Away Travel: Burton 2nd May
BURTON ALBION
Friday 2nd May 2008, Kick-Off: 7.45pm
The Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire DE13 0AR Telephone: 01283 565 938
Directions by Car: Leave the M1 at junction 22, joining the A50 towards Coalville/Burton. Take the third exit at the Derby Turn roundabout onto the A5121, towards Burton North/Derby and as you arrive in Burton's outskirts you will pass a MacDonald's on the right. Just before the next roundabout, you should see the ground on your right.
Parking: For the 400-space car park at the ground (£2), turn right at the roundabout into Princess Way. Also consider the nearby Rykneld Industrial Estate across the road (also £2), or indeed street parking.
Train: If travelling from Cambridge, you will not be able to make a same-day return journey. For those staying overnight or coming from elsewhere; the station is around a mile and a half from the ground, a 20-25 minute walk. Turn left and wander down the hill before turning right into Derby Road. Continue along this road until you reach the Pirelli Stadium. Alternatively a taxi from the station rank will not break the bank. (That rhymes a bit).
Admission: This game is all-ticket for U's fans and you must buy your ticket for the away end in advance. We have been allocated 1,260 terrace tickets and 330 seated tickets for the match at Burton Albion, priced as follows:
Terrace: Adults £12, Senior Citizens £10, under-16s £3
Seats: Adults £14, Senior Citizens £12, under-16s £5
There are no student concessions.
Season Ticket holders and Away Travel Club members will be limited to one ticket per person until 7pm Monday 28th April. Remaining tickets will go on general sale at 10am on Tuesday 29th April.
We will post tickets if requested, but we cannot be held responsible for any tickets lost or delayed in the post and replacements and refunds will not be given. If you are not able to buy your tickets in person, we advise you to request that your tickets are held for collection at Burton Albion on the night, when they will be available for collection from a specific CUFC pre-paid ticket window.
Disabled supporters should contact Burton Albion to purchase their tickets using this direct number: 01283 565938.
The Away Travel Club is running four coaches, priced at £16 for non-members, £14 for members and £8 for under 16's and Junior U's, due to leave Ely at 2.45pm and the Abbey at 3.30pm. Contact the club on (01223) 566500 to book your place.
Programme: £2.50
The Ground: U's fans will be allocated the South Terrace behind the goal and a portion of 330 seats in the Main Stand. The terrace is a good-sized covered affair - and as such, conducive to creating a decent atmosphere. The remainder of the newly built (July 2005 - that's the finishing date, it wasn't built entirely in July) Pirelli is wonderfully functional, as you would expect from such a recent construction. However, the Main Stand is the only seated area of the stadium. Capacity: 6,068.
Pre-Match Refreshment: Unlike many grounds at this level, Burton serves alcohol beneath the stand, i.e. once one has passed through the turnstiles. This bar area also houses a small television and a number of seats. Though, with considerably more supporters expected for the play-off match, this area is guaranteed to be an absolute nightmare, so it might be worth taking a hip flask along if you're desperate. Otherwise, the Beech Inn may be found a little way along Derby Road; drivers should pass it in on the way, likewise the McDonalds. In the other direction along Derby Road - towards the town centre - ramblers will find rather more establishments.
Local attractions: Burton is famous for brewing, hence the club's nickname, 'The Brewers', so why not pop into the Coors Visitor Centre, a museum of brewing, where beer is still brewed. It is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm, with adult entry £6.
For nature lovers with a little more time, the National Forest reaches into Burton. I think the forest is largely comprised of trees, but don't take my word for it, see for yourselves.
Burton is twinned with Lingen Ems in Germany and Rochefort in France.
Henry Milward
