Members’ Newsletter – November 2024

Welcome

Nothing worse than speaking too soon, so this is not the time or place to breathe even a (very slight) sigh of relief regarding recent results, but it’s great to see that John Doolan was nominated for Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month award for October.

In their summary of the month, Sky Bet reported: “Replacing Stanley institution John Coleman was already a daunting task.

“Winless and bottom of the table when October began made it even harder for Doolan, so a haul of 10 points from six games after changing to two up front was impressive.”

Although he didn’t win, John needs to know that we’re very proud of him as our manager and we’re behind him all the way as he leads our lads in the League and in the FA Cup.

As I’m writing this, we’ve just stunned Chesterfield 3 – 0 at their place and I’m suddenly getting all light-headed and irresponsibly making ridiculous predictions for the rest of the season!

You can read below what JD thinks of the season so far.

On Stanley On!

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Please enjoy reading the latest edition of the OASST Newsletter, I hope you will find some items of interest.
If you would like to comment on anything included here, or, even better, would like to contribute to future editions, please contact editor@onstanleyon.com

Mike Procter, editor.

A few words from the Gaffer

Firstly, on behalf of myself, Ged, the coaching staff, and the players, I’d like to thank the Accrington Stanley Supporters for their unrivalled support this season. It was a tough start to the campaign, but the backing we have had from everyone has been first class and certainly lifts the players on the pitch at crucial times of the game, both home and away.

We knew it would take some time for the new players to gel, including the six loanees, all of whom had played little or no EFL League football before they put on the red Stanley shirt. The whole squad’s work and attention to detail on the training pitch is beginning to be rewarded which bodes well for the rest of the season. We are under no illusion of the tasks ahead and will continue to push them both physically and mentally to ensure we finish as high as we can in League Two.

We’re around a third into the season in terms of games and we are beginning to see positive results for the work the players and coaching staff have been putting in on the training pitch since pre-season. We felt we were close to being a decent team from the outset, but it took a few games to get the first win under the belt, but since then results have generally been favourable and long may it continue!

As I write this report, we sit in 18th place in the League table and have progressed to the second round of The FA Cup. We are optimistic looking ahead and hope we can continue to give the supporters something to shout and cheer about in every game ahead.

Thanks – John Doolan

The Memorial Garden

The Memorial Garden, as photographed by board member Yvonne Wilson, showing how well cared-for it is, ready for the Remembrance Service on Sunday 10th November (see below).

Remembrance Day Service

On Sunday 10th November, 2024, the Accrington Stanley Supporters’ Trust (OASST) held an Annual Service of Remembrance in the Memorial Garden at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium.

The ceremony was led by Debra Phillips, the Supporters’ Chaplain, and Peter Leatham, OASST Chair gave a reading.

Wreaths were laid by representatives of local businesses and organisations, including one by Lady Amanda Winnington, granddaughter of Lt. Col. Arthur Rickman, who commanded the Accrington Pals from 1915 until the end of World War I.

The Order of Service

Members’ Monthly Draw

by Adrian Rudley

Membership runs annually from 1st July to 30th June and costs a paltry £5 if you’re planning on collecting your membership card and badge from our shop in the Arndale Centre, or £6.50 (UK) £8 (Worldwide),  if you want us to post them out to you. By the way, if you’re feeling particularly flush, there’s an option to make a donation to OASST. All donations are gratefully received and they are all used for the benefit of the club. To join, click here.

We also now have a free members draw each month in which the winner will receive £40 in Accrington Stanley Vouchers. The vouchers are for use in the club shop at the Wham Stadium. 

All members and Life Members are entered into the free draw.

October 2024 Winner: James Cheverton

November 2024 Winner: Terry Fielding

I would like to take the opportunity to ask that if any member have moved address or changed any details, such as email address, please let us know. 

This means that we can get important information to you all regarding the OASST and ensure that we have the correct details should you win a prize. 

Many thanks 

On Stanley On

Accrington Stanley Mural on The Crown Pub

The Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust is embarking on a significant project that needs your support: the creation of a mural on the Crown Pub gable end. This mural, more than just transforming an unused wall, will stand as a powerful tribute to our club’s rich history and the enduring spirit of our community, a project that we can all take pride in.

