Burton Albion Community Trust

MORE than 100 Brewers fans attended the first Teammates night at the Pirelli Stadium hosted by former player and BACT coach, Aaron Webster.

Webster was joined by his old playing colleagues Darren Stride and Christian Moore for an evening of chat and humour looking back on the Brewers rise from non-league to the Football League.

Darren Stride played for The Brewers for 17 years from 1993 to 2010 and as captain led the club to the first league titles in the club’s history. Stride is the club’s record appearance holder having played for the Brewers 654 times and he scored more than 100 goals.

Christian Moore is another former Brewers fans’ favourite, who made 138 appearances across three spells playing as a striker, scoring 71 goals.

Chairman Ben Robinson was among those in the audience and Nigel Clough sent a video message which was played on the night.

Stride and Moore explained what it was like to play under Clough and about the great team spirit that enabled the club to be successful.

They also picked the best Burton Albion XI from the teammates they played alongside.

Aaron Webster said: “It was a great evening and everyone really enjoyed looking back on some great times at Burton Albion.

“I’m looking forward to hosting more Teammates events in the future at the Pirelli Stadium.”

Proceeds from the evening will go towards funding Burton Albion Community Trust projects.

YOUNGSTER Ben Fox’s dedication to bringing a smile to people’s faces and making a difference to the local community has been recognised by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Fox has been awarded with the PFA Community Player of the Year award for 2018/19 due to his commitment to bring the club and community together through his work with Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT).

The Brewers fans favourite was presented with the award by BACT Chairman John Jackson, prior to Good Friday’s home fixture against Portsmouth. He has now been involved in community work with BACT since he signed his first professional contract in 2016 and has always been a bright spark regardless of the situation. His enthusiasm both on and off the pitch hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Matt Hancock, Head of Community, said: “Ben’s been a joy to work with once again this season and was a standout candidate to win the award.

“He’s gone above and beyond this season and he has a real affinity with the fans, who are all aware of how committed he’s been to the work that we do.

Sam Wheeler, whose three children are participants at BACT programmes, said: “My family first met Ben at my eldest son’s disability session, Able Too Albion. I was pleasantly surprised at how a young player seemed so at ease at interacting with all of the children and how he approached the sessions with so much enthusiasm.

“We then met him again at a Junior Brewers party where he recognised us and spent some time chatting to Connor, who always struggles to get involved at these events. He also spent some time chatting to me about Connor’s difficulties and wellbeing.

“Given that there were a lot of people there wanting to chat with the players, it meant a lot to both me and Connor that he has taken the time to ensure Connor always felt involved and happy. He also made a point of finding Connor to say goodbye when he was leaving, which made Connor feel very special (although he would never admit this).

“Ben is now a family favourite and I am delighted to hear that he has been justifiably nominated to win a community award.”

Following receiving the award, Fox said: “I love helping out and giving back to the local community. Playing for my local club obviously means a lot to me and being able to give something back to the area that I spent a lot of time growing up in is amazing. The work that the club does in the community is fantastic and I’m proud to be a part of it!”

RAYGAR has donated a cheque to Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT) following a generous bid at a charity auction raffle.

The prize, a signed Burton Albion shirt by manager Nigel Clough and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, went to auction at BACT’s charity ‘Eddie the Eagle’ event last month.

Managing Director, Ray Garlick, kindly bid £1,000 to take home the unique auction prize following Burton Albions fantastic journey to the Carabao Cup Semi Final, with the proceeds helping to assist the seventeen volunteers that will travel to Ghana representing BACT.

Raygar Architectural & Engineering Supplies Ltd is an independent supplier of ironmongery, tools and fixings based in Derby and already support Burton Albion Football Club and Academy.

Ray Garlick, Managing Director, said: “I’m delighted to receive this once in a lifetime piece of memorabilia, but to also know that the funds will go towards a very worthy cause.”

“I’d like to wish the team all the best and I’m sure that they’re all going to have the experience of a lifetime.”

Matt Hancock, Head of Community, said “Ray continues to support BACT and Burton Albion FC whole heartedly and this is another example of his generosity. The funds raised on the evening topped over £3000 and this is going to make a huge difference both in Ghana but also on projects locally.”

DAVID Templeton and second-year scholar Ben Hart have attended a Building Better Opportunities Evolve session, which supports both employability and mental health.

BBO Head For Goal is a football therapy session which uses football to engage individuals who are suffering from mental health issues, funded by the European Social Fund and The Big Lottery Community Fund.

The aim of the project is to build health and fitness, in addition to social skills or general confidence for individuals, whilst guiding them towards an active lifestyle through sport.

