ACCRINGTON STANLEY

LAST SEASON

LEAGUE ONE 12th FA CUP First Round LEAGUE CUP Second Round TOP SCORER ( ALL COMPS) Colby Bishop ( 15)

FAN FILE

Last season was very comfortable in the end, with no threat of relegation, despite some inconsistent away form. The big talking point is the building of our new changing rooms and how good the new bar areas are. This season will be different because we are entering our fifth campaign in League One and have just managed our second top- half finish in a row. Now we’re looking up towards the play- offs, but we’ll have to do without ‘ one of our own’ Ross Sykes, who has joined Union Saint- Gilloise in Belgium.

I won’t be happy unless we have more attacking options. We’ve been short of goals since Dion Charles left.

Look out for 22- year- old midfielder Tommy Leigh [ below]. He signed from Bognor Regis Town last season but has already made a first- team impression.

Fans think our owner is both very approachable and transparent. The club is in safe hands under Andy Holt. Plus, he doesn’t hold back on Twitter!

The opposition player who grinds my gears is Ipswich’s Sam Morsy, who called us a horrible, non- league- type club before being charged with violent conduct in the return fixture.

The pantomime villain will be our central midfielder, Harry Pell [ above] – the ultimate wind- up merchant. Even his own team- mates would agree!

Fans think our ground is completely transformed from a few years ago. We have a new hospitality suite and fantastic new Coley’s Bar, in addition to a fans’ zone and a new stand. The active player I’d love to have

back is Billy Kee. He plays non- league now but will always be an Accrington legend. I’ve never seen a player spend so much time with the fans. Hopefully new non- league recruit Matt Lowe from Brackley can match him. I’m least looking forward to playing

Peterborough away. Last time, we lost 7- 0 there. In 2008 we got spanked 8- 2.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that he’s as popular as ever. John Coleman has managed us for 20 years over two spells, yet he’s still passionate and wants to improve every year. The one change I’d make would be to put a roof on the away end. We’ll finish 10th.

FFT VERDICT 14TH

Stanley scored 22 set- piece goals last season, so 6ft 5in centre- back Sykes will be missed. Coleman’s side must re- organise after letting in 80 goals, but another mid- table finish is possible if Brackley forward Lowe steps up to the plate, as well as talented young midfielder Leigh.