ONE of Mark Shirley's proudest moments was running out onto the Crown Ground in last Saturday's match against Blyth Spartans.

It probably wasn't that memorable for anyone else but for the Stanley striker it meant everything especially because of the cheers of the 400 Reds fans.

The 32-year-old, after helping Stanley to promotion to the UniBond Premier Division in the summer of 2000, has been sidelined for a year with a knee injury.

He did wonder what would happen to his Stanley career as boss John Coleman introduced new faces in their push to seal at spot in the Nationwide Conference.

But Shirley is on the comeback trail - and the fans are ready for him to make an impact again shown by their reaction to his introduction in the second half in the goalless draw with Blyth.

"That was one of my proudest moments. I never expected the reception I got from the fans," said the former Morecambe and Lancaster striker who started his career at Nottingham Forest.

"I know I'd been out for a while and you don't know what will happen but they really seemed to appreciate that I was back. It was excellent.

"You are always apprehensive, with the first tackle, the first kick, and I wondered if my knee would go again but once I ran onto the field, and with the fans backing me, I just went straight into it. You have got to."

It has been a long road back to recovery for Shirley.

He had been voted Player of the Year in his first season at the Crown Ground where his goals helped Stanley back into the Premier Division at the first time of asking.

He started the Premier campaign - but then it all went wrong.

"I played the first few games and then I was told that I could be out for six weeks with cartilage problems in my knee. I didn't think that was too bad so I was watching the games, thinking I would be back soon.

"But I knew something was wrong and then it was diagnosed that it was my ligaments.

"When I knew I was facing a year out that was hard.

"I found it difficult going to watch the lads as it was so frustrating. I wanted them to do well but I couldn't share in the good and bad things as I wasn't part of it. I was watching it all from a distance and it was not enjoyable."

It's been a year of getting back for the striker who lists one of the highlights of his career as the Reds promotion season.

"I had some good times at Morecambe but a high point was with Accrington and the promotion. The summer I joined Accrington I had turned down a move to Rushden and Diamonds. I didn't think I was offered enough money to take a risk and move down south with my family and play full-time.

"I never regretted it because of the success we have had at Accrington - I do regret it though when I am working nights!"

Now he is keen to help to bring more success to the Crown Ground.

"The fan base at Accrington is superb and the club is so ambitious. If we have some success then there is everything there for the club to get bigger and better.

"It's a club that if you do well there, you really enjoy it.

"I've enjoyed it here and the club has been great - the Chairman has backed me all the way.

"Now I want to come back better than I was. My knee is not 100 per cent and I can feel it but I am confident I will get my sharpness and awareness back quickly."

Shirley has already been on the scoresheet - in his first game at Castleton in the Worthington Cup he scored after 14 minutes.

"That was a boost and the lads ran up to me to congratulate me as they knew how much it meant but it was the Blyth game, the first league game, that I was more apprehensive about.

"But I was pleased to get through it and now I'm ready to start a game. I haven't set myself any targets for this season, I just want to get back and playing regularly."

And with top scorer striker Paul Mullin sidelined with injury he might get his chance to make a start when Stanley make the trip to Droylsden tomorrow.

They have already met the Manchester side in the league - and Stanley won 5-2.

"They have been conceding goals and we have got to try and make our chances count," said boss Coleman. "Having Mark Shirley back is like having a new player and he will get stronger and stronger.

"But we do need to get a winning run together. If we had won on Saturday we would have been in the top five so we have got to start taking our chances."