Everyone at Accrington Stanley would like to pass on their condolences to the family of Tess Whalley who died on Sunday.

Tess, 76, was the wife of former Stanley manager and chairman Eric Whalley, who died last year.

She was a regular at the Crown Ground as the Reds rose from non-league into the Football League.

She died at Blackburn Royal Hospital after a sudden illness and was a  devoted mum to Alison, Paul, Russell and the late Ian.

Her funeral is tomorrow at St Wulstan RC Church in Great Harwood.  Family flowers only but donations can be made to cancer research c/o Birtwistle & Rishton Funeral services, 29 Queen Street, Great Harwood.

There will be a minute’s silence in honour of Tess  before tomorrow night’s home game with Newport and the offices will be closed tomorrow morning as a mark of respect.