Accrington Stanley? Who are they?

Last updated : 16 April 2006 By Andy Van Hagen
Accrington Stanley are the club famous for the advert "Ian Rush said that if i drink milk, one day i'll be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley! Accrington Stanley? Who are they? Exactly!!"

But who are they!!!?


Accrington Stanley were one of the Leagues founder members, their history and status however did not save them from fiancial ruin in 1962. People say Walsall have had interesting seasons with promotions and relegations but Accrington Stanleys demise and rise is truely remarkable.

(Taken from Accrington Stanleys official site)

1962 Accrington Stanley resign from the Football League after suffering financial difficuilties.

1968 The current Accrington Stanley Football Club is formed after a meeting in Bold Street Working Mens Club. The Crown Ground was aquired and former Stanley player Jimmy Hinksman was appointed as the new club's first manager.

1970-71 Stanley enter the Lancashire Combination. A crowd of 620 watch the team in their first game, beating Formby. Terry Tigle played in the first match, the only player to play in both the old and new Stanley teams.

1971-72 The club wins the League Cup defeating Ashton Town in the final and lift the Combination Cup after beating Nelson. Stanley also finish runners up in the Lancashire Combination.

1972-73 Problems with the pitch at the Crown Ground forces Stanley to return to their former home of Peel Park for a game against Nelson, watched by a crowd of 708, a small number compared to the thousands that had followed them at the same ground in years gone by. The club retains the Combination Cup.

1973-74 Stanley win the Combination Cup for the third year running and also finish league champions in the Lancashire Combination.

1975-76 Further pitch problems at the Crown Ground lead the club to consider a permanent move back to Peel Park, though this was not to be. Despite these problems Stanley finish runners up to Bootle, scoring 104 goals in the season. David Hargreaves was the clubs top scorer for this season scoring 56 goals in 44 games, a club record that has yet to be broken.

1976-77 Stanley finish third in the league after going unbeaten in 27 games at the start of the season and only losing 2 matches throughout the year.

1977-78 Once again the club wins the league championship. David Hargreaves moves to Blackburn Rovers after scoring 318 goals for Stanley, another record that still stands today.

1978-79 Entered the newly formed Cheshire League Second Division.

1979-80 Finished runners up in the division but denied promotion due to pitch problems.

1980-81 Won the Cheshire League Second Division.

1983-84 Stanley elected to play in the newly formed North West Counties League. The club spent £40,000 to improve the pitch that had caused them so many problems in the past. Lost to South Liverpool in the ATS Challenge Trophy Final.

1986-87 Floodlights installed ready for a move into the Northern Premier League First Division. Finished runners up to Stalybridge Celtic.

1990-91 Promoted to Northern Premier League Premier Division after resignation of South Liverpool.

1992-93 Stanley reach the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup. A Paul Beck hat trick won victory for Stanley in the First Round against Gateshead, watched by 2,270 at the Crown Ground. Sadly Stanley lost 6-1 against Crewe Alexandria in the following round played at Blackburn's Ewood Park ground, cheered on by 10,801 - the highest FA Cup attendance of the day.

1993-94 Once again Stanley progress to the First Round Proper, this time losing to Scunthorpe United who scored after five minutes of injury time to beat Stanley 3-2 at Burnley's Turf Moor ground. Things were much worse in the league, the club narrowly escaped relegation after Eric Whalley returned as manager and turned things around, losing only three of the last eighteen league games.

1994-95 David Hamiltion is appointed team coach but moved to a full time position at Preston North End in Januray 1995. Eric Whalley gained a controlling interest in Accrington Stanley and was appointed Chairman. Immediately he set about improving the ground, with £50,000 being spent on new terracing. During the close season the squad flew out to Barbados where they won the Anglo-Barbados Cup.

1996-97 Stanley reach the ATS final for the first time since 1983-84 but lost again, this time 3-0 to Southport at Preston North End's Deepdale ground.

1998-99 Finished bottom of the Unibond Premier Division despite a late fight after the appointment of Wayne Harrison as manager, who left for Blackpool during the close season.

1999-2000 The current management team of John Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell are appointed after leaving Ashton United and immediately take Stanley back up to the Unibond Premier Division as Champions. On his arrival John Coleman built a virtually new side, which never lost a game from the New year to the end of the season. The Championship was collected in front of a record crowd of 2,468

2000-2001 Their first season in the Premier Division saw Stanley finish ninth in the table and they reached the semi final of the Presidents Cup. More improvements were made to the Crown Ground with works on the pitch and floodlights. Stanley won the Marsden Trophy(Lancashire County Cup) beating Barrow at Morecambe and they also won the Unibond Challenge Cup beating Bradford park Avenue on Penalties in a two legged final.

2002-03 Stanley have their most successful season ever by clinching the Unibond Premier League title in April with a 3-1 victory over Altrincham in front of 2263 fans - attaining their highest ever finish since reformation in 1968 and finishing on 100 points, scoring 97 goals. Stanley managed to retain the Peter Swailes Charity Shield. The club now looks forward to a new experience as a Nationwide Conference team

2003-04 Stanley finish a creditable 10th in their first season in The Nationwide Conference and enjoy their best ever FA Cup run, beating two Football League Clubs before losing to Colchester in a Third Round replay. The Reserve team finished runners up in both League and Cup

2004-05 Stanley again finished in 10th place, again qualifying for The LDV Trophy and once again won The County Cup, beating Burscough in a two-legged Final

And of course 2006 - Nationwide conference champions. Once more Accrington are a league Club and a club that Walsall may well be visiting next season. With no disrespect its a far cry from a couple of seasons a go where Walsall were regular visitors to Ipswich, Wolves and Crystal Palace!!

Will we visit them, we will soon find out!!