Another fine mess, Stanley?

Accrington Stanley v Darlington

Coca-Cola League Two

Saturday 10th January 2009, 3pm

They called it the "Long Road Back," but Stanley will do well to survive a third season. Stanley made an emotional return to the Football League with their first home game against Darlo in 2006. It has proved tough going on small gates and resources. Graham Branch brings some experience while Roscoe D'Sane brings the unknown. They got off to a good start with a "smash and grab" win at Wycombe but won't be complaining. Man to watch Roscoe D'Sane A bit of a wild card, but he's got 21 goals in the Ryman League for AFC Wimbledon last season. Full match preview on the D@rlo Uncovered website. The ground holds a total of 5,057 spectators with covering along each side of the length of the pitch. There is covered seating for 1,200. Accrington introduce segregation now they're in the league - away fans are allocated the uncovered Coppice Terrace behind the goal. Remember to take a coat or umbrella as it's open to the elements. 2008/2009 prices: Adults: £13; 12-16-year-olds and students, £12; other concessions £8; junior under 12: £1 The away toilet facilities are pretty basic in a hut.

Accrington Stanley FC: Fraser Eagle Stadium, Livingstone Road, Accrington Lancashire BB5 5BX Tel: 01254 356950 History: Formed in 1968 - and two years later played their first match in the Lancashire Combination - out of the ashes of the old Accrington Stanley. The old club was famously disbanded and thrown out of the league in March 1962 for a £100,000 debt. The original town team, Accrington FC were among the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888, before resigning after just five years. The town's other team, Stanley Villa (named after their pub HQ, the Stanley Arms on Stanley Street) became Accrington Stanley, and joined the Football League. The new club plays at different stadium from the old Peel Park. Record Attendance: 4,368 v Colchester Utd, FA Cup 3, Jan 2004. Capacity: 5,057 Last season: 17th Honours: Conference champions 2005-2006, Northern Premier champions 2002-2003. Third Division North runners-up 1954/1955, 1957/1958. Record victory: 10-1 v Lincoln Utd Unibond Div 1, 16 Oct 1999. Defeat: 1-9 v Runcorn, FA Cup 2nd Qual Round, 1985/6. Nicknames: Stanley, Accy Colours: Red/white Manager: John Coleman Chairman: Eric Whalley Players in: Colin Murdock (Shrewsbury), John Mullin (Tranmere), Chris King Players out Shaun Whalley (Wrexham), Paul Carden (Cambridge, player-coach), Lee McEvilly (Cambridge Utd), Graham Branch, David Brown, Martin Fearon, Jay Harris, Mark King, David Mannix, Leighton McGivern, Mark Roberts, Sean Webb (all released) Famous fans/players/connections: David Hargreaves (record scorer with 318 goals), David Lloyd (cricket commentator - fan). Click for Streetmap of ground

From the M65 Leave at Junction 7, taking the Clitheroe turn off the roundabout. Turn right at the first set of lights opposite Clayton business park, following the A678. Follow the road over the canal bridge to the next set of lights. Turn right again going over the motorway and towards Accrington on the A680. Carry straight on at the next set of lights with the Greyhound pub on your right. Follow the road as it bends to the right and then take the first left after the Crown pub into Livingstone Road. Distance from Darlington: 89 miles. There is some free parking behind both goals at the ground as well as street parking. Away fans are usually allocated the first car park near the entrance to the ground at the back of the away terrace. If you get there very early, there is some parking in Livingstone Road itself but have a consideraton for residents. Police also put cones down before kick off - and also restrict parking on Whalley Road, but there are streets beyond these you can park on.

The nearest railway station is Accrington, about 20 minutes walk from the ground. To walk from the station, carry on down the hill passing over the main Blackburn road. Follow past the King Street pub on your left, down to the main roundabout cross over the road and head up the hill passing the Aldi supermarket still on your left. At the top of the hill turn left and follow Whalley Road straight on through the traffic lights, the Gray Horse and the Oaklea pubs are another 300m through the lights. Continue along Whalley Road over the mini roundabout for another 200m and Livingstone Road is on your right. Turn down it - it's a unassuming, quiet residential street with bungalows - and and the ground is down a lane on your left. Suggested train times (TO BE UPDATD): Darlington 10.30-York (10.58) 11.09-arr Accrington 13.06, rtn 17.19-York (19.19) 19.37-arr Darlington 20.03. Fares from £41 return. Birmingham New Street 10.00-Preston (11.37) 11.55-12.19. Rtn: 17.29-Preston (18.07) 18.29-arr 20.06. Fares from £20 return, saver £39.70. London Euston: 08.35-Preston (11.20) 11.31-arr 12.08; rtn: 17.29-Preston (18.07) 18.27-Crewe (19.12) Crewe 19.53-22.31. Fare: £63.90. Buses from Accrington town centre stop opposite the Crown pub. The Hyndburn Circular bus runs every 15 minutes from the main bus station.

