VALLEY Parade is without doubt the best stadium in this League. I don’t know the stats but I would also say one of the biggest.

It is a cracking place to watch football especially with the high drama on offer last Saturday. A slippy surface and both sides going for a win, it is the stuff Accrington Stanley fans dream about.

And for once Lady Luck was shining down on us. How Bradford didn’t score in the last 10 minutes I don’t know, but they didn’t and a draw at a promotion favourite is a great point.

However, on the flip side, a composed Bobby Grant could have raced up the other end and slotted the winner for the Reds, but that would be asking one too many favours from Miss L. Luck.

Congratulations to the fans that made the trip. We were noisy and constant in our backing of the team. One thing that does puzzle me though is that only 162 travelled. I scratch my head when I look back to some away followings in UniBond.

I am sure we got similar in some away games back then. Maybe I am being harsh when I say I expected more, but then I have very high standards when it comes to my expectations of the typical Accrington Stanley fan.

I will however put it down to the atrocious weather and the rising cost of football. But, remember, this was Stanley playing ex-Premiership Bradford City.

On the subject of the weather, spare a thought for Martin ‘Buzzer’ our groundsman. I think it has rained constantly for about a week and he would have been poking and prodding and trying to get the pitch fit.

The Macclesfield game fell foul at the 11th hour, but was anyone surprised? Thanks for the sterling effort Buzzer, an unsung hero of recent times. Now let’s hope you can work miracles for tomorrow.

Barnet, our second round opponents in the FA Cup this weekend, were smashed in midweek by Cheltenham 5-1. The very same Cheltenham we spanked 4-0 at the Crown. Should be a formality, right?

It is said that they are without key defenders including the once Arsenal target Yakubu. Come on boys, the third round awaits.

This could really be our year for a big one and we must not mess it up. I am sure John Coleman and Jimmy Bell will have the lads fired up. The rest in midweek will hopefully pay dividends.

I am looking forward to being sat with a cold one with some friends on Sunday for the big draw. The FA Cup is magic when you are involved. Truly disheartening when you see teams like Exeter and Burton involved in a third round clash against Man Utd.

And to Burton Albion we go on Tuesday night. I have great memories of missing kick off at the new Pirelli stadium when we were in the conference.

News came through of David Brown’s opener and cue a 53 seater-coach going mad in the aisles as confused car loads watched in amazement.

The very same game, many Accrington fans made up for missing the first 20 minutes by staying and dancing away on the terrace for 20 minutes after the game. Good times.

Their new stadium is light years away from their old one at Eton Park. Yet, it seems lifeless in comparison.

I look forward to Stanley fans once again showing our Midlands rivals how to support a football team. Three points there would be FANtastic.

So, boys and girls, grab your Motson-style sheepskin jackets and your silver-foil cardboard FA Cups. I will see you at the Crown because this year, something magical may be just around the corner...

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