STANLEY chairman Andy Holt hailed the success of the club's Family Fun Day and hopes it can help the club engage with the people of Accrington.

The Reds held the event at Saturday's home game with Southend United which John Coleman's side drew 1-1.

Two children were able to attend the fixture for free when accompanying a full-paying adult with an attendance of 2,472 watching the League One fixture.

And Holt wants the event will become a regular initiative for the club.

He said: “You wouldn’t have known it was a Saturday in February, the sun was definitely on our side!

"Many of the children who attended the event were wearing their free Stanley shirt they received as part of our initiative last year, a lot were attending for the first time.

"This was wonderful to see and exactly what we were hoping, to engage with the local people who make Accrington great.

“Everywhere you looked there was community spirit and pride. I’m looking forward to many more family fun days and seeing new faces alongside our brilliant regular fans."

The event received the support of businesses in the area with every child who attended receiving a free hot dog from the football club and free milk from the Modern Milkman, as well as a reusable bottle provided by Studio Retail Ltd and a Property Shop banger stick to help them cheer on the Reds.

Stanley's sponsors Wham also donated ‘Upcycled’ boxes for the free milk cups to be collected in, in order for them to be recycled.

Holt added: “The Family Fun Day could only go ahead thanks to the continuing support from local businesses – they always come through, giving up time and resources where they can to encourage the community to get behind the team, to engage in activity and to get out and have fun!

"A massive thank you to all involved; we are very grateful and had a fantastic day."

“We are always eager to encourage environmentally friendly initiatives where possible too, the milk cups were recyclable and collected in our Wham Upcycled boxes which are made just up the road at our factory in Altham."