LASTSEASON
LEAGUEONE9thFACUPFirstRoundLEAGUECUP
Semi-FinalsTOPSCORERSLucasAkins,LiamBoyce(14)LAST SEASON
LEAGUE TWO 2nd FA CUP Second Round
LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Nicky Maynard (22)62 Season Preview 2019-20 FourFourTwo
BURTOn ALBIOn BURY
SKY BET LEAGUE OnE
2019-20
FFTVERDICT
6TH FFT VERDICT
24TH
Last season was all about stopping
the slide for Burton, and although
good showings in the spring came
too late for a play-off push, they
provide optimism and impetus for
2019-20. With a shrewd manager
at the helm, the Brewers look set
to punch above their weight again.The exodus of key figures in Jay
O’Shea, Danny Mayor and gaffer
Ryan Lowe is bad enough, but it
pales into insignificance against
the multitude of off-field issues
at Bury under Steve Dale. Fans
fear that the club may even be
unable to fulfil all their fixtures.The big talking point among the fans
is our new home kit, chosen by a fan
vote only for the final choice to cause
some frustration among supporters.
There has also been a debate about
who could replace last year’s on-loan
keeper, Bradley Collins, as our No.1.
I won’t be happy unless we have
a shot at promotion. After a season of
settling into the league, and showing
potential in the season’s later stages,
we’d like a play-off challenge at least.
Save the date for Accrington. We’re
two of the league’s smallest clubs and
always seem to have a good contest:
last season featured a tense 1-1 draw
away followed by a seven-goal thriller
at our place.
Our best celebrity fan is The Stig.
Our key player will be Lucas Akins
[below]. He’s played in every outfield
position for the Brewers. Last term he
was mainly at right-back and he still
scored 14 goals in all competitions,
with a 23 per cent conversion rate.
The best away ground is London
Road in Peterborough, with its ornate
away section featuring wooden seats
and great acoustics.
The best thing about the matchday
experience at Burton is the terracing.
We have three terraced stands, when
very few League One clubs still have it.
The signature local dish is beer, of
course. Since the 1700s, Burton has
exported beer all over the world, with
one brewery per 10,000 residents.
Did you know that we’ve been in the
Football League for only 10 seasons.
In that time, we’ve had two seasons
in the Championship and appeared in
a League Cup semi-final.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that Nigel Clough [above] has grown
into a popular figure again. He came
in for criticism in previous seasons,
but it’s been a positive few months
since he changed the style of play in
February from 4-3-3, when we were
solid defensively but struggled to
score many goals, into a diamond.
He’ll have a tougher job this season,
as our fans’ expectations are higher.
We’ll finish 5th, inside the play-off
places after a productive campaign.The big talking point among the fans
is whether or not the club will survive!
Our financial problems are very well
publicised. Just seeing the lads run out
for the first game at home to MK Dons
will be an accomplishment.
The pantomime villain will be club
chairman Steve Dale!
Look out for teenager Ryan Cooney.
Having to rely on youngsters could be
a positive for the fans, and Cooney –
able to play in a variety of positions in
defence or midfield – will play more.
The best club social media account
is @burymeinexile, which is insightful,
thorough and well-written.
Our key player will be captain Adam
Thompson [below], if he stays. He’s
an assured and calming presence, and
efficient at playing out from the back.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Accrington midfielder Sean
McConville, for his skill and attitude at
a smaller club. Surely he’ll be poached
at some stage.Our worst celebrity fan is Ralf Little.
At school he claimed to be a Bury fan,
even joining us on the bus to Wembley
for a play-off final. When he became
‘famous’, he suddenly claimed he was
a Manchester United fan.
Did you know that we’re the only
Football League club to score 1,000
goals in each of the four divisions.
Save the date for Bolton at home on
April 18. They used to be our biggest
rivals before their spell in the Premier
League. With both clubs likely to start
on -12 points, there will be more at
stake than ever, and the atmosphere
will be fantastic.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that Paul Wilkinson is thought to be
a good coach, but really we’re just
grateful to have a manager in place.
If he left, he should be replaced by
Keith Hill, despite his past managing
our rivals, Rochdale. An experienced
firefighter type would be ideal for us.
We’ll finish 24th. It’s highly likely that
we’ll have a 12-point deduction, and
Bolton will be better equipped to deal
with theirs. Even if somehow we are
taken over and given money, it’ll be
too late to bring in quality additions.FAn FILE
JACK STOUT
@BrewersTV
FAn FILE
TOM PICKUP
@TJPgrey