Stanley chief executive: Financial position is grim

THE chief executive of Accrington Stanley which last week closed its academy for aspiring young players has said its financial position is 'grim!

- BY BILL JACOBS Local Democracy Reporting Service

Stanley boss Warren Eastham gave the warning in response to a letter from Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Munsif Dad offering a meeting to discuss what assistance the authority could offer.

He accused the council of providing nothing but 'empty words of support.

At the end of last month Stanley owner Andy Holt announced he would be stepping down accusing the authority of a 'vendetta' against it due to a long-running row over the club's hospitality suites built in contravention of planning permission.

The club - which finished the season 21st in the EFL's League Two, two places above relegation - then lost its stadium's live music licence except on matchdays due to repeated noise complaints.

Mr Eastham said announcing the academy closure to parents children and staff was 'without doubt, the hardest day of my career'.