Central Taxis 01254 382111 A1 Supercars 01254 395555 Atlantis Private Hire 01254 379000 Home and Away 01254 239600 Taxi firms leaflet/map (PDF). Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach: £16, 10am. Contact: 01325 243911. See DFCSC website for more details.

Real ale Peel Park Hotel, Turkey Street A free house with four guest beers alongside Lees bitter. We found Oakham's JHB and Titanic beers on during our visit. A very pleasant and friendly pub - directly opposite Peel Park, the old Accrington Stanley ground. The ground is now used as a school playing field, while an old wall remains with the sign for officials in what is now the pub car park. The landlord Dave and regulars are happy to tell old stories - the pub was used at half time by players and fans alike. The snooker room has old photos of Stanley in their heyday and the old fashioned look is reflected in the character of the pub. Open from 12pm, food served. Sky TV. A 20 minute walk on the east side of the town, from the station to the ground but well worth it. DAFTS recommended. Click for streetmap Great Eastern, Arnold Street Off route between station and the stadium, open from 12pm, Thwaites ales served. Click for streetmap The Nags Head, 78 Blackburn Rd Three-roomed pub, close to the station, with Greene King and Tetley's cask beers.

Nearest the ground The Accrington Stanley FC Social Club is probably out of bounds to away fans. The Stanley, Stanley Street Caters for away fans with butties laid on on match days - the pub that gave Accrington Stanley its name. Crown Inn, 318 Whalley Road This pub is now run by the football club and has been refurbished. Very close to the ground and fan-friendly. Travelling fans are encouraged to bring memorabilia such as scarves and badges for the wall in the pool room. The pubs closest to the ground include The Greyhound, Whalley Road, BB5 5ES, north of the stadium, which is a Sam Smith's pub. Also The Gray Horse, (163 Whalley Road, five minutes walk away) or the Oaklea Clubalso in Whalley Road, BB5 5AA, which serves John Smiths hand-pull. Real ale alternative: Our old friend Stedders - he behind the Football and Real Ale Guides- is now landlord of a (naturally) real ale pub in Colne, Lancashire (12 miles from Accrington). The Admiral Lord Rodney, Mill Green is an easy stop-over on the way over from Darlo or the Dales and Stedders promises a free house and a warm welcome. There is Tracey's Fish & Chip shop next to the Oaklea pub in Whalley Road near the ground, as well as the usual High Street chains in the town centre. At the ground, away fans have a kiosk selling chips and for £2.50 - burgers (OK) and hot dogs (a bit under-done). There are also tea, coffee and cold drinks but no chocolate or other snacks and there was quite a queue.

OK, we take it your not going to spend too much cultural time in Accrington. It's a pleasant and hilly town. Should you wish, there is the surrounding scenery. Or the Hayward Art Gallery, for its Tiffany glass and watercolour collections at Haworth Park, on the town's outskirts. The council website has a good town centre map and a What's On page. For those staying over -,there is a handy local accommodation website which includes budget B&Bs such as Colney House Hotel 2 Hartmann Street BB5 1TB Tel: 01254 234385 (From £22); otherwise The Maple Lodge Hotel a mile away,under the M65 on the A678, is £41.50 single, £59.50 twin/double. The Norwood Guest House, 349 Whalley Road, Tel: 01254 398132 (£35 single, £55 double) or Horizons Hotel The Globe Centre St. James Square/Scaitcliffe St Tel: 01254 602020 (From £42.50 per room) Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Online map AA Routeplanner Hotels/B&Bs Local CAMRA Local council Accrington Observer Accrington Uncovered The websites include Stanley Ultras supporters' site. Also there's the Official site, which is still excellent - far better than the clunky, generic sites in the Football League - and the Accrington Stanley history site Next away match: Shrewsbury (Sat January 24th) Anything worth adding? Please e-mail us any suggestions. Back to index page No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling. © DAFTS 2008