THIS is one of the last memories of Accrington Stanley in 1962.
Two boys on a deserted terrace as Stanley played what was to be their final Football League home game before 2006.
It was February 24 1962 and was against Rochdale who face the Reds tomorrow (Sat) at the Fraser Eagle Stadium.
An appeal for fans had led to 2,727 actually being at the Peel Park ground but they couldn't help Stanley who lost 2-0. Just weeks later they had resigned from the league.
John Beswick is one of the boys pictured, with the striped bobble hat on, and the other is Tony Mills
John said: "We used to stand at the tunnel where they players came out but the photographer asked us for a photo and took us to the crush barrier on the Coppice End and told us to cheer and wave our rattles.
"We were 11-years-old and had been Accrington fans up until that time. The picture was used in all the national newspapers and we became something of a celebrity because of it at school!
"It has been used in a number of books which have been written about the club since and I just look at it and laugh now - at my duffle coat, sandals and red and white bobble hat. 11-year-olds wouldn't be wearing that nowadays!
"And, I always had my rattle. I did have a bigger one than that but a player called George Hudson had a shot and, as I was stood behind goal, I was just about to rattle it to celebrate a goal and the ball hit it and broke it - I was left with just the base!
"We couldn't believe it when the club folded and I have my own beliefs on what happened at the time.
"When Stanley stopped, my dad was from Liverpool and I became a season ticket holder at Everton but since Accrington have come back into the leagues again, I go to Stanley when Everton are away.
"It will be surreal watching them play Rochdale again after all these years but I will be there."
John, 55 who lives in Clayton-le-Moors, is hoping his grandaughter Madison, who is seven, will be the mascot for a game which means so much to him tomorrow.
