The Accrington players are backing Leam Richardson as permanent Stanley manager.

The 32-year-old has taken over as caretaker boss, alongside Bryan Hughes and youth team boss Phil Hackney, following John Coleman and Jimmy Bell’s sudden departure to League One Rochdale on Monday.

First-team coach Mark Patterson, goalkeeping coach Billy Stewart and physio Joe Hinnigan have been placed on gardening leave.

And, while Stanley legend Coleman’s successful 13-year tenure is now over, Luke Joyce, skipper Dean Winnard and goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin are backing former Bolton and Blackburn defender Richardson to continue the Reds’ success after Coleman and Bell took Stanley from non-league into the League Two play-offs .

"Everyone at the club always wanted to win promotion but perhaps even more so now, if that is possible," said 24-year-old Joyce, with the Reds facing promotion rivals Gillingham at home tomorrow (3pm).

"For Leam, for the club, for the fans and for ourselves. The events of the last week have only made us more determined.

"We will obviously miss John and Jimmy and it will be hard, it’s a massive change, but we have to move on.

"For me, when I was at Carlisle, I had a different manager every season almost but I know it hasn’t happened at Accrington and that’s why it’s a major shock for everyone.

"After the downside of Monday, though, we walked into the club on Tuesday and there was an air of excitement, there was a buzz around the club and now it’s a fresh outlook and new ideas with Leam, Bryan and Phil.

"Leam has the backing of all the lads, he has played at the highest level but also been here long enough to know what this club is all about. He’s got coaching badges and experience.

"We want to win against Gillingham tomorrow for everyone still at the club. It’s a massive game for us, we could go into the play-off places and I think that’s the boost the club needs after the week we have had, losing our captain Andy Procter to Preston and Coley and Jimmy.

"But now it’s time to look forward. Coley will be focused on Rochdale and it’s up to us to give our all for Accrington. I just hope there is a good turnout and we can have a really good go until the end of the season."

Keeper Dunbavin, now one of the longest Stanley servants behind Richardson, is keen to channel the upbeat feeling around the club since Tuesday onto the pitch.

"Leam is a mate and everyone is behind him. We have proved over the last couple of months that we are a good side and we can be a force in the league and we want to do well for Leam, the club, the fans and for ourselves.

"John and Jimmy have been great for me – they are good friends – but I would like to think I have been good for them too and I wish them all the best as I am sure everyone connected with Accrington does.

"But I am now delighted to be working with Leam. I have known him a long time and I know he has the ambition to be a top coach and manager.

"John and Jimmy felt they had taken us as far as they could and it is an opportunity now for a good young manager in Leam.

"The lads are already in the winning mindset and now this has happened it is an extra incentive. We know we are capable of promotion and I hope everyone will get behind us."

And new captain Winnard, following skipper Procter’s move to Preston last week for a undisclosed fee, said: "I think the Gillingham manager will get into his players, saying we are a soft touch because we have lost our manager.

"That won’t be the case as, if anything, we will be more than up for it. While we are gutted the manager and Jimmy have left, we are still on course for the play-offs and we know we are capable of a top seven spot."

Gillingham, in eighth spot, are one point ahead of the 10th placed Reds.