2023–24 Accrington Stanley F.C. season

The 2023–24 season is the 55th season in the history of Accrington Stanley and their first season back in League Two since the 2017–18 season following relegation from League One in the previous season. The club are participating in League Two, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the 2023–24 EFL Trophy.

Accrington Stanley
2023–24 season
OwnerAndy Holt
ManagerJohn Coleman
StadiumWham Stadium
League Two8th
EFL CupFirst round
EFL TrophyGroup stage

Current squad
As of 6 October 2023
No. Name Position Nationality Place of birth Date of birth (Age) Signed from Date signed Fee Contract end
Goalkeepers
1Toby SavinGKEnglandSouthport (2001-05-04) 4 May 2001Academy1 July 2019—30 June 2024
13Liam IsherwoodGKEnglandClitheroe (2002-07-13) 13 July 2002Academy1 July 2020—30 June 2024
21Jon McCrackenGKScotlandGlasgow (2000-05-24) 24 May 2000Norwich City29 September 2023Loan14 October 2023
61Jack McIntyreGKEnglandManchester (2002-10-18) 18 October 2002Radcliffe11 August 2023Free Transfer30 June 2024
Defenders
2Lewis ShipleyCBEngland (2003-11-29) 29 November 2003Norwich City22 July 2023Loan31 May 2024
3Jay Rich-BaghuelouCBAustraliaSydney (1999-10-22) 22 October 1999Crystal Palace14 January 2022Undisclosed30 June 2025
4Kelvin MellorRBEnglandCrewe (1991-01-25) 25 January 1991Crewe Alexandra21 July 2023Free Transfer30 June 2024
5Brad HillsCBEngland (2004-03-10) 10 March 2004Norwich City17 July 2023Loan31 May 2024
14Rosaire LongeloRBEnglandDemocratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa (1999-10-20) 20 October 1999Newcastle United7 January 2022Undisclosed30 June 2024
15Baba FernandesCBGuinea-BissauBissau (2000-03-07) 7 March 2000Nottingham Forest8 August 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
16Joe GubbinsCBEnglandOxford (2001-08-03) 3 August 2001Queens Park Rangers25 August 2023Loan31 May 2024
23Bailey SloaneLBEnglandBury (2003-02-06) 6 February 2003Clitheroe1 September 2022Undisclosed30 June 2024
25Aaron PicklesCBEngland (2005-03-20) 20 March 2005Academy20 July 2023—30 June 2024
38Connor O'BrienLBEngland (2005-02-15) 15 February 2005Academy1 July 2023—30 June 2024
Midfielders
6Liam CoyleDMNorthern IrelandEngland Liverpool (1999-12-06) 6 December 1999Liverpool5 July 2021Free Transfer30 June 2024
8Ben WoodsCMEnglandWigan (2002-09-27) 27 September 2002Scotland Inverness Caledonian Thistle1 September 2023Free Transfer30 June 2024
10Joe PritchardCMEnglandWatford (1996-09-10) 10 September 1996Bolton Wanderers1 July 2019Free Transfer30 June 2024
11Sean McConvilleLMEnglandLiverpool (1989-03-06) 6 March 1989Chester1 July 2015Free Transfer30 June 2024
12Seb QuirkRMEnglandLiverpool (2001-12-05) 5 December 2001Everton19 January 2023Undisclosed30 June 2025
18Tommy LeighCMEnglandPortsmouth (2000-04-13) 13 April 2000Bognor Regis Town10 July 2021Undisclosed30 June 2024
22Dan MartinCMEngland (2002-04-19) 19 April 2002Academy10 September 2020—30 June 2024
24Emerich PoillyDMFrance (2005-02-26) 26 February 2005Stoke City1 July 2021Free Transfer30 June 2024
27Lewis TrickettRMNorthern Ireland (2005-04-27) 27 April 2005Academy20 July 2023—30 June 2024
28Seamus ConneelyDMRepublic of IrelandEngland Lambeth (1988-07-09) 9 July 1988Republic of Ireland Sligo Rovers1 January 2015Free Transfer30 June 2024
Forwards
7Shaun WhalleyRWEnglandPrescot (1987-08-07) 7 August 1987Shrewsbury Town4 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
9Matt LoweCFEnglandWarwick (1996-03-11) 11 March 1996Brackley Town1 July 2022Free Transfer30 June 2024
17Jack NolanLWEnglandPortsmouth (2001-05-25) 25 May 2001Walsall5 August 2021Free Transfer30 June 2024
19Josh AndrewsCFEnglandSolihull (2001-10-16) 16 October 2001Birmingham City22 July 2023Loan31 May 2024
26Leslie AdekoyaCFRepublic of IrelandDublin (2004-04-18) 18 April 2004Academy26 July 2022—30 June 2024
33Angola PopoolaCFEnglandAcademy8 August 2023—30 June 2024
39Josh WoodsCFEngland (2000-07-05) 5 July 2000Clay Brow30 July 2021Free Transfer30 June 2024
55Korede AdedoyinRWNigeriaLagos (2000-11-14) 14 November 2000Sheffield Wednesday31 January 2022Undisclosed30 June 2024
Out on Loan
20Oliver PatrickCMEnglandOldham (2003-02-02) 2 February 2003Rochdale9 July 2021Free Transfer30 June 2024
30Alex HendersonCMEngland (2004-09-25) 25 September 2004Academy20 July 2023—30 June 2024
31Owen DevonportCMEngland (2004-10-09) 9 October 2004Academy20 July 2023—30 June 2024
32Jack MasseyLWEngland (2005-04-15) 15 April 2005Academy20 July 2023—30 June 2024

