Stanley announce Academy closure

Accrington Stanley has announced the closure of the club's Football Academy as part of cost-cutting measures.

- RICHARD PARTINGTON

The decision comes days after owner Andy Holt said he was ending his time at the club “in any executive capacity” after claiming the council had a “vendetta” against Stanley.

Mr Holt said the “undermining of the club has gone on since day one,” highlighting the removal of planning permission, a noise abatement order and a removal of the club's licence to sell alcohol on non-match-days.

A statement from the club's board of directors cited “restrictions on the use of club facilities and the reduced ability to generate revenue” as one of the key reasons behind the decision to close the Academy.