soccer

Burton embrace Man Utd memories for Hammers Cup visit

Gary Bowyer took the Burton job in December 2024 and guided the club to League One safety last season [Getty Images]

Footage of Burton Albion's famous FA Cup draw with Manchester United two decades ago has been used by Brewers boss Gary Bowyer to inspire his players as they prepare to host West Ham in the competition.

The 54-year-old head coach has had his team watch back the stalemate at the Pirelli Stadium from 2006 when the then non-league side forced the Red Devils of Sir Alex Ferguson, who called on Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney from the bench, into a replay at Old Trafford - where the Brewers eventually lost 5-0.

As one of the most significant - and arguably most iconic - days in the now League One club's history, Bowyer has ensured the current crop of Burton players "embrace the wonderful story".

When Premier League strugglers West Ham travel to the Pirelli on Saturday, they will be playing at a ground that was largely paid off by that tie against Manchester United.

It is an inescapable reminder of what the world's oldest cup competition means to clubs in the lower leagues.

"I've been showing the players cup upsets throughout the years and the history of that at this club is the Manchester United game," Bowyer told BBC Radio Derby.

"We have just got to try and fill them with that belief that anything is possible on the day.

"And if someone produces a worldie out of nowhere, then it's about our togetherness, running hard and fighting for everything, putting our bodies where the bodies have probably never been before and seeing what happens."

With West Ham and Burton sitting in the relegation places in their respective divisions, 47 spots separate the two sides in the English football pyramid.

While the historical exploits of Burton have been used as a motivator in trying to overcome that footballing chasm, Bowyer has also made sure his players properly appreciated what non-league side Macclesfield Town accomplished in January.

Macc produced arguably the biggest upset in the competition's history by knocking holders Crystal Palace out in the third round.

"The FA Cup is special, and it's special for a reason in these early rounds," Bowyer said. "Already we've seen this season with Macclesfield, what a wonderful achievement that one was.

"The FA Cup is about creating memories. I could sit here and tell you my memories of the FA Cup. The challenge to the players is to go and create their own."

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