A STANLEY fan's relief as the tax bill is paid and the club can look forward ...

WELL Stanley fans, that was a close shave... Nine weeks of money raising during the ‘Save our Stanley’ appeal and nine weeks of in-fighting, conspiracy theories and rumours.

Then the night before our last court appearance, everyone makes friends and the tax man gets paid.

One question, to David, Rob et al, why could this not have happened nine weeks ago and saved everyone the stress andheartache?

Ho hum, at least we have a club to support I suppose.

Last week I was livid, disheartened and upset.

This week, I have spent a king’s ransom in the Crown pub celebrating our survival.

Last week it was candles and pumpkins in a cold, sombre car park.

This week it was "John Timmins Firework Show" in the Crown beer garden with songs and many laughs.

Whoever had the idea of naming the party Marcelle’s Leaving Do, your a genius by the way. (No offence Ms Lazarus!)

Following Accrington Stanley is a true rollercoaster ride but I would like to just settle down and have a few years with no scandals or sagas. Please.

And so, Arise Sir Ilyas Khan and Sir Peter Marsden. Whatever was said in those few hours on Tuesday this week has effectively saved Accrington Stanley (1968 flavour).

Hats off to David O’Neill too. He has received some stick for ignoring a multi millionaire but I suppose he was just hoping he could be the Messiah.

In the end, Ilyas Khan is a multi millionaire who cares about Stanley.

I remember him attending a fourth qualifying round FA Cup replay in 2002 versus Harrogate.

He cares about Stanley passionately and is obviously a successful business man. We need him, more than he needs Stanley if I am honest.

But when he speaks of Accrington he speaks with a certain romance and I love that about him.

He has obviously travelled the globe but I sense that, like many, he remembers his childhood growing up in a sleepy Northern town.

If most are honest, Stanley is one of the only things to be nationally recognised and to be proud of.

Well Mr Khan, welcome officially to Accrington Stanley. I hope for many years of success with your leadership. On Stanley On.

As the board changes drastically it is vital we pause for a moment to remember the good work done by all who have stepped down.

I won’t name them all nor the part they all played in the success so far for the club.

But, the true fans, know that these people have helped to guide us to the Football League and they will forever be heroes to me. They work tirelessly - some on match days for 12 hours unpaid. Some have done so much work around the ground to shape and sustain our growth.

I have shared many a laugh with them in UniBond and through promotion.

I wonder what will happen on match days now? There are big shoes to fill and bar takings will hit the floor if Frank Martindale is not about!

You contribution, commitment and passion will never be forgotten gents. The drinks are on me tomorrow.

Another quick mention before I get on to football. Robert Heys maintains his role at the club.

Excellent news for a man who would be in the heart of the Clayton End had he not been employed by the club.

Here’s to years and years of taking the mickey out of his nose at every social gathering. A true gentleman and I am glad to call him a friend.

And so to the football. Grimsby away on a Friday night was the stuff of nightmares. Over the Pennines at rush hour straight from work. But as Gary King slotted home the first there was nowhere else I wanted to be.

Before the game, we went into a pub where there was no singing allowed. A ban would ensue for anyone who did but this was despite the fact they were setting up Karaoke at the time. Strange.

In the end, 2-1 up with ten men, we should have seen the game out.

Coleman was rightly incensed. And at the time I thought Bavs was clearly at fault.

Watching it again at home, that was some header from Conlon. It was quite far out yet he rose and got pace and swerve on the header and it flew in.

Sometimes you just have to be gracious and concede that the header was top drawer. I question Coley’s judgement to make it Darran Kempson’s fault.

And at the end of the day, to be disappointed to grab a draw at Grimsby is testament to Coleman, Bell and the club. Onwards and Upwards.

Tomorrow we have the romance of the FA Cup. Blue Square Premier side Salisbury City are the visitors. They are 17th in the Conference- after a 10 point deduction for going into administration - but on paper we should win.

I am sure that Coleman and Bell will stress this to the lads but complacency is our only weakness. If we are not up for this then we will get turned over.

I would urge them to remember Worcester City and Leigh RMI for examples of how we can "mess" it up.

It would be just our luck to save the club, for there to be a party atmosphere around the ground and for us to lose. Do us proud please Stanley, it’s a big week on the pitch.

Another route to Wembley with a JPT game versus Bury on Tuesday night.

We will never forget the help from our near neighbours. They are one club that I will always have time for.

In fact I am sure a few Accrington fans will get across to Gigg for a game.

I know a party of Accrington fans went to Hyde United to help their cause on Saturday.

I hope that we thank Bury by putting them out of the cup and there is no hard feelings.

‘Que Sera Sera, whatever will be, will be, two routes to Wembley, Que Sera, Sera!’

Fans football this week sees Stanley Ultras take on Blackburn Rovers at King Georges at 1pm. All welcome should the rain hold off.

And so, a new chapter in the history of our fine club.

New leadership and a sense that this will never be allowed to happen again.

I am sure there is much hard work to do. After all, we are still the least best supported club in terms of paying customers in League Two.

I would urge anybody who stopped going because of bad commercial management to grab their scarf and bobble hat. Accrington Stanley are safe and tomorrow will be party time.

Forget the Trafford Centre, forget Sky Sports News, take the dog out for a walk on Sunday instead....

Stanley are back! Stanley are safe! The FA Cup trail starts this week and we can get to Wembley in the JPT. There is no other place to be this week....