The 2012–13 season was Burton Albion's fourth consecutive season in the League Two, having finished 17th in the 2011–12 season. The season marked Gary Rowett's first full season in management with the club, having been appointed on a full-time basis on 11 May. His reign started with the club's first ever League Cup victory with a 5–4 penalty defeat of Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Key events
May
9 May: Albion begin preparations for the new season by releasing five first-team players; James Wren, Kristian Ramsey-Dixon, Danny Blanchett, Andres Gurrieri and Patrick Ada. Jack Dyer and Adi Yussuf both sign one-year contract extensions. 11 May: Gary Rowett is announced as the club's full-time manager following a spell in caretaker charge alongside Kevin Poole, who is retained as goalkeeping coach. 15 May: Albion release four more players; Adam Bolder, Ryan Austin, Tony James and Greg Pearson, whilst Nathan Stanton and Aaron Webster both sign one-year contract extensions. 18 May: Albion unveil Kevin Summerfield as the club's new assistant manager. 24 May: Rowett names former Swindon Town scout Paul Molesworth as the club's chief scout. 24 May: Rowett makes his first move in the transfer market, by signing ex-Tranmere Rovers midfielder Robbie Weir on a free transfer. The 23-year-old Northern Irishman joins on a two-year deal.
June
5 June: Scotsman Zander Diamond becomes Albion's second summer signing, joining on a free transfer for Oldham Athletic. 13 June: Round One of the 2012–13 League Cup is drawn. For the fourth successive year, Albion are drawn away from home, this time against Sheffield United. 18 June: The fixtures for the League Two 2012–13 season are released. Albion's first game is against Rotherham United in the first game ever played at their New York Stadium. 27 June: Albion's third signing of the summer is left-back Damien McCrory. The former Dagenham & Redbridge defender signs a two-year contract with the Brewers.
July
16 July: Albion sign former Rochdale defender Marcus Holness on a two-year deal. 27 July: Albion complete a double-deal to sign goalkeepers Dean Lyness and Ross Atkins. Lyness joins on a free transfer from Kidderminster Harriers whilst Atkins returns to the club for a second season-long loan spell from Derby County. 31 July: Albion re-sign midfielder Lee Bell on a free transfer from recently promoted Crewe Alexandra. Bell has had two previous loan spells with the Brewers and signs a one-year contract.
August
11 August: Albion begin their season with a 5–4 penalty shootout defeat of Sheffield United, after a 2–2 draw during normal time. This represented the club's first ever victory in a League Cup game. Adi Yussuf scores the club's first goal of the season. 15 August: Round Two of the 2012–13 League Cup is drawn. Albion are again drawn away from home, this time against Leicester City. Albion also complete the signings of striker Matt Paterson on a free transfer from Southend United and defender Anthony O'Connor on a one-month loan deal from Blackburn Rovers. 18 August: Albion begin their League Two by being defeated 3–0 by Rotherham United. Round One of the 2012–13 Johnstone's Paint Trophy is drawn. Albion are drawn away from home against recently relegated Coventry City. 28 August: Albion continue their League Cup success with a 4–2 away victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The Brewers will be competing in the third round of the competition for the first time. 30 August: Round Three of the 2012–13 League Cup is drawn. For the sixth consecutive game in the competition Albion are drawn away from home. This time the opposition will be Bradford City. Also on this day, Billy Kee puts pen to paper on a new three-year contract, that will see him stay with the club until 2015.