JAKE Buxton says he has very happy memories of his first title-winning spell with Burton Albion.

The defender was Player of the Year as The Brewers won the Conference title and secured promotion to the Football League in 2008/2009.

It led to Brewers boss Nigel Clough being given the opportunity to manage Derby County and Buxton followed him to the Rams.

The player said: "I left Mansfield for Burton Albion and, at the time, people might have thought I was taking a step backwards but it wasn't that in any sense as this was a club that knew where it was going, knew what it wanted, so it was actually a step up.

"The club got a lot of things right at that time which is why it has gone on to be so successful.

"It was an unbelievable season and I met some great lads – like Aaron Webster, Darren Stride, John McGrath, Andy Corbett, Marc Goodfellow – they were all great characters.

"We started that season like a house on fire, went on an unbelievable run, 19 points clear at one stage, and then eventually crept over the line.

"In terms of what I needed at that time it was an outstanding season and I was very honoured to play for Burton Albion during that period.

"The opportunity then came to join Derby County after winning the league and the start of a new chapter in my career."