Amazing Accrington - Spring 2019

Andy Holt...

#AmazingAccrington caught up with Andy during his business trip to Italy. In-between coffees and travelling, Milan to Florence, Holt took the time out to chat community, football and future.

CHAMPION OF THE BOROUGH

and Twier sensation!

When asking Andy where he predicts the club will be this time next year, we were expecting to hear of victories, geing beer and bigger. Instead Andy turned the idea on its head. “Most managers or club owners will look at things short-sightedly. They want to drive teams to success, instant gratifications. In my opinion, that’s not the role of the owner or Chairman. I am not into making predictions, rising up the league is secondary to my plans to cement Stanley as a hub for the community. My role is to look at a 10-year picture, where do I want the club to be?Wembley? No, I want them to be stable, be secure, I want us to be in the best possible position. It’s been a challenge and I am so proud of where the team have come. I wouldn’t change a thing.” Accrington Stanley is well known for welcoming the fans of other clubs and showing great hospitality. “Alongside the cheap beer and fab atmosphere, we do have other plans on the horizon. We have multiple developments in motion including new bar areas and plans to expand our hospitality areas. We offer a different experience to the majority of other clubs. We treat our fans how they want to be treated. We also put a huge emphasis on welcoming families, with initiatives such as our shirt giveaway, family fun days and community engagement through the Accrington Stanley Community Trust. The impact of all this work has meant a real benefit for the town. The match against Derby saw a record crowd of 5397 people. Lots of them stayed in hotels, made a weekend of it, visited the local

Andy Holt, owner of Accrington Stanley Football Club isn’t quite sure what his day job is anymore. As Managing Director ofWhat More UK, the largest plastic houseware manufacturer in the UK, he’s very open about the fact he didn’t ever intend to buy a football club! It’s safe to say, under his wing Stanley are finding spirit they didn’t know they had. “It’s all worked out prey well, as much as I didn’t intend to buy a football club, there is absolutely nothing I regret. I am still very much involved with the day-to-day ofWhat More UK, and we run a very tight ship there... but equally I would have never purchased a football club with the aim of siing back and leing others run it.” Andy is seen within the crowds at Stanley games, never been one to be a silent partner. “I want to make sure I always communicate with the fans, that means being a fan myself, not siing up in a fancy box somewhere, watching from afar.” Purchasing the club four years ago, Stanley are going from strength to strength but rising up the leagues has its own draw backs. “It’s definitely safe to say, the beer the team does the more money it costs to run. Income can also fluctuate; one goal can mean the difference between £1million or nothing. My goal is to have a stable club, the last thing I want is an out of control club that’s spending money it can’t recoup, but then equally we want to expand and improve. It’s not easy, everything is a balance and I am incredibly proud of where we are today.”

benefit of things I am passionate about. I make no secret of the fact I feel there should be independent regulators in football, the finance instructor needs changing. I would say this is the biggest issue with football currently. Money is wasted on agents and a lot of other owners/Chairmen agree with me on this. The issue is they aren’t pushing for it like I am, they are afraid to say what everyone is thinking. The Premier League has cornered the market, to the detriment of smaller clubs.”

pubs and shops. You can’t buy that kind of positive publicity for the town. People will come, have a great time and hopefully return to East Lancashire.” Good personal move, possibly not the best business move, but under Andy’s wing, the success of Stanley has been beer than anyone expected! It’s not just the community that has benefied, from a business point of view Stanley’s success has meant huge reach figures for the Wham Stadium, sponsored by What More UK, Andy’s manufacturing business. “Although we aren’t reaping the financial rewards from sponsoring theWhamStadium as a business, it’s safe to say it’s had a positive impact. It’s hard to put any kind of figure on this with the current climate of Brexit, poor exchange rates etc, but this will come back to us eventually. Business is good, it can always go beer though – and that’s the same ethos I stick to with Stanley and Accrington. Always strive for more and help others to do the same.” Known for his honest and open dialogue on social media, Andy oen causes a stormonTwier, which can be an invitation for criticism. “Obviously some people think being honest and direct is the wrong approach. I wholeheartedly disagree! Being upfront means fans know the reasons for my actions, they know I have the club’s best interest at heart. It is also worth remembering that it is always the community that comes to the rescue in the end. When Accrington Stanley was finished, it was because of the people that it clawed its way back! Being blunt and honest is more important than upseing people, I am not afraid to challenge authority when it’s for the overall

10 quick fire questions for Andy • Coffee or tea? ...Coffee • Ketchup or HP? ...HP

• A pie or a pint? ...Can’t split em’ – neither goes alone • Llamas or Alpacas? ...They’re the same thing • Rolls Royce or Ferrari? ...Wouldn’t buy either. If I was forced, a Rolls Royce • A tweet or a text? ...Tweet • Sun or snow? ...Sun • Leave or remain? ...50/50 – couldn’t care less • Chocolate or vanilla? ...Chocolate • Chinese or Indian? ...Chinese

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