ACCRINGTON erupted into a sea of red and white as jubilant fans celebrated the promotion of the town's football team to the Conference.

A bumper 2,263 crowd watched Accrington Stanley recapture some of its former glory following a 3-1 win against Altrincham at home.

And jubilant fans spilled on to the pitch to hail their heroes, claiming they had brought glory to East Lancashire.

Accrington Stanley commercial director John DeMaine said it was the best day at the club for over 40 years.

"I have waited for this for a long time and this is the best day of my life. Next season is going to be a big adventure for us.

"I'm really pleased for the players, they are the nicest bunch of lads you could ever hope to meet. This is brilliant and hopefully we can go on from here."

Chairman Eric Whalley said: "This is a tremendous achievement. The team has performed brilliantly all year and I'm so glad our fans could see this.

"This is a great day for Accrington and East Lancashire. We will be getting one or two new players next year and there are certainly exciting times ahead for Accrington Stanley."

Lifelong Accrington Stanley fans Alan and Jean Barton, of Gloucester Avenue, Clayton-le-Moors, said they would not have missed the match for the world.

Seventy-four-year-old Alan said: "I remember the old Accrington Stanley and this is brilliant. The players deserve this and I feel very emotional."

Derek Whittaker, 61, of Winchester Avenue, Accrington, said: "I have watched just about every match Accrington Stanley have played for many years, home and away, and this is one of the best days of my life.

"Even my wife, Edna, came to watch today's match and she never watches football. This is just superb."

Jason Graham, 29, and seven-year-old son Liam, of Tintern Close, Baxenden, also celebrated with jubilant fans in the clubhouse after the match.

Jason said: "I watch every match, home and away, and this has been a long time coming. Watch out Football League, because Accrington Stanley is on the way back. This is a great day for Accrington."

Accrington Stanley, known affectionately as Th'owd Reds, has become an emblem for British footballing nostalgia.

The club was formed in 1876 and helped to found the Football League in 1888, but huge debts forced it to resign during the 1961-62 season.

It was relaunched in 1968 and featured in a famous 1980s TV advert, with two young Scouse lads comparing its downturn in fortunes to a non-milk-drinking footballer.

It was famous for the line: "Accrington Stanley? Who are they?" Well today everyone knows the answer.