Accrington Stanley Have a Big Tax Bill or Else...

Poor sods.
No wonder they were gutted when they drew us in the cup.

A real shame. Hope things work out for them.

I thought their performance against us in the League Cup was excellent. They played some decent football, particularly in the first half. They also have a very good striker - I think his name is Symes. I wouldn't be surprised to see another League Two club try to sign him.

Premier league have still not ratified the friendly, what's wrong with these people?

I know it's Sunday but peeerlease!

Sure was, good club. When I was younger they were referred to as the academy of the north and not just because they wear claret and blue, nice club, not many about.


AS played Bury and had the buckets out, Bury fans were very generous according to SSN. That you don't mind but AS had the cheek to nick all three points in the last five minutes.

Blimey. 1960 was my first year at QPR. Burnley were the reigning league champions, Bury won the title in our division that season, and didn't Accrington Stanley go out of business that year too?

Great to see them back!

And yes, Burnley were a class act. Their performance in the 1962 FA Cup Final when everyone felt they were unlucky to lose to a Greaves-inspired Spurs was a fine example of the their stylish way of playing the game.

I seem to recall that Chairman Bob Lord was far from being the nicest! Spoke about how his dream was to have Burnley be self-sufficient so didn't need the fans...


Thanks for Dave Thomas. Wish we could have had Martin Dobson. But wasn't happy that Bryan Flynn chose Leeds over QPR!

Under 21s i think!! he mist our win yesterday and will miss the friendly at Burnley on Tuesday night,not sure if he will play against Darllington on friday night, this game could be our biggest league attendance for 2 seasons,with bury fans and other local and middlands teams coming up to show their support and hand over much needed cash at the gate,all who come will be wearing their club coulors hers the link www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=265364155404&ref=mf

Hope you you have a big turn out and raise lots of cash. Many moons ago Brighton did something similar and they had a great turn out. I went down with a dozen or so R's and there were fans from all over the country, even a couple of Hearts fans!
Good luck

And this

Lancashire Telegraph

Burnley boss in plea to fans to help out Accrington Stanley
Tuesday 8th September 2009

By Suzanne Geldard »

OWEN Coyle has urged Burnley fans to show their support for cash-strapped neighbours Accrington Stanley by turning out in force at Turf Moor tonight (7.45pm).

The Clarets are hoping to go some way to helping the League Two side raise the £308,000 needed to pay an outstanding tax bill and avoid a winding up order.

David Nugent is set to make his debut against the Reds a week after completing his transfer deadline day loan move from Portsmouth.

And Coyle hopes this will provide another incentive to get fans through the turnstiles.

“We’re delighted to help out Accrington,” said the Burnley boss.

“I was certainly taken by their plight and how precarious it is.

“Let's be honest, I think all football clubs have had their hard times at different stages, and I think it's nice that we're in a position to help them out.

“And I would encourage the Burnley supporters to come out and support not only Accrington but also our players who will play tonight.

“David Nugent will play from the start, as well as Fernando Guerrero and Chris Eagles.

"It will be a very strong team to give them an opportunity.

“Burnley fans will get to see David in the flesh.

"He's scored a few times here before, for Preston and Portsmouth, so hopefully it will be nice to see him hit the back of the net with Burnley.

“But the biggest single thing is that we help Accrington, and by doing that I think it's good for everybody involved.”

And while relishing the opportunity to complete 90 minutes for the first time since March, Clarets newcomer Nugent himself recognised the importance of lending Stanley helping hand.

“I haven't played any games really over the past few weeks; 20 minutes here 10 minutes there isn't long enough.

"Hopefully I can get 90 minutes and score a few goals in a Burnley shirt and win the fans over early on,” said the Merseysider.

“They're struggling for a bit of cash at the moment so hopefully this will help them.”

Tickets for tonight’s game are only available at the Turf Moor turnstiles and are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

All gate receipts will go to the ‘Save Our Stanley’ fund.

Spaces on the North Stand car park are available for a £2 donation, with gates closing at 7pm.

www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/burnley/news/4585899.Burnley_boss_in_plea_to_fans_to_help_out_Accrington_Stanley/?ref=rss

That's excellent mark, keep up the good work Thanks for letting us know and keep us posted..

