ACCRINGTON Stanley could call on Hyndburn MP Greg Pope to help in their battle to get a work permit for Australian keeper Jason Petkovic.
The Home Office refused Stanley's request this week on the grounds that players from outside the European Union can only play with a Premier League or Football League club.
The fact the keeper hasn't played an Australian international since 2002 could also be a factor.
But Stanley plan to see if they can get the backing of as many people as possible - including Greg Pope and the Football Association - to make the Home Office change their minds, especially as they are a full-time professional club.
Perth Glory star Petkovic, 31, is keen to come to Stanley and has just spent a few weeks training in Turkey waiting to see if the permit would come through.
The Stanley officials are gutted that it has been refused - and means they have to restart their hunt for their number one keeper.
"Greg Pope has offered his assistance and that is appreciated," said club administrator Rob Heys, after the MP was asked to help by a Stanley fan.
And boss John Coleman hopes it can be sorted out. "I just think it is unfair that if we were a Football League club we could have him - who is drawing the lines? We are a professional club and probably have a better turnover than a couple of Third Division clubs and probably have a far more sound financial base."
"They could say it stops young talent coming through but you could say the same at Second or Third Division clubs."
"Experienced goalkeepers are hard to come by and I just think it isn't fair on us."
Coleman still has two goalkeepers on trial - former Burnley and Morecambe keeper Craig Mawson and ex-Barnsley shot-stopper Danny Alcock - and he may still take Wigan keeper James Salisbury on a season long loan.
"That deal isn't dead yet," said the boss.
The Petkovic refusal was disappointing news in what had been an otherwise good week for the Stanley boss in which he gave up his job as a primary school teacher and went full-time as the Reds manager on Wednesday.
"It has been like waiting for Christmas to come. It has been a long month but at last it is finally here. The teaching is something I have always got but it is nice not to have to juggle phone calls at dinner time and we now have an Accrington Stanley fan-base in Huyton."
He has been able to start helping assistant manager Jimmy Bell and player/coach Paul Cook with the full-time training.
"Cookie has been brilliant," said Coleman. "Me and Jimmy have all the enthusiasm in the world but Paul has been there and done it."
And he has now weeded out a few of the trialists who have been appearing for the Reds.
Still hoping to win a contract at the club are central defender Ian Hughes, the two keepers, wingers Eddie O'Neill and James Locke and left back Chris Lynch.
All were expected to play some part in last night's clash with Coca Cola Championship side Preston as well as tomorrow's testimonial game for ex-Stanley goalkeeper Jamie Speare at the Interlink (ko 3pm) and Monday's home match against Crewe (ko 7.45pm).
And Coleman has been impressed with what he has seen so far in some of his players over the early pre-season games.
"Lutel has come back sharper than ever and that is a pleasing aspect. He is responding well to the challenge. And Ian Craney is an intelligent player and will get goals," he said.
Stanley are currently 25-1 with most bookies to win the Nationwide Conference title and Coleman is certain that his side will mount a strong challenge.
"There are a number of strong sides like Carlisle who are well-supported and will be quite confident and York who are physically strong. Morecambe have made a few good signings but then we should be up there among them as well," he added.
