The latest chapter in the colourful history of Accrington Stanley is complete.

The east Lancashire side, made famous by the TV milk ad, are back where they belong in the Football League, 44 years after they were forced to resign after accumulating debts of é63,000.

Mike Ferguson, who at 17 played for the side that lost its league status, remains adamant it should have never have happened to a club which was one of the founder members of the league.

"When you look back it was stupid that we went out of business," said Ferguson. "I don't think the board really had a clue.

"If we'd had someone like [the current chairman] Eric Whalley in our time maybe we wouldn't have gone under.

"What Eric has done at Accrington is the equivalent of what [Dave] Whelan's done at Wigan.

"It was fantastic to see them go up. I think it rights a lot of wrongs. It's not just down to the players but also the manager [John Coleman] and the chairman. They've brought the club back from the dead."

Demise

Ferguson struck Accrington's last ever league goal before their demise - and the man who scored to propel them back into the league last month echoed his comments.

Bury-born Paul Mullin, who has been with Accrington for six years, said: "I think we've written a new chapter in the club's history."

The 32-year-old striker hit the winner in the 1-0 victory at Woking that confirmed Stanley as Conference champions.

"That's the most important goal I've ever scored and also the most memorable," added Mullin.

The smiles have finally returned, even to Ferguson, who remembers the day he turned up at training to be told by PFA secretary Cliff Lloyd that the club had lost league status.

"We went to training as normal but there was nothing on," he said. "Cliff was there to meet us and he told us it was finished. It was horrible.

"We hadn't been paid for a few weeks and there was loads of talk about it ending but none of the players thought it would actually happen."

Stanley lasted just two years in non-league before going bust but they reformed in 1968, intent on regaining league status.

Generation

When Accrington Stanley is mentioned to the younger generation, they recall the National Dairy Council's TV advert from 18 years ago.

The club became a figure of fun when viewers watched a Liverpool boy tell his friend that, according to Ian Rush, he would only be good enough for Accrington if he didn't drink milk.

"Accrington Stanley? Who are they?" comes the reply. "Exactly!" responds his mate.

Mullin added: "I'm one of the oldest members in the Stanley squad but all some of the younger players knew was that awful milk advert."

Back in the Football League, Accrington should finally be remembered for the right reasons. Tweet