As part of the many changes and developments going on at the Crown Ground this summer, two new recruits have recently joined Accrington Stanley on permanent basis while the club’s marketing manager has been promoted to the role of commercial manager.

The League Two side is making big changes for the season ahead and has restructured the club’s departments ahead of the new campaign which kicks off against Aldershot Town on Saturday 7 August.

Strategic community manager Matt Pickford was the first recruit to be appointed. Matt has come to Accrington Stanley from The FA and has been brought in to develop the club’s community programme.

Matt spent 10 years developing and delivering football-specific programmes to targeted communities as a community officer at Manchester City before joining Manchester FA as a Football Development Officer.

Matt said: "The club has grown massively both on and off the pitch since its return to the Football League. To be given the opportunity to shape and implement the club’s community initiatives within Hyndburn will be a challenge I am happy to embrace"

Danielle Fox joins the club as Also starting for the club is Commercial Executive and will be responsible for increasing and developing commercial activity at the ground.

Danielle’s main tasks will be to build relationships with local and national organisations, sell advertising and sponsorship opportunities that are available at the club.

Danielle said: "I'm proud to be a part of the club, especially through these exciting times. So much is happening development-wise which really does help, as I’m promoting and selling something that I believe in and enjoy myself! This is my chance to prove what I can do and create a future for myself within the football and commercial industry."

Moving up at Accrington Stanley is marketing manager Martin Edmundson.

Martin is now commercial manager and said: "My vision and goal remains the same, which is to get Accrington Stanley operating at League One standard (off the pitch) throughout this season.

"It is hard to believe how far the club has progressed over the past 11 months, and I know myself and the team have no intention of slowing down."