In 1968, Accrington Stanley relocated to the Crown Ground, their current site, which was named after the pub that was adjacent to it. The mural, with your support, will not only be a work of art, but it will also depict our club’s rich history, support our town’s heritage, and celebrate our history. Your contribution is integral to this project, so we can create a sense of place and civic pride that we can all share and be proud of.

Peter Leatham, OASST Chair, explains:

As you know we operate as a not for profit community benefit society regulated by the FCA.

We are developing an exciting new project to create a mural of the gable end wall of the adjacent Crown pub which borders one of the main access routes to and from the stadium and is visible from the adjacent Whalley road, which is a busy link into the town.

This mural, more than just transforming a vacant wall, will stand as a powerful tribute to our club’s rich history and the enduring spirit of our local Hyndburn community.

As you will well be aware the town is a typical East Lancashire industrial town with a strong working class ethic, and background, and as well as its football club is equally famous for the Accrington Pals regiment (Accrington was the smallest town to provide a pal’s battalion) and NORI brick used in the foundations of both the Empire State Building and Blackpool Tower. The area is surrounded by nice countryside, despite being only 5 miles equidistant from both Blackburn & Burnley and has a vibrant Asian community.

It is our intention to use these elements as the cornerstone for the artwork and to provide a powerful symbol of our shared identity and heritage as well as a point of pride to local residents.

By celebrating Accrington Stanley through art, the mural will not only contribute to the cultural identity of the area but also serve as a powerful conversation starter about the club’s heritage. It will be a significant addition to our community, sparking meaningful discussions and fostering a deeper appreciation for our shared history.

From planning to execution, this mural project will involve local artists, volunteers, and community members fostering a sense of unity and collaboration within the community.

The Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust represents the football fans’ voice and body and helps bring about positive changes within the football club and our community.

The trust was recently delighted to accept a Kings Award for voluntary service from the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire in January of this year.

This latest project will improve the experience of all residents, passing traffic, children on their way to school, and visitors travelling to the club from throughout the borough and beyond.

We have pitched to the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund and have been successful in securing a pledge of 40% of our crowdfunding target. This amounts to £7,415.20 out of our total project cost of £18,538. This is an all-or-nothing model, and in order to receive the money, we will need to reach 100% of our target for the money to be released. 

This is where we need the help and support of our fans and the local community with pledges of support. These pledges can be as little as £2 and are held by the Crowdfunders until we achieve our target.

If the target is not reached then the pledges will be returned in full to all who have participated.

We are dedicated to improving life at the individual community level, and we would greatly appreciate any support you can manage.

Help us to raise money for a mural on the Crown pub and make a pledge today:

www.spacehive.com/accrington-stanley-mural

For more pictures and information about Accrington Stanley over the decades, be sure to visit The Club That Wouldn’t Die

Flying Over Our Home

The Wham Stadium (The Crown Ground), Accrington Stanley FC, Drone 4k.

Jodie says, “I think my friend John did it. Brilliant isn’t it!!!”

Annual Jack Barrett Memorial Walk for Charity 2024

This year’s Annual Sponsored Walk for local charity takes/took place on
Saturday 16th November

With a journalistic acumen not shown since the likes of William Randolph Hearst and James Gordon Bennett Sr., your editor has contrived to publish this newsletter, not only too late to advertise the Annual Jack Barrett walk, but also too early to include photos of the walkers! It’s probably just as well that he will be stepping down from this obviously too-arduous role at the end of the season.

The walk will start/started at the home of Preston North End, Deepdale, progress(ed) to Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers, and finish(ed) at the Wham Stadium.

Walkers will be/were able to start at either Deepdale or Ewood Park, depending on how much stamina they have/had!

