Accrington Stanley F.C.
Reformed in 1968, rose from non-league to Football League.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Accrington Stanley Football Club is a professional side from Accrington, Lancashire, that plays in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The team has always played at the Crown Ground, and its usual kit is red shirts, often paired with red shorts and socks. Supporters refer to the club as Accrington Stanley, Stanley, or simply Accrington. The club first gained widespread attention in 1989 thanks to a well-known Milk Marketing Board television advert that asked, "Accrington Stanley, who are they?"
The current club was formed in 1968, two years after the original Accrington Stanley folded. That earlier club had been founded in 1891 and competed in the Football League from 1921 until 1962, having previously played in the Lancashire Combination. Before that, the town’s first club, simply called Accrington, was a founding member of the Football League in 1888 but went out of business six years later. The re-formed club entered the Lancashire Combination, then moved to the Cheshire County League after winning the Combination title in 1977–78. Stanley won Division Two of the Cheshire County League in 1980–81 and became a founder member of the North West Counties League in 1982. Five years later, the club was placed in Division One of the Northern Premier League. After earning promotion to the Premier Division in 1990–91, Stanley was relegated in 1999.
Under manager John Coleman in the early 2000s, the club won three promotions in seven seasons, securing a place in the Football League. Those promotions came with divisional titles in the Northern Premier League Division One (1999–2000), the Northern Premier League Premier Division (2002–03), and the Conference National (2005–06). This return to the professional league system ended a 44-year absence. Stanley then spent 12 seasons mostly in the lower half of League Two, losing two play-off semi-finals, before Coleman led them to the League Two championship in 2017–18 and promotion to League One. The club was relegated back to League Two in 2022–23.
**History**
**Re-formation (1968–2003)**
After the original Accrington Stanley collapsed in 1966, the town had no football team. The original club had been formed in 1891 and played in the Football League from 1921 until March 1962, spending its final four seasons in the Lancashire Combination. In 1968, a meeting at Bold Street Working Men's Club revived
- founded
- 1968 (current club); original club founded 1891
- ground
- Crown Ground
- league
- EFL League Two
- nationality
- England
- known_for
- 1989 Milk Marketing Board advert; return to Football League in 2006 after 44 years
Lore & Background
The current club was formed in 1968, two years after the collapse of the original Accrington Stanley. The original club was founded in 1891 and played in the Football League from 1921 to 1962. The town's original club, named simply Accrington, were founder members of the Football League in 1888 but folded six years later. The current incarnation entered the Lancashire Combination and moved on to the Cheshire County League after winning the Combination title in 1977–78. Stanley won Division Two of the Cheshire County League in 1980–81 and became founder members of the North West Counties League in 1982, before being placed in Division One of the Northern Premier League five years later. After promotion to the Premier Division in 1990–91, Stanley were relegated in 1999.
The early 21st century saw the club win three promotions in seven seasons under John Coleman to gain a place in the Football League. They won Northern Premier League Division One (1999–2000), Northern Premier League Premier Division (2002–03), and the Conference National (2005–06). This marked the return of Accrington to the professional league system after 44 years. The club then spent 12 seasons mostly in the bottom half of League Two, losing two play-off semi-finals, before Coleman led them to promotion to League One as League Two champions in 2017–18. The club was relegated to League Two in 2022–23.
Reader's Guide
Accrington Stanley's significance lies in its resilience and revival. After the original Accrington Stanley collapsed in 1966, the club was re-formed in 1968 and rebuilt from the lower tiers of English non-league football. A windfall from the sell-on clause of Brett Ormerod's transfer to Southampton provided crucial funds, helping the club win the Northern Premier League in 2002–03. Under John Coleman, the club achieved three promotions in seven seasons, culminating in a return to the Football League in 2006 after a 44-year absence. The club's 1989 television advert brought it national fame, embedding it in popular culture. Its history reflects the cycles of football club fortunes, from founder members of the Football League to reformation and eventual return to professional status. The club's ability to sustain itself in League Two for over a decade, with occasional play-off challenges, and a brief stint in League One, underscores its persistence.
Did You Know?
- The club came to national prominence in 1989 due to a television advert for the Milk Marketing Board featuring the slogan 'Accrington Stanley, who are they?'.
- The current club was formed in 1968, two years after the collapse of the original Accrington Stanley.
- The town's original club, named simply Accrington, were founder members of the Football League in 1888.
- The club won three divisional titles in three promotions under John Coleman: Northern Premier League Division One (1999–2000), Northern Premier League Premier Division (2002–03), and the Conference National (2005–06).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Accrington Stanley F.C.?
Accrington Stanley is a professional football club based in Accrington, Lancashire, England, that competes in EFL League Two. They play their home matches at the Crown Ground and are commonly known by fans as "Stanley" or simply "Accrington."
What is Accrington Stanley F.C.'s phoenix club status?
The current club was reformed in 1968 after the original Accrington Stanley, founded in 1891, was liquidated in 1966. This makes them a phoenix club that rebuilt from non-league football to eventually rejoin the Football League.
How does Accrington Stanley F.C.'s story end?
The club's phoenix arc culminated in 2006 when they earned promotion back into the Football League after a 44-year absence. They have since maintained a presence in the professional tiers, currently competing in EFL League Two.
Why is Accrington Stanley F.C. important?
Beyond their phoenix club narrative, they became a household name in 1989 when a Milk Marketing Board television commercial asked "Accrington Stanley, who are they?" to a national audience. Their journey from non-league obscurity to professional football makes them one of the sport's most beloved underdog stories.
What is Accrington Stanley F.C.'s usual kit and identity?
The team traditionally wears red shirts, typically matched with red shorts and socks, giving them a distinctive all-red appearance. Their home ground, the Crown Ground, has been their permanent home throughout the club's history.
More in Phoenix clubs 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record