Transfers

In
Date Pos Player Transferred from Fee Ref
21 July 2023RBEngland Kelvin MellorEngland Crewe AlexandraFree Transfer[1]
11 August 2023GKEngland Jack McIntyreEngland RadcliffeFree Transfer[2]
1 September 2023CMEngland Ben WoodsScotland Inverness Caledonian ThistleFree Transfer[3]

Out
Date Pos Player Transferred to Fee Ref
26 June 2023CMLiberia Mo SangareScotland LivingstonUndisclosed[4]
30 June 2023RBWales Mitch ClarkEngland Port ValeReleased[5][6]
30 June 2023GKEngland Max Clayton Free agentReleased[5]
30 June 2023RMEngland Rhys-James Fenlon Free agentReleased[5]
30 June 2023DMEngland Brandon Gough Free agentReleased[5]
30 June 2023CFEngland Joe HardyEngland BootleReleased[5][7]
30 June 2023CFEngland Calvin Harper Free agentReleased[5]
30 June 2023CFSpain Enock Lusiama Free agentReleased[5]
30 June 2023CBEngland Harvey Monk Free agentReleased[5]
30 June 2023CMEngland Dylan MoonanEngland Atherton CollieriesReleased[5][8]
30 June 2023CMFrance Anthony Mancini Free agentReleased[5]
30 June 2023RBEngland Jasper Newton Free agentReleased[5]
30 June 2023CBSaint Kitts and Nevis Michael NottinghamScotland LivingstonEnd of Contract[9][10]
30 June 2023CBEngland Harvey RodgersEngland Grimsby TownFree Transfer[11]
5 July 2023CFSpain Alhagi Touray Sisay Free agentMutual Consent[12]
31 July 2023CMNorthern Ireland David MorganEngland SouthportReleased[13][14]
1 August 2023CMScotland Ethan HamiltonEngland Lincoln CityUndisclosed[15]

Loaned in
Date Pos Player Loaned from Until Ref
17 July 2023CBEngland Brad HillsEngland Norwich CityEnd of Season[16]
22 July 2023CFEngland Josh AndrewsEngland Birmingham CityEnd of Season[17]
22 July 2023CBEngland Lewis ShipleyEngland Norwich CityEnd of Season[18]
25 August 2023CBEngland Joe GubbinsEngland Queens Park RangersEnd of Season[19]
29 September 2023GKScotland Jon McCrackenEngland Norwich City14 October 2023[lower-alpha 1][20][21]
  1. On 6 October, McCracken's loan from Norwich was extended by a further week.

Loaned out
Date Pos Player Loaned to Until Ref
10 August 2023CMEngland Alex HendersonEngland Clitheroe4 October 2023[lower-alpha 1][22][23]
12 August 2023GKEngland Jack McIntyreEngland Dartford9 September 2023[24]
8 September 2023CMEngland Owen DevonportEngland Clitheroe6 October 2023[25]
23 September 2023CFEngland Jack MasseyEngland Stafford Rangers21 October 2023[26]
6 October 2023CMEngland Oliver PatrickEngland Atherton Collieries4 November 2023[27]
  1. On September 6, Henderson's loan at Clitheroe was extended by a further month.

