The Supporters’ Trust joins the rest of our great county in mourning the sad death of Queen Elizabeth.
May she rest in peace and her selfless service to our county be long remembered.
Members’ Newsletter – September 2022
I’m sure I’m not the only one who relaxes a little when the transfer window closes; while there’s always the hope that Coley will grab some hitherto unsung genius, there’s the constant gnawing dread that yet another of our favourite players will be lured away to some lesser club in the the League (and, let’s face it, that’s ALL other clubs…it’s only downhill after being in the Stanley Family).
So, here’s the September smörgåsbord of Stanley Supporters’ News and Information for your delight and delectation…and here’s a photograph of an actual smörgåsbord which has nothing to do with the Newsletter:
If you would like to contact me regarding anything in the Newsletter or regarding anything to do with the Supporters’ Trust, I can be contacted by email at editor@onstanleyon.com or you can contact Chair, Peter Leatham at chair@onstanleyon.com
Mike Procter, editor
Supporters’ Trust gift digital radios to the Reds
The OASST have very kindly funded the purchase of new Kirisun digital radios for the stewards
From the Official Stanley website by Luke Pearson
The Official Accrington Stanley Supporters’ Trust (OASST) have very kindly funded the purchase of new Kirisun digital radios for the stewards to use on matchdays at the Wham Stadium.
Ground Safety Officer Jim Moseley said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to the Supporters’ Trust for the new radios.
“As the club moves forward with new-builds and turnstile operations, they are absolutely essential in keeping with all that is going on.
“The new digital radios have much better reception throughout the ground, are a lot lighter and are smaller which is ideal for staff who are on the move all the time.
“Again, thank you for all you are and have done. I can say it does not go unnoticed with my staff.”
OASST chairman Peter Leatham added: “Our team of stewards do a tremendous job in ensuring that the matchday experience of both our home and visiting fans runs smoothly at the Wham Stadium.
“Anything we can do to help make their task easier and more efficient was a simple funding decision for the Trust board when approached by our football club.
“The old system was dated and on its last legs and we are sure the new digital radio systems will assist for many years to come and are a worthy investment.”
We would like to say a huge thank you to the OASST for the purchase of the new Kirisun digital radios.
Poetry Corner
Three poems by Sharon Jones
*Based on a photograph of seven wee boys on a wall watching Accrington Stanley’s final non-league game (against Glossop) in January 1966.
Perched on a wall
Seven lads watching the game
Bobble hats and bare knees
In the wind and rain
Seven little scallies
Doing what kids do
Watching the football
On a Saturday afternoon
Sat behind the goalie
In the embers of the day
Final non-league fixture
Accrington Stanley is the name.
A Game of Two Halves
Football is our saving grace
90 minutes reliving a childhood long melted into the past
But lingers, for what are we but children
Divisively spiritual and calling on disciples to bear witness
In the form of banners and colours
With hymns that chart the deeds and disasters
Of matches won and lost
Replaying relaying the magic of goals and the menace of referees
Oh, those long-undimmed memories recalling misdemeanours
Before a roll call of glory
Football, the pulsing heartbeat
The wild feral beautiful creature of the terrace
Defying the corpulent corporate crocodile
And always the rebel, pushing hopelessly back against
The inevitable tides of change
Out singing those pinging ringing cash tills…
Then the rising pant of grassroots football
Fans taking hold of The Game, their game, our game
Bridging the divide of players wages, ticket prices, and support
The sparkling swaggering solidarity of the street
The formidable fulcrum of football.
The Stanley Boys they make some noise
And sing up for the team
Red and White their flags unfurled
And make the faithful dream
For 90 minutes from the Kop
The songs like hymns implore
The mighty Reds ATTACK ATTACK
And Billy Kee to score
Scotty Brown with midfield crown
Mingoia Crooks the storm
With Etheridge boss between the sticks
McConville charms the ball
Pearson Hughes Conneely
All play with heart and soul
McCartan and bold Halliday
Ensured no pickings for the Os
Nolan for the London team
He took some stick and Moore
But tho the Os looked boss at times
The win was ours for sure
The Stanley Family in good voice
The drum was thumping strong
The rallying of the faithful called
To cheer the Stanley on
We was bouncing on Good Friday
For the winning goal we roared
Coley came up to the Clayton End
The Stanley Ultras he did applaud
The standing terrace all sold out
In Easter sunshine bathed
Good News ensured that all 3 points
Went the Accy not Appian Way.
