JONATHAN Smith is 'chuffed to bits' about his new contract at Accrington Stanley.

The 24-year-old centre half, who made headlines three years ago when he whipped his shorts off in a bizarre goal celebration, has signed a two-year extension to his current deal, keeping him at the Crown Ground until 2003.

And after a season of consolidation in the UniBond Premier, the former Great Harwood defender reckons John Coleman's side will be ready to take the league by storm next year.

"We had aspirations of winning the league this year," said Smith, who lives in Darwen and works at Hyndburn sports centre.

"But it has turned into more of a consolidation year really. If we put a few wins together now, though, we can finish in the top six and we are still in one of the cups."

Stanley started off brightly enough this season after promotion from the UniBond First Division, but a bad spell over the winter months put paid to any hopes of a second consecutive promotion.

They finished second in their group in the UniBond League Cup and so go through to the quarter finals of the President's Cup, where they meet Farsley Celtic. They are at home to Hyde United in the UniBond Premier tomorrow.

"We came up with such high hopes this season. We were full of confidence and we played eight teams from the UniBond Premier last year and beat seven of them so we didn't think we had anything to fear. We didn't think the league could be that good.

"We haven't been playing too badly over the past couple of months, we just haven't been getting the results.

"We went through a stage where we were making mistakes defensively but scoring goals and then we stopped scoring goals but we were still making the mistakes defensively."

Smith describes this season as a 'learning curve' and knows the players will be older and wiser next year.

"I was talking to Eric (Whalley) the other day and I was saying 'If we get promoted next season...' and he corrected me and said 'When we get promoted', and with the size of the club and the number of fans we get watching us we should be regarded as one of the biggest clubs in this league."

The Conference beckons for Stanley, and Smith, if they can take the UniBond Premier League crown next season.

"I would love to play in the Conference," he said. "John Coleman has played in the Conference and Mark Shirley did for about 10 years. And there is good money to be made there, especially if you have a job as well."

Smith, who signed for Stanley at the beginning of last season has impressed during his time at the Crown Ground, but was suprised by the contract offer.

"With players like Mark Patterson getting released it makes you wonder about your future but I was chuffed to bits when they asked me to sign for another two years," he said.

"Mark was an extremely good passer of the ball, great ability and he was a leader. He was well thought of at the club and I felt sorry to see him go, but you have to respect the manager's decision.

"John Coleman wants to play a certain way and we respect that."

NON LEAGUE: Stanley defender's deal delight JONATHAN Smith is 'chuffed to bits' about his new contract at Accrington Stanley.

The 24-year-old centre half, who made headlines three years ago when he whipped his shorts off in a bizarre goal celebration, has signed a two-year extension to his current deal, keeping him at the Crown Ground until 2003.

And after a season of consolidation in the UniBond Premier league, the former Great Harwood defender reckons John Coleman's side will be ready to take the league by storm next year.

"We had aspirations of winning the league this year," said Smith, who lives in Darwen and works at Hyndburn sports centre. "But it has turned into more of a consolidation year really. If we put a few wins together now, though, we can finish in the top six and we are still in one of the cups."

Stanley started off brightly enough this season after promotion from the First Division, but a bad spell over the winter months put paid to any hopes of a second consecutive promotion.

They finished second in their group in the UniBond League Cup and so go through to the quarter-finals of the President's Cup, where they meet Farsley Celtic. They are at home to Hyde United in the league tomorrow.

"We came up with such high hopes this season. We were full of confidence and we played eight teams from the UniBond Premier last year and beat seven of them so we didn't think we had anything to fear. We didn't think the league could be that good.

"We haven't been playing too badly over the past couple of months, we just haven't been getting the results.

"We went through a stage where we were making mistakes defensively but scoring goals and then we stopped scoring goals but we were still making the mistakes defensively."

Smith describes this season as a 'learning curve' and knows the players will be older and wiser next year.

"I was talking to Chairman Eric (Whalley) the other day and I was saying 'If we get promoted next season...' and he corrected me and said 'When we get promoted', and with the size of the club and the number of fans we get we should be regarded as one of the biggest clubs in this league."

The Conference beckons for Stanley -- and Smith -- if they clinch the Premier League title next season.

"I would love to play in the Conference," he said. "John Coleman has played there and Mark Shirley did for about 10 years. And there is good money to be made there, especially if you have a job as well."

Smith, who signed for Stanley at the beginning of last season has impressed during his time at the Crown Ground, but was suprised by the contract offer.

"With players like Mark Patterson getting released it makes you wonder about your future but I was chuffed to bits when they asked me to sign for another two years," he said. "Mark has great ability and was a leader. I felt sorry to see him go, but you have to respect the manager's decision.

"John Coleman wants to play a certain way and we respect that."