The Rise of the Brewers!

After news coming out of Burton Albion this morning that Gary Rowett had been relieved of his duties it has now been confirmed that former England international Jamie Redknapp has filled the vacant role signing a three year deal with the Brewers. Redknapp who met with his new squad at St George's Park this morning takes on what will be his first step into management after having been heavily involved in the media since his retirement from the game. Jamie's lack of experience may well see him on the phone to his dad Harry Redknapp who is the current Queens Park Rangers boss and has himself many years of managerial advice to pass on if needed.

"Its a fantastic challenge, Burton are a club on the up with the superb training facilities we have at our disposal and the current squad here already I think its exciting times ahead. I've always dreamt of being a manager and have just been waiting for the right opportunity to present itself"

All eyes will now be on Jamie and Burton to see if he can follow in his dads footsteps in what will be a tough season in League Two.

Good luck with Burton mate, My local team.

Thanks mate, now a favourite of mine as well! More updates on the way!

Jamie Redknapp has wasted no time in bringing fresh blood into Burton as he today pulled of the signings of three out of contract players. First in was Frank Simek (pictured) who was released by Carlisle at the end of last season. The American has represented his country on six occasions and was a product of the Arsenal academy as a youngster, now 28 the full back will look to have a big impact at the Pirelli stadium this coming season.

Also signing today were Roberto Guitto and Alvaro Gonzalez. Guitto a 22 year old technically gifted midfielder arrives having spent most of his career at Empoli in Serie B whilst Gonzalez who's 21 and a similar player yet more attack minded joins from Recreativo in Spain. It'll be both mens first time plying there trade out of there respective countries and it remains to be seen whether these signings turn out to be a masterstroke by Redknapp or they flop!

Burton have today confirmed that the Belgian striking legend Emile Mpenza will spend pre-season on trial with club. Emile has appeared over fifty times for his country scoring nineteen goals and has spent time at clubs including Schalke, Manchester City and Hamburger SV. However with has last two seasons being spent in Azerbaijan and with him now being 34 years old question will be asked if still has anything to offer?

Also joining him on trial at the club is centre half Matthew Bates, the 26 year old was released at the end of last season by Bristol City having spent most of his career at Middlesborough. Matthew on his day would be a great signing but has had a injury ravished career to date so again there will be question marks whether signing him on a full time basis would be a good idea.

In what was Jamie Redknapp's first game in charge of Burton Albion they came away with a 4-1 victory over Chasetown in this pre season friendly. Four players whom had signed on trial for Burton this morning also featured in the game Spanish striker Jose Mari, Algerian winger Salim Kerkar, Argentinian midfielder Julian Magallanes and the more familiar Luis Boa Morte all went straight into the squad.

Also fearturing where Emile Mpenza, Alvaro Gonzalez, Frank Simek, Roberto Guitto and Matthew Bates who were all brought in this week by Jamie plus Rory Delap, Phil Edwards, Chris Hussey, Adam McGurk, Rene Howe and Jordan Pickford for whom former manager Gary Rowett had already signed this pre season before departing.

The huge amount of changes looked to tell as Chasetown took a twelfth minute lead through a stunning volley from Dean Whittaker. Yet this was to be topped from an absolute screamer by Rory Delap to level up the scores after twenty one minutes. Ten minutes later and the visitors where in front, good wing play by trialist Jose Mari saw him pick up Rene Howe who headed home.

Redknapp made eleven changes at the interval including the arrival of Emile Mpenza who smashed in a thunderous strike on the fifty eighth minutes to make it 3-1. Five minutes later and the final goal of the game came from the spot as new signings Alvaro Gonzalez and Roberto Guitto combined to win and then put home the penalty. A good solid victory and some pleasing performances in Jamie's first game at the helm.

New Burton manager Jamie Redknapp continued to reshape his squad with another two additions for the Brewers. First in was hotly tipped Southampton youngster Jack Stephens. Jack seen above has represented his country at youth level and is widely regarded as one of the leading English centre half prospects. Jack joins on a season long loan and the ninteen year old looks to be a good piece of business for Burton.

Also coming in was twenty nine year old Italian goalkeeper Simone Villanova on a free transfer. The veteran Italian spent the last five years at Cittadella in Serie B before being released in the summer. Simone signed a two year deal with club and will look to compete with Dean Lyness for the number one spot.

Going the other way were Dominic Knowles, Matthew Palmer and Marcus Holness all leaving on loan and joining Boreham Wood, AFC Telford and Barnet respectively.

Jamie Redknapp suffered his first loss as a manager In Burton Albions second pre season fixture away at Grimsby Town. Yet it was the Brewers who took the lead on eleven minutes, a mistake from Mariners keeper James McKeown presented a tap in to trialist Salim Kerkar and the former Rangers man obliged by tucking the ball in the back of the net. The lead was short lived though as just eight minutes later a wonder goal from Lennell James-Lewis (pictured) brought the game level. Things went from bad to worse ten minutes later as Frank Simek went down with a nasty looking injury and was replaced by Matthew Bates.

