Accrington Stanley F.C. - Return To The Football League

Return To The Football League

The club's first Football League game took place on 5 August 2006 away to now-defunct club Chester City, it resulted in a 0–2 loss. Quite unsurprisingly, the club was involved in a relegation battle throughout its first season in the 4th tier. A run of 5 wins in the last 9 games of the season led to a 20th place finish and was enough to save the club from relegation in its first season back in the Football League.

Highlights of that first season back included the club's first-ever Football League Cup match against former European Cup Winners Nottingham Forest. The game resulted in a 1–0 win leaving the club a 2nd-round tie against then Premier League team Watford eventually losing 0–1. The club also took part in the Football League Trophy for the first-ever time and, after defeating Carlisle United and Blackpool in the early rounds, were knocked out by Doncaster Rovers in the Area Quarter Finals.

The 2007–08 season produced more of the same, with the club involved in another relegation battle with strugglers Chester City, Wrexham and Mansfield Town. Following 5 wins in the last 12 games it was enough to secure a 17th place finish and another season in the 4th tier of English Football. As during the previous season, the club failed to win a game in the FA Cup and League Cup losing to Huddersfield Town and Leicester City respectively.

Performance during the 2008–09 season improved, with the club achieving a modest 16th place finish in League Two. A run of 6 League wins in the last 12 games was a nice way to finish the season. This season saw the emergence of young prospect Bobby Grant, who finally fulfilled the early promise seen in previous seasons. The club again failed to make it past the early round of any of the domestic clubs, losing in the first round to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup and Tranmere Rovers in both the FA Cup (albeit after a replay) and Football League Trophy.

The 2009–10 season was far better, with the club pushing for a playoff place at the turn of the year. A run of 9 wins in 10 League games saw the club with a chance of making the playoffs only for this to fade in March/April. The emergence of the Michael Symes and Bobby Grant partnership was a key aspect and following their achievements throughout the season both moved on to bigger clubs. In terms of cup performance the club was superb, reaching the 2nd round of the League Cup losing only 1–2 to Queens Park Rangers, the quarter finals of the Football League Trophy losing 0–2 to Leeds United and the 4th round of the FA Cup losing 1–3 to Premier League team Fulham.

The club reached the Football League Two play-offs during the 2010–11 season, one of the most successful in its history. A run of 1 loss in 19 games from February till May saw the club finish in a best-ever 5th position, eventually losing to League Two newcomers Stevenage in the Playoff Semi-Finals. The season saw the emergence of Jimmy Ryan as a star in the making along with a number of others, including goalkeeper Alex Cisak and midfielder Sean McConville. In the domestic cups Stanley reached the 2nd round of the League Cup losing 2–3 to Premier League team Newcastle United. The club actually won the 1st round game of the Football League Trophy away to Tranmere Rovers but was then forced to resign from the competition after fielding the ineligible Ray Putterill in the game. The club also reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup but lost to fellow League Two side Port Vale.

2011–12 was a season of transition for the club. The loss of no less than six of the playoff-chasing side of the previous season was a tough act to follow. Following a shaky start to the season the arrival of Bryan Hughes in October transformed the club's fortunes. A run of 6 wins in 7 games over the Christmas period saw the club briefly enter the Playoffs. However, following the sale of club captain Andrew Procter to Preston North End in the January 2012 transfer window, the third-longest serving management team of John Coleman and Jimmy Bell departed for Rochdale. Former Burnley and club favourite Paul Cook was brought in as manager along with the promotion of Leam Richardson from caretaker manager to full-time Assistant. Only 3 wins in the final 17 games of the season was a pretty poor finish the season. However, this meant the club achieved a solid mid-table finish in 14th position. In terms of the domestic cups Stanley exited both the League Cup and FA Cup at the 1st round stages, losing to Scunthorpe United and Notts County respectively. The club reached the 2nd round of the Football League Trophy after knocking out holders Carlisle United but lost to Tranmere Rovers in the 2nd round after an eventual replay. This was following a serious head injury to young defender Thomas Bender in the initial tie.