COMMUNITY was at the heart of Sunday’s Big Summer Family BBQ as Burton Albion partnered with Uttoxeter Racecourse for another successful raceday.
The Brewers sponsored five of the seven races on the day, which saw thousands of people - including Brewers fans, staff and members of the first team - brave the intermittent rain to witness a great afternoon of racing.
Burton Albion Community Trust attended the day, collecting donations and providing plenty of entertainment in the Centre Course.
The money raised from this year’s event will go towards the Community Trust’s employability and volunteering programmes, and staff and partners from the Building Better Opportunities programme, which looks to help support long-term unemployed individuals with further education, employment and training.
Burton Albion Chairman Ben Robinson was in attendance and presented an award to the winners of the Burton Albion First Team Handicap Hurdle, while manager Nigel Clough and captain Jake Buxton also presented awards to winning owners and trainers.
Ben Robinson said: “We have had a wonderful afternoon and we thank our friends at Uttoxeter Racecourse for their hospitality on the day.
“The relationship between our football club and Uttoxeter Racecourse goes from strength to strength on the basis of our core principles of putting our community first.
“Our Community Trust were here throughout the day, highlighting the excellent work they do in the local area and enjoying the day.
“It was a fantastic day of racing and we very much look forward to visiting and working closely with Uttoxeter Racecourse in the future.”
Uttoxeter Racecourse Executive Director David MacDonald said: “It was a brilliant raceday with so many great personalities on the course - and we include Ben Robinson in that!
“This raceday is all about ‘community’ - we chose our partnership with Burton Albion because we highlighted them as a community football club and that’s very much what this racecourse is about.
“Our relationship goes from strength to strength and it’s great to see so many staff down here and fans as well.
“I’m looking forward to a great season for Burton Albion as Uttoxeter Racecourse goes from strength to strength - to work together, it’s brilliant.”
Burton Albion Community Trust’s Head of Community Matt Hancock, who along with Football Development Manager Scott Taylor presented an award to the winning owner of the second race, said: “I’d like to thank Uttoxeter Racecourse for hosting the Community Trust and the club on Sunday.
“Our staff were collecting for our Building Better Opportunities programme. We are delighted with the response on Sunday and a huge thank you goes out to everyone who donated.”