THE first fixture Ian Craney looked for was against his old club Altrincham - and it has come a lot sooner than he expected.
Accrington Stanley face his former club in their first away trip and second game of the campaign on Tuesday night and Craney is hoping it is a top night for him.
The 23-year-old signed from the Manchester side last season after being crowned UniBond Player of the Year.
The midfielder went on to have a mixed season in his first year at Stanley as the season ultimately ended in disappointment with the Reds missing out on the Conference play-offs in the final week of the campaign.
Altrincham, meanwhile, were in raptures after being outsiders for promotion but celebrating winning the inaugural Conference North v South Play-off final and sealing a spot in non league's top flight following a six year absence.
They are one of only three part-time clubs in the Conference - the others are Canvey Island and Southport - but Craney knows it will be a tough game against his former team-mates.
"I just can't wait. It was the first fixture I looked out for and it is even better that it is their first home game although I know they will be up for it.
"They have got a lot of the same squad from when I was there and I am still in contact with almost all of them and have some good friends there.
"I don't know what kind of reception I will get from the fans - hopefully a good one - but I want to go there and score and showthem that I have improved."
Craney knows his former manager Graham Heathcote will have all the statistics on Stanley.
"I know Graham well and I know he will have got everything down to a tee on Accrington. He always had a very thorough approach to games and this will be no different.
"No doubt John Coleman will be asking me about what I know about Altrincham - although he hasn't asked yet!"
Craney, after 14 goals in all competitions last season, is raring to go and has played a lot of the pre-season campaign.
"This season I just want to improve from last season. I want to play more games and score more goals and hopefully, set up a few more.
"Towards the end of last season I was on the bench and no one likes sitting on the bench.
"I had six months where it went really well and six months where it went a bit flat so I have got to make sure I keep it going for the full season."
And, like the rest of the Stanley squad, the only thought he is contemplating is promotion.
"We have had a year as a full-time club and we have got to move on against this year. Hopefully, it will be a successful season and everything is geared to that.
"But, at the moment, I just can't wait for Tuesday."