As it is now too late to join us, if you would like to contribute to the fund, please visit our Just Giving page and make your donation there. Every penny goes to support the club and local causes.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/standup-becounted

We would like to say a Special Thank You to Karen Moor, who is the Community Champion at ASDA Accrington, for providing / donating the refreshments
for the Jack Barrett walkers 🙏

Junior Redz Christmas Party

All Junior Redz are invited.
For more information, please contact Ken Jefferson on 07490 825242

JUNIOR REDZ

Away Travel

by Adam Scarborough

Firstly, I would like to say a massive thank you to all those that have travelled on the OASST coaches this season so far and who continue to enjoy away trips with us all around the country. 

Since the last newsletter, Stanley’s away form has definitely picked up! Our next scheduled away fixture would have been at Wimbledon but some heavy flooding around the stadium left the pitch looking more like a golf course. The match was postponed, and we now have to go there on Tuesday 19^th November.

October saw us travel down to Cheltenham on a Tuesday night. Despite the small away numbers there was a great atmosphere in the away end, but Stanley again lost the lead and came away with a loss.

We then had our longest trip of the season to Gillingham. Two of our young away travellers Theo and Lucas went down the coach asking everyone for their score predictions. It is fair to say not many were predicting the 2-1 away win which we witnessed!

Next up was another Tuesday night trip this time to MK Dons, which saw a decent performance from Stanley played in a strange atmosphere (5000 fans inside a 30000 capacity stadium). Unfortunately, we came away from this game with 0 points.

Moving into November we were handed an away tie at Walsall based Rushall Olympic where we took 2 (fairly full) coaches. The day ended with a place in Round 2.

Finally, our most recent trip to Chesterfield started with a mix up with the coach size. Shaun Webster and I drove our cars with 3 passengers each as the coach was completely full. What really mattered though was that we came away with an excellent 3-0 away win and a very happy trip home.

Please have a look at the list to check where we will be visiting over the next few weeks. Feel free to contact me if you want further information or to book onto any of the OASST coaches.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Adam will post on the OASST Facebook page regular updates and you can keep track of them on the website at https://onstanleyon.com/away-travel/

Robert Houseplant

‘I wish I hadn’t said, “We could be a duo – Robert Houseplant!”‘

…so said Stanley Supporters’ Liaison Officer and OASST Secretary, Robert Houseman, to Legendary Rock God, Robert Plant, when he recently paid a surprise visit to the Crown Ground.

The story of the Led Zeppelin singer’s visit was reported in the Lancashire Telegraph, and by the club on social media.

When the visit was reported, rumours immediately began to circulate that the famed vocalist, a well-known supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers, was in town to discuss investment – or even a takeover – with club owner Andy Holt, but Stanley officials remained tight-lipped when questioned. In fact, there was a Communication Breakdown.

So for now, we’ll have to remain Dazed and Confused as to the reasons for Mr Plant’s visit; it would, indeed, be a Celebration Day if he became involved in the club. There would be a Whole Lotta Love for our new investor if we were to progress in the FA Cup and Bring it On Home thanks to his input.

But, for now, progress up the League pyramid must remain a Stairway to Heaven…

Club 1968

All winners can be seen by visiting the Club 1968 page

To make it even easier for fans to join in, Club 1968 has set up a new method of signing up, to read more about Club 1968, and to be in with a chance every month of winning £1000, please visit the Club 1968 page by following this link.

Recent Winners

September Draw

October Draw

Meet our September £1,000 Club1968 winner

Whilst the majority of our monthly prize winners are in and around Accrington, this month’s lucky prize winner, Roger Boydell, lives in the “Deep South” but with strong links back to Accy!

Here’s what he had to say when we asked him to comment on his Jackpot win in the Club1968 Draw:

‘When I were a lad’, I lived in Accy, and used to go to Peel Park and stand on a ledge at the back of the long shed to watch George, Charlie, Jimmy and the rest of Galbraith’s tartan warriors battling away in 3rd North. I can remember Barnsley pipping us for promotion to League Two in what was called at the time ‘the best season ever’(1954-55). I also went to several floodlight friendlies on a Monday night.

I moved out of the area in the mid 60s to ply my trade ‘down south’, but left close relatives in the town, who still live there today. A couple of them are Season Ticket holders at the Wham. I visit them a couple of times a year, and when I do, I try and get to the Crown Ground. Recently it has been to enjoy Hospitality.

