Seamus Conneely admits the players will share the Stanley fans’ excitement when the League One fixtures are released this morning.

Stanley will be playing in the third tier of English football for the first time since reforming after their League Two title winning campaign of 2017/18.

It means they will be mixing with former Premier League sides in Sunderland, Barnsley, Portsmouth, Bradford City and Coventry, creating some mouth-watering clashes for John Coleman’s Reds.

Trips to those sides, as well as welcoming them to the Wham Stadium, are likely to be the ones which are looked at first.

League One has lost something of its north west feel, following the promotions for Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic, plus relegations for Oldham Athletic and Bury.

But the fixture list release holds an excitement for 29-year-old Conneely.

“That is always a big occasion when the fixtures come out, especially when you are going into a different division,” he said.

“We will be excited to see who we have got on the first day and I am sure the fans will be as well.

“Lots of big names in the league with big stadiums to go to and hopefully lots of big crowds here.

“We are looking forward to big occasions at the Wham Stadium next season.

“We are all looking forward to getting going in League One.”

Stanley have seen goalkeeper Aaron Chapman depart to Peterborough United and are on the lookout for a new stopper.

Will Wood has joined from Southampton in their only addition so far, though Coleman isn’t expected to make wholesale changes to his ranks.

Stanley have been proactive in ensuring their star names are tied down to long-term deals which should provide some level of stability for for the Reds boss.

Referencing the departures of Josh Windass and Matt Crooks in 2016 following their failed promotion bid, Conneely believes owner Andy Holt deserves great credit for providing stability on the pitch by being on top of players’ contracts.

And while the club may have been victims of their own success previously, Stanley already have a healthy looking squad ahead of the new season which kicks off on August 4.

Conneely said: “That is a big thing, last year I think the gaffer was saying that this was the first year he wouldn’t lose his best players because they were under contract.

“That has all happened since Andy Holt has come in and there has been a bit of stability. We have been able to give out longer contracts.

“We don’t lose our best players for free anymore.

“The club are in a stronger position now when the players do well. Often Accrington were a victim of their own success in years gone by because if they had a good season they would lose all their players because they had had a good season. Teams would come in and cherry-pick.

“But now we have had a good season and most of the lads are still under contract so if they were to go they would have to go for a sum the club deems worthy.”