Homegrown Heroes

FOOTBALL HISTORIAN LEIGH EDWARDS PROFILES TEN NOTABLE PLAYERS WHO PROGRESSED THROUGH THE RANKS AT BURTON ALBION

IAN HUTCHINSON

DARREN STRIDE

Striker Ian Hutchinson gained England U-23 honours after leaving Burton Albion. Rejected by Nottingham Forest and Derby County, the former Rolls Royce apprentice made an instant impression at Eton Park during the closing weeks of the 1966-67 campaign and netted 19 goals in 49 games for Burton before moving via Cambridge United to Chelsea in July 1968. He became noted for his long throws and starred as they won the FA Cup in 1970 but a series of injuries wrecked a potentially great career. Later a licensee, he was steward at the Royal British Legion Club in Isleworth and died after a long illness in September 2002.

TONY BAILEY

Ex-Burton Albion central defender Tony Bailey played in Derby County’s 1971-72 League Championship campaign. Born locally, he made his first-team debut during Burton’s 1965-66 promotion season and netted six goals in 154 games before reuniting with Peter Taylor at Derby in September 1970. He moved to Oldham Athletic in January 1974 and helped clinch the Third Division title that season. Joining Bury as part of the David Holt deal in December 1974, he helped them defeat top-flight West Brom in the 1977-78 League Cup fourth round. Later playing for Mossley, he worked for Coors brewery in Burton-on-Trent.

PETER WARD

Striker Peter Ward gained England international recognition after leaving Burton Albion. An apprentice engine fitter at the Rolls Royce plant in Derby, he became a favourite at Burton with his tremendous pace and was top scorer as they were FA Trophy semi-finalists in 1974-75. He netted 21 goals in 50 games for the Brewers before following Ken Guttridge to Brighton in May 1975. A key figure in their rise to the top-flight, 'Wardy' reunited with Peter Taylor at Nottingham Forest for £450,000 in October 1980. He rejoined Brighton on loan before playing for various clubs in the United States, since coaching in Tampa, Florida.

Central defender Richard Jobson gained England B international honours after leaving Burton Albion. He scored twice in 18 games for the Brewers prior to joining Watford for a then club record £25,000 in November 1982 and moved to Hull City in February 1985. Voted Player of the Year in 1986-87, he joined Oldham Athletic for £460,000 in August 1990, starring as they won the Second Division title in 1990-91 and were FA Cup semi-finalists in 1993-94. He was sold to Leeds United for £1,000,000 in October 1995, then reunited with Joe Royle at Manchester City and later played for Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale.

SIMON REDFERN

Long-serving, versatile midfielder Simon Redfern was 'Player of the Year' when Burton Albion won the Southern League Cup in 1996-97. He progressed through the ranks at Eton Park and made his debut in March MARCUS HARNESS 1987, gaining a regular first-team slot during the 1988-89 season. Serving under eight different managers, he displayed great consistency and was ever-present on three occasions. An outstanding servant for the club, he played for Burton in the thrilling FA Cup first round tie at Bradford City in 1995-96 and netted 86 goals in 457 games for the Brewers until his tragic death at home in Dronfield in October 1997.

DARREN STRIDE

Long-serving England Semi-Pro international Darren Stride holds Burton Albion’s appearance record. He graduated from Burton’s youth policy as a midfielder or striker and appeared in every position including goalkeeper. Starring in their 1996-97 and 1999-00 Southern League Cup final triumphs, he was top scorer as they won the Northern Premier League title and were FA Trophy semi-finalists in 2001-02. Helping take Manchester United to an FA Cup third round replay in 2005-06, he captained Burton’s 2008-09 Conference title success, netting 124 goals in a record 654 games. He joined Alfreton in May 2010, then Chasetown.

AARON WEBSTER

England Semi-Pro international Aaron Webster was Burton Albion’s ‘Player of the Year’ in 2003-04. Born locally, he turned professional with Burton in January 1998. He featured at left-back as the Brewers won the Northern Premier League title and were FA Trophy semi-finalists in 2001-02, then won the Conference title in 2008-09 and reached the FA Cup fourth round in 2010-11 and League Two play-offs in 2012-13. He netted 79 goals in 475 Conference/League games before joining Ilkeston Town in July 2013, then played for Mickleover Sports, Basford United, Belper Town and Stapenhill, returning to Burton as a youth coach.

JOHN BRAYFORD

England Semi-Pro international right-back John Brayford missed just one match for Burton Albion in 2007-08. The first graduate of the current youth system at Burton, he joined Crewe Alexandra for £130,000 in September 2008 and was twice ‘Player of the Year’. He reunited with Nigel Clough at Derby County in May 2010 and was ever-present ‘Player of the Year’ in 2010-11. Sold to Cardiff City for £1,500,000 in July 2013, he linked up with Clough again at Sheffield United for a similar fee in January 2015. He followed Clough back to Burton in August 2017, scoring ten goals in 179 games overall by the end of last season.

MARCUS HARNESS

Winger Marcus Harness helped Burton Albion to win the League Two title in 2014-15. A former Burton scholar, he made his League debut in their 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe four months before turning professional in July 2014. He starred in Burton’s 2014-15 League Cup win over top-flight QPR and returned from a loan spell at Aldershot to feature in the Brewers’ 2015-16 promotion campaign. Loaned to Port Vale for the 2017-18 season, he netted five goals in 68 League games for Burton prior to joining Portsmouth in July 2019. He helped them reach the League One play-offs and Football League Trophy final in 2019-20.

MATT PALMER

Midfielder Matt Palmer featured in Burton Albion’s 2014-15 League Two title triumph. He joined Burton’s youth academy after being released by Derby County and made his League debut in their 7-1 defeat at Port Vale three months before turning professional in July 2013. Appearing for Burton in the 2014 League Two play-off final, he also helped them to win promotion in 2015-16 and netted six goals in 136 League games prior to joining Rotherham in January 2018. He was a promotion winner again that season, then loaned to Bradford City before moving to Swindon Town in January 2020, helping clinch the League Two title.