Stanley make the trip to the Abbey Business Stadium tomorrow to take on Cheltenham Town.
As kick off approaches, the official website takes a look at all the things you need to know.
History
The Robins were formed in 1887, with the club spending its first three decades playing local football. The club then became professional in the early 1930’s and joined the Birmingham Combination.
The club then joined the Southern League in 1935, where they spent the following 50 years before being promoted to the Alliance Premier League which became the Football Conference the following season.
The club was then relegated back to the Southern League in 1992, before the club was again promoted to the Conference in 1997, after it was deemed Gresley Rovers ground was not up to Conference standards.
The club were then promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history at the end of the 1998/99 season before being promoted to the Second Division, via the play-offs in 2002.
The club’s stay in the Second Division was short lived with the club being relegated the following season. The club were again promoted to League One at the end of the 2005/06 season, again winning in the play-off final.
The Robins were then relegated to League Two at the end of the 2008/09 season and have spent the last four seasons in League Two. The club have lost in the play-offs in the last two seasons under Mark Yates’ management.
Manager
Mark Yates
43 year old Yates took over as Robins manager in December 2009 after leaving Kidderminster Harriers to join the club.
Prior to being a manager Yates had a successful playing career, making almost 600 appearances for a number of clubs, including Doncaster Rovers, Cheltenham Town and Kidderminster Harriers.
One to Watch
Byron Harrison
26 year old Harrison has so far scored nine goals in 29 appearances for the Robins this season. Since signing for the club in January last year Harrison has scored 10 goals in 48 appearances for the club.
The striker started his career at Havant and Waterlooville, before appearing for other clubs including Ashford Town, Stevenage and AFC Wimbledon.
The Ground
The Robins moved to the Abbey Business Stadium (or Whaddon Road to give it its former name) in 1932 after spells at three different grounds, including Carter’s Field and Agg-Gardner’s Recreation Ground. The current capacity of the Abbey Business Stadium is 7066, with the record attendance inside the stadium being 8326, which was set against Reading in the FA Cup in 1956.
The record attendance that the Robins have ever achieved was 10,389, which was set against Blackpool at the Athletic Ground in the FA Cup in 1934.
By Chris Forsyth
There have been nine previous meetings between the sides and Stanley have three wins compared to four for tomorrow’s hosts.
The Reds have only lost on one of their previous visits to the Abbey Business Stadium, a 4-1 reverse in April 2012, and won 3-0 on the visit last season.
Earlier this season the Robins headed home from Lancashire with all three points thanks to Jason Taylor’s second half goal.
The Robins currently sit in 12th place in the League Two table. They have currently won three, drawn seven and lost three of their 13 home matches this season.
They’ve lost their last two matches, away at Burton and at home to Mansfield, but before that had gone ten games unbeaten in the league.
The Reds have drawn three of their last five matches, losing at Fleetwood on New Year’s Day and beating Mansfield away.
James Beattie’s side are 22nd in League Two and only ahead of 23rd placed Torquay on goal difference but are only three points behind Mansfield who are 17th.
Central defender Michael Ihiekwe could make his Football League debut for the Robins after signing on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Midfielder David Noble will miss the game due to a knee injury.
After full back Lee Naylor left the club by mutual consent yesterday, fellow defenders Michael Liddle and Laurence Wilson will be in contention to take his place at left back.
Midfielder Craig Roddan could make his Stanley debut after being named as an unused sub against Newport last weekend.
Cheltenham Top Scorers
Byron Harrison 9
Matt Richards 6
Jamie Cureton 5
Terry Gornell 4
Jermaine McGlashan 4
Stanley Top Scorers
Kal Naismith 7
Peter Murphy 7
Kayode Odejayi 5
James Gray 4
Danny Webber 3
The Man in the Middle
Tim Robinson (West Sussex)
So Far This Season: 17 games, 55 yellow cards, two reds
Last Stanley Game: 20/04/2013 – Bristol Rovers 0 ASFC 1
Website
Admission Details
Stanley supporters will be able to pay on the turnstiles – admission prices will be £21 for adults, £15 for concessions (those aged 65 and over) and £7 for u18’s & students
