A FRIENDLY against the Premier League stars of Blackburn Rovers at the Crown Ground on Tuesday will form the centrepiece of Accrington Stanley’s latest fund-raising push.

Big Sam Allardyce should field a strong outfit against the Reds, as the international break has left top-flight sides kicking their heels.

Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions for the 7.45pm kick-off.

Stanley chief executive Rob Heys said: "It is a great move from Blackburn and Sam to bring a side across, that will be made up of their first team squad who aren’t away on international duty.

"People often think that being so close to two Premiership sides is a problem for us, however our neighbours have been superb in their support for Accrington Stanley at this difficult time."

A penalty shootout tournament at Accrington’s Baileys Bar tonight will kick off a packed programme of smaller Save our Stanley fund-raising events.

Hosted by resident DJs plus the WKD Girls the night, which starts at 9pm, will also include scratch cards, raffles, fun and games.

Also this evening over in Burnley, Koko’s Bar is holding a race night and game show night.

Tickets are £5 and will include games like Play Your Cards Right and Deal or No Deal from 8pm.

Before the Blackburn match, Stanley players will be dropping in to Peel Park school to support their money-raising efforts, and on 16 October the Hare and Hounds pub in Clayton-le-Moors will host a Stanley night, with table-football and a penalty shoot-out against the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, plus raffle prizes.

More events have been planned for the coming weeks as the taxman’s deadline approaches, including a 25 October clash between the Stanley Ultras and Stanley Legends, featuring the club’s management team.

The Reds have also provisionally pencilled in next Thursday for a home friendly against American side Austin Aztecs, 7.45pm kick-off, subject to clearance from the football authorities.