Stanley manager John Coleman believes some of his team’s fans would only support the Reds if they were playing matches in their own back gardens.

Stanley continued their promotion challenge on Tuesday when they picked up a 3-1 victory over Hartlepool United at the Wham Stadium.

An attendance of 1,211 watched Accrington run out winners, but Coleman is still surprised that more people aren’t cheering on the team.

“When we play like that, you wonder why the ground isn’t packed to the rafters,” he told the club’s official website. “Some of the football we’ve played this season has been unbelievable and a lot of fans who have been here will tell you that other fans are missing out.

“We’ve reduced the prices, so I’m not sure what more we can do unless we played in some fans’ back gardens!

“I don’t think you will ever see a better Accrington team than this at the moment. I wasn’t old enough to witness Walter Galbraith’s team but I think we’d give them a run for their money.”

While Coleman was frustrated with those fans not attending games, he did thank the ones who continue to show their support week in week out.

“It’s easy to be critical of the fans that don’t come but you’ve got to praise the fans that do come,” he said. “They got behind us on Tuesday like they always do and I’d like to thank them for staying with us. If more people find out about this secret Accrington team that are doing well then we could fill this place before the end of the season.”

Tuesday’s match against Hartlepool was the first game Stanley played at home in over two months.

It was a welcome relief to Coleman when a game at the Wham Stadium finally went ahead, and he heaped praise on all of those who ensured it would happen.

“It’s a testament to them and that’s what makes this club special, no more so than the owner who had been up to his chest in water for five days,” he said. “You’ve got to take your hat off to the ground staff and everyone else who helped to get the game on.”

Stanley’s next game sees them take a trip to St James Park to go up against
Exeter City on Saturday.

Most of the teams above Accrington all play each other on the same day, and Coleman is urging his side to take full advantage of this opportunity.

“It’s crucial that we get something at Exeter as four of the five teams above us are playing each other,” he said. “We’re expecting a tough game as we saw how hard it was for Liverpool when they went there in the FA Cup, but I’d like to think that Exeter know we will give them a tough game too.

“We’re as good as anybody in the league so we have just got to make sure that we click more.”