THE loss of top scorer Gary Roberts to Championship side Ipswich has led some fans to question Accrington Stanley's ambitions for a second successive promotion.

But long-serving defender Robbie Williams has seen it all before.

In his seven years at the club, he has seen one-time star man Gary Williams move on, the influential Mike Marsh hang up his boots, fans favourite Rory Prendergast play at a higher level and Lee McEvilly and Anthony Barry also leave for bigger clubs.

And, in that time, the Reds have only progressed going on amazing run from the UniBond First Division up into the Coca Cola League Two.

Williams takes a look at the players who have left to play at a higher level - but it hasn't stopped Stanley going onwards and upwards.

GARY WILLIAMS

The Burnley-born striker joined Stanley for £6,000 just after Robbie Williams in 1999, having played under manager John Coleman at Ashton United.

He scored 18 goals in 30 games for Stanley in their UniBond First Division side before being snapped up by Doncaster Rovers midway through the season for a then record £60,000.

After his loss, Coleman and Mark Ceraolo played up front and then Liam Watson came in for £10,000 and bolstered the attack. Stanley went on an amazing 19-game unbeaten run winning 15 and drawing four of their games and overhauling 15 points.

They needed to win their last five games to clinch the title - which they duly did.

Gary Williams returned for £25,000 for a second spell in the UniBond Premier Division but things were never the same for the striker.

Paul Mullin, Lutel James, Lee McEvilly and David Brown have been some of the frontmen who have since stepped into his shoes.

Williams said: "I don't remember a lot about Gary apart from he was pacey and banged in a lot of goals.

"I remember being shocked when he got the move to Doncaster, as they took a gamble on him.

"I know we didn't suffer after that and my lasting memory of that season is Coley showing his stomach to the crowd when he scored against Farsley Celtic in the final game. We don't want to see that again!

"I remember Gary coming back and it was never the same for him."

MIKE MARSH

Talented midfielder Marsh came in for one season and made a vital contribution in helping Stanley win promotion to the Conference in 2002/3.

Although the former Liverpool and Galatasaray midfielder didn't leave Stanley to play anywhere else he was extremely influential in helping the younger players and controlling play ias Stanley won the UniBond Premier League with 100 points and 97 goals.

When he left it was thought there would be a huge void but Paul Cook and plenty of other midfielders have been at Stanley since - with Coleman joking the Reds at one-time were "Midfielder-R-Us" - with now Ian Craney and Andy Procter holding the roles in League Two.

Williams said: "Mike Marsh was different class. He came in at the end of his career and, despite struggling with a knee injury, he was just brilliant. He helped a lot of the younger lads and he was funny with it so it helped too. He had great experience and was top class.

"He was great in that season helping us win the Premier title - but we expected him to leave after that. It was disappointing but we knew we would go on and be okay."

RORY PRENDERGAST

Wideman Prendergast was signed from Bradford Park Avenue for £7,500 in December 2002. The winger was similar to Russell Payne with his fancy footwork and high percentage of crosses. He came in and played a part as Stanley ran away with the UniBond Premier League title and became a fans favourite in his three and a half years at the club, scoring 11 goals with 'Prendergast cross, Paul Mullin goal' becoming a regular recipe for success.

He left to join Blackpool in the summer of 2005 for what was believed to be a five figure fee and step forward Gary Roberts as an instant left wing replacement.

Williams said: "Rory was great on his day when his head was on it. He is a fit, strong lad with a strong delivery into the box although I do remember he used to dive everywhere! Some of them were a bit embarrassing!

"He made a lot of goals for Paul Mullin as he was quality when he wanted to be.

"I wasn't shocked when he left as Bristol Rovers had made a bid for him and then Blackpool came in. He had been saying he wanted to go and didn't want to play for Accrington anymore and we did have a ready replacement in Gary."

LEE McEVILLY

The striker was wanted by boss Coleman when he was at Burscough but he had to wait to get him, initially on loan from Rochdale in January 2004, before he signed permanently in June of that year.

He played his part in his 18th months with Stanley in the Conference amassing 17 goals in 2004/5 season. However, Wrexham snapped him up for another five figure fee.

Williams admitted: "Lee is a good player and was a quality finisher.

"He scored a lot of goals for Accrington but probably didn't do it on a regular enough basis and had a few injuries when he was with us. I liked Lee a lot and he scored some important goals.

"Lee, though, was one of those who moved around clubs a bit so I wasn't really surprised when he moved onto Wrexham.

"They took a gamble on him and he will score goals, wherever he is.

"I knew, though, we would go on without him as we still had Paul Mullin, David Brown and Andy Mangan, among others."

ANTHONY BARRY

Barry was a surprise package at Accrington Stanley in their championship-winning Conference season.

The 20-year-old midfielder was released from Coventry in 2005 and came to Stanley, playing 26 games before a shock move to Yeovil in the transfer deadline last January.

Williams said: "Anthony is a brilliant player. He was so good for a young lad and took a lot of responsibility. He had been at Everton and Coventry and you could see his quality. He could drink and party but he wasn't half fit! He could run all day.

"He was playing well in our Conference winning season and we had heard a lot of clubs were looking at him so it wasn't a surprise when he left. I was pleased for him."

GARY ROBERTS

The wideman crept somewhat quietly onto the scene at Stanley, joining in March 2005 from Welshpool at the same time as striker Brown. He initially was competition with Prendergast and was willing to wait in the wings until the Yorkshireman joined Blackpool. Then he more than made his mark, playing a big part in the Conference winning season and scoring eight goals in 14 games in League Two before moving onto Ipswich for what could be a club record deal if his loan move is made permanent in January.

Defender Williams said: "Gary is quality player when he gets on the ball and when he moved up front he got the goals. It was no surprise when he left really as the rumours had been flying round.

"Whether we can replace him remains to be seen. I am sure John Coleman will do his best to find the talent out there.

"He has replaced all the players over the years and I think, whether they had stayed in the side or not, we would have still achieved what we did over the last seven years.

"It's amazing how many players have come and gone. I only remember some of them when their names are mentioned! There have been 100s!

"But the team has never been about one player - there are ten others in the team and we have never suffered with the loss of one."