Other local sides start celebrating

THE biggest thing about the past week is the reality of Accrington Stanley getting promotion to the Conference has really hit me.

We're only one more promotion away from the Football League so we need to concentrate on doing our best to get things right in the next couple of years.

We've had more mail here than I've ever seen in my life. I didn't realise people were that interested but it's been nice and, obviously, very hectic.

What made it all worthwhile was going to Gainsborough as champions on Saturday. They were made up of ex-Football League players but it was a brilliant performance by us and we had another big following.

It's not just Stanley celebrating this week, though, and congratulations must go to Bacup Borough on their promotion to Division One of the North West Counties League.

Their manager Brent Peters used to be a director here and has been a friend of mine for many years. He's worked wonders there and it's time the people of Bacup got off their backsides and gave him more support.

He has brought that club its first promotion for donkey's years on a shoestring budget so the town really does need to give him more help.

As for the other local teams, Nelson and Padiham had good wins at the weekend while Great Harwood have really turned the corner and could make a push for the first division next year.

It looks like Clitheroe are going to finish second in Division One, and it's no coincidence that they had another good run in the Vase which may just have proved too much of a distraction to their title hopes.

Coleman set for run-out

JOHN Ryan, the boss of Doncaster Rovers, is going to achieve his lifetime ambition when he plays the last two minutes of their final Conference game against Hereford on Saturday.

He's in his 50s now and after putting more than £4 million into the club he deserves his moment of glory.

But I can confirm that I won't be doing the same thing at Accrington - my playing days are long behind me.

However, I have a sneaky feeling our manager John Coleman will play himself in the Charity Shield against the Cup winners next month. He has been told by some fans that if goes on and scores they will give the club £100.

JUST one more game to go!