PEEL CROFT
Peel Croft was a League ground for 16 seasons
from 1 Jul 1892 to 30 Jun 1907
The 21st ground used for a League game
Opened: 1871 • Closed: 1910
TENANTS
Teams that have used this ground as a home
| Team | From | To | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Burton Swifts | 1 Aug 1871 | 31 May 1901 | The club was a founder member of the Football League Division 2 in 1892 and, after finishing bottom of the table in 1901, amalgamated with Burton Wanderers to become Burton United. |
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Burton United | 1 Aug 1901 | 31 May 1910 | Burton Swifts (having finished bottom and so requiring re-election) amalgamated with Burton Wanderers in 1901 to become Burton United and the new club was elected into the Football League Division 2. The club failed to gain re-election in 1907.
*Not all attendances are known and these are the highest and lowest gate figures of those that were recorded. |
LEAGUE EVENTS
Promotions, relegations and ground moves associated with this ground
| Date | Team | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1892 | Burton Swifts | Founder member of Division 2 |
| 30 Jun 1902 | Burton Swifts | Became a different club |
| 1 Jul 1902 | Burton United | Elected into the League |
| 30 Jun 1905 | Burton United | Not re-elected to the League |
| 1 Jul 1905 | Burton United | Expansion of Division 2 |
| 30 Jun 1907 | Burton United | Not re-elected to the League |
GROUND HISTORY
adapted from "The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds"
Previously in use as the home ground for Burton RUFC, Peel Croft was purchased by Burton Swifts FC in 1890. Improvements were immediately made with the construction of a pavilion/grandstand on the north side of the pitch and the installation of perimeter enclosure fencing. The ground was formally opened with a friendly fixture against Derby County on September 2nd, 1891.
Subsequent improvements included the construction of a narrow covered enclosure at the west end, terracing along the south side and an embankment at the east end. The record gate was probably the 5,500 who attended the FA Cup Qualifying Round match between Burton Swifts and Burton Wanderers on December 10th, 1892. Burton Swifts and Burton Wanderers amalgamated in 1901 as Burton United FC and the new club continued to utilize Peel Croft.
Subsequent improvements included the construction of a narrow covered enclosure at the west end, terracing along the south side and an embankment at the east end. The record gate was probably the 5,500 who attended the FA Cup Qualifying Round match between Burton Swifts and Burton Wanderers on December 10th, 1892. Burton Swifts and Burton Wanderers amalgamated in 1901 as Burton United FC and the new club continued to utilize Peel Croft.
The grandstand was destroyed by a fire March 29th, 1907 but was quickly replaced with a 600 seat edifice which re-opened on September 21st, 1907. Burton United, having failed to gain re-election to the Football League at the end of the 1906/7 season, was disbanded in 1910 and the ground taken over by the previous tenants - Burton RUFC - who continued to use it. Although the rugby club members voted in 2004 to seek a new ground they were still here in 2005.
MAP
Peel Croft