ACCRINGTON STANLEY chairman Eric Whalley admits he may have to consider Friday night football if the Reds' home games are paired with Burnley's home matches.

The Stanley chairman is concerned as he has heard that, due to police advice to the Football League, the two look set to clash when the fixtures are released next Thursday.

The Football League has the final decision but they do rely on police advice although they have said that the fixtures have not yet been finalised and the situation is still under consideration at the moment.

Whalley had specified on an earlier form to the Football League that they would prefer to avoid their home games coinciding with the Clarets as many Turf Moor fans follow the Reds too.

Stanley would have preferred to be paired with Premiership side Blackburn Rovers but, despite Whalley holding long meetings with the police in Blackburn, the chairman believes the two will clash and it could cost Stanley more than £70,000 in lost revenue.

The Eastern Police Division covers Blackburn and Accrington while Burnley are covered by Pendle Police Division.

Whalley has been told by the Eastern Division that it would stretch their resources if the Premiership side and Stanley play at home on the same day.

The chairman said: "The police are saying it is the Football League's decision but it is the Eastern Division of the police and they are adamant they won't change it.

"I spent two hours with them this week in Blackburn trying to persuade them to change their minds and they won't.

"They say if Blackburn and Accrington are at home at the same time, they will have to bring police in from other areas and pay them.

"It is so infuriating as, because Blackburn are in Europe, they probably won't play on too many Saturdays.

"This is especially as the UEFA Cup is now a league rather than a straight knock-out so they are guaranteed to have a number of midweek games and so they may play more Sunday matches.

"Plus we should only need policing for limited matches - we won't need police for every match and we have never had a police presence inside the ground even for the big games in the Conference like Chester, York and Carlisle.

"Clashing with Burnley will cost us a minimum of £70,000 but there is little we can do now - although Burnley Football Club are still trying to argue the case - as the fixtures were being put in the computer this week and are out next Thursday.

"It means we will have to consider Friday nights.

"They did work last season as we got decent crowds and it was a good atmosphere but then there is always the risk of a cold spell which could cause fixture problems later. We will have to look at the fixtures and see."

Some Burnley/Accrington fans were waiting for the fixtures to come out before they bought a season ticket in the hope they could buy one for both clubs.

Stanley have currently sold almost 500 season tickets and were hoping for a boost when the League Two fixtures are released as fans started planning for next season.

Midfielder Ian Craney admitted: "It is disappointing with the two clubs clashing as it will affect our crowds and we have worked to hard to get back into the Football League."

Boss John Coleman returns from holiday this weekend and is expected to sort out the deal to bring goalkeeper Rob Elliot to the club and finalise the contract offered to Michael Welch. He will also have to sort through the mountain of letters and CVs at the Fraser Eagle Stadium of players wanting to come to Stanley next season.

  • STANLEY, with Coral, are 22-1 to win the League Two title.