Dan Brooks, Employability Coordinator for Burton Albion Community Trust, said: “To have Burton Albion footballers join in the session to show their support for the project is fantastic.

“The session allows individuals the chance to improve their confidence and mental health, along with helping them to take footsteps into employment or further education and training.

“This season, we have had three young individuals progress and complete a traineeship with Burton Albion Community Trust, eight participants moving into employment and four currently in the process of completing distance-learning schemes.

“Moving forward, our aim is to develop further opportunities and links with local businesses for all our participants.”

Club Captain and Health and Wellbeing Ambassador, Jake Buxton, said: “To show our support for these types projects is vital for our players to learn what our club is all about. When we select the players who go to our appearances, we try and spread it out as much as possible so that our players can get a taste of all of the scopes of work that BACT deliver on.”

The sessions take place every Tuesday between 1.30-3.30pm at the Burton Albion Community Football Centre 3G pitch (next to the Pirelli Stadium). Individuals 16 years old who are suffering from anxiety, stress, loss of confidence or depression are also given the opportunity to access employability skills and gain further distance-learning or career opportunities following their practical involvement with BACT.

Building CVs and basic IT support with applications or job searching are available, in addition to help with building confidence with interview techniques.

If you would like to attend the session or require further information about all employability programmes, please contact 01283 440041 or email dan.brooks@burtonalbionct.org.

BREWERS loanees Brad Collins and Alex Bradley have visited Eton Park Primary School, as part of a Premier League reading initiative.

The Brewers stars joined Burton Albion Community Trust staff to support the programme, which helps to engage and educate youngsters in reading.

The Premier League Reading Stars project is available to every primary school in England and Wales, aiming to inspire girls and boys aged 5-11 in the classroom, the playground and on the sports field.

The programme provides free lesson plans, activities and video content, which Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT) have been delivering in the local community for over a year now.

These are designed to inspire learning in Maths, English, PE and Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE). The National Literacy Trust have created all of the English resources for the programme, with some lessons also involving a physical activity allowance for more active learning.

During the visit, the duo talked about their experience of reading from an early age, whilst also putting a footballing perspective on the importance of the subject.

Following the visit, Liam Hill, Primary Schools Coordinator, said: “The youngsters were delighted that the lads could come to the session.

“They made it clear that this was their favourite week of learning so far, and it’s great to be able to utilise the use of our very own footballers to inspire the participants.

BURTON Albion Community Trust (BACT) have kindly received a cheque of £600 from a supporter of Burton Albion Football Club.

Following Chris Tyler’s recent birthday, he asked for his friends and family to donate money to BACT, as opposed to buying him presents or giving him money following a ‘Curry Night’ celebration.

Lee Milligan, Events and Partnerships Officer, said: “It’s such a great gesture from such a fantastic guy.

“This money will enable us to continue to deliver various projects in the Burton area and is vital addition to our funding.

Would you like to fund raise for BACT? Please feel free to email lee.milligan@burtonalbionct.org for more details.

BURTON Albion Community Trust Football and Education student, Ella Doocey, has been shortlisted to receive national recognition following her nomination for an EFL award.

The Football and Education programme, run in partnership with Burton and South Derbyshire College, is designed to guide males and females aged 16-18 through a journey of being student athletes. The course combines practical and theory based approaches to increase an athlete’s performance on the field, and increase their knowledge of the wider sporting industry.

Ella, who plays for the Football and Education Ladies Team, as well as for Burton Albion Ladies, was nominated for the EFL CEFA Ladies Player of the Year award by manager James Billings, following a fantastic season, both on and off the pitch.

James Billings, Football and Education Manager, said: “We’re delighted that Ella has received this nomination and will get to attend such a high-profile event in London.

“She’s had a fantastic year and as well as being our top scorer this season. She’s gone from strength to strength in her education and has really excelled.”

Fleur Robinson, Commercial Director, said: “The Trust has a great Football and Education programme and it’s quiet clear the players are flourishing with their education and player development. “

“We have a great set of young people and coaching staff and for one of our female representatives to receive a nomination like this is a real honour and testament to the Trust and Club’s collaborative work.

“We’d like thank Ella for her 100 percent commitment to the team and would like to wish her the best of luck.”

Amrit Virk, Deputy Director of Curriculum at Burton and South Derbyshire College, said: “We are very proud of Ella and it is great news for her and her team, that she has been shortlisted for this award. The teaching team and football coaches always ensure Ella aspires to achieve her targets both on and off the pitch. Ella works tremendously hard keeping on top of her academic work and maintaining her athletic performance, and we wish her all the best for the awards evening.”

