WHEN Accrington Stanley’s players met up for training yesterday for the first time since the club were given an extra seven days to avoid being wound up, the feeling among the players was understandable. Sheer relief.

Stanley’s High Court hearing on Wednesday had coincided with the squad’s day off, and there were no guarantees that there would be a club to come back to the day after.

All the players could do was wait and hope that their jobs would be safe, that their their remarkable performances over the past few weeks – they are currently 14th and on course for their highest league finish since the club reformed in 1968 – had not been in vain.

Fortunately, their prayers were answered – at least for another week.

Tonight’s League Two trip to Grimsby might never have happened, had Stanley become the first Football League club since Maidstone in 1992 to go out of existence.

Indeed, it could still be the club’s final game if things were to go awry before the club are due back in the High Court next week.

But there is now genuine optimism that Ilyas Khan’s offer to pay off the club’s debts will be sufficient.

And that has left the squad keen to maintain the momentum that has been forged out of adversity – an adversity that Bobby Grant believes has helped to create the best team spirit during his time at the club.

“We weren’t training on Wednesday but we all came together yesterday and it was a massive relief,” said 19-year-old Grant, who made his debut two-and-a-half years ago and has starred with eight goals already this season.

“We knew as much as anyone else. We’ve been watching Sky Sports News like everyone.

“With the results we have been getting it would have been such a shame for the club to go under.

“It has been a tough time and I think we have all stuck by each other. This is the best run that I’ve been on in the team, so I’d have to say it is the best team spirit.”

Having won at third-placed Rochdale, Stanley now face a Grimsby side second bottom and without a manager following the departure of ex-Rovers striker Mike Newell.

Stanley secured Football League safety with victory at Blundell Park in April, a match that similarly came in the wake of crisis as Peter Cavanagh and Robbie Williams – still Stanley players at the time – were charged by the FA with betting offences.

Stanley have won their last five matches against Grimsby but, appropriately enough, Grant is taking nothing for granted.

“It was a great result at Rochdale,” he said. “It was a local derby and we knew what it meant to the fans.

“We want to get three points against Grimsby now but we know it will be a tough game.

“It has been worrying but I don’t think we’ve lost any focus on this game, because we have known what we have to do.

“We want to beat Salisbury, too, and get through to the next round of the FA Cup.

“Then hopefully we can push on. There’s no reason why we can’t get into the play-offs.”

Stanley have confirmed that their FA Cup first round tie at home to Blue Square Premier side Salisbury will take place on Saturday, November 7 at 3pm.