ANDY Dibble has pledged his immediate future to Accrington Stanley after turning down the chance to join Stockport County.

The Reds' goalkeeping coach, who is also registered as a player, had the opportunity to return to the club he served from 2000 to 2002 when he was approached by new County boss Jim Gannon.

But the much-travelled Welshman declined because he wanted to aid Stanley's promotion push and prove his loyalty to the club that had offered him a player-coaching role after he was forced to leave Wrexham when the club went into administration.

"Stockport's one of my former clubs and I've still got a big affection for them, but Accrington is going places and I want to be a part of it," said Dibble. "I wanted to stay loyal to John, Jimmy (Bell) and the chairman.

"It's my first season out of the Football League since the late 1990s when I was at Altrincham and Barry Town and I've enjoyed every minute of it. But hopefully I'll be back in the Football League with Stanley next year.

"I'm thoroughly enjoying my coaching role and working with some really good young keepers. And the manager knows that he can always call on me to play in an emergency."