ACCRINGTON Stanley are calling on the people of the town to get behind them so the club can celebrate more promotions.

The Reds are hoping the people of Accrington will do their bit to help the club by buying such thinks as the club's weekly draw tickets and purchasing presents from the club shop.

Stanley's chief executive Rob Heys revealed the club's accounts for the last year and, although in the black, they admitted they needed more money to help to take Accrington Stanley further.

They made a profit of £30,000 last year -their Conference-winning season - after having debts of £250,000 the previous year due to going full-time and building the new offices at the club.

But, while delighted to have stuck to a tight budget and still won promotion to the Football League, club officials admitted they needed some extra help to buy big in the January transfer window and move back up League Two.

"We do not owe any money which is rare in football clubs at any level but we do need to bring some money in," said the chief executive. "The more money we can bring in, the bigger wages we can pay and the better player we can attract.

"A player at Accrington earns, as his average annual salary, £27,500 - the average in League Two is £53,000, so we pay well under the odds. And that figure was a couple of months ago, including Gary Roberts and Ian Craney.

"But we know, if we are going to compete in this division we have got to pay more.

"John (Coleman) has done a fantastic job on a small budget but, in football, teams with money tend to be at the top while those that haven't are at the wrong end of the table.

"We are determined not to let it happen to us and Accrington Stanley won't be relegated so it is important now we bring money in."

While the club would welcome big investors, they are calling on local people to chip in.

"It would be great if someone came in with £100,000 but it doesn't tend to happen," continued the chief exective."We are looking at ways the people in the town can help - by spending a little money with us.

"We are asking people to use the club shop - buy a Christmas present there - and of course come to the ground, and we are working hard to try and raise the attendances with family tickets and such like.

"But what would be a big help is people joining our weekly draw. It is just £1 a week and if we can get 10,000 to join - that's £50,000 a year and a player's wages for the year.

"Plus it is not all about them giving to us as they have the chance to get something back - with £2,000 prize money every week, £5,000 every month and £10,000 twice a year. They are better odds than winning the National Lottery!

"It is something people can do without having to go to games and it might be just that they have a soft spot for Stanley and it helps us too.

"If we can bring more money in, we can get better players and move onwards and upwards, which we want to keep doing. We just hope the town will support us in what any way they can."

The club are also encouraging fans who do go to watch Stanley, to buy the 50/50 half-time tickets, buy a programme or even have a drink in the Stanley bar after the game - where they can chat to the management or players.

"We are accessible after games," said manager John Coleman. "And that doesn't happen in a lot of League Two clubs. Me, Jimmy (Bell), the chairman and some of the players are in the bar and anyone can chat to us about what they have just seen.

"We don't mind the fans talking to us and giving their perspective of their game."

  • ANYONE interested in joining the weekly draw, contact the club on 01254 356950.