Dream dies with lessons to be learned

The play off dream is sadly now over, however the 2004/05 season has not been a bad one.  For the first time in over 40 years Accrington has had a full time professional football team in the town, it has been a steep learning curve for everyone here at the club, from the players and management to the staff here in the offices.

However it has been an enjoyable first year, and everything that has been learnt will be used next year to ensure that we come back in August better and stronger than ever before.  There will be changes in the squad over the summer, as happens every year at football clubs.

Some will leave and others will be brought in, all with the aim of strengthening the squad for the season ahead.

First we have two more matches remaining, starting with a trip to Hereford United on Saturday in the final Nationwide Conference fixture of the season.  The Stanley Ultras coach travel organisers have done a superb job, finding sponsorship for three coaches that will allow our supporters to travel down to the game for free. This should result in a good travelling crowd and plenty of vocal support on the terraces, which is always appreciated by the players on the pitch.

Then next Tuesday evening we entertain Burscough in the second leg of the Lancashire FA Marsden Challenge Trophy Final.

We take a 3-0 lead into the game however there will be no room for complacency. Burscough will be determined to put up a fight and will obviously come out fighting looking to reduce the deficit as quickly as possible.  All in all it promises to be an exciting game of football and a great chance for us to pick up some silverware, kick off is at 7.45pm and we hope to see as many people as possible there for our final match of the 2004/05 season.