The memories of those early years mean that Stanley are still the first club whose result I seek out, and the memories have caused me to not only join but become a life member of the Supporters’ Association and help club funds by supporting the lottery. I ‘fell off my chair’ when receiving Peter’s email to say I had won the September main prize.

The Big Shirt Giveaway 2024

The call went out to Stanley supporters for helpers / volunteers on Monday 23rd September to help pack the bags for the next day’s giveaway event – we had been allowed to use Coleys for the day, and OASST stalwart Ken Jefferson wanted folks to let him know if they were able to help.

He needn’t have worried and was able to send a “Many thanks to everyone who helped with the shirt bags on the day” message to all of the volunteers. Everything went smoothly and they finished about 1pm. Murray Dawson then brought everyone a well earned chip butty.

On the day itself, volunteers arrived by 8.45am, they were either handing bags to children or taking bags from Coleys to the dug out area ready for the arrival of the appropriate school.

Stanley’s big Shirt Giveaway returned for eighth year with almost 10,000 shirts handed out

by Accrington Stanley FC

Accrington Stanley’s extremely popular big Shirt Giveaway headed back to the Wham Stadium on Tuesday 24th September for the eighth consecutive year, with the club now having handed out nearly 10,000 shirts to local youngsters.

Players from the Stanley first team squad handed out replica shirts, as well as goodie bags, to excited Year Three students from 41 local schools, at the Wham Stadium.

Children had the opportunity to visit the ground, meet players and staff, as well as receiving their free Stanley football shirt, featuring shirt sponsors Wham, Accrington Stanley Community Trust, and Sundown Solutions.

Through Stanley’s partner for the event, #AmazingAccrington, all pupils visiting the ground also received a goody bag, collated by Official Accrington Stanley Supporters’ Trust volunteers, with various other goodies donated by local businesses and club sponsors, with great thanks to What More UK, Accrington Stanley Community Trust, North Lancs Training Group, Sundown Solutions, Refresco, Sawley Fine Arts, Clayton Park Bakery, Spar, and Burnley College.

Additionally, all the schools attending had a full professional class picture on the day, taken by Scott Dawson Advertising, inside the iMEP sponsored Eric Whalley Family Stand.

Contribution towards the cost of coaches to transport all the schools was provided by Cllrs Loraine Cox and Peter Britcliffe from their Lancashire County Council Champions grants, plus Haworths Financial Services, Frasers Group, and Oswaldtwistle Mills.

With the support of schools and businesses across Hyndburn, this programme has now given away almost 10,000 Stanley shirts and goodie bags; the event is designed to encourage youngsters in the borough to take an interest in sport, get involved in sport, and feel connected to their local professional League Two club.

Commercial Director, Warren Eastham, said: “The shirt giveaway is certainly the best thing we can do as a club. It’s fantastic to see local children come here enjoying the Wham Stadium, and getting a feel for a real professional football club.

“This event means that over the last few years, we’ve given out over 10,000 shirts. It’ll be great to see the kids back here cheering on the Reds as soon as possible.”

First Team Manager, John Doolan, added: “This is a fantastic initiative that’s been going on now for eight years. It’s fantastic for the kids, and the community.

“You’ve got 41 primary schools that come along and you see over 1,200 kids, it’s brilliant. The players give the shirts away to the kids, then they go around and get their picture taken. The smile that puts on their faces!”

CEO of iMEP (International Music Event Production), Eddy O’Brien, said: “As brand new sponsors of the Eric Whalley Family Stand, we are delighted to be involved in the big Shirt Giveaway for the first time.

“We have admired this initiative from afar for some time and as a local business we can’t thank Andy Holt and Accrington Stanley enough for how much this means to the community.”

MD of Scott Dawson Advertising, who organise the event and logistics, Murray Dawson, added: “This is a very large project to get 1,239 primary school children to the ground on one day, but we want them to experience the Wham Stadium.

“It’s a key part of our support with them to channel and arrange the day.”

