remember
 

Who can remember Mark SHIRLEY, he was one of Stanleystop wingrs till he got laid off due to injuries, whats he doing now ? he was brill

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MY GOD, i've been folowing Stanley 11yrs, surely you old die hards or whatever you call yourselves should remember him. OH i forgot, you started supporting when Stanley started winning. Never call me again !!

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A bit unfair Denise you only gave us 12 minutes to answer, I know the name but can't remember him but I only became a fulltime fan 3 years ago so shoot me.:)

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I dont remember him.I can remember going up to the 'Crown Ground'When Hoskins,Grimmy and Beck were playing:)

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That doesn't count because like me you supported some other team as your first choice, Denise wants replies from people who where born Stanley.:)

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Loads remember Mark Shirley because he would beat a winger then go back & beat him again. He also scored a cracker at Farsley then got a bad knee injury & remember the reception at the crown when he returned

When you find yourself in times of trouble
pass the ball to Mark Shirley
Ghosting past defenders MArk Shirley

Still gets sung on the bus:)

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Mark Shirley...what a cracking player. He was definitely conference standard and played a big part in our promotion. Think Coley got him from Morecambe, because he knew him quite well. I remember his reception too, when he made a comeback from injury...against Blyth Spartans, wasn't it? Don't know what he's doing now, but I wouldn't think he's still playing, as he was no spring chicken when he turned out for us.

Sorry I can't be of more help, Denise, but I'm one of those bandwagon jumping glory hunters...only been supporting Stanley since 1960. ;)

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I too am a relative newcomer/band wagon jumper Denise, having only supported Stanley since 1975/6 but of course I remember Mark Shirley, brilliant player. As Kisser says most of us would've been tucked up in bed when you posted which would explain your lack of replies.
Would be nice to know what's happened to other old players as well, I know some of em still turn up now and again, Russell Payne, Mark Brennan being two of em. Nice pic by the way Kisser, look at Rocky at the back there, bless him he looks like Glynn off Big Brother on that photo

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Mark Brennans been to a few stanley games last season.

Can't remember where russel is playing but he came season before last with his niece who was doing photography course and she stayed wiht me for the game

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Cant remeber him, only been fully supporting the reds since the first season they achieved promotion to the conference

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keep an eye out in the fanzine... for our new article "ex players? who are they?"

where every month an ex stanley legend is interviewed....this month ashley hoskins!!!!

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Mark Shirley - absolute top player, chatting with Russell (Payne) after one match and the respect he had for Shirley was very apparent.

Of course that was in the olden days when a left winger could cut inside and put it exactly where he wanted to with his right foot. ;)

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maybe the aforementioned players may turn up in a post season Ultras v Legends match?????

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You could even try and get our title-winning team of 2006 for a game at the end of the season ... ?

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I remember Mark shirley, Brennan, and Payne even though i was only 13 when they were playing at stanley! I've been supporting us for 14 years, as long as i can remember really! :Banane47:

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Shirley's comeback is a proud moment for striker
From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Friday 23rd Nov 2001.

ONE of Mark Shirley's proudest moments was running out onto the Crown Ground in last Saturday's match against Blyth Spartans.

It probably wasn't that memorable for anyone else but for the Stanley striker it meant everything especially because of the cheers of the 400 Reds fans.

The 32-year-old, after helping Stanley to promotion to the UniBond Premier Division in the summer of 2000, has been sidelined for a year with a knee injury.

He did wonder what would happen to his Stanley career as boss John Coleman introduced new faces in their push to seal at spot in the Nationwide Conference.

But Shirley is on the comeback trail - and the fans are ready for him to make an impact again shown by their reaction to his introduction in the second half in the goalless draw with Blyth.

"That was one of my proudest moments. I never expected the reception I got from the fans," said the former Morecambe and Lancaster striker who started his career at Nottingham Forest.

"I know I'd been out for a while and you don't know what will happen but they really seemed to appreciate that I was back. It was excellent.

"You are always apprehensive, with the first tackle, the first kick, and I wondered if my knee would go again but once I ran onto the field, and with the fans backing me, I just went straight into it. You have got to."

It has been a long road back to recovery for Shirley.

He had been voted Player of the Year in his first season at the Crown Ground where his goals helped Stanley back into the Premier Division at the first time of asking.

He started the Premier campaign - but then it all went wrong.

"I played the first few games and then I was told that I could be out for six weeks with cartilage problems in my knee. I didn't think that was too bad so I was watching the games, thinking I would be back soon.

"But I knew something was wrong and then it was diagnosed that it was my ligaments.

"When I knew I was facing a year out that was hard.

"I found it difficult going to watch the lads as it was so frustrating. I wanted them to do well but I couldn't share in the good and bad things as I wasn't part of it. I was watching it all from a distance and it was not enjoyable."

It's been a year of getting back for the striker who lists one of the highlights of his career as the Reds promotion season.

"I had some good times at Morecambe but a high point was with Accrington and the promotion. The summer I joined Accrington I had turned down a move to Rushden and Diamonds. I didn't think I was offered enough money to take a risk and move down south with my family and play full-time.

"I never regretted it because of the success we have had at Accrington - I do regret it though when I am working nights!"

Now he is keen to help to bring more success to the Crown Ground.

"The fan base at Accrington is superb and the club is so ambitious. If we have some success then there is everything there for the club to get bigger and better.

"It's a club that if you do well there, you really enjoy it.

"I've enjoyed it here and the club has been great - the Chairman has backed me all the way.

"Now I want to come back better than I was. My knee is not 100 per cent and I can feel it but I am confident I will get my sharpness and awareness back quickly."

Shirley has already been on the scoresheet - in his first game at Castleton in the Worthington Cup he scored after 14 minutes.

"That was a boost and the lads ran up to me to congratulate me as they knew how much it meant but it was the Blyth game, the first league game, that I was more apprehensive about.

"But I was pleased to get through it and now I'm ready to start a game. I haven't set myself any targets for this season, I just want to get back and playing regularly."

And with top scorer striker Paul Mullin sidelined with injury he might get his chance to make a start when Stanley make the trip to Droylsden tomorrow.

They have already met the Manchester side in the league - and Stanley won 5-2.

"They have been conceding goals and we have got to try and make our chances count," said boss Coleman. "Having Mark Shirley back is like having a new player and he will get stronger and stronger.

"But we do need to get a winning run together. If we had won on Saturday we would have been in the top five so we have got to start taking our chances."

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Numerous players have always quoted the fans as being instrumental in their successful stay at the IES, FES, Crown. What this tells me is first of all we should cheer the players more rather than scold them, and secondly, that if being out of the team is so hard to bear without the adulation - then they should come and stand with the Ultras to really enjoy watching the game. Especially on long away trips when not so many from Accy can make it. Join the ranks boys, you're more than welcome!