This week we spoke to Accrington fan Callum James (@gibby9790) to preview this weekend's clash between Sunderland and Accrington Stanley at the Stadium of Light.
The key to our success so far this season has been the tried and tested John Coleman philosophy of combining stalwarts with EFL experience with young non-League prodigies alongside tapping into the plethora of bigger clubs in near proximity for a couple of shrewd loan signings. Home form has also proved key with a 100% record at the hallowed Crown Ground. A compact little ground where fans can get into opposition faces…. the return of the Clayton End seems to have given the lads extra impetus.
Quite simply John Coleman is the Messiah and walks on water in the Peoples Republic of Accringtonia. What he has done in achieving four titles at four different levels is unlikely to be matched or surpassed, certainly in the professional game. From Flixton and Irlam to Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday. Seventh Tier to third tier. He has brought scenes many thought they would never see to our little corner of Lancashire and will always have the accolade of returning League football to the town after an absence of 44 years. All on a budget that makes a shoestring seem opulent. We’re not a fashionable name and as such he will never get the credit, he deserves wen compares to say a Paul Cook or Gareth Ainsworth but the pretentiousness of clubs higher up the pyramid is BB5s gain. The Sunderland fixture along with others epitomises this as we again face a side in a league fixture with a stadium capacity larger than our little Milltown. Long may King Coley reign.
Mark Hughes departing to Bristol Rovers was a shock to many, a stalwart at the back and eternal Division 4 champion it seemed likely he would see out the remainder of his career in the red of Accrington. Apart from that we have kept the squad together and at the time of writing have managed to keep the vultures from pouncing on our highly rated strike force of Colby Bishop and Dion Charles.
Aiden McGeady is the one that always springs to mind isn’t it. Basically, him playing in this league is akin to the owner of Harrods doing a shift in your local Spar. When he turns it on, he can be nigh on impossible to stop.
I always think a point away from home is no bad thing. But hope springs eternal and I am still trading on uncharacteristic early season optimism. So I will say a 2-1 Stanley smash and grab. Colby Bishop and Sean McConville with the Stanley goals. Then weathering a late storm after an O’Brien goal.
Sunderland should go up and need to go up. Resource wise there are few clubs that can compete. Like John Coleman has said although it’s nice to visit these grounds and clubs it’s important for English football that these sorts of clubs do well and we take no joy in your struggles. I predict automatic promotion. As for Stanley, injuries and Covid derailed our greatest ever season last time out. We flirted with the playoffs for quite some time. We have added quality in all areas and will be very difficult to beat… particularly at Estadio Del Crown.
I predict a top half finish. Flirtation with the play offs again would be a remarkable achievement for the little Milltown that play behind a pub in a division with 8 ex-Premier League sides (yes I count Wimbledon). A far cry from Bamber Bridge away and friendlies against Kirkham Prison.