Ukrainian families invited to Accrington Stanley match
From Lancashire Telegraph by Abigail Beaney, additional writing by Peter J Leatham
Ukrainian families and their hosts enjoyed a match at Accrington Stanley as well as being given Stanley shirts to mark the occasion.
The club gave away free tickets, in conjunction with Hyndburn Council and the Supporters’ Trust, to Ukrainian families housed locally, to offer them some normality after fleeing the war-torn country.
The group were at the August 9 Carabou Cup match against Tranmere Rovers, hosted by Trust board members Darren Woodhead and Debra Phillips; they were also joined by the host families as well as the Mayor and council leader.
A fundraiser was launched by Darren who, as well as being a Trust member, is also admin of the Accrington Stanley Memories Facebook group, to give all the guests free shirts.
The fundraiser has already reached over £500, with donations continuing to flood in.
To make a donation, please click on this link.
The Supporters’ Trust also gave all the visitors a small gift to mark the occasion.
The Mayor and council leader also joined the match, with the council having provided the tickets for the host families, as well as some refreshments.
Chairman of the Official Accrington Stanley Supporters’ Trust, Peter Leatham, said: “After all the difficulties and upheaval the families must have suffered of late we thought it would be nice to show some true East Lancashire hospitality and friendship and our football club was the ideal vehicle to do that.
After the match, the Supporters’ Trust received the following message:
Thankyou so much.
Our Ukrainian families loved the match last night.
I think Accrington Stanley have some new fans.
Very much appreciated.
Thankyou x
On top of all that, The Times – that’s the posh paper read by people who wear top hats – has printed a piece celebrating all things Accy. Well done to Darren, the generous fans, and the greatest little football club in the world! On Stanley On!
Memorandum of Understanding Meeting
The latest in the series of regular meetings between the Club and the Supporters’ Trust was held on 12th August.
Meet the Players Night
Class night at the players’ Q&A event run by The Supporters’ Trust!
A very sucessful event was held in Coleys when a group of players agreed to answer questions from fans; the session was recorded and the videos can be viewed by clicking on this link.
Club 1968 Winners
August 2022 – please click here
September 2022 – please click here
New to the Board: Welcome Robert Houseman
The Supporters’ Trust are delighted welcome Robert Houseman as our new co-opted board member.
As the football club’s Supporters’ Liaison Officer (SLO) and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Robert brings a wealth of experience which will be vital as we continue our works.
Robert will also help represent the Community Trust in his role as Trustee.
Robert’s full appointment will be subject to a confirmation vote at our AGM in December.
OASST Executive Meeting Minutes
#HERGAMETOO
#HERGAMETOO is a campaign to stamp out sexism in sport.
OASST Board member, Jodie Boast, has agreed to be our #HERGAMETOO representative. To read more, please follow this link.
To learn more about the #HERGAMETOO campaign, click here to go to the website
Jodie had a busy day on 3rd September at our home match versus Ipswich Town; taking her #HERGAMETOO picture frame around the stadium, she managed to get some great photos of fans from both sides, players, staff and even the MD and owner of Stanley!
Click here to see a gallery of the photos
A Neutral fan’s view of a visit to the Wham Stadium
‘John C’ visited Accrington for the Ipswich match, here’s a short video he made:
Treasure Trove
Some brilliant post cards and prints were kindly donated to the Trust by Mark Townley.
We are always pleased to receive any unwanted memorabilia in our Market Hall shop.
To see all of the images, please follow this link
HELP
Useful numbers of some organizations:
Lancashiremind Local Mental Health Support 0800 953 0110
Samaritans Call 116 123 24hrs
Papyrus (Suicide prevention for under 35s) Hopeline UK 0800 068 4141 Mon-Fri 10am-10pm Sat-Sun 12 noon-12 midnight
Childline 0800 1111
Carers helpline (run by people with experience in care for people with MH issues) 0333 103 9747
Maundy Relief Counselling Service 01254 233 457 counselling@maundyrelief.org.uk
Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline-Refuge 0808 2000 247 (24hrs)
To contact Debra, the Supporters’ Chaplain,
please email chaplain@onstanleyon.com
3 thoughts on “Members’ Newsletter – September 2022”
Pete. This must entail a fair amount of work putting it all together. Well done in achieving an interesting Newsletter, which helps members to keep in touch, especially fans like myself who don’t live local and reside in the ‘south’. The content is varied and I found it most informative. Thanks for all your work in producing it..
Boss newsletter, and thank you for including my football poems, really proud to have them included.
Excellent update on the club. Onward and upward.