Stanley and the Lions are fineexamples

IT DIDN’T quite happen yesterday for Accrington Stanley, but it’s surely only a matter of time before they seal promotion to League One. The table-toppers were held 1-1 by Exeter at the Wham Stadium and will now bid to seal the deal at home against Yeovil on Tuesday night.

Even if that doesn’t go their way, they will still have four more games left to get over the line.

When they win promotion, it will be a massive achievement for a club with limited resources.

At a time when football often seems to be about money, manager John Coleman and his players have shown what can be achieved through blood, sweat and tears – and no little quality, too.

It will be fantastic to see Stanley in League One next season and you would like to think they will be able to compete against much bigger outfits.

Millwall are another example of a club who are over-achieving. Most people thought success for them this season would be staying up.

But on the back of a remarkable 17-match unbeaten run, they are up in the play-off positions and fighting for a place in the Premier League.

In our Big Interview with Jed Wallace, he gives an insight into the down-to-earth attitude of the Lions squad under the astute management of Neil Harris.

They may not have millions to splash out on top players in the transfer market, but they are willing to roll their sleeves up, get stuck in and do the basics.

There is no room for big heads or prima donnas, everyone has to put in a shift.

In an era when money talks, it’s heartening to see that camaraderie, effort, graft and togetherness can still play a part.

Accrington Stanley and Millwall are definitely on the right road.