NEW Accrington Stanley signing Elliot Parish has thrown down the gauntlet in the battle for the Reds No.1 jersey, declaring: “I want to play 50 games this year.”

The 26-year-old goalkeeper joined John Coleman’s side yesterday on a one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months. The stopper, who made 28 appearances for Colchester United in League One last season, follows fellow goalkeeper Aaron Chapman in moving to the Wham Stadium.

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Reds boss Coleman is again expected to allow both keepers the chance to stake their claim for the starting berth, as he did last season with Ross Etheridge, and Jason Mooney who both left the club at the end of last season.

But Parish is determined to win over his new boss and start the season as first choice.

“The target for the club has to be that we battle for the number one shirt,” said former Blackpool and Bristol City stopper Parish.

“Aaron wants to come out on top and so do I. I’ll be honest, I want to play 50 games this year having played the second half of the season at Colchester.

“I know the results weren’t great but I think the game time has improved me.”

Parish is also pleased to be working with Reds boss Coleman.

“Having met John Coleman, he’s such a straightforward what-you-see-is-what-you-get sort of man,” added Parish. “He’s the sort of person you just want to work for and after meeting him I just wanted to get started.”

Coleman is also happy to have secured the services of the former Aston Villa trainee and the Stanley chief admits he is excited about the two goalkeepers he now has on his books.

“I’ve been saying all summer that I don’t want a number one and a number two,” said Coleman. “Elliot and Aaron are coming in at the same time and can fight for the place come the start of the season. Elliot has experience playing at a higher level and we think he’s a really good addition to our squad.”

Parish is the fourth summer arrival at Stanley. He ended last season as Colchester’s first choice as the U’s were relegated to League Two and can also count Cardiff City and Newport County as former clubs.

He was released by Colchester at the end of last season.

NEW Accrington Stanley signing Elliot Parish has thrown down the gauntlet in the battle for the Reds No.1 jersey, declaring: “I want to play 50 games this year.”

The 26-year-old goalkeeper joined John Coleman’s side yesterday on a one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months. The stopper, who made 28 appearances for Colchester United in League One last season, follows fellow goalkeeper Aaron Chapman in moving to the Wham Stadium.

Reds boss Coleman is again expected to allow both keepers the chance to stake their claim for the starting berth, as he did last season with Ross Etheridge, and Jason Mooney who both left the club at the end of last season.

But Parish is determined to win over his new boss and start the season as first choice.

“The target for the club has to be that we battle for the number one shirt,” said former Blackpool and Bristol City stopper Parish.

“Aaron wants to come out on top and so do I. I’ll be honest, I want to play 50 games this year and having played the second half of the season at Colchester “I know the results weren’t great but I think the game time has improved me.”

Parish is also pleased to be working with Reds boss Coleman.

“Having met John Coleman, he’s such a straightforward what-you-see-is-what-you-get sort of man,” added Parish. “He’s the sort of person you just want to work for and after meeting him I just wanted to get started.”

Coleman is also happy to have secured the services of the former Aston Villa trainee and the Stanley chief admits he is excited about the two goalkeepers he now has on his books.

“I’ve been saying all summer that I don’t want a number one and a number two,” said Coleman. “Elliot and Aaron are coming in at the same time and can fight for the place come the start of the season. Elliot has experience playing at a higher level and we think he’s a really good addition to our squad.”

Parish is the fourth summer arrival at Stanley. He ended last season as Colchester’s first choice as the U’s were relegated to League Two and can also count Cardiff City and Newport County as former clubs.

He was released by Colchester at the end of last season.