At half time Redknapp again made eleven changes bringing on the likes of Mpenza, Boa Morte and new signing Jack Stephens. However it was Grimsby who went on to clinch a winner with thirteen minutes remaining as Andi Thanoj found the net with a left footed strike. Not the best of results for Burton but another good work out. Next up a trip to Burscough on Saturday.

Burton where backing to winning ways as they put four past Burscough without reply. Simone Villanova made his debut for the club between the sticks and kept a clean sheet. It only took eleven minutes for the deadlock to be broke as Rene Howe (pictured) grabbed his first goal for the club. Ten minutes later and another injury concern as trialist Jose Mari limped off to be replaced by fellow Spaniard Alvaro Gonzalez. Burton soon made it two with a special free kick from Italian Roberto Guitto.

Once again the Brewers made eleven changes and the second half belonged to Emile Mpenza who bagged himself two goals. Firstly on sixty three minutes he yet again smashed in another wonder strike and that was capped off with the Belgian tucking home a penalty with just two minutes to go after Luis Boa Morte was sliced down inside the box. Next up a home game against Port Vale which should prove to be a tougher test for Redknapps men.

Jamie Redknapp has added to his long list of trialists at Burton Albion with the addition of Italian centre back Andrea Mei. The 24 year old spent last season at VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie and was released in the summer. The Italian was tipped to have a bright future a few years back after rising through the academy at Inter Milan but has so far not managed to realise this early promise. He know has a few weeks at Burton to resurrect his career and will be in this squad for this weeks friendly against Port Vale.

Burton looked in superb form as they smashed six past League One outfit Port Vale in Redknapps latest pre season friendly. Rene Howe (pictured) continued his good goalscoring form when he netted after just six minutes with a close range volley. Howe then doubled his tally on twenty seven minutes this time with a headed goal. Just four minutes later and Burton made it three an audacious effort from Luis Boa Morte ending up in the top corner.

As has become the norm Jamie Redknapp again switched his whole side at the break and it didn't seem to work well as Port Vale pulled one back just four minutes into the second half with a goal from Daniel Jones. Yet it was again the Brewers who netted after sixty minutes with former Villa man Adam McGurk bagging his first goal for the club. With ten minutes to go Mpenza again struck a penalty after he himself was brought down inside the box. Just two minutes later Alex MacDonald made it six with a placed shot from inside the area. A very impressive performance from Burton and next up is the final pre season game against Championship outfit Derby County.

Burton Albion have today secured there second season long loan signing this time bringing in young left back Danny Potts from West Ham. Like previous loan signing Jack Stevens, Danny has represented his country at youth level and is expected to have a bright future in the game. Danny son of former West Ham player Steve Potts spent a few months at Colchester on loan last season and will look to gain some valuable experience this season whilst with the Brewers.

Going the other way is fellow left back Damien McCrory who has signed for AFC Wimbledon. Rumours are also circulating that a few of the trialist are expected to sign with the club after impressive pre seasons.

Good luck with burton, will take a lot of effort and will power to continue writing like this but its a good read so far!

Thanks mate, I know, I did wonder if it'd come across a bit long winded but it seems to be okay so far I think, more updates to come shortly!

Former Arsenal, Fulham and West Ham winger Luis Boa Morte has signed a one year deal with League Two outfit Burton Albion. The Portuguese winger who earned twenty six caps for his country had been on trial with the Brewers this pre season and new manager Jamie Redknapp obviously saw enough in him to offer him the deal despite Luis being almost thirty six years old.

Burton also have another six players on trial Andrea Mei, Emile Mpenza, Jose Mari, Salim Kerkar, Julian Maganalles and Matthew Bates but no news has surfaced as of yet regarding the future of these players.

danny potts was good on my save with burton albion, i had anthony o'connor from blackburn at right back also had paul burns from queen of the south on loan at right midfield. Adam McGurk is great as a complete forward.

Good luck, Burton Albion are a great little club to the game with.

Yeah he looks to be the perfect left back for us this season, we've brought in Frank Simek for the right back role. Adam McGurk should boss it at this level I'm looking to play him in the trequartista role. Thanks, more updates to come shortly!

Burton's pre season ended with a crushing defeat at the hands of Derby County. Expectations where high after thumping Port Vale 6-1 last time out and things started brightly, Luis Boa Morte who had signed a permanent deal in the week found the net after some good work by Adam McGurk. This was as good as it got though as a rampant County levelled straight from the kick off with a well placed strike from Chris Martin. Ten minutes later and the Rams took the lead a powerful effort from the impressive Connor Sammon (pictured) which was then followed by another two goals inside the first half completing a quick fire hat trick for the Irishman.

After both teams made a lot of changes during the interval the second half never really took off and the scoreline remained 4-1 throughout. Adam McGurk did however pick up a knock late on and was taken straight to hospital to be assessed. Pre season is now over and the Brewers look ahead to the seasons opener away at Cheltenham.