Pre-season and friendlies

On 26 May, Accrington Stanley announced their first two pre-season friendlies, against Blackburn Rovers and Cliterhoe.[28][29] Four days later, a trip to face Warrington Town was confirmed.[30] On 9 June, a fourth friendly was confirmed, against Chesterfield.[31] Ten days later, a fifth friendly was booked, against York City.[32]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

8 July 2023 Friendly Accrington Stanley 2–2 Blackburn Rovers Accrington
15:00 BST Nolan 64'
Adedoyin 102' (pen.)		 Hedges 104'
Dolan 113'		 Stadium: Wham Stadium
Note: Two 60-minute halves
11 July 2023 Friendly Warrington Town 2–3 Accrington Stanley Warrington
19:45 BST Duffy 11'
Woods 15'		 Trialist x3 Stadium: Cantilever Park
16 July 2023 Friendly Accrington Stanley 3–1 Clitheroe Accrington
15:00 BST Nolan 62'
Devonport 79'
Sloane 84'		 Gonzales 21' Stadium: Wham Stadium
22 July 2023 Friendly Accrington Stanley 2–3 Chesterfield Accrington
15:00 BST Nolan 28'
Trialist 67'		 Banks 9'
Dobra 20'
Colclough 25'		 Stadium: Wham Stadium
29 July 2023 Friendly Accrington Stanley 2–0 York City Accrington
15:00 BST Adedoyin 61'
Woods 81'		 Stadium: Wham Stadium

Competitions

Overall record
Competition Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
League Two Matchday 1 6 3 1 2 9 7 +2 050.00
FA Cup Third round 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !—
EFL Cup First round First round 1 0 1 0 1 1 +0 000.00
EFL Trophy Group stage 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100.00
Total 8 4 2 2 11 8 +3 050.00

Last updated: 5 September 2023
Source: Soccerway

League Two
Main article: 2023–24 EFL League Two

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
3 Wrexham 15 7 6 2 30 27 +3 27 Promotion to EFL League One
4 Mansfield Town 14 6 8 0 25 11 +14 26 Qualification for League Two play-offs
5 Crewe Alexandra 15 7 5 3 34 25 +9 26
6 Accrington Stanley 15 8 2 5 24 20 +4 26
7 Gillingham 15 8 1 6 14 18 −4 25
8 Morecambe 13 7 3 3 19 15 +4 24
9 Swindon Town 14 6 5 3 31 21 +10 23
Updated to match(es) played on 24 October 2023. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[33]

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
15 8 2 5 24 20  +4 26 5 1 2 14 10  +4 3 1 3 10 10  0

Last updated: 24 October 2023.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round
Round123456789101112131415
GroundHAHHAAHHAHAHAHA
ResultWLDWWLLWLLDWWWW
Position28843815812151511976
Points33471010101313131417202326
Updated to match(es) played on 24 October 2023. Source: Soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

On 22 June, the EFL League Two fixtures were released.[34]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

5 August 2023 1 Accrington Stanley 3–0 Newport County Accrington
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 2,416
Referee: Martin Woods
12 August 2023 2 Gillingham 1–0 Accrington Stanley Gillingham
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 6,489
Referee: Will Finnie
15 August 2023 3 Accrington Stanley 1–1 Barrow Accrington
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 2,204
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
19 August 2023 4 Accrington Stanley 2–1 Harrogate Town Accrington
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 1,950
Referee: Scott Simpson
26 August 2023 5 Salford City 1–2 Accrington Stanley Salford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Peninsula Stadium
Attendance: 2,520
Referee: Charles Breakspear
2 September 2023 6 Notts County 3–1 Accrington Stanley Nottingham
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Meadow Lane
Attendance: 9,846
Referee: Thomas Krik
9 September 2023 7 Accrington Stanley 0–3 Mansfield Town Accrington
15:00 BST
Stadium: Wham Stadium
16 September 2023 8 Accrington Stanley 4–1 Sutton United Accrington
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 2,036
Referee: Darren Drysdale
23 September 2023 9 Tranmere Rovers 2–0 Accrington Stanley Birkenhead
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 5,980
Referee: Sam Purkiss
30 September 2023 10 Accrington Stanley 1–3 Stockport County Accrington
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 3,913
Referee: Tom Reeves
3 October 2023 11 Morecambe 1–1 Accrington Stanley Morecambe
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: The Mazuma Stadium
Attendance: 3,458
Referee: Keith Stroud
7 October 2023 12 Accrington Stanley 2–1 Forest Green Rovers Accrington
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 2,222
Referee: Ben Atkinson
14 October 2023 13 Grimsby Town 0–2 Accrington Stanley Cleethorpes
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 6,335
Referee: Lewis Smith
21 October 2023 14 Accrington Stanley 1–0 Milton Keynes Dons Accrington
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Wham Stadium
Attendance: 1,995
Referee: Simon Mather
24 October 2023 15 AFC Wimbledon 2–4 Accrington Stanley Wimbledon
14:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Plough Lane
Attendance: 7,108
Referee: Carl Brook

