After returning to Sky Bet League One for next season, we will be collating information on all of our opponents in the 2019/20 season starting with Accrington Stanley...
Name: Accrington Stanley Football Club
Founded 1968
Ground: The Wham Stadium
Capacity: 5,450
Manager: John Coleman
Last season: 14th in Sky Bet League One
Competing at third-tier level for the first time in their history last season, Accrington Stanley ensured a second campaign in Sky Bet League One after finishing 14th in the division.
Managed by Liverpudlian John Coleman, the East Lancashire club enjoyed a stable term, finishing five-points ahead of the bottom four relegation places to comfortably secure safety.
From their 46 games played, Stanley won 14, drew 13 and lost 19 of their fixtures – finishing with 55 points and an identical record of seven wins both at The Wham Stadium and away on their travels.
Boss Coleman, 56, has a managerial association with Accrington which has spanned 18-seasons over two spells at the club since initially joining in 1999 and he has achieved three promotions whilst in charge.
Following a prolonged playing career where he found himself compete mainly at non-league for numerous sides, most notably spending three years at Southport between 1985-1988, making 89 appearances as well as turning out for Kirkby Town, Burscough, Marine, Runcorn, Rhyl, Witton Albion, Morecambe, Lancaster City and Ashton Town, where he moved into management, Coleman first became Accrington boss in May 1999.
He remained at Stanley for a further 13-years, leading them to the EFL from the Conference in 2006.
After departing in 2012 for Rochdale, Coleman had further stints at Southport and Irish outfit Sligo Rovers before returning to Accrington in September 2014.
And since his return to The Wham Stadium, Coleman has brought success to the Lancastrians, guiding Stanley to a Sky Bet League Two title victory in the 2017/18 season.
Their first year playing in Sky Bet League One saw Accrington secure a mid-table finish as they prepare for their second term in the division.
Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley have played each other eight times since first meeting back in September 2008, a fixture which TRFC won 1-0 at Prenton Park in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
From their eight matches where they have come up against Stanley to date, Rovers have won five, drawn one and lost two of their outings.
The two teams last met during the 2014/15 campaign, with Tranmere claiming the three-points at Prenton Park with a 3-0 win in Sky Bet League Two back in January 2015.
Forward Rory Donnelly notched a double for Rovers, scoring in each half, either side of Shamir Fenelon’s strike.
Watch TRFC in Sky Bet League One next season by securing your seat at Prenton Park. CLICK HERE!