to win the national competition would highlight the success of the programme.” Ollie Crooks said.

Burton Albion Football Education Programme is now in to its 11th year, the scheme was originally set up as the main youth team for players to progress in to the first team. Since the Academy formed when the football club got promoted to the football league the scheme as become part of Burton Albion Community Trust. 

Along with team success over recent years the programme has provided a pathway and stepping stone for players such as John Brayford who now plays for Sheffield United who progressed through the scheme in to the first team under Nigel Clough. When Nigel took over at Derby County he signed John to join him at pride park. Another Success story is Ashley Hunter now of Fleetwood Town who after leaving the football club joined local non-league side Ilkeston Town where he was then spotted by Fleetwood and signed towards the end of last season. More recently Cameron Steele signed for Burton Albion’s Academy U18’s youth team after impressing consistently during training and matches.

If you are a school leaver and are interested in becoming part of the scheme which also allows the Boys to study a BTEC Diploma in Sport with Burton and South Derbyshire College, please contact Aaron Savva on Aaron.savva@burtonalbionfc.co.uk or by phone 01283 565938.