Accrington Stanley

Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley are to release five players after they missed out on a place in the Conference play-offs. Striker Lutel James will leave when his current contract expires in the summer after scoring 83 goals for the club. Goalkeeper Jon Kennedy, defenders Paul Howarth and Jonathon Smith and midfielder Steven Flitcroft have also missed out on new deals. The long-serving Smith has been granted a testimonial by Stanley, who have also transfer listed defender Steve Halford.

Transfer window angers Accrington
Accrington chairman Eric Whalley claims the introduction of a transfer window for the Conference is a "shambles". Clubs cannot sign players between 31 August and 1 January - and Whalley claims Stanley will need to expand their squad by four or five players. "Just to throw it at us a month before the new season means a lot of clubs are going to struggle," Whalley told BBC Radio Lancashire. "The people from higher up must think we're made of money."

Conference increases loan quotas
The Conference has increased the number of loan players clubs can use next season after the enforced introduction of the transfer window system. Clubs can register four short-term and four long-term loan players and can play five loan players in a game. Clubs can also sign a keeper for a minimum period of seven days outside the transfer window if they do not have a registered keeper available. The changes are being brought in to soften the blow of the transfer window.

Brown signs new Accrington deal
Accrington Stanley striker David Brown has signed a new two-year deal. Brown, 26, joined Stanley on a non-contract basis from Conference rivals Hereford United in March. After impressing at the end of last season, the former Hull and Chester City forward has now penned a deal until June, 2007. Meanwhile, Accrington defender Steve Halford has left the club by mutual consent after ending last season on loan at Droylsden.

Conference LDV entrants confirmed
The Football League has confirmed the 12 Conference teams that will take part in this season's LDV Vans Trophy. Relegated pair Kidderminster and Cambridge are joined by the teams who finished 12th or higher in last season's Conference National table. The other invited sides are Accrington, Aldershot, Crawley, Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter, Halifax, Hereford, Morecambe, Stevenage and Woking. The first round will take place in the week commencing 17 October.

Prendergast eyes Blackpool move
Accrington Stanley winger Rory Prendergast, 27, is to join Blackpool for pre-season training with a view to a permanent move to Bloomfield Road. Chairman Eric Whalley told Stanley's website: "Although he's a good player we'll never stand in the way of someone who wants to further their career." "Rory has made no secret of his desire to play in the Football League and Blackpool is a big club." Prendergast has started 56 Conference games for Stanley in two years. He attracted interest from Bristol Rovers last season.

Conference fixtures are announced
Cambridge United's first Conference game, following their relegation from the Football League, will be away at Forest Green Rovers on 13 August. Meanwhile, Kidderminster Harriers start life outside the League with a home game against Woking. Conference newcomers Altrincham, Grays and Southport have all been handed ties away from home on the opening day. Grays visit Burton Albion, Southport travel to Dagenham & Redbridge while Altrincham go to Stevenage Borough. All the Conference fixtures As is customary, Boxing Day features a number of "derbies" - such as York v Scarborough - with the return fixtures on 2 January. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Conference opening day fixtures (Saturday, 13 August): Accrington Stanley v Canvey Island Aldershot Town v Tamworth Burton Albion v Grays Athletic Dagenham & Redbridge v Southport Forest Green Rovers v Cambridge United Gravesend & Northfleet v Exeter City Hereford United v Scarborough Kidderminster Harriers v Woking Morecambe v Halifax Town Stevenage Borough v Altrincham York City v Crawley Town Tuesday, 16 August Altrincham v Accrington Stanley Cambridge United v Hereford United Canvey Island v Aldershot Town Crawley Town v Dagenham & Redbridge Exeter City v Kidderminster Harriers Grays Athletic v Gravesend & Northfleet Halifax Town v Burton Albion Scarborough v Morecambe Southport v York City Tamworth v Forest Green Rovers Woking v Stevenage Borough

Accrington eye striking recruits
Accrington manager John Coleman is running the rule over strikers Alex Hay and Leighton McGivern as he lines up a number of potential new signings. Ex-Tranmere forward Hay, 23, and McGivern, 21, are both training with Stanley after being released by Rushden and Diamonds and Rochdale respectively. Defender and former Manchester United youngster Lee Lawrence, 20, is also on trial as he looks to earn a deal. Left-back Chris Butler and winger Gary Roberts have agreed new deals.

Wrexham recruit striker McEvilly
Wrexham have signed striker Lee McEvilly from Conference side Accrington Stanley. McEvilly, 23, has scored 25 goals in 57 appearances for Accrington since joining them from Rochdale in May 2004. A Northern Ireland cap, McEvilly made his one appearance as a substitute against Spain in 2002 - becoming Rochdale's first full international. The capture of McEvilly comes on top of the arrival of Burnley defender Lee Roche as a free agent.

Accrington manager demands better
Accrington manager John Coleman admits his team must improve, despite seeing them extend their winning start to the season at Altrincham on Tuesday night. "The three points is a bonus as, hand on heart, Alty shouldn't have lost that game," Coleman said after Michael Welch's late goal earned a 1-0 victory. "Our performances need to improve and they will. The players know they can get better" Coleman added. "We can't get blase about it and we can't keep turning in these displays." "I am not criticising the players but we need to be strong and tighter than that.

Best Mince pie of any ground can be found here

hahah I take your word for that...saying that though Im sure Cambridge Utd were voted best pies in any league ground a couple of seasons ago :D

Bossu is recalled by Darlington
Accrington Stanley's goalkeeper jinx has struck again with Darlington re-calling Bertrand Bossu from his loan spell after just one game for the Reds. Bossu, 24, has returned to the Quakers following an injury to first-choice Sam Russell and is set to play in their game with Hartlepool on Tuesday night. Stanley had signed Bossu after injuries to Stuart Jones and Danny Alcock. Despite Bossu's re-call, Darlo boss David Hodgson admits the summer signing has no long-term future at the club. "Bertrand is so adamant that he wants to be in the first-team somewhere else that is in his interests that if something comes along he grasps it and takes it," Hodgson told Darlington's website. Meanwhile, Stanley boss John Coleman is planning to sign a replacement and also hopes to recruit a left-back from a Championship side.

Stanley swoop for late signings
Accrington launched a pre-deadline swoop to capture Benin international captain Romuald Boco and Tranmere midfielder Paul Brown. Boco, 20, has signed until Christmas from French club Chamois Niortais after impressing while on trial. Brown, also 20, has arrived from Tranmere on a month's loan. Accrington have also signed former Wales and Wrexham keeper Andy Dibble, 40, as player-coach after receiving international clearance. Meanwhile, Reds winger Matt O'Neill has joined Radcliffe Borough on loan.

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