Club upbeat as fans rally to the cause
STUART PIKE
IT looks increasingly unlikely that Accrington Stanley’s army of supporters will get to attend any of the 2020/21 season in person.
That’s the view of fans’ chief Peter Leatham, with the scheduled end of the Reds’ behindclosed-doors campaign in League One now just three months away.
However, while the loss of revenue and the irreplaceable matchday experience remains a major blow to all lower league community clubs, there is an upbeat mood around the Wham Stadium, with impressive on-field displays, a new seven-figure stand development getting underway, and the Reds’ magnificent fans rallying to the cause.
Supporters Trust (OASST) chairman Leatham said: “I think the realisation is that the chances of getting fans back in - certainly in any numbers - this season are fairly remote, given the way it’s going.
“But there will be a lot of football clubs in a far worse financial position than Accrington Stanley.
“The club is run prudently and the fixed costs are relatively small compared to a lot of clubs. Obviously lack of gate receipts has a massive impact, but there will be a lot of clubs [that] sink before Stanley.”
Leatham believes one of the distinct challenges for the Reds when crowds are deemed safe to return to grounds will be the number of their fans in vulnerable age groups.
“We will have a challenge to get the gates up,” he said.
“Unfortunately with the demographics it probably lends itself more to the ‘ top end’ than the bottom end.
“It was a great matchday atmosphere, but people have got out of the habit of going to football. We have got people who would go back in tomorrow, no problem at all, and others who say they won’t be going for a while.”
Leatham will be providing regular updates on off-pitch matters, fan stories and life behind the scenes at the Wham Stadium in a brand new Observer column, starting this week.
Stanley, who have received a slice of a £30m grant from the Premier League to replace lost gate receipts, have been buoyed by contributions and donations from fans - including its 50/50 matchday draw which has moved online to great success, and its Club1968 lottery draw.
Through the proceeds of these activities the club has also been able to support the Hyndburn Hub and Accrington British Legion.
Leatham also shared an interesting link the club’s life memberships scheme had recently unearthed back to Accrington’s first ever league match in September 1888.
Ray Brookes, who lives in Solihull, said his grandfather Aaron Pemberton originated in the town, before walking to the Midlands in search of work just after the First World War.
A cousin of his was one of the famous Accrington Pals and his brother Luther played wing half for Accrington in their opening day 2-1 defeat at Everton.
Leatham said: “He played for the club a total of 35 times in the 1888 to 1891 period, lived to the ripe old age of 78 and passed away in 1944.
“It’s really nice when we can link right back to our origins and our forefathers.”