FORMER Stanley star Paul Mullin admits he will not celebrate a goal if he scores for new club Morecambe on Boxing Day.
The Reds make the trip to the in-form Shrimps tomorrow looking to move towards the play-off spots, the last of which Morecambe occupy.
And though Mullin, the Reds record appearance holder, is keen to find the back of the net for Morecambe – the club he signed for in August – he won’t be making a song and dance about any goal if he scores.
"I have too much respect for the people at Accrington to do that," said the 35-year-old who has six goals so far this season for Morecambe.
"It will be low key. I have never been a big one to celebrate goals anyway but I won’t be going over the top – although I would like to score to keep Morecambe’s run going."
Morecambe are the form side of the division with seven wins in their last eight league games – and they hadn’t conceded in six games until Friday’s 1-1 draw at Grimsby – which has propelled them up to the play-offs .
But Mullin still keeps his eye on Accrington’s score – the place where he spent 10 years of his career and where brother John now plays.
"I have never played against John and that will be strange if it happens tomorrow," said Paul. "I know he is chomping at the bit to play and his ankle has never felt better.
"My dad won’t know who to support although he is coming to mine for Christmas dinner so it should be Morecambe!
"But it will be strange coming up against Accrington - it will be a surreal experience.
"It should be an entertaining game with a good atmosphere and both teams are in good form. It is obviously extra-special for me and the game I have been most looking forward to.
"I am at Morecambe now and of course I want us to win and, when I think back, I played in all the Accrington games against Morecambe and I was hardly ever on the losing side.
"But they have also always been tight games so I expect the same.
"I hope the fans are okay with me as I have only happy memories of my time at Accrington
"It was sad the way I left as I didn’t ask to leave but it became clear the club wanted me off the wage bill and the writing was on the wall when I was sent on loan to Bradford at the end of last season.
"It was getting more and more uncomfortable to stay there which is a shame as it was my tenth season and I didn’t want to go that way and I am sure the Accrington fans understand that.
"But Morecambe came in for me, they are local, they are a good side and it has been like a breath of fresh air for me.
"We have a good squad here and it is nice to be challenging for the play-offs after three battles against relegation, although it is a different kind of pressure."
Mullin and strike partner Phil Jevons, on loan from Huddersfield, have spearheaded the Shrimps attack.
"I have formed a good partnership with Phil and he is firing on all cylinders at the moment with 14 goals," said Mullin.
"But looking at Accrington, Michael Symes and Bobby Grant have done the same.
"They have scored some really good goals and they have achieved a lot, especially with such a small squad.
"I still speak to Coley and Procky (Andy Procter) and obviously John is there so I am kept informed of what is going on there and I still have a lot of time for the club."
But another former Accrington player will be sat in the stands.
Midfielder Ian Craney is on loan from Huddersfield with Morecambe but an ankle injury has kept him sidelined and he may need an operation.
"It’s a shame for Ian as it was a game he was looking forward to as well but he has had an ankle problem and he was hoping an injection would solve it but he could be out for a couple of months if he has an operation," added Mullin.
Reds boss John Coleman admits it should be a fast flowing game against his former club.
"It should be an open game and an entertaining one and that’s good for the fans.
"They are on a good run and have got confidence and maybe things are going for them that weren’t at the start of the season.
"I think the last time we lost to them was when Steve Halford scored an own goal in the last minute and we do seem to have got the better of the last meetings but you have got to be careful with that.
"It will be nice to see Paul – but I don’t want him to score – and it’s just a shame, for the fans, that Ian isn’t playing."
Then it’s another local derby on Monday with promotion-chasing Bury at home and Coleman just wants that to go ahead.
"The game against Barnet was postponed on Saturday because the pitch wasn’t fit in a couple of patches," said Coleman.
"This could be our biggest crowd of the season so, for finances, we need it to be on."
