Final whistle after 14 years at Stanley

Mr Terry, 68, is the longest serving member of staff at the club but today he admitted that he almost never took on the job.

He experienced a series of highs and lows as Stanley attempted to lift themselves away from the depths of non-league football.

In his time at the club he missed fewer than 10 games, including friendlies.

The retired factory worker lives in Colne with his wife Sheila, 58.

He has four children and six grandchildren and before his time at Stanley worked as secretary at Colne Dynamoes.

On the job offer from Stanley, he said: "I initially said no to the job but eventually agreed and I have never looked back.

"We had a decent side that first season in 1992 but failed to improve on it and things never really got better until the arrival of John Coleman and Jimmy Bell.

"Since then I have seen the club grow in every aspect.

"I have had some tremendous times and made many friends."

He said that, despite Stanley's recent success in winning the Conference title, his favourite moment in all of his time at the club is when they were promoted from the Northern Premier First Division.

Mr Terry added: "We needed to win on the last game of the season and we did it against Farsley Celtic.

"It was a fantastic match and meant so much."

He is now looking forward to putting his feet up.

Mr Terry said: "I am going to enjoy my retirement.

"I just decided that I needed a break and I am looking forward to going on holiday."

He was also looking forward to spending more time on his hobby of researching his family history, but he will still be a regular fixture at matches.

Rob Heys, Stanley's chief executive, said: "He is fantastic, both as a bloke and as a secretary.

"There is nothing he doesn't know about non-league football and football in general.

"Phil certainly played a big part in everything we have achieved in recent years and leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the club."

Hannah Bailey will take over as secretary at the club.