Accrington Stanley F.C. (1891)
Accrington Stanley: The Rise, Fall, and Flicker of a Lancashire Legend
Accrington Stanley was a football club rooted in the heart of Lancashire, born in 1891 and beloved by its community. Playing their home games at Peel Park, Stanley carved out a place in English football history, competing in the Football League from 1921 until 1962. But their journey was as turbulent as it was passionate.
A Story of Ambition and Adversity
The post-war years were tough for many clubs, and by 1960, Stanley was teetering on the edge. The financial gamble of building a new stand on Burnley Road backfired, and the club dropped into the newly formed Division Four. The relegation was just the beginning of the unraveling.
By February 1962, debts had mounted — unpaid transfer fees and a looming tax bill put Stanley in peril. Chairman Edwin Slinger stepped down, revealing the club owed upwards of £8,000. In a dramatic twist, Burnley FC’s chairman Bob Lord entered the picture, persuading the board to resign with promises of investment.
Stanley’s final match in the Football League was a 4–0 loss to Crewe on 2 March 1962. Within days, their resignation letter was accepted, marking the end of their League journey midway through the season.
A Brief Rebirth — and a Final Farewell
Refusing to give up, the club entered the Lancashire Combination Division Two in the following season. Backed by local supporters and new investors, Stanley clawed back some dignity, even achieving promotion. But dreams faded quickly — the team was relegated again and, after four seasons in the lower leagues, folded for good in 1966.
Yet the name didn’t vanish. Two years later, a new Accrington Stanley was born — a phoenix club rising from the ashes of the old, carrying forward the spirit of resilience and pride that defined the original team.
thecloubthatwouldntdie.uk charts the history of that new Accrington Stanley
Players who played 100 matches for Accrington Stanley, or who gained international caps whilst with the club.
- Harry Anders (1957–60)
- Jimmy Anders (1956–60)
- Jimmy Armstrong (1927–33)
- Armour Ashe (1953–58)
- Cyril Briggs (1946–50)
- Tommy Butler (1947–53)
- Les Cocker (1953–58)
- Doug Daniels (1949–53)
- Wattie Dick (1955–58)