It’s derby day, with Morecambe the visitors to the Store First Stadium tonight.
As kick off approaches, the official website takes a look at all the things you need to know.
History
The club was formed in 1920 with its base at Woodhill Lane and played in the Lancashire Combination League, before they moved to Rosebery Park in 1921. The grounds name was then changed to Christie Park in 1928 in honour of club president Joseph Barnes Christie.
The Shrimps tasted their first success in the 1924/25 season when they claimed the league title for the first time. The club then had to wait 37 years before they claimed the league title again in 1962, and then retained it the following season.
The club won the FA Trophy for the only time in their history in 1974, beating Dartford 2-1 at Wembley.
The club then finished as runners up in the Northern Premier League in the 1994/95 season, meaning that they would play at Conference level for the first time in their history. The Shrimps were then promoted to the Football League in the 2006/07 season after beating Exeter City 2-1 at Wembley in the play-off final.
The 2009/10 season was the clubs last at Christie Park and they finished the season in fourth place in the table, which is the clubs highest ever league finish. They then lost 7-2 on aggregate to Dagenham and Redbridge in the play offs.
Jim Bentley
The 37 year old former Shrimps defender is in his first managerial role, having taken over at the club in 2011.
Bentley started his playing career at Manchester City, but left without making a first team appearance. Bentley then moved to Telford in 1997 and made 79 appearances and scored 23 goals, before he moved on to Morecambe in 2002. In his time at Morecambe, he made 298 appearances and scored 29 goals.
Kevin Ellison
Now 34 Ellison is still one of the most feared goal-scorers at League Two level and on his day is a threat for any defence in the league.
He has scored nine goals so far this campaign and has been renowned for his clinical finishing throughout his career. He lists Stockport, Chester, Hull, Tranmere, Rotherham and Bradford amongst his former clubs.
Ellison is a passionate scouser and is an integral part of Jim Bentley’s squad as they look to form a late surge towards the League Two play-off places.
Accrington Stanley and Morecambe have been regular foes over the last decade in both the Conference and the Reds have an enviable record in that time.
Stanley have won 13 of 20 meetings with the Shrimps picking up just three.
In fact, today’s visitors are yet to beat the Reds in a Football League match, though they did win here at the Store First Stadium in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in September 2012.
Earlier this season the game at the Globe Arena looked set for a 1-1 draw after Jack Sampson had cancelled out Danny Webber’s penalty but Peter Murphy proved to be Stanley’s hero, netting a last minute winner to the delight of the visiting contingent.
Stanley saw their two match unbeaten run ended by a narrow defeat at Rochdale at the weekend but James Beattie’s side are unbeaten at the Store First Stadium in their last three games.
They side 22nd in the table, three points ahead of Northampton and just three from 15th spot
The Shrimps have taken seven points from a possible nine in the build up to the game and are now within touching distance of the play-off places again.
Jim Bentley’s side are 12th in League Two, just five points behind seventh placed Southend.
Stanley’s only injury concerns are Michael Liddle and Marcus Carver with the game likely to come too soon for both as they plot a return to first team action.
James Beattie must decide whether to keep faith with the side narrowly beaten at Rochdale or make changes having named a strong subs bench at Spotland.
Stanley Top Scorers
Peter Murphy 9
Kal Naismith 8
Kayode Odejayi 5
James Gray 4
Lee Molyneux 4
Danny Webber 3
George Bowerman 3
Morecambe Top Scorers
Kevin Ellison 9
Padraig Amond 8
Jack Redshaw 7
Mark Hughes 4
Jack Sampson 4
Ryan Williams 4
The Man in the Middle
Nigel Miller (County Durham)
So Far This Season: 14 games, 27 yellow cards, no reds
Last Stanley Game: 11/08/2012 – Carlisle 1 ASFC 0
Website
Admission Prices
Admission prices for ALL SUPPORTERS to ALL AREAS of the ground are just £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £1 for accompanied under 12’s. Everyone can pay on the turnstiles.
