STANLEY midfielder Ian Craney is a man on a mission as he prepares for his first crack at League football.
Craney was a key player in Accrington's Conference title success and has since pledged his future to the Reds by agreeing a new two-year deal at the Fraser Eagle Stadium.
But the 23-year-old, who scored 13 times last term, is not resting on his laurels as he builds up to the big kick-off on 5 August.
"We are still on a high from winning the league but that's all in the past now and we have got to go out and prove ourselves in League Two," said Craney.
"It's massive, especially for the lads like me who have come from part-time football going into full-time and now playing in the League.
"I am a very ambitious player and I want to further my career with Accrington. Hopefully we can move up the leagues.
"We are there to do ourselves justice and to do ourselves justice we want to be challenging to get promotion.
"There's no point going into the League if you don't want to challenge for promotion. We've got to be realistic and we've got to say to ourselves 'let's have a good go'."
And Craney believes Stanley will be equipped to make a stir in League Two as they look to emulate the likes of Carlisle and Doncaster in enjoying successive promotions.
Manager John Coleman made sure his side was one of the first in the county to report back for training when they returned for duty to their Barnoldswick base on Monday morning.
The Stanley squad now faces some hard work and some high profile friendlies as they look to peak at Chester City on the opening day and Craney is ready to sweat for the cause.
"I couldn't wait to get back. Especially with the World Cup being on you want to get back and get fit because I think we will have a good go this year. I think we will surprise a lot of people," he added.
"Everyone has come back with a bit of a buzz about them, because we are in the League, and we have to go and prove ourselves.
"Pre-season is always going to be hard, you can't get away from that.
"But you've got to realise what's at the end of the tunnel.
"There is definitely some light for us so we have just got to all work hard for the next couple of weeks, get a few games under our belts and be ready for the fifth."
