Accrington Stanley are looking to trace all of the players that represented Stanley in 1961-62 season and find out what happened to them and where they are now.

All will then be invited to be the guests of honour at Stanley’s home game with Port Vale on 3 March next year – which is 50 years since their last game at Crewe before the Reds were forced to resign from the Football League due to debts.

There are quite a few no longer with us but the club are trying to trace relatives of George Forrester, Alex Hamilton, Bill Smith, Lawson Bennett and Paddy Mulvey.

It’s believed some of the players from that season did live in Rossendale at some point.

These were: Peter Vipham was the second choice goalkeeper – he didn’t make any appearances that season due to Alex Smith playing every game, but he was a first team squad member.

Similarly, Graham Lord didn’t make an appearance that season due to a broken leg but was last heard of in Rossendale.

Meanwhile Peter Irving featured for Stanley three or four times in 61-62 and scored an FA Cup goal. He then played for Rossendale and Bacup.

Les Christie played one game for Stanley after joining from Blackburn. It’s believed he may live in Ramsbottom.

The club have heard from four players in total so far, including three who played in that final game at Crewe.

Anyone who can help contact Dan Jewell by ringing 01254 356950, emailing media@accringtonstanley.co.uk or writing to Dan at the club.

The full list is:

Alex Smith (contacted); George Forrester (deceased); Joe Walton (deceased); Bob Wilson (lives in Dundee?); Garbutt Richard-son; Alex Hamilton (deceased); Willie Devine (Dundee?); Mike Ferguson (in Spain); George Hudson; Bill Smith (deceased); David Sturrock (Dundee); Lawson Bennett (deceased); Paddy Mulvey (deceased); Jim Milner (north east?); Russ Cuddihey; Peter Irving; Mike Pickup (Congleton); Barry Smith (deceased); Bob Gordon (Scotland); Joe Hooley; Reg Bonson; Jack Wareing; Les Christie; Brian Bades; Alan Gregory; Joe Devlin; Dave Baron (contacted); Peter Vipham (possibly lives in Rossendale); Graham Lord (also possibly in Rossendale)