Accrington Stanley’s record appearance holder Paul Mullin thinks that current skipper Andy Procter can go on to eclipse what he achieved at the Crown Ground.
The 36-year-old, who turned out more than 450 times for the Reds, could play against them on his old stomping ground for only the second time since leaving on Tuesday when his new club Morecambe visit.
But he doesn’t think that he’ll stay in the record books for too long.
"Proccy will break my appearance record and I’ll be the first to congratulate him when he does," said the striker. "I’m in contact with him quite regularly so any banter doesn’t intensify as we get towards the games.
"I saw him a couple of weeks ago and we tend not to talk about it. Friendships go out of the window on match day and once the game’s finished that’s it and you forget about it."
Mullin’s former room mate passed the 350-appearance mark earlier this season and the striker is confident the Reds have a bright future under his captaincy, just not on Tuesday.
"I wish him well when we’re not playing against them," quipped Mullin. "Accy’s is the first result I look for and there are only two games a season I don’t want them to win. I’m sure their fans will forgive me for that!"
The ex-Stanley hitman is certainly impressed with a couple of John Coleman’s current crop.
"Jimmy Ryan has scored the winner against us twice now. That lad’s got to have one of the best strikes in the league.
"I enjoyed playing up front with Terry Gornell the last time he was at Stanley. He’s come on a lot since then. I could tell that when we played at the Globe Arena. He’ll do well for Coley. He’s right up his street – he’s a grafter with good ability too."
When the Reds won at Morecambe on New Year’s Day the visiting supporters chanted Mullin’s name when he was substituted in the second half. He admits being held in that esteem gives him mixed feelings ahead of the game.
"Going back is strange. Obviously I was there for so long so it’s weird. It’s hard to explain really. I don’t particularly look forward to the games because sometimes it’s a bit awkward and the way the results have gone in the last few games that won’t make it any easier."
Stanley have notched up four consecutive wins against the Shrimps since 2009 and not lost to their Lancashire rivals for over five years. That means that any sentiment has to go out of the window for Paul, for 90 minutes at least.
"We’re in and around the same part of the table so it’s important for Morecambe to try and get a few points this time."