Concerns, Ideas, Comments & Questions

The Supporters’ Trust is you, the fans’, voice and body to get things done with our football club.

We welcome your thoughts and ideas as well as any concerns (off the pitch) you may have regarding the running and day to day operations within Accrington Stanley.

We welcome suggestions as to how we make things better, either as a fan experience, or in growing our overall fanbase.

We will then take these on board and respond accordingly.

We meet at least once a quarter with our club and discuss a wide range of topics but are always happy to add to our agenda.

It’s your trust and your club!

Have your say

Chaplaincy News

by Deb Phillips

Since my last newsletter article I have reached another birthday milestone. Some of you have been very kind when I’ve said how old I became last month. “No way” some of you have said. Although I’m sure I saw your tongue showing through your cheek!!

I had a lovely surprise being whisked off to Dublin by my family and we were booked in on the Guinness Museum and tour. Now I’ve never in my life ever tasted the Ruby red stout and yes you’ve read that correctly, Ruby red and not black. We were taught this in the Guinness academy whilst also learning how to pour the perfect pint and subsequently being taught how to drink it too – split the G with your first gulp – no lady sipping!

It soon became my favourite drink over the weekend and even toasted a fantastic Stanley away win at Gillingham. Thank you boys for an added bonus birthday pressie that weekend. I tried to get a signed Seamus photo but apparently I’m too old to be in the Junior Redz Club – aah well no harm in trying!

However just imagine my surprise  when I got a personal video call from Jesse McClure on my birthday. He rose to fame in the TV programme Storage Hunters. Some of you will remember Jesse visiting the Wham some years ago now, testing himself with the half-time crossbar challenge. Some of you may even have bought the Jesse talking doll!!

On a more serious note last Sunday was another honour and privilege to conduct The Act of Remembrance and Dedication of Plaques in our Memorial Garden. It was very well attended and those who weren’t able to attend there is a link of the Order of service elsewhere in this edition of the newsletter and actual printed copies in the Arndale Shop/Remembrance book table at the Club shop/reception. Also Murray Dawson kindly recorded it too. Thanks to Peter Leatham for agreeing to read a poem and also to Andy Buckel who sorted to PA system in wet conditions once again! Several local business leaders joined us by laying wreaths in the garden too.

The Memorial Garden looked in tip-top condition once again and I must thank Yvonne Wilson for her tender care of the garden.

Please may I ask once again that the scattering of ashes must only be conducted by myself as we have strict protocol of how and where this can be done – thank you. 

After the ceremony,  approximately 90 people packed into the 1968 Lounge to watch an unearthed film on the Accy Pals. It was a very poignant and moving film showing all those who “went over the top” and sacrificed their own lives without hesitation.

Thank you again to Murray Dawson for organising this event. It certainly gave me a lot to think about and how grateful and proud I felt for those young men.

This coming Saturday sees quite a number of fans who will take part in the annual Jack Barrett Sponsored Walk – me being one of them. One group is running and walking from Deepdale to the Wham and the other group will be walking from Ewood to the Wham. This group will be joined by the “Let’s walk to the match” initiative,  a programme to get the people of Hyndburn moving and getting fitter. 

This year, once again, it will be in aid of Hyndburn Food Pantry, who are situated on Broadway in Accrington Town Centre. This group gives an invaluable service to those in need in Hyndburn who benefit greatly from it.

If you wish to donate to this worthy cause, people taking part have been posting on social media, there is a Just Giving page, or there will be people around the ground prior to the Swindon match with buckets for you to chuck in some change – thank you in advance.

Also prior to the Swindon match will be the Act of Remembrance observed before kick-off, being led by the Accrington Pipe Band and the RBL. It is usually impeccably observed and I’m sure this will be no different this year.

It has been really good to see that the lads, John and Ged, have started to see a bit of success from getting through to the next round of the FA Cup to moving away from near the bottom of League 2. There have been some excellent football played so let’s continue to get behind the lads and give them our 100% support.

As always I will finish as I always do – let’s look out for each other and keep the faith.

Deb chaplain@onstanleyon.com

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)