WHEN Jonathan Smith signed for Accrington Stanley at the age of 23, he questioned whether he could have an impact at the club.

Now, six years later and a fully fledged fans' favourite, Smith will bow out of the Interlink Express Stadium in his testimonial match after helping the Reds to clinch two championships, the UniBond League cup and two Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy finals.

"It will be an emotional day tomorrow," said Smith, who has organised his special game against new club Barrow (kick-off 3pm)

"Accrington Stanley has been a big part of my life, and when you think about winning the league and things like that, they have been some of the happiest times too.

"Six years is a long time to spend at one club - especially in non-league football where players moved around quite a lot."

But Smith admitted that when he was signed by Eric Whalley a month before John Coleman was unveiled as manager in the summer of 1999, he doubted whether he would fit their bill.

"I wondered if I was good enough for Accrington Stanley," he said.

He needn't have worried.

Coleman saw the same qualities in him that had caught Whalley's eye in the first place and offered him a two-year deal after a handful of friendlies.

"There was a lot of pressure on us because we were a big fish in a small pond after just getting relegated (to the UniBond First Division)," added Smith, who later signed an improved contract when Stanley were at risk of losing him to Oldham.

"Mark Shirley, at that time, was one of the best players in non-league football and had turned down Rushden and Diamonds to sign for us.

"We didn't perform early on in the season and were about 11th in the table at Christmas. But after that we didn't get beat from Christmas to the end of the season and won the title.

"As we improved, the pressure increased, but we matched it year in, year out."

And Smith believes the signing of Paul Mullin from Radcliffe Borough played a massive part in the Reds' progress.

"He would have to be the manager's best signing in my time there," said the 29-year-old, who began his non-league career with Mullin at Darwen.

"It's unbelievable the amount of times he has won the players' player of the year award, but that just tells you what we all think about him.

"Everything about him epitomises what Accrington Stanley has been about for the last four or five years.

"Peter Cavanagh has also been a great captain. There has been a lot of pressure on him from a young age but he has grown with that."

But while Smith is sorry to be leaving a club he has served for six years, including 12 months as a full-time professional, he is excited about moving to pastures new, and taking some fond memories with him to Cumbria and the Conference North.

"It's the longest I've ever been at a club and I feel very proud and privileged to have been involved in something that has come such a long way - even if I've only been a little part in that," he said.

"I wouldn't have signed for anyone else after Accrington other than Barrow because I can see the potential in them that Stanley had.

"I got better offers from other clubs, but the loan spell I had with them last season influenced my decision because I had a good relationship with the manager, Lee Turnbull, and the rest of the lads.

"I wouldn't put pressure on us and say we're going to win the league. A lot of teams in the Conference North are throwing money at it (to get promotion), but Barrow haven't got a bottomless pit. What we do have, though, is the nucleus of a good team, and with a couple more signings could be challenging for a play-off place.

"Hopefully we won't be playing Stanley in the Conference next season though. I'm hoping they'll be in the Football League by then!"

Smith, who in his last game for Stanley captained the side to a Marsden Trophy win over Burscough, will lead out the Stanley team with two-year-old daughter Holly, who is mascot for the day, added: "I've enjoyed every minute of my time at Accrington but all good things come to an end and I went as far as I could with them.

"I just want to thank the fans for their support. I haven't got the most ability but I gave 100 per cent.

"Everyone at the club has been great with me."

And Stanley chairman Whalley paid tribute to the service Smith had given to the Reds.

"He has been a good servant for us over the years," he said.

"A lot of people will be sorry to see him go but for Jon's sake it will be better for him to be playing regular first team football.

"It would be nice if the people of Accrington come out and give him a rousing send-off."

Entry for tomorrow's testimonial is £6 adults, £4 concessions and £2 for under 12s.