If every fan at every game on Saturday literally gave just a few pennies in a giant bucket collection, would raise a massive amount towards helping Accrington


Burnley Official Site

Coyle Praises Fans For Stanley Support
Posted on: Tue 08 Sep 2009

Burnley manager Owen Coyle praised the Clarets' supporters for playing their part on a marvellous night as Accrington Stanley's survival fund was given a major boost at Turf Moor.

A crowd of 5,301 turned up to see Burnley beat Accrington 4-0 and generate valuable gate receipts for Stanley's bid to raise £308,000 to avoid a winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs.

"To get over 5,000 at the game, given how poor the weather conditions were, speaks volumes for everybody involved," said Coyle.

"On a better night who's to say we might have had six or seven thousand but I'm delighted for everybody who did come along and thank-you that.

"There was some good quality football on show and I'm just delighted at how the whole night went.

"Everybody played their part. Accrington's fans came along and Burnley's fans came out in their numbers.

"There was some great football and great goals and it was one of those nights you get in football. Everyone was here for the same cause, singing from the same hymn sheet and it was an enjoyable evening."

The fixture, which was played for the SoS Cup, was proposed by Coyle but the Clarets chief was quick to share out the credit after the rare experience of being cheered by both sets of fans.

He added: "It's always nice people singing your name but I think that was just a thank-you for the game.

"As a manager you are a figurehead but I have to say an awful lot of work went in from an awful ot of people and it's very much a united front here.

"Accrington also played their part and we are just delighted we could play a part in such a worthy cause."

Jay Rodriguez scored twice for Burnley, while wingers Chris Eagles and Fernando Guerrero capped outstanding performances with the other two goals and new signing David Nugent played for 75 minuets.

"It was a joy to watch some of the football on show," Coyle said.

Accrington manager John Coleman also thanked Burnley for their backing in Stanley's bid to survive.

He said: "The fans' response, certainly from Burnley, was something that won't be forgotten for a long time. To come out at such short noitce and in such foul weather we are are very grateful. Everyone should be applauded because they are true football fans."

www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/LatestHeadlines/0,,10413~1791433,00.html


BURNLEY OFFICIAL SITE
Fans Come Out To Help Save Stanley
Posted on: Tue 08 Sep 2009

An impressive crowd of 5,301 braved an awful night to help Accrington Stanley's survival bid and enjoy a four-star showing as the Clarets lifted the SoS Cup at Turf Moor.

Fernando Guerrero, Chris Eagles and Jay Rodriguez, twice, were on target for Burnley as Owen Coyle's squad enjoyed a highly productive work-out in a 4-0 win.

And Accrington went home with a major cash injection from the gate receipts to help their bid to raise the £308,000 they need to avoid a winding up order from the taxman.

Coyle's suggestion to stage the fixture was fully rewarded as new loan signing David Nugent also got 75 minutes under his belt to take into Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Liverpool.

The former Preston man couldn't mark his first appearance in a Burnley shirt with a goal but went close on a handful of occasions as he knocked off the ring rustiness gained in a frustrating spell at Portsmouth.

There was, though, a first goal for Guerrero whose quick feet and lightning pace lit up a wet night and again hinted at exciting things to come from the teenage Ecuador international.

On the opposite wing Eagles was in equally eye-catching form as he made the most of his opportunity of an extended run-out, while summer signings David Edgar, Richard Eckerlsey and Brian Easton all underlined the growing strength in Coyle's first-team squad.

Guerrero was a constant handful for the Stanley defence and opened the scoring after 15 minutes when he ran onto a superb pass from Kevin McDonald to calmly slot a low shot past Alan Martin.

And 11 minutes later Burnley doubled their lead from a quickly taken free-kick when Eagles and Guerrero combined for Eagles to cheekily steer the ball home from 22 yards.

Double strike for Jay Rodriguez

Eagles could have had a hat-trick before the break as he saw a point-blank header blocked by Martin and also saw a skidding shot go just past the far post following another thrusting run.

Nugent and Steve Thompson also went close, while Rodriguez impressed in a central midfield role.

And it was Rodriguez who scored Burnley's third goal three minutes into the second half when he fired a shot into the roof of the net in front of his favoured Jimmy McIlroy Stand from anothger lovely Eagles through-ball.

Eagles and Nugent could then have added further goals before Coyle gave youth its chance from the bench and it was a cross from substitute Ben Hoskin which allowed Rodriguez to head in at the near post in the last minute.

