Not long ago, Burton Albion were a non-league club.

Fast forward seven years, and they are preparing to take on the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle and Leeds.

It has been a remarkable journey for the Brewers, a journey which has seen back to back promotions, from League 2 and League 1 respectively.

The club, who play their home games at the 6,912 capacity Pirelli Stadium, will be hoping that the foundations placed by their journey so far will ensure Championship survival.

This journey hasn't happened because they've bought their way through the leagues, quite the opposite, with Burton working on a nearly shoestring budget; so what has propelled them to this success? Football League World's Jack Sharp will be looking at THREE of the reasons how this remarkable feat has been achieved.....

Chairman in charge

Burton Albion's chairman (Ben Robinson) has been at the forefront of all of the club's success, and has been primarily responsible for the selection of the managers of the club.

The managers of Burton Albion in recent years have all contributed massively to the success of the club, managers which may not have been appointed if it wasn't for Robinson.

There haven't been any managerial appointments in particular that could maybe be seen as safe in this journey for Burton.

Gary Rowett and Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink were both relatively unproven when appointed and were both at the helm when the club were in League Two, Gary Rowett losing out in the play-off final and JFH steering the club out of the division - both of these managers now manage Championship sides; Rowett at Birmingham and Hasslebaink at QPR.

So the chairman's risky managerial appointments have paid off massively for the club, all moving the club forward on this outstanding journey.

 

Defensive stability

 

Throughout their two promotion seasons, Burton have conceded 76 league goals, at a rate of 0.82 goals conceded per game, a record which has put them in the mindset that one goal can really be enough to win a match.

In the two aforementioned seasons, Albion have scored 126 goals in 92 games, at a rate of 1.36; although this is hardly a prolific rate, the players must have the confidence that if they score one they should win the game.

In the 15/16 season the Brewers had the best defensive record in League One, and one of the best in the Country.

One and all

Burton Albion are a team who aren't known for splashing the cash on players, but making shrewd signings.

This is a feature of many Football League clubs, and it has been performed to perfection in the case of the Brewers.

They have had many good players on their journey: John Mousinho, Nasser El Khayati, Lucas Akins.. To name a few.

However the tight knit defence is an example of what Burton Albion seems to symbolise, a team that plays for each other; and that has been shown in the remarkable story of the club and how the players have played for the club.

So, Burton Albion fans.. How do you think you will do in the Championship, has this journey got another fairytale twist?