ACCRINGTON Stanley’s former League Cup finalist Andy Parkinson has paid tribute to his team-mates by revealing he has never played in a better passing side during his long career.

Stanley became the seventh club of Parkinson’s career when he joined Accrington on a six-month deal in the summer and the 31-year-old, who played in the 2000 League Cup final for Tranmere, is loving life at the Crown after scoring his first Reds goal in Saturday’s amazing 7-4 home win over Gillingham.

Stanley are currently sixth in League Two and Parkinson said: “I see no reason why we can’t stay in the play-offs.

“In the 15 years I’ve been a professional footballer this is the best passing team I’ve ever played in, which is saying something because I played six years in the Championship at Tranmere and Sheffield United, played in a cup final and a quarter final of the FA Cup three times.

“But this is the best passing team I’ve played in.

“That’s fantastic for me.

“Playing in this team is an absolute thrill because you see so much of the ball and you’ve got such freedom to go and attack.

“I think we’ve shown from the start of the season that we are a very good attacking team.

“Teams in the league now know that and we showed on Saturday that we scored seven fantastic goals.”

Parkinson’s strike against Gillingham was his first in the Football League since May 2007, after a two-year spell in the Blue Square Premier with Cambridge and Gateshead.

After beginning the season on the bench he has started the last six games after Ray Putterill’s 42-day ban, but is keen to retain his place when Putterill’s suspension ends after Saturday’s trip to Bury.

“In my 15 years as a professional, Saturday was the highest scoring game I’ve ever played in,” he said.

“I had to ask in the second half what the score was because I didn’t know!

“I’ve started the last six games on the bounce so my main aim is to do well enough to stay in the team.

“The ball’s in my court. I’m the one in possession of the shirt so I’ve got to play well enough to stay in the team.”

Stanley were due to be in Johnstone’s Paint Trophy action at home to Stockport tonight but the tie was postponed two weeks ago as the Reds await an FA hearing for fielding Putterill in the first round while suspended.