MIKE MARSH reckons winning the Conference with Stanley was every bit as good as lifting the FA Cup with Liverpool.

The former Anfield favourite still treasures his medal as a member of the Reds' squad that defeated Sunderland 2-0 at Wembley in 1992.

But Marsh, 33, rates this season's title-winning Crown Ground campaign as one of the highlights of his glittering career.

He beamed: "I was a member of that 1992 FA Cup-winning Liverpool squad but this is as good as anything in my career.

"It doesn't matter whether you are playing for Liverpool, Galatasaray, Accrington Stanley or the Dog and Duck - winning any league you play in is a massive achievement.

"I can't remember playing for a team at any point of my career that achieved promotion having lost just four games.

"We've been disappointing in the cups but after winning three last year it was the right time to prove ourselves over 40-odd league games, not one-off cup ties.

"I think if you asked the fans they would happily have taken the title win."

The champagne celebrations will go on all summer long for a squad that has gelled magnificently under the tutelage of manager John Coleman.

But already thoughts are beginning to turn to the massive challenge that lies ahead next season.

Coleman's youthful, part-time squad will be tested to the limit in a league dominated by teams that have taken a leap of faith and turned professional.

And Marsh, who remains hopeful of taking up a coaching role alongside Coleman, reckons the upbeat Stanley squad may need the addition of a few more old heads to survive.

Marsh, who has first-hand experience of success in the Conference with both Kidderminster and, last season, Boston, explained: "It's a very young side here and I think John is going to need a little bit more experience in the side, if I'm being honest.

"Without wanting to sound too big for my boots, John made a wise decision by bringing in a few old heads like myself.

"You always need a little bit of experience to bring on the young lads and that will count even more in the Conference.

"The captain, Peter Cavanagh, is still only 21 and most of the other lads are young men.

"But that provides the nucleus of a good side and if John adds to that and buys wisely they will be a proposition next year."