FORMER Stanley boss Tony Greenwood is hoping Brett Ormerod remembers him if the striker makes an impact on the international scene.

Blackpool's Ormerod is on the verge of a £1.75m move to Premier side Southampton - a far cry from the days when the then 20-year-old was at the Crown Ground under Greenwood's leadership in 1996/7 season.

Greenwood remembers their times at Stanley well - and hopes the 25-year-old striker will think of his former boss if he makes a big impact at the top level.

"I just hope he remembers me and the Accrington chairman Eric Whalley if he plays for England!" said the one-time Reds and Bamber Bridge boss.

Greenwood is hopeful that Ormerod will adapt to life in the Premiership after giving him his first taste of first team action at Stanley.

"It was Eric who had brought him to Accrington pre season after Brett was released by Blackburn and I came a couple of games into the season," said Greenwood.

"Brett was recovering from an injury and playing in the reserves but about seven games later I decided to throw him in and he never looked back.

"He could frighten the hell out of defenders with his sheer pace!"

Brett just couldn't stop scoring in the UniBond Premier League that season.

"I think he scored around 30-odd goals that season. They just kept going in.

"He was only a young kid, a raw youngster with a lot to learn, but he did well. He was not a cultured midfielder or a defender, he was a goalscorer. His sheer pace and bravery got him the goals.

"I knew if he could score goals in the UniBond Premier League and because of his age he would be able to go on and score goals in the lower leagues and I knew someone would come in for him.

"I never thought he would end up at Southampton but he has gone the right way about getting there. He has progressed well through the leagues and proved himself."

Greenwood got less than a season with his star striker as Ormerod left in March to join the Seasiders.

"I remember we were at Gainsborough. It was the semi-final of the Cup, the second leg, and we lost. Eric came in and said 'Sorry we've lost but I have just sold Brett for £50,000.'

"Eric was happy but I was gutted as I'd just lost my top striker. It was a good deal for the club, although not for me!

"But you want the lad to go on and do well. There was no way anyone at Accrington would have stood in his way."