LAURENCE Wilson still remembers the misery of relegation from the Football League with Chester City, but he is certain that Accrington Stanley’s fight for survival has a much greater chance of success.

Wilson has impressed since joining Stanley in January, after spells with Rotherham United and Morecambe, and hopes to help the Reds move away from the League Two relegation zone when they travel to Northampton this afternoon.

The utility man, who may start at left back again today, was part of the Chester side that lost their Football League place in 2009.

But Wilson says things were very different at the Deva Stadium to Stanley, who are now unbeaten in three games and are close to completing the signing of Francis Jeffers.

Chaos and financial issues at Chester eventually led to the club going out of business midway through their first season in the Conference. The reformed club now play in Conference North.

“It was horrible, it’s not a nice thing being relegated and I certainly wouldn’t want to be relegated again,” said Wilson.

“It doesn’t really sink in, although I was fortunate to leave that summer and go to Morecambe.

“As you can see though the club has gone down now, it went bust and it’s not a nice thing, what it does to clubs.

“But it’s a lot different here than what it was when I was at Chester.

“It’s run a little bit better than it was at Chester, so it’s more positive.

“At Chester it was sort of when rather than if. Here I don’t think it will happen.”

Although still only 26, Wilson has added experienced to the Stanley squad since his arrival – having more than 200 Football League games under his belt.

He started his career at Everton, where he was a substitute in their Champions League tie against Villarreal in 2005, and was also part of the England under 19s team that reached the European Championship final in the same year.

“We got to the final and played France,” Wilson said. “A few players like Abou Diaby and Younes Kaboul played for France, and for England we had lads like Aaron Lennon. “I still speak to some of them, James Morrison at West Brom and Andy Taylor at Cardiff.

“I was sub for Everton away at Villarreal too.

“It’s another thing that you can always look back on.

“I’m still young, I’m only 26 but I’ve played a load of league games so I bring sort of youth and experience at the same time.

“I’m enjoying myself here, it’s good to be back playing games because at Rotherham I didn’t play many. I’m gradually getting my fitness back and hopefully I will finish strong.”