IT was a packed house at the Pirelli Stadium as 300 people came to this season’s sold-out Sporting Dinner featuring former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.
One of the most colourful personalities in the game, Grobbelaar won six league titles while keeping net at Anfield as well as a European Cup, three FA Cups and three League Cups.
Beginning his career with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the North American Soccer League in 1979, the Zimbabwean keeper had a short loan spell at Crewe Alexandra in 1979-80 before moving to Merseyside, where he made 628 appearances over the next 13 years.
He said: “It’s great to be here at the Pirell Stadium. It’s my first time so I’m making my debut.”
Grobbelaar was welcomed by Chairman Ben Robinson and Brewers skipper Jake Buxton and he wished Albion good luck with Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Oldham.
He is enjoying the success of his former club Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp and is hoping they can end the long wait for a Premier League title.
He said: “If they can get over the line and win the title, they will rival the best 1980s teams. They certainly have a great manager and the right players in the right departments.
“It’s ridiculous how many games they have got coming up in the next few weeks and the Club World Cup, but 30 years is a long wait for a league title, and I hope they can keep focussed on that.”
Grobbelaar played under three legendary Liverpool managers - Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish - before eventually leaving to join Southampton.
He entertained the packed house at the Pirelli Stadium with his reminiscences and was joined after dinner by comedian Jed Stone.
The host for the evening was Dave Bryon.
The Sporting Dinner is a popular event at the home of Burton Albion with the likes of Kevin Keegan and Peter Shilton being the chief guests in previous years.