We would like to wish Ella good luck from everyone at Burton Albion for the event on Sunday 7^th April.

If you interested in joining the programme, then you can register your interest in the next Football and Education trial date on Wednesday 25^th April at St George’s Park by emailing – wayne.chadfield@burtonalbionct.org or calling 01283 246207.

A BURTON Albion Community Trust programme has been launched nationally by the EFL, following the success of the session at the Pirelli Stadium.

The formerly-named Golden Goal programme has now been re-branded as the Extra Time Hub, designed to promote a healthy lifestyle amongst the over-50s. 

And the EFL has recognised the work undertaken by Burton Albion Community Trust as an exemplar of good practice, whilst also providing funding alongside Sport England and 12 other EFL clubs’ CCOs.

The launch of the Extra Time Hub featured an introduction from Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinson, former player-manager Ian Storey-Moore and assistant manager Mick Hopkinson.

Chairman Ben Robinson said: “I’m delighted that the programme has been so successful that the EFL has recognised this as an exemplar of good practice.

“Golden Goal was formerly launched by BACT as an activity session for the members of our community who are aged 50 years and over, offering a mixture of physical activity as well as other social activities, such as, dominoes, cards or bingo.

“This re-launch as the Extra Time Hub, with the backing of the EFL and Sport England, recognises both the importance of the programme and its success for the Community Trust. 

Lisa Beard, BACT Community Operations Manager, said: “It is so important for older people to be active in the community and to be able to socialise frequently with like-minded people. She said: “This session provides the opportunity for older people to take part in a range of activities, for example table-tennis, curling, stadium walks, fitness sessions whilst also offering support from a network of partners such as Age UK, St Giles, Trent & Dove and Everyone Health who BACT work closely with in our local community.”

Adrian Bradley, Head of Sport and Health at the EFL Trust was also complimentary about the programme that BACT has pioneered nationally. He said: “We were aware that Burton Albion Community Trust had been doing work like this for a number of years, and we wanted to build on that and take it to the next level.

“We are really keen that this project expands over the next three years and we really look forward to many more people being involved.”

BURTON Albion are delighted to announce the first in a series of events hosted by former Brewers legend Aaron Webster.

The first event will take place on Thursday 25 April at the Pirelli Stadium, with star guests Darren Stride and Christian Moore joining host Webster for an evening of fun, laughter, quizzes and stories from during their time playing for The Brewers.

Tickets cost just £15 for the event and can now be bought from our online ticket store. Tickets include a hot fork buffet (vegetarian options are available), with all proceeds going towards projects delivered by Burton Albion Community Trust.

Darren Stride played for The Brewers for 17 years from 1993 to 2010 and as captain led the club to the first league titles in the club’s history. Stride is the club’s record appearance holder having played for the Brewers 654 times and he scored more than 100 goals.

Christian Moore is another former Brewers fans favourite, who made 138 appearances across three spells playing as a striker, scoring 71 goals.

Webster now hopes for a great turnout to raise funds for the charity that he works for. He said: “Obviously after playing here for so long I’ve managed to make many good friends in football and it will be great to get some of them back on stage alongside me. 

“I’ve got some great content lined up and to get some of the fans favourites back is hopefully giving the supporters something in return for being great to us for so many years.

“I’ve got plenty of questions, quizzes and stories for the lads and I’m really excited for what’s hopefully going to be the first of many evenings with myself and my former teammates.”

The event will be a 7pm arrival for a 7.30pm start. To book tickets for the event, please click here. You can alternatively call 01283 565928 or email events@burtonalbionfc.co.uk.

BURTON Albion midfielder Scott Fraser has visited a local primary school as part of a Premier League reading initiative.

The Scotsman visited Victoria Orchard Community School, Horninglow, where pupils are undertaking a programme designed to inspire children to learn, be active and develop life skills.

The Premier League Reading Stars project is available to every primary school in England and Wales, aiming to inspire girls and boys aged 5-11 in the classroom, the playground and on the sports field.

The programme provides free lesson plans, activities and video content, which Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT) have been delivering in the local community for over a year.

These are designed to inspire learning in Maths, English, PE and Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE). The National Literacy Trust have created all of the English resources for the programme, with some lessons also involving a physical activity allowance for more active learning.

Liam Hill, BACT’s Premier League Reading Stars Coordinator, said: “The programme has been a huge success again so far this year.

“We have already delivered the programme in seven schools since last September and to continue to have first-team players on-board really helps to engage with the participants. 

“Scott was fantastic and got really involved, taking part in both the theory and practical sides of the session.”

To find out more about Premier League Reading Stars and the work that Burton Albion Community Trust does in local primary schools, click here.