The Miracle of Burton Albion

The Brewers were 100/1 to stay up in January – 11 points from safety – but they’re still in League One next season after a phenomenal turnaround under Gary Bowyer

May 30, 2025

Friday 30 May 2025

If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.

THE SCARF MY FATHER WORE 2025-26 CALENDAR: Having been to all 56 County games this season, I’ve taken thousands of photos. I’ve put together calendars for next season, featuring some of my favourite photos from the last year, plus some other County bits and bobs. £10 each. Get in touch if you’d like one.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Burton supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Friday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore, brought to you from the North Wales seaside town of Llandudno! I’ve had three nights away this week, whilst doing a little bit of work on the book I’m currently writing. Here’s a few of my holiday snaps.

As you’re reading this I’ll be heading to Stockport as my next Desmond’s Comedy Club is taking place at The Fingerpost tonight. Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15. Another cracking line-up tonight, with Freddy Quinne, Will Smith, Jake Johnston and Eddie Fortune on the bill. Drop me an email if you’d like to join us.

Speaking of comedy, everybody laughed at Burton Albion fan Dave Child when he said the Brewers would stay up in January. A daft prediction on paper to be fair, with Burton 11 points from safety, but Gary Bowyer did a superb job at the Pirelli Stadium, keeping the club in the third tier for another season. Great news for County fans who love a beer or a Bovril.

County did the double over Burton this season, winning 3-0 in Staffordshire in November and 2-1 in Cheshire in March. As you can see from the photos above, I was at both games. In fact, for the first time in my life, I’ve been to every single County game this season – all 56 of them! I’ve written a book about my adventures this season. If you’d like to support the publication by having your name printed in the book (along with a signed copy and a ticket to the book launch) drop me an email.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Impact Pro Clean. A big thank you to Nigel. If you need any exterior cleaning services, you’ll get a 15% discount by quoting “County”. Call 07709 883239 or email impactprocleanltd@gmail.com.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 253.75 miles

Total steps so far: 418,084

Total raised so far: £2,312

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

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Photo credit: Burton Albion FC

Best moment of 2024-25?

The final whistle to confirm we’d avoided the drop, thanks to the miracle performed by Gary Bowyer.

Worst moment of 2024-25?

Losing to Tamworth – once our biggest rivals – in the FA Cup. Coming back to haunt us!

Funniest moment of 2024-25?

Me, probably! I was live on BBC Radio in January saying we’d stay up. That must have sounded pretty hilarious at the time, as we were 11 points from safety. Even I laughed!

The Birmingham Boasters and the Wrexham Wazzocks seem to have annoyed a lot of fans in League One this season. Which one are you most glad to see the back of?

Bye bye boasting Brummies. You won’t be missed.

Good luck Wrexham and thanks for the three players we had from your club – Bodvarson, Forde and Jones – who all helped at a vital time.

Reform have been making a lot of noise recently. Based on this season, what’s in most need of reform at Burton, on or off the pitch?

Our squad certainly needs a reform and a new direction next season and in Gary Bowyer we have the man to do it.

Four Four Two had you down to finish 14th, EFL pundit Gabriel Sutton thought you’d finish 18th, while the Opta supercomputer predicted you’d be 24th. You finished 20th. Discuss.

It’s Burton Albion. Computers, experts, fans, me… we haven't got a clue!

Burton 0 County 3 in November. County 2 Burton 1 in March. Thoughts?

You were quality at the Pirelli, but we definitely deserved a point at your place.

Which Burton player is most deserving of his couple of weeks on the beach this summer?

Ryan Sweeney. What a season he’s had. Sadly he’s moved on, but his efforts were appreciated.

Never mind Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+, a TV production company have just made Burton Albion: The Story of 2024-25. Which channel would it be most suited for?

It would have to be on Dave. What a great name for a TV channel!

And finally, apologies for darkening the mood, but you’ve only got 30 seconds to live. Putin’s pressed the red button and we’re all about to die. You can have one last moment of pleasure, watching a single Burton goal from this season. What you sticking on?

Charlie Webster’s winner at Stevenage. Absolutely vital and a great finish.

➡️ Any Burton fans joining us today? As stated above, I’ve written a book having watched every County game home and away this season. There’s obviously two big chapters on Burton included (home and away). Also, as I celebrated my 40th birthday this season, I’ve written about my four decades as a County fan as well, which I’m hoping will be an enjoyable read for anyone who supports a lower league club. There’s memories of beating four Premier League clubs as County reached the Coca-Cola Cup semi-finals in 1996-97, the club’s rise from the National League North to the brink of the Championship over the last few years, and the tale of a trip to Blackpool 20 years ago when me and my mates had a run-in with armed police after a day on the ale…

If you’d like to support the book, click on the link below to become a paid subscriber and I’ll post you a signed copy with your name printed inside once it’s published.

Get your house looking good for BBQ season!

The weather’s been absolutely scorching this week. If you’re thinking of popping a BBQ or two into the diary, you might want to spruce up your house before having everyone over. Impact Pro Clean offers a complete exterior cleaning service, including the following:

Gutter Cleaning
Driveway Cleaning
Roof Cleaning
Render Cleaning
Upvc Cleaning
Graffiti Removal
Brickwork Cleaning
Moss & Algae Removal

And, if you quote “County” when booking a job, you’ll get a 15% discount!

➡️ Call 07709 883239 or email impactprocleanltd@gmail.com.

Photo(s) of the day

Here’s 10 of my favourite photos from December!

Having been to all 56 County games this season, I’ve taken thousands of photos. I’ve put together The Scarf My Father Wore calendars for next season, featuring some of my favourite photos from the last year, plus some other County bits and bobs. £10 each. Get in touch if you’d like one.

Today in SK

🎶 DJ

Friday Night Disco with DJ Kal at The Nelson Tavern (SK1). 8pm.

🍺 Food and drink

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers till 6pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this month by popping in for a few drinks and a bite to eat.