Gary Rowett likens Burton Albion rise through leagues to Leicester City title win

Gary Rowett of Birmingham City looks on during the pre season friendly match between Nuneaton Town and Birmingham City at the James Parnell Stadium on July 14, 2015
© Getty Images
Burton Albion's rise through the English Football League is as big an achievement as Leicester City winning the Premier League, says former manager Gary Rowett.

Former Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett has claimed that the Brewers' rise through the Football League is on a par with Leicester City winning the Premier League.

The 42-year-old, now in charge of Birmingham City, left Burton when they were top of League Two in 2014.

Two years on, the Staffordshire side are now plying their trade at the same level as the Blues after back-to-back promotions.

Rowett told reporters on Thursday: "I can't believe they're in the Championship.

"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 story."

Birmingham will take on Burton at the Pirelli Stadium on Friday night.

Manager Gary Rowett of Burton Albion shouts instructions during the Capital One Cup Second Round match between Burton Albion and Fulham at the Pirelli Stadium on August 27, 2013
Read Next:
Report: Birmingham to appoint Rowett
>


Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24171648192952
2Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton23156238142451
3Reading2313463330343
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2413472928143
5Leeds UnitedLeeds2413383124742
6Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2412572824441
7Derby CountyDerby2411762415940
8Fulham2399540281236
9Barnsley2410594237535
10Aston Villa2481152623335
11Birmingham CityBirmingham249872932-335
12Norwich CityNorwich24104103837134
13Preston North EndPreston249693232033
14Ipswich TownIpswich248792427-331
15Brentford2486102930-130
16Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2477103234-228
17Bristol City2483133132-127
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2475123744-726
19Queens Park RangersQPR2475122235-1326
20Burton Albion2467112633-725
21Cardiff CityCardiff2366112638-1224
22Blackburn RoversBlackburn2456132840-1221
23Wigan AthleticWigan2447132030-1019
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham2434172552-2713