ACCRINGTON Stanley chairman Andy Holt has promised the £10,000 windfall from his side’s televised game at Sunderland next month will be spent on showing the game at the Wham Stadium.

Holt is disappointed that the trip to the Stadium of Light, which he labelled Stanley’s biggest in their history, has been moved from a Saturday afternoon kick off to Friday, February 15, at 7.45pm to be shown live on Sky Sports.

A number of Reds fans had already made travel arrangements for the clash which was the first one Stanley supporters looked for when the League One fixture list was released last summer.

Accrington have written to the Football League requesting the decision to move the game is reconsidered but Holt isn’t expecting any change.

“We have written to the EFL asking them to reconsider but I don’t see us getting any joy,” Holt said.

“Everything has been planned for months in advance as a fan, that’s what you do. That’s what I have done and I am a fan.

“It’s the biggest away match we have ever had and it is disappointing that it has been moved to a Friday night making it inconvenient for fans to get to and potentially costing our fans who have already booked travel and hotels money.

“As the away side we receive £10,000 for the televised game and what I will do is use that money to put something on at the ground for the fans who can’t go.

“We will use that money to set something up and get some food sorted.”

Holt admits that the money pumped into the Football League by Sky mean that games are always liable to be switched for television.

“As a club we have to accept the money on offer from a TV deal,” he said.

“It is at Sky’s discretion and they are going to chose games involving the biggest clubs, like Sunderland, as it equals more viewers.

“On one hand I am happy to take the TV money but on the other I want what is best for the fans.”

The Sunderland game could yet be moved again should Stanley reach the fifth round of the FA Cup which is scheduled for the same weekend.

The Reds are in third round action at home to Championship strugglers Ipswich Town this weekend while Sunderland are already out of the competition.