, Accrington Stanley: League Two’s unlikely promotion contenders

Accrington Stanley: League Two’s unlikely promotion contenders

When the nation thinks of Accrington two things spring to mind. Sky Sports cricket commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd and a timeless line from a 1980’s milk TV advert – the latter condemning the town’s football club to years of ridicule and pretentious snobbery which continues to this day.

But now Accrington Stanley may soon be heading up to the third tier of English football for the first time.

Accrington sit fifth in League Two with a minimum of two games in hand over the sides around them, including having played four less than Plymouth Argyle, Mansfield Town and Bristol Rovers.

With home attendances consistently the Football League’s lowest and even below a host of non-league sides, Accrington’s shoestring budget once again made them favourites for relegation in the summer.

Stanley finished 21 points clear of the drop last season, which clearly meant nothing to the bookies. The club’s ability to recruit talented players capable of outperforming teams with money Accrington can only dream of deserves huge recognition.

Last year’s tally of 56 points over the 46 match campaign is set to be smashed this time round with Accy currently on 45 points from 25 outings.

Portsmouth find themselves level on points with Stanley having played two games more. Crowds at Pompy are generally around the 16,000 mark this season (up 5% from 2014-15) while Accrington average 1,488 (down 7% from 2014-15).

The gulf between the north west club and the sides surrounding them in the league table is substantial.

In a hotly contested promotion race the smallest of margins may decide the outcome.

Just nine of Accrington’s remaining 21 fixtures are away from home. With that in mind, playing at the WHAM Stadium (where they are unbeaten since mid-October) could prove to be decisive.

Not that John Coleman’s side struggle away from home, either. Wins at promotion rivals Bristol Rovers and Mansfield – along with big wins at Crawley Town and York City – make the Lancastrians no pushovers.

Article by Liam Sephton

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