FA Cup
Main article: 2023–24 FA Cup

Accrington were drawn away to Doncaster Rovers in the first round.[35]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

4 November 2023 First Round Doncaster Rovers v Accrington Stanley Doncaster
15:00 GMT
      		Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium

      EFL Cup
      Main article: 2023–24 EFL Cup

      Stanley were drawn at home to Bradford City in the first round.[36]

        Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

      8 August 2023 First round Accrington Stanley 1–1
      (1–4 p)      		 Bradford City Accrington
      19:45 BST
      		Report
      		Stadium: Wham Stadium
      Attendance: 2,368
      Referee: Martin Coy
      Penalties

      EFL Trophy
      Main article: 2023–24 EFL Trophy

      Group stage

      In the group stage, Accrington were drawn into Northern Group C alongside Carlisle United, Harrogate Town and Nottingham Forest U21.[37][38]

      Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
      1 L2 Accrington Stanley 2 2 0 0 0 6 3 +3 6 Advance to Round 2
      2 ACA Nottingham Forest U21 2 1 0 0 1 3 2 +1 3
      3 L2 Harrogate Town 2 1 0 0 1 5 6 −1 3
      4 L1 Carlisle United 2 0 0 0 2 0 3 −3 0
      Updated to match(es) played on 10 October 2023. Source: EFL.com

        Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

      5 September 2023 1 Accrington Stanley 1–0 Carlisle United Accrington
      19:45 BST
      		Report
      		Stadium: Wham Stadium
      Attendance: 888
      Referee: Scott Jackson
      10 October 2023 2 Harrogate Town 3–5 Accrington Stanley Harrogate
      19:45 BST
      		Report
      		Stadium: EnviroVent Stadium
      Attendance: 959
      Referee: Marc Edwards
      14 November 2023 3 Accrington Stanley v Nottingham Forest U21 Accrington
      19:45 GMT Stadium: Wham Stadium

      References
      1. "Kelvin's a Red". Accrington Stanley FC. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
      2. "Jack's a Red". Accrington Stanley FC. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
      3. "Ben's a Red". Accrington Stanley FC. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
      4. "Sangare joins Livingston". Accrington Stanley FC. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
      5. "Retained list". Accrington Stanley FC. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
      6. "Mitch Clark Joins The Valiants". Port Vale FC. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
      7. "Bootle | Appearances | Joseph Hardy". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
      8. "Colls Land Burnley Academy Graduate". Northern Premier League. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
      9. "Nottingham leaves the Reds". Accrington Stanley FC. 16 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
      10. "Welcome, Michael Nottingham!". Livingston FC. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
      11. "Rodgers joins Grimsby Town". Accrington Stanley FC. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
      12. "Touray Sisay leaves the Reds". Accrington Stanley FC. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
      13. "Morgan leaves the Reds". Accrington Stanley FC. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
      14. "David Morgan Returns". Southport FC. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
      15. "Lincoln sign Accrington midfielder Hamilton". British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
      16. "Brad joins on loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
      17. "Josh joins on loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
      18. "Lewis joins on loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
      19. "Joe joins on loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
      20. "McCracken joins Accrington Stanley on loan". Norwich City FC. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
      21. "McCracken extends loan at Accrington Stanley". Norwich City FC. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
      22. "Henderson joins Clitheroe on loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
      23. "Henderson extends Clitheroe loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
      24. "McIntyre joins Dartford on loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
      25. "Devonport joins Clitheroe on loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
      26. "Massey joins Stafford Rangers on loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
      27. "Patrick joins Atherton Collieries on loan". Accrington Stanley FC. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
      28. "Reds to face Clitheroe in pre-season". Accrington Stanley FC. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
      29. "Reds to host Blackburn at the Wham". Accrington Stanley FC. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
      30. "Reds to visit Warrington". Accrington Stanley FC. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
      31. "Reds to host Chesterfield at the Wham". Accrington Stanley FC. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
      32. "Reds to host York City". Accrington Stanley FC. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
      33. "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
      34. "Reds to host Newport County on opening day". Accrington Stanley FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
      35. "Stanley to face Doncaster Rovers". Accrington Stanley FC. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
      36. "Stanley to face Bradford City". Accrington Stanley FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
      37. "Stanley to face Carlisle United and Harrogate Town". Accrington Stanley FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
      38. "Nottingham Forest Under-21s complete Group C line-up". Accrington Stanley FC. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
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