Stanley's attack was kept largely at arm's length but Diego Penney was forced into one flying save to keep out a shot from Michael Symes and deny Accrington's supporters, who voiced their support for Coyle and the Burnley following, a goal to go with their potential cash lifeline.

Burnley:Penny, Duff, Edgar, Eckersley, McDonald (Ray-Harvey 69mins), Easton, Eagles, Thompson (Anderson 69mins), Rodriguez, Nugent (Fletcher 75mins), Guerrero (Hoskin 79mins). Substitutes: McDonald.

Accrington:Martin, Lloyd, Kempson, Murphy, Ami, Proctor, Miles, Turner, Melo, King, McConville. Substitutes: Symes, Black, Riley, Joyce, Grant, Richardson, Dunbavin.

To pledge a further donation to help Accrington click HERE www.saveourstanley.co.uk/ to go to their special fund-raising website Save Our Stanley.

www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/LatestHeadlines/0,,10413~1791391,00.html

That's brilliant Mark and good luck, it's going well.

Just having a look and will make a donation tomorrow.
(Missus is out and got my debit card)

Donations can be made here, if anyone wants to assist.

www.saveourstanley.co.uk/donations.html

Fletcher Smith Blog

Main
Can Accrington save their Stanley without help?
Post categories: Football

Paul Fletcher | 18:30 UK time, Wednesday, 23 September 2009

Accrington have a motto that reads 'The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. Save our Stanley.'

It is entirely appropriate given the predicament the homely Lancashire clubs finds itself in and yet also hints at a determination to look beyond their current crisis and towards happier times.

Stanley, in case you haven't heard, owe the taxman £308,000 and HMRC wants its money. Quite right too, given that their money is in reality our money.

The club's chief executive, Rob Heys, maintains that apart from general day-to-day running costs it is the only real debt the club has. There are no other significant individual creditors.

If that is the case then how did the League Two side get themselves into such a mess in the first place?


"It is a combination of events that has conspired against us," Heys told me.

Heys points to dwindling attendances at the Crown Ground and the collapse of the club's main sponsor, Fraser Eagle, in March.

Stanley averaged 2,260 in 2006-07, their first season back in the Football League after an absence of 44 years. That figure halved over the course of the next two seasons. When Fraser Eagle entered administration it left a huge hole in the budget, but Stanley aren't feeling sorry for themselves.

Manager John Coleman is working with a threadbare squad and cannot bring in any loan signings because of a transfer embargo.

The effervescent Liverpudlian has been in charge at the club for 10 years and describes the club's fight for survival as very close to his heart.

"The fact is there are a lot of people who would like to be involved in professional football but they are outside the game so I am just pleased to be doing a job that I love," he said.

Heys, who struck me as perhaps the most earnest and contrite chief executive I have ever interviewed, added: "We are in this situation and we have got to get ourselves out of it.

"We accept the debt is ours and has to be paid. We are not seeking to avoid paying part of it by entering administration or seeking any sort of financial arrangement. We want to pay it off in full."

Heys even mounted a valiant defence of HMRC, arguing that the people there are only doing their job and must not be seen as the bad guys in all of this.

I am not sure he felt that way on 2 September as he stood in the High Court in London and heard that Stanley had until 28 October to raise £308,000 or face a winding-up order.

Heys has worked at the club for seven years, joining when they were still making their ascent through the non-league pyramid. He describes his trip to face the music in London as one of the darkest days of his life; he told me that he had never felt so alone as when the realisation dawned on him that the clock had started ticking.

To be fair, Heys had an idea what was coming as the club had been in regular dialogue with HMRC. Accrington initially sought to pay off their debt over three years, a timeframe that eventually whittled down to 12 months, with Stanley paying £18,000 a month plus three larger sums through the course of the year.

Accrington slashed their wage bill and found what Heys describes as five or six really good revenue streams to ensure they could meet the payments. But it gradually became evident the taxman wanted his money sooner - a suspicion that was reinforced at the club's day in court.

The club's Save our Stanley campaign was kicked off shortly afterwards and Accrington have so far raised £80,000. That means they have roughly five weeks left to find more than £200,000.

Heys sounds genuinely humbled when he discusses the generosity shown by people within the town and beyond.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle must surely have enough on his plate trying to keep the Clarets in the Premier League but he organised a friendly against Stanley. More than 5,000 turned up despite atrocious weather conditions and paid £10 a head to see Burnley win 4-0.

