#AmazingAccrington - Autumn 2019

Commemorating 140 Years of History in the

FANZONE

The supporters’ club at Accrington Stanley continues to undertake fundraising schemes to help enhance the fans’ matchday experiences at theWhamStadium

at Accrington Stanley Football Club

Chairman at O.A.S.S.C. Peter Leatham told #AmazingAccrington about the exciting project at Accrington Stanley Football Club. After 140 years of history, the time felt right to remember and recognise the club’s rich heritage and share it with a newgeneration of fans, whilst remembering the unique journey that the communities proud football club has undertaken. They will be represented by a series of large timeline boards located on the home Fanzone. A Flavour of the Clubs Forefathers The timelinedoes not set out to faithfully recordevery stepon a long andbumpy road, that has already been achievedwith somefine books, instead, the goal is to achieve aflavour of the club’s forefathers before the communities heritage is lost in the sands of time. The graphics are being produced on materials that will stand the test of time and the very best, and worst, of the East Lancashire climate. The home Fanzone felt exactly like the right place to display the club’s rich history in simple picture form and will provide a source of reflection and perhaps wonderment as the trials and tribulations are unearthed. It is hoped that it will provide happymemories for older supporters and a sense of belonging to a great club to younger fans while providing a fine focal point on one of themost popular areas of the stadium. At the same time and hand in hand with the timeline project, it seemed appropriate to record some of the key men that have delivered the club’s future and place on record the sense of debt felt by many within Accrington.

Blood, Sweat & Tears If they had not spilt blood, sweat and tears, it is very likely that Accrington Stanley would not be sitting proudly in the Football Leagues third tier, a remarkable feat itself for such a small town. They feature on a separate graphic but in the same style of the main timeline and give a brief summary of their time at the helmof Accrington Stanley. It was not possible to list every individual, but the pivotal figures have been includedwithout whom, it is possible, therewouldn’t be a league football club in the borough today. There is a feeling that the community is indeed forever in their debt. As part of the project, fans were asked to vote for their favourite ever Stanley player, in any position, from any era, but just one vote per fan. Over 40 favourites received votes and the top 10 will feature in the brand-new Hall of Fame which will also be displayed in the same area. Each individual panel will feature the player image with a brief summary of their career at the club. Supporters are delighted that the players featured span the generations and it's very likely this list will grow in due course. In fact, one of the key features of the style and materials being used is that it can move or extend the features to other areas of theWhamStadium as thought suitable.

Join the Supporters Club & Get Involved All these developments are funded and originated by the Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Club, O.A.S.S.C. After discussions with the football club they have further exciting developments to enhance the fans experiences whilst at the stadium. These projects are being delivered with thanks to the club’s friends at SDA who have provided invaluable assistance and expertise in the compilation and production of the graphics. Recent trials and tribulations have also been recorded in a new book, “50 years at the Crown Ground”, written by local author and fan, DarrenWoodhead. The book records the 50 seasons since the club was re-formed in 1968 through to the current heights of the third tier of the Football League. The O.A.S.S.C. is run by volunteers and has members worldwide but is always looking for more. It is just £5 per annum and members receive a pin badge, membership card, discounted away travel and all are entered into a free monthly draw for £40 worth of vouchers for the club shop. Further details can be found on the official website at: www.onstanleyon.com

#Ama z i n g A c c r i n g t o n A u t umn 2 0 1 9 2 7

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