Sunday People

WE’RE FLYING Coleman backs Stanley to thrive

- By TOM SAGE at the Wham Stadium

JOHN COLEMAN believes his Accrington side can give a good account of themselves in League One next season after securing the title by beating Lincoln.

Jordan Clark scored the only goal of the game to cap off a wonderful season for Accrington, who Coleman feels are well-prepared for football in the third tier.

“League One will be hard,” said Coleman. “I don’t think there is a lot of difference between the middle to the bottom of League One to League Two, but there is to the middle to the top.

“But we have defied the odds, with our budget and the structure of our club, to win the title this season, so we will see what we can do in League One.

“We have players on longer contracts now so, instead of replacing players, as we have in previous seasons, we will be adding to the squad which will make a huge difference.

“I’m absolutely delighted and I couldn’t be prouder of the players.

“We had the heartache two years ago where we missed out on automatic promotion in the final game of the season and we didn’t want to make the same mistake this season as the title got closer.

“The lads were brilliant, they chased every ball and gave their all as they have done all season. I can’t fault their effort all season.” Lincoln manager Danny Cowley admits his side were second best on the day and hopes they can get the point they need to secure a play-off place next week.

“Firstly you have to take time to congratula­te Accrington, they have done it against the odds,” said Cowley.

“I was disappoint­ed with the first half, we looked lethargic and short of intensity.

“In the second half we improved dramatical­ly, but we just couldn’t find that allimporta­nt goal.

“We knew, to achieve what we wanted, it was never going to be easy and now it’s a big week and we will dust ourselves and look forward to what is a massive game against Yeovil next week. We’ve got to find a way to win.”

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 ??  ?? WE’RE THE CHAMPS Accrington Stanley’s players and staff celebrate their title win with champagne after beating Lincoln
WE’RE THE CHAMPS Accrington Stanley’s players and staff celebrate their title win with champagne after beating Lincoln

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