ACCRINGTON Stanley bosses have rejected claims that their players behaved badly at a pub.

Staff at the Windmill pub in Tabley, Cheshire, put up a sign outside to say Stanley players and those from three other teams were not allowed in 'due to a lack of respect'.

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It is understood the sign was put up around two years ago, but only drew media attention last week.

Andy Holt, the club's owner, said they had not used the location since February 2014 and strongly denied there had been any unruly behaviour by any player or staff member from the club.

He added that he'd been told that when minor complaints from the pub's management came to light, the club were keen to address them.

Mr Holt said: "It's my understanding the signs have been up for some time.

"It's used by a lot of teams as a picking up and dropping off point.

"From what I've been told any issues were of a very minor nature such as one of the players drinking a takeaway coffee bought elsewhere as he waited for the bus.

"A large majority of the players from that period are no longer with Stanley.

"We are a family club and care about our reputation.

"If any incidents arise with the playing staff they will be dealt with promptly and appropriately, but in this case there was nothing of note to deal with.

"We no longer use the pick-up point at the Windmill now and will not do in the future."

The pub is a popular player pick-up point as it has a large car park and is close to the motorway network and to where many of the players live in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

The sign reads: "The following football teams are banned from The Windmill due to lack of respect towards members of the public, staff members of The Windmill and by not doing what has been asked.

"Accrington Stanley, Stalybridge Celtic FC, Bury FC and Rochdale FC.

"Each individual player is responsible for the whole team without exception."

A Bury FC spokesman said: "This sign is two years old. We have received no reports of indiscipline regarding our players.

"In early 2015, the club moved to the new Carrington training facility.

"All players are picked up and dropped off at Carrington and it has been a long time since we used this pub."