What now for Accrington post-Coleman?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

One of the longest serving managers in English football ended an era this week when John Coleman left his role at Accrington Stanley to take the vacant job at League One side Rochdale.

Coleman had been in charge at Accrington since 1999, with only Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger currently having a longer reign with a league club in the country.

For Coleman and Stanley, it has been a partnership that has taken the club on an incredible journey since his arrival way back in 1999.

It is just Football after all…

By Tony Alvarez

On Tuesday night in one of England’s forgotten tournaments for Football League sides the Johnston Paint Trophy (JPT) something happened that made players, fans, officials and everyone involved in Football unite and realise that some things are more important that Football.

 I am of course talking about the horrific head injury suffered by Accrington Stanley defender Tom Bender on loan from Colchester United, after a collision during the fixture against Tranmere Rovers, the players were ushered back to the dressing room whilst medics worked on the young defender which lasted for around 30 minutes as he lay unconscious.

Due to the prolonged nature of the treatment the game was suspended and according to all reports the fans and players did not argue with the decision or meet it with any dismay which is nice to see in a game which is often over filled with rivalry. Stanley manager highlighted this point by saying “Some football people think about the football result at all costs and to be fair their fans responded magnificently as did their players and staff.”
The whole Football world including those who had never heard of Tom Bender or Accrington Stanley came together as one to wish the player well; this would have been very evident for those of you on Twitter.

Thankfully Bender was yesterday released from hospital with not much memory of the incident but on the grand scale of things unharmed his father released a statement saying “’Tom’s okay. He’s in good spirits. He doesn’t remember too much about it but that’s nothing unusual….The medical care he got was absolutely superb. I’d like to thank everyone fromAccringtonand from Tranmere and the medical staff.”

I know we so often get wrapped up in winning and losing and the fortunes of our side or nation but it is refreshing to see that people remember there is a world outside of Football, this is not a criticism of Football I have often had arguments with people as I claim Football is as big as any religion but its good to be reminded that Football is not life and death.

To further restore faith in humanity and the Football world Accrington Stanley manager has offered Tranmere a goal start in their rescheduled fixture as Tranmere were leading at the time of Bender’s injury when the game was called off.

I know this is a break from this websites usual debate articles but I thought it should be highlighted that some things are more important than sport and also that when it wants to be the world of Football can be a nice one.

What are your thoughts? Has there been enough praise in the national press for the players/fans/ staff of Stanley and Tranmere? Why is it so rare that in sport we get an opportunity to praise everyone for coming together as one? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts

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Also do not fear SFTS has not gone soft, we will be back to our usual work tomorrow.

League Two Play-off preview

Can long-serving Accrington boss John Coleman achieve a fourth promotion?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

The battle for the fourth and the final promotion spot in League Two begins this weekend with the beginning of the Football League Play-offs.

On Saturday, Torquay host Shrewsbury Town, while the following day sees Stevenage take on Accrington Stanley at Broadhall Way.

The semi-finals conclude with both second legs taking place on Friday week with a place in the final at Old Trafford up for grabs on Saturday 28th May.

The favourites of the quartet will be a Shrewsbury side that battled impressively for an automatic promotion spot, only to be denied by Wycombe Wanderers on the final day.

But Graham Turner’s side have built up real momentum having won seven and drawing two of their last ten league games.

Turner knows what it takes to get a team out of League Two, as he managed it with former club Hereford Town back in 2008.

A great run of form breeds confidence, and in the likes of the club’s player of the year in Mark Wright and striker Matt Harrold, the Shrews are the team to beat.

But they will face a Torquay side that are bidding for back-to-back promotion after an excellent first season back in the Football League.

Paul Buckle has ensured the squad have coped with the expectations at the Devonshire club.

They have lost just one of their final dozen games, although they have struggled in recent wins with four draws in five games.

Defeat on the final day at Rotherham put their top seven spot in doubt; however, Gillingham’s defeat at chanpions Chesterfield handed the Gulls a reprieve.

