big stride forward

BACK AT WORK: Stanley skipper Peter Cavanagh

Accrington Stanley today made another huge step forward to achieving their dream of returning to the Football League.

The Reds officially became a full-time professional club as the players returned for pre-season training this morning.

New signings Lee McEvilly, Steve Jagielka, Ian Craney and Stuart Howson were ready to join familiar faces such as captain Peter Cavanagh and star strikers Lutel James and Paul Mullin as Stanley make plans to launch a promotion assault from the Nationwide Conference.

Accrington Stanley assistant manager Jimmy Bell said: "This is a brilliant day for the club. We have waited 42 years for this and it's finally happened.

"Everything is in place to go into the Football League and our aim is to do that in the next season or two. Hopefully we can fulfill the town's dreams.

"I was a bit nervous and apprehensive because I wanted everything to run smoothly.

"We are going full time and it's up to me to make sure everyone enjoys it and gets the most out of it."

However, with Jamie Speare parting company with the club in the close season and Jon Kennedy still to be tied up to a new contract, Stanley are reliant for now on a trialist keeper - Danny Allcock from Barnsley - while talks continue on several fronts, including discussions with two other goalkeepers of unknown origin.

Plans are also underway to bring Aussie international Jason Petkovic to the Interlink Express Stadium, although the stopper's transfer is at the behest of a work permit that could take up to another 10 days to authorise.

Bell said: "We are still talking to players and trying to finalise a squad, but there is a lot of work to be done between now and the start of the season.

"We have a goalkeeper on trial from Barnsley and we are ongoing in our talks with Jon, who I think is very close to signing."

Meanwhile, plans are being made for Speare's testimonial, which is scheduled to take place on July 24.

Former Everton favourites Neville Southall and Dave Watson have been lined up to play in a select XI at the Interlink Express Stadium, as well as former Stanley stars Mark Brennan, Jay Flannery and Mark Shirley.

Speare, a former Everton trainee, said: "I wanted the players who won promotion from the UniBond First Division to the Premier with Stanley to be involved and most of that team are going to play in my testimonial.

"I've also made a number of phonecalls to former Everton players. Neville Southall and Dave Watson have already said they will play, and Graeme Sharp is hoping to make it as well as well as a number of others."

ACCRINGTON Stanley today made another huge step forward to achieving their dream of returning to the Football League.

The Reds officially became a full-time professional club as the players returned for pre-season training this morning.