THE telephone rings for the third time in five minutes. Nonchalantly, Eric Whalley leans across, puts on his best telephone voice and patiently takes yet another long-distance call requesting an Accrington Stanley shirt.

Stalwart Eric has already worn quite a few hats in his Stanley career. First as a player, then a manager, now chairman and, today it appears, as club secretary.

There aren't many jobs Eric hasn't performed in his long association with Stanley. And yet one more task remains before he can settle back in the armchair and take a well earned rest.

"I want to go all the way back into the Football League and then I can retire," reveals Whalley between calls.

"Until then, I won't be happy. Whatever people say about it being a hobby for me, it's very stressful!

"I still own my own company, EW Cartons, but the only thing I do there these days is open the mail and sign the cheques!

"I suppose I'm lucky to be able to do that and devote as much time to Stanley as is needed. But equally, I don't think I could have done all this without having my own business.

"I remember making a statement a few years ago that I wanted to see us back in the Football League.

"I was laughed at then because we were languishing in the Unibond League First Division, but we have come a long way.

"Now I'm looking to do what I said and shut the knockers up for good."

Stanley are currently building up for their most eagerly anticipated season since reforming in 1968.

Whalley's in-tray overflows with paperwork that needs the secretary's touch, while his increasingly claustrophobic office could do with a helping hand from Carol Smillie and her makeover team!

But you sense the chairman and the small band of people that keep the club ticking over wouldn't have it any other way.

Certainly on the pitch, the foundations have been laid for success. Ever since the day popular Scouser John Coleman was appointed manager in May 1999, the Reds have been on an upward curve.

Whalley added: "John has done a magnificent job and not many people know he does it without a contract.

"He has never had one since he came, which I wouldn't have thought is normal procedure.

"But at this level, you can get a lot of personality clashes. A lot of people put managers on a contract right away, then find out they appointed the wrong person and get stuck paying a wage for two years.

"I never had a contract and it never did me any harm. John and I have talked about it many a time, but the way we have it suits us both and we haven't done too badly so far, have we?"

At this point, the phone rings again and Whalley instinctively leaps into action. This time, anonymous of Telford wants to know how he can buy 12 of the new Nike-sponsored shirts.

Such is the interest generated by Stanley's promotion to the Nationwide Conference that e-mails and well-wishes have arrived from far-flung places like Canada and the Far East.

Hits on the club's website are at an all-time high, season ticket sales stand at a record level, and plans are in place for a spanking new, 1,760-seater stand to take the capacity up to 7,000.

Even satellite giant Sky have caught the bug by confirming Stanley's first ever live TV date next month.

Whalley takes all this and more in his stride as he gears up for what could be his biggest ever challenge.

He said: "We've been being congratulated from all four corners of the globe and it really makes you feel everything is all worthwhile.

"But you have to make the most of the ups in football because this game is likely to turn around when you least expect it and kick you in the teeth."