Accrington: About
Accrington Stanley has a complex history with three distinct incarnations. The original Accrington FC was a founding member of the Football League in 1888 but folded after six years. The first Accrington Stanley was established in 1891 and participated in the Football League from 1921 until 1962, before folding in 1966 due to financial difficulties. The current club was reformed in October 1968 and began its journey in the Lancashire Combination. Over decades, the club gradually ascended through the non-league system, progressing through the Cheshire County League, North West Counties League, and Northern Premier League. In 2006, Accrington Stanley achieved a significant milestone by returning to the Football League after a 44-year absence.
Accrington Stanley has accumulated several notable achievements throughout its history. In their early years after reformation, they won the Lancashire Combination championship twice (1973-74, 1977-78). As they climbed the football pyramid, they secured the Northern Premier League Division One title (1999-2000) and the Northern Premier League championship (2002-03). Their promotion to the Football League came after winning the Conference National in 2005-06. Their greatest modern achievement came in 2017-18 when they were crowned League Two champions, earning promotion to League One for the first time in club history. In cup competitions, the club has reached the FA Cup fourth round on multiple occasions.
Accrington Stanley is based in Accrington, Lancashire, England, and plays its home matches at the Crown Ground (commercially known as the Wham Stadium), which has a capacity of approximately 5,450 with 3,100 seats. The team traditionally plays in red shirts, often complemented with red shorts and socks, earning them the nickname 'The Reds' or 'The 'Owd Reds.' They are also commonly referred to as 'Stanley' or 'Accy Stanley.' The club gained national recognition from a famous 1989 Milk Marketing Board advertisement featuring the catchphrase 'Accrington Stanley, who are they?'—which ironically contributed significantly to their cultural identity. The club maintains traditional rivalries with nearby teams including Rochdale, Morecambe, and Bury, and is known for its loyal local following.
Accrington Stanley currently competes in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football, after being relegated from League One at the end of the 2022-23 season. The club finished 17th in League Two during the 2023-24 campaign. The team is owned by Andy Holt, who took over in 2015 and stabilized the club financially by clearing its £1.2 million debt. As of the 2023-24 season, John Doolan serves as the manager. Despite being one of the smaller clubs in the Football League with limited resources, Accrington Stanley has established itself as a resilient fixture in professional football and represents one of English football's most inspiring comeback stories, having successfully reformed after collapse and worked their way back up through the football pyramid.
