ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell have signed new rolling two-year deals at the Wham Stadium.

Coleman and Bell guided the Reds to their highest finish since the club’s reformation in 1968 when Stanley finished fourth last season, before losing to AFC Wimbledon in the play-off semi-finals.

Apart from two years, between 2011-13, the duo have been at the club since 1999, guiding Stanley from the UniBond First Division into the Football League following a 44-year absence in 2006.

“It’s an exciting time to be at Accrington Stanley under new owner Andy Holt and the club has never been so financially secure,” said Coleman.

“We achieved great things last season on the lowest budget in the league, just missing out on promotion to League One by one goal, and we want to build on that and go one step further this season.

“Everyone knows how Jimmy and I feel about Accrington Stanley and we are here to build for an exciting future. It’s never been about contracts with us but a two-year rolling contract just means we can put more plans in place on the playing side and look ahead. It’s a bright future here and we are more than happy to be part of it.”