James Beattie Appointed Manager of Accrington Stanley

In a short statement on the official club website late on Monday evening, James Beattie was announced as the new Accrington Stanley manager. The former England striker spoke of his delight at being chosen for the role, revealing how he had been bitten by the Stanley bug after seven months in Accrington as player and coach.

The club had been without a first team manager for just shy of a fortnight after Leam Richardson departed for Chesterfield – a period in which some players were released, others signed new contracts and a great deal of speculation took place over who should take Accrington forward.

The past eighteen months have been times of great upheaval at the club. After stalwarts John Coleman and Jimmy Bell left after over a decade in charge, few could have predicted that at the end of the following season Stanley would be appointing a new man at the helm for a third time.

Many fans called for Coleman and Bell to be re-appointed in a bid to regain stability as well as a resurgence of the most successful times in the club’s history. In truth, this wish was born out of a degree of opportunism due to the availability of the pair and unavoidable nostalgia. At the core of the clamour was the aim to avoid becoming a club that changes its leader with frightening frequency.

James Beattie is a breath of fresh air and offers something which no other can. A likeable and knowledgeable character with well documented pedigree, he knows what it takes to succeed as a professional at the top level –yet understands how a club like Accrington works best.

In interviews following his appointment, Beattie spoke of his desire to meet the challenge he faces and succeed at it. He believes that he is the right person for the job and that his influence and connections will only help the club. The new manager also speaks of gaining an inexplicable infatuation with the club and it is this that truly earns him credibility with Stanley fans.

Beattie brings with him an infectious belief. In his career he led the forward line – a scorer of important goals rather than a prolific poacher. If he can instil a team spirit that reflects his own sense of drive and shoot-for-the-stars mentality, he has every chance of emulating the great duo’s tale of impossible success.

Departing manager Richardson’s backroom team of Paul Stephenson and Paul Lodge will be there to aid Beattie on the touchline and training field. The experience of the pair will go a long way to back up the young hopeful in a job that has the potential to become very lonely. Beattie also has great support from the chairman and board which he will need to take advantage of as he looks to build a competitive side for next term.

His first task is to keep together the members of the existing squad that ensured league football for Accrington, most of whom are out of contract very soon.

Best of luck to you James, the fans are right behind you.

On, Stanley, On.

Magic and Medicine in the FA Cup

They say that in the FA Cup, form goes out of the window. Lowly teams become giants and legends are made. Accrington Stanley weren’t granted a headline-grabbing second round tie, but the game did its utmost to live up to the history of the magical competition.

Our last meeting with Oxford United was a profoundly disappointing affair ending up in a 5-0 loss. The cup game was a chance for redemption as much as the cash prize to boost the coffers.

We began with a disadvantage as our player-of-the-season so far – affable ‘keeper Ian Dunbavin -sustained season-threatening injury in training. Bavo has had his ups and downs in an eventful career but has been nothing short of exceptional this season. All Stanley fans will hope he can get fit sooner than expected.

An uphill battle was faced before we even took to the field and Leam Richardson did all he could to remedy the situation; the gaffer’s Yorkshire connections were exercised once more as nomadic stopper Paul Rachubka came in on emergency loan.

A cold, hard pitch awaited the players. Attackers revelled while defenders struggled and a goal-fest ensued. Oxford drew first blood after finding fault on the flank before Craig Lindfield levelled with a point-blank execution. James Beattie on returning to the starting eleven rose to the occasion and struck one of the finest shots ever seen on the Crown Ground to take the Reds ahead. After the U’s pegged back once more, Lee Molyneux expertly converted a free kick and Stanley had only minutes to see out a memorable victory. The tired Stanley backline faltered once more however and a replay was ordered through a simple headed goal which should have been prevented.

Going away to Oxford next Wednesday will be a huge test of character and skill. A home tie against Beattie’s former suitors Sheffield United is the prize for a win which ought to spur the players on.

First though is an old grudge match from the non-league days. Sunday’s trip to Burton has to be the priority in order to improve our league position. Only after that can we dare to dream.

On, Stanley, On.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side....

Sean Mcconville - Even with his own uncle as assistant manager of Stanley, he decided to join Stockport County. A team which had suffered 2 back to back relegation's and were currently in the Blue Square Premier. I know what your thinking, why go there? Guess the reason? '£££££' - Money. Stockport had recently been backed by a man called Tony Evans who 'promised' to sort the club out and get it back on track, including a new stadium and a load of cash. With this money, they brought in ex-liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann as manager. They also offered Mcconville 'Double' wages which lured him away from the already weakened Stanley side....

Read the full article here!