Football Season Guide

Accrington Stanley begin a new era with John Doolan handed the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of the legendary John Coleman. Coleman’s name will forever be indelibly linked with Accrington Stanley after bringing sustained success to the club in two spells, spanning more than two decades. Sadly that association ended on a sour note following relegation from League One in 2023. It created a schism in the relationship between Coleman and owner Andy Holt and he was sacked in March. Any hopes of bouncing straight back from relegation were over by that stage with injuries ravaging the squad. Doolan was appointed as his permanent successor shortly afterwards and will now try and rebuild his squad and the club. He has recruited Ged Brannan as his assistant, following a spell in charge of Morecambe. It is perhaps understandable that several long-standing players have chosen to move on, mostly notably midfielder Sean McConville after making over 400 appearances. Goalkeeper Toby Savin, defender Rosaire Longelo and the midfield trio of Jack Nolan, Joe Pritchard and Tommy Leigh are also notable summer departures. Undisclosed fees have been received for some of those players but the loss of quality is going to be difficult to replace, especially given the Reds modest resources. This is illustrated in a new strikeforce of Jimmy Knowles and Kelsey Mooney, who played together for National League North side Boston United last season. Defenders Donald Love and Farrend Rawson do at least bring EFL experience with them having played under Brannan at Morecambe last season. Change is always difficult to negotiate but when it’s a fundamental as this, it’s easy to suspect that difficult times lay ahead.