Football shirts from all over the country were on display as Accrington defeated Darlington 2-1 on Friday 11 September. A bumper crowd of 3,228 passed through the turnstiles. They weren't exactly treated to a classic but that is to miss the point.

"So many people from other clubs gave up their time and money - I thought it was a great gesture," added Coleman.

"You could feel the atmosphere before the game and you knew it was going to be special. The players responded really well."

Accrington have rescheduled this weekend's home game against Crewe so that it takes place on Friday night. They hope more neutrals will turn up, while the club's bucket collectors will be able to take the opportunity to visit other clubs on Saturday.

Heys almost seems overcome when he describes the different pubs, businesses and individuals who are raising money or making donations.

"It is really humbling and it is a difficult position because we are not a charity and almost feel uncomfortable asking for donations," he said.

I think the fundraising efforts shows just how much a local club matters to the people of its local area - but it also taps into something much bigger than that. The fact that so many fans of others clubs have come along to support Stanley speaks volumes about the wider football community. Friendly banter and rivalry is one thing, wanting another club to go out of business another entirely.

There are plenty of clubs that have endured hard times in recent years and I was not surprised at all to see a television feature on the match showing fans wearing shirts of, for example, Bury at the Crown Ground for the match against the Quakers. Perhaps if you have seen your club close to extinction then you understand how desperate it must be for Accrington right now.

Heys is keen to look on the bright side. If Accrington do survive - and he is optimistic that they will - he says the club will instigate an annual event to raise money for charities in the local area. It will be a way of saying thanks for all the help they have received.

Plus, if Accrington succeed in their current plight it means they will have paid off their debts quicker than initially anticipated. Both Heys and Coleman see a secure and successful future for the club if they can clear the current hurdle.

But there is another side to this story.

Several other parties have expressed an interest in investing in the club. Accrington Stanley Supporters' Fund have offered to pay the debt in return for equity in the club, while local businessman Ilyas Khan has stated he is prepared to put in £250,000.

Khan already owns a 12% stake in Stanley and has concerns that the club's financial problems extend beyond the tax bill. He wants to open dialogue with Accrington's directors and it has been reported that he is adamant a share issue is the only long-term solution to solving Stanley's problems.

Stanley were taken over by local businessman David O'Neill in the summer and a cursory search around the internet suggests that some supporters clearly think he should accept some of the offers of financial assistance. Heys' attitude - and I presume that of the club in general - is very much one of we created this mess, we'll fix it. Khan has called for transparency over the true state of the club's finances. Of course, if Khan does invest or there is a share issue it would dilute O'Neill's control.

Given that Accrington still need to raise a substantial portion of the amount they owe perhaps the club might eventually have to seek the assistance on offer.

Accrington, of course, is famous for an advert involving milk and Ian Rush as well as the fact the town's previous club went bust and out of business in 1962, resigning from the Football League.

The people of Accrington are determined to ensure that history does not repeat itself. The last thing they want is for young football fans to have to ask: "Accrington Stanley - who are they?"

You can follow me throughout the season at twitter.com

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2009/09/accrington_determined_to_save.html#142287

BBC - Stanley close to paying tax bill

League Two side Accrington Stanley are hopeful of avoiding a High Court date later this month which could have seen them face closure.

The club were given eight weeks to pay back £308,000 in unpaid taxes to HM Revenue & Customs on 2 September.

Chief executive Rob Heys told BBC Radio Lancashire: "We are working very hard to avoid that. It's important over the next day or so all the money comes in.

"We're well on track to raise £150,000 through fundraising efforts."

"There is more money to come from directors which will bring in £100,000.

They've both been absolutely fantastic. There is no sense of being patronising

Rob Heys on Burnley and Blackburn
"That leaves £50,000 which we've got one or two things in place with a couple of local people who have offered to lend us the money albeit very short term.

"It's really important now to satisfy the revenue, draw a line under it and concentrate on the future."

Accrington have staged friendly matches against their Premier League neighbours Burnley and Blackburn Rovers in recent weeks, which have contributed to reaching £150,000 in fundraising.

Heys said: "They've both been absolutely fantastic. There is no sense of being patronising.

"They recognise that we are the other professional football club in between them in east Lancashire and they are quite happy to get involved and help out.

"That's come from the managers, the people behind the scenes and the supporters as well."