Much will depend on Chris Zebroski to fire the goals to gain promotion, while player of the year Guy Branston will provide the defensive backbone despite not yet being offered a new deal at Plainmoor.

The other semi-final sees two teams that have won many plaudits over the past few campaigns.

If Torquay’s attempts at back-to-back promotion is impressive, then the efforts of  Stevenage to do the same is all the more remarkable.

This is Boro’s first ever season in the Football League, as manager Graham Westley looks to improve his burgeoning reputation in management.

Their form has been indifferent in the run-in, with just one win in their last six matches, although that preceded an impressive six wins on the spin.

Their consistency has been built on a solid foundation, such as the experienced ever-present goalkeeper Chris Day and the likes of Scott Laird, Lawrie Wilson and John Mousinho providing the necessary structure to the Hertfordshire outfit.

But in their opponents Accrington Stanley, they come up against a manager that has contined to take his team to new heights in his 12 years in charge.

Only Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have been in charge longer than Accrington boss John Coleman, but he has performed great things on a different scale to his long-term counterparts.

Since the 48 year-old took over at the Lancashire side in 1999, he has taken the club from the Northern Premier League Division One to the brink of League One.

With Stanley going for their fourth promotion under Coleman, they have the momentum to make another great step in the history of the club.

Accrington are unbeaten in 13 matches, and hope the likes of Phil Edwards and Sean McConville can continue their excellent form. 

The question that remains now is this; just who will join Chesterfield, Bury and Wycombe in promotion to League One in 17 days time?

So what do you think? Which of the four teams will secure promotionto League One? Will this be the hardest fought of all the play-offs? Let us know your thoughts

Who will win the battle for the final automatic promotion position in league 2?

By Tony Alvarez

 WithChesterfieldpromoted last week and Bury yesterday confirming they will be a League One side next season due to victory a 3-2 overChesterfieldit leaves one automatic promotion spot up for grabs

There are currently 5 sides for whom it is mathematically possible to gain automatic promotion these being: Wycombe,ShrewsburyTown, Accrington Stanley, Stevenage andGillingham. However realistically it will be a straight shoot out between current occupiers Wycombe Wanderers andShrewsburyTown.

Although the other clubs are mathematically still in the race Accrington are 5 points behind 3^rd placed Wycombe and Stevenage andGillingham are 6 points behind with just two fixtures remaining.

Wycombe leap frogged Shrewsbury in the table after yesterdays 2-0 victory over Crewe whilst Shrewsbury were held at home by Accrington Stanley giving the Buckinghamshire side with a 1 point advantage over their promotion rivals.

Although Wycombe’s fate is in their own hands Gary Waddock’s side have not got things easy next time out they travel to already promoted Bury who are only 2 points behind Chesterfield at the top of the table and will be fighting for the title, on paper the last day of the season gets easier as they host Southend who currently sit 11^th in the N power League 2 table.

 Shrewsbury’s final fixtures are somewhat easier, although the club will have one home game and one away the same as the rival they will initially travel to Cheltenhamwho lie 17^th in the league table before hosting Oxford United who occupy 12^th place in the league.

Although it doesn’t mean a single thing as it cannot possibly come down to a straight shoot out between the clubs, in the two fixtures between the clubs in the league this term the was nothing to separate the sides as they played out a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury’s Greenhous Meadow stadium and a 2-2 draw at Wycombe’s Adams park.

Wycombe are unbeaten since mid March however there results have been littered with draws which has cost them a shot at the title. If the club are to draw either of their two games between now and the end of the season then I fear it will be a play off spot for them.

Shrewsbury have lost recently being humbled 3-0 at Aldershot but have picked up more points than Wycombe, confidence should not be a problem even though they drew yesterday it was against a good Accrington Stanley side who themselves are on a promotion push.

I personally thinkShrewsburywill take the maximum 6 points from their final two fixtures and it will be up to Wycombe to beat that, although they are more than capable of going to Bury and getting a result it will be difficult as Bury still have all to fight for themselves.

What do you think? Who will gain automatic promotion from League 2? Will Wycombe get a result out of Bury? Can Shrewsbury hold their nerve? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.