Ahead of the new Sky Bet League 2 season we asked Liam Govey to take a look at each of our 23 opponents. First up, it's Accrington Stanley...
Accrington Stanley
Address: The Wham Stadium, Livingstone Road, Accrington, BB5 5BX
Stadium capacity: 5,057
Manager: John Coleman
Transfers
In
Nathan Webb (youth), Ross Sykes (youth), Aaron Chapman (Chesterfield), Omar Beckles (Aldershot Town), Bastien Héry (Carlisle United), Elliot Parish (Colchester United), Frazer Shaw (Leyton Orient), Callam Jones (on loan from West Bromwich Albion) and Steven Hewitt (Southport).
Out
Josh Windass (Rangers), Matt Crooks (Rangers), Piero Mingoia (Cambridge United), Dean Winnard (Morecambe), Anthony Barry (Wrexham) and Andrew Procter (released).
Last Season
Though their best ever season and their highest ever finish (4th) in the Football League, it seems crazy that fans of the Lancashire club would probably rather forget it. However, end-of-season heartache meant that Accrington missed out on promotion by five goals, courtesy of a memorable stalemate with Stevenage. The play-offs were no consolation, with AFC Wimbledon killing the promotion dreams dead in extra-time. Overall, the disappointment still doesn’t detract from an impressive season.
Key Players
Though Josh Windass and Matt Crooks have gone to Rangers, holding onto Billy Kee could prove vital - the frontman scored or assisted 30 goals last season. New signing Bastian Héry (known for his crazy hair) should add that creative spark to the midfield, alongside the likes of Romauld Boco and Shaun McConville. Defensively, Matty Pearson, Jake Buxton and former Boro centre-back Mark Hughes were vital last season, so once again should provide a stern defence next season.
SkyBet Odds
Win Outright: 22/1
Promotion: 5/1
Relegation: 12/1
Top 7: 9/4
Fixtures
Accrington v Stevenage: Saturday 19th November
Stevenage v Accrington: Saturday 6th May
Video
Stevenage stand firm against Accrington to secure a 0-0 draw on the final day of last season.