ERIC Whalley has accepted an offer for his majority shareholding at Accrington Stanley.

In a statement, the club said: "Eric has been in charge since 1995 when the club was a small non-league outfit with semi professional players.

"In the time that he has been involved with Accrington Stanley, the chairman has steered the club through three promotions, bringing professional football back to the town and ultimately leading us back into the Football League in 2006.

"Although the agreement has been made in principle, the deal has yet to be signed and sealed. Further details will be announced shortly."

There will be more on this story in tomorrow's Lancashire Telegraph.