The Burton Albion Sentinel
Squad22 May 2028
Valentín Lucero: that is not what I was promised
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Burton Albion have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Squad22 May 2028
Tempers go at Burton Albion
Kuryu Matsuki was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad22 May 2028
Words at Burton Albion training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Caylan Vickers is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
The terraces22 May 2028
The crowd has taken to Caylan Vickers
At 23 he is being sung about by people twice his age, which is an affection a signing has to earn over years and a local kid gets for turning up. It is also the hardest thing in football to live up to.
Market22 May 2028
James Palmer steps up from the Burton Albion academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. James Palmer has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market22 May 2028
Burton Albion promote Simon Bell from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Simon Bell has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
Market22 May 2028
One of our own: Jack White joins the Burton Albion first team
Clubs spend fortunes looking for players and occasionally find one down the corridor. Jack White is that, and the reception he gets on his first appearance will be different in kind from the one any signing receives.
Market22 May 2028
One of our own: Jason Cooper joins the Burton Albion first team
Clubs spend fortunes looking for players and occasionally find one down the corridor. Jason Cooper is that, and the reception he gets on his first appearance will be different in kind from the one any signing receives.
Squad22 May 2028
Joe Sbarra gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
In brief
- Player ratings Nobody could get near Tyrese Shade
- Player ratings The afternoon belonged to Caylan Vickers
- Match Point won or two lost for Burton Albion?