Friday 21 October 2016 21:00, UK
Burton Albion’s rise through the EFL is as big an achievement as Leicester City winning the Premier League, says former boss Gary Rowett.
Rowett, now manager of Birmingham City, started his managerial career with Burton Albion in Sky Bet League Two and set the wheels in motion on their upward surge through the leagues.
He left the club top of League Two in 2014 when the Championship side came calling but two years on Burton are now plying their trade at the same level after incredible back-to-back promotions.
The thought of being in the same division as Newcastle United and Aston Villa was unthinkable when Burton played in the Northern Premier League as recently as 2002.
Ahead of his first return to the Pirelli Stadium on Friday night, which is live on Sky Sports 1, Rowett spoke to Sky Bet on Facebook Live about the club's achievement.
"I can't believe they're in the Championship," Rowett said.
"I joined as an assistant manager with Paul Peschisolido and I remember the chairman saying 'if we can stay in the league for one season, then we can start to build'.
"So, to now be looking at that club that only got into the Football League five or six years ago to where they are now, is an incredible story.
"In terms of achievement, this story is every bit as big as the Leicester City story."
In terms of achievement, this story is every bit as big as the Leicester City story
The man behind much of Burton's success is chairman Ben Robinson, who gave Rowett his first opportunity in management before appointing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and then Nigel Clough as his successors.
Clough was in charge at Burton between 1998 and 2009, guiding them to the brink of Football League promotion before heading to Derby County. He returned to Burton last season, following a 19-month spell at Sheffield United during which time he led the Blades to an FA Cup semi-final, to guide them to the dizzy heights of the Championship.
And Rowett believes the secret of the club's success lies with the chairman, who he still has contact with.
"I still speak to the chairman now," he said.
"If I'd ever want to go watch a game then he'd open me back with open arms. It's a great place and he knows he can always call me if he needs me. Relationships like that are very few and far between in football.
"People always say I did a lot for Burton, but Burton gave me an unbelievable opportunity. I had so many interviews - if I told you all the places I went for an interview, you'd be amazed. I just couldn't get into what I wanted to get into. I'm really thankful to Burton for that opportunity."
Rowett's stock has risen considerably since taking the Birmingham job. On a small budget, Rowett guided the Blues from 21st in the Championship to 10th at the end of his first season and had them challenging for the play-offs for the majority of last season until they only won one of their last 12 matches.
They travel to Burton on Friday night in fifth place in the Championship, just five points off league-leaders Newcastle. Rowett has been delighted with his team's points haul this season and is looking forward to rekindling old friendships - but not at the expense of dropping points.
"It will be a mixed night - I left there two years ago, so I won't have any nerves or anticipation and it'll be a nice evening, but only if we win," he said.
"Obviously I don't like losing games, but if I had to lose a game, it would be to one of my ex-clubs."
