MANAGER of the Year John Coleman may be on holiday but there continues to be a buzz around Accrington Stanley with more names linked to the League Two club.
Ex-Macclesfield striker Neil Robinson, a big crowd favourite at current club Southport, is a name repeatedly connected with the Reds.
The 25-year-old Liverpool-born hitman was the Sandgrounders top scorer when they won promotion from the Conference North.
He is thought to be one target although boss Coleman does also have his eye on a more established Conference striker.
And Radcliffe Borough keeper Danny Hurst has also been linked with a move to the Fraser Eagle Stadium.
If goalie Rob Elliot signs on a season-long loan from Charlton, Stanley will still need back-up.
Hurst, 25, has been with the UniBond Premier League side for four seasons. He has been watched by both Manchester City and Sheffield Wednesday recently and has won numerous Player of the Year awards at the Inn2gether Stadium.
The highly-rated stopper, who has battled back after a hernia operation and a broken hand, has been put on the transfer list by Boro after refusing to sign an extension to his contract as he wants to play at a higher level.
Meanwhile, Stanley continue to be winning trophies after Coleman collected the Conference Manager of Year award and Ian Craney collected the Conference Player of the Year trophy in a glittering awards ceremony in Birmingham last Saturday.
Midfielder Craney is now out to make it a hat-trick of titles in League Two next season. The 23-year-old won the UniBond Player of the Year a couple of years ago with Altrincham.
"I have got the UniBond and Conference one and now I want the League Two one - that would be great," laughed the midfielder who is set to sign a new contract which will keep him at Stanley until 2008.
"Everything is agreed with the contract, it is just a case of tying up the little things and with the manager currently on holiday and I am going away it won't probably be signed until the end of June.
"It is great for me to get a new contract as I have only a year left on my current one and it shows that I want to stay. I have always said I want to play in the league with Stanley."
Craney has been linked with a host of clubs with Gillingham believed to be keeping tabs on the England non-league player.
And his reputation will have soared even further with winning the Conference Player of the Year award - voted by all the Conference managers.
"It was a great night - it was at the Marriott Hotel in Birmingham and we all had to wear bow ties. I got a nice cut glass trophy too!" said Craney.
"I didn't have to make a speech but Coley did. He thanked the team and said he couldn't have got where he has without the players. He praised all the lads and said he had great players at the club so that was nice to hear.
Craney admitted it wasn't such a shock when he collected the trophy.
"I had heard a whisper I might have won it but I was up against Grays' Stuart Thurgood so I knew it would be tough.
"It is a privilege to win it though - especially as it was voted by the Conference managers. It shows I will have a future in the Conference if it doesn't work out next season!
"But, now I have won two, it would be extra special to win the League Two Player of the Year too. That's my aim!"
Craney is currently trying to shake off an ankle injury he picked up during England duty last month.
"It has been a bit sore but I have been going to the gym and it seems to be recovering now. It better had anyway!
"I can't wait for the season to start. The next big thing is the fixtures (on June 22). I will be looking for Walsall and Swindon and then the weekend away in Torquay.
"And I can't wait to play Wrexham and Lee McEvilly although, knowing Lee he will be injured again! We have been winding each other up about it, though.
"And there are also all the derbies. In the Conference we hardly had any but now we have Stockport, Bury and Rochdale among others. It means a lot of our friends and families can come and watch."
Craney has also been talking to Stanley's new signing, ex-Everton, Fulham and Port Vale winger Sean Doherty.
"I didn't know him too well before he signed but now have spoke to him a few times and he is a nice lad who will hopefully settle in well.
"With the couple of signings, Julien N'Da as well, it is good for the club. It means there is a good competition for the places and that can only be beneficial."
There could be more glory for Craney and Coleman as they are strong contenders for the Non League Paper's Player and Manager of the Year which is set to be announced soon.
