Stanley boss sacked

The Crown Ground boss was told there was a communication problem with players and that his position at the club was no longer tenable.

A board meeting was hastily arranged on Monday night, following Stanley's 2-1 defeat by Barrow, at which a decision was taken to sack both Allan and coach Jimmy Coffey.

Assistant manager Ian Rishton will remain at the club and is temporarily in charge.

But sources close to the club suggest that former Bamber Bridge supremo Tony Greenwood will be offered the post, possibly by the weekend.

Chairman Eric Whalley refused to make any comment, leaving director of football Brent Peters to read a statement to the press. "I can confirm that Stan Allan and his assistant, Jimmy Coffey, have parted company with the club," said Peters.

"It is unfortunate that Stan Allan and Jimmy Coffey have been sacked but it was inevitable after the way in which certain situations were handled in the past week to 10 days.

"They have been handled in a manner that's unacceptable at a club of the standing of Accrington Stanley FC."

When pressed, Peters indicated that a lack of communication between Allan and a number of players heavily influenced the board's decision.

"Communication is the major word," he said.

"You've got to talk to people and deal with them in a professional manner.

"And some situations were not handled in this way."

Allan denied any communication problem between himself and Stanley's players and insisted that the club's statement and further reasons given to him by chairman Eric Whalley were a whitewash.

"The club is suggesting a communication problem and lack of professionalism ... well I was informed of my sacking on the phone, which I don't think is a particularly professional way to go about it," said Allan.

"The whole situation is ridiculous and one I find difficult to accept."

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