Stanley mourn their comeback king

Former Accrington Stanley Chairman Eric Whalley was laid to rest on Friday in Lancashire.

Football mourned the loss of the man who led Stanley back into the Football League in 2006, pictured, with his friends and family at St Wulston’s Church in Great Harwood after he passed away last Friday aged 74.

A former player and manager at the Crown Ground, he took over as chairman in 1995 and was at the helm when Accrington won the Northern Premier League title in 2003 and the Football Conference three years later to win promotion back into the Football League.

Apart from ending the League Two club’s 46 year absence from the Football League, he is also credited with redeveloping the club's ground which was closed on Friday to allow members of staff to attend the funeral service.

EVO-STIK League Chairman Mark Harris paid tribute to the Accrington legend. “Everybody who came into contact with him would have had no doubt about his passion for his club and football. He will be sadly missed by the Northern Premier League and mourned by many, not least the fans of the club he did so much for over so many years and in so many different roles.”

The club’s flag was flying at half-mast on Friday and in a statement on their website, current Accrington Stanley chairman Peter Marsden said: "Eric was Accrington Stanley. His tireless efforts made the club what it is today and we will forever be grateful to him. Our Football League status is a continuing reminder of everything he did for the club."

He added: "Eric Whalley put Accrington Stanley back on the football map. He will never be forgotten."

Image courtesy of www.accringtonstanley.co.uk