The first Horninglow Athletic Club sports were held on 19th May 1877 at the Crescent ground, thanks to the help they received from Mr Edward Wright of the Crescent Brewery. The bicycle races at the sports were a one mile handicap for people living within three miles of Burton and a two miles open handicap. MA Bass MP was the club president, he would become the managing director of Bass breweries. The event was well supported, the local mayor and dignitaries lent their support and the Burton Volunteer Rifle Corps band played. The profit from the sports was donated to finance a school building at the Horninglow church. The sports were held annually, with the same format.
The Burton Bicycle Club held their first sports at Horninglow Sports Ground on 2nd October 1880, the weather was very poor and the attendance was disappointing. There was a full card of bicycle races which were one mile club handicap, one mile open handicap, a slow bicycle race and a five miles scratch race for the Championship of Burton BC. During the club mile race, HE Hunt's bicycle broke and he had to ride the five miles race on a borrowed a machine, which did not stop him winning the race. The sports were held the following year and were more successful.
Football and cricket was played at the Crescent ground from 1891, Burton FC had their home ground here. Burton All Saints played football there in the 1920s, the club later was known as Burton Town FC. The brewery was demolished in 1981 and warehousing erected on the site.
** The Crescent Brewery was operated by Tooth's London and Colonial Brewery from c.1835 to 1869 with the Burton Brewery established 1854. Thomas Cooper took over Burtons in 1870, then Miller & Co took over in July 1919 then Salt & Co took it over and closed it down.