NEW Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman has vowed to lead the Reds back into the UniBond Premier Division next season.

The former Morecambe hitman became Stanley's ninth manager in two years when he replaced Wayne Harrison in the Crown Ground hot-seat on Wednesday - just four days after being sacked by Ashton United.

Harrison was forced to step-down due to increased work commitments after Nationwide League Blackpool offered him a full-time role as head of their centre of excellence.

But the Stanley board wasted no time in appointing his successor and, after swift talks with chairman Eric Whalley, Coleman has agreed to lead the quest for promotion next season.

"Stanley are one of the biggest names in the First Division and the potential of the club is fantastic - I wouldn't be here if I didn't think that," said the 36-year-old.

"I could never envisage myself being at a club which is content to stay where they are.

"Stanley are a club with ambition, I want to take them as far as I can, and I will be going all out to get them straight back up at the first attempt." In a playing career which included stints at Macclesfield, Southport and Morecambe, Coleman built up a reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in semi-pro football.

He took charge of Ashton two and a half years ago and in his time at Hurst Cross he won two UniFilla Cups and twice lead United to the brink of promotion, finishing third in successive seasons.

Now, he is hoping to go one stage further with Stanley and he believes his predecessor has left the club in good shape.

"Wayne Harrison has laid some good foundations.

"There are some good players at the club and a couple of good young lads on contract who have real potential.

"And in Billy O'Callaghan we have one of the best goalscorers in the league. "Everyone who is there will be given a chance to fight for their place. But I'll also be bringing a few players in.

"My assistant, Jimmy Bell, will definitely be a part of the squad and I've already got one or two others in mind."

Meanwhile, Harrison was upset at leaving but the lure of a full-time post at a Nationwide club was simply too good to turn down.

"I'm very disappointed to be leaving Stanley because it's a great club but I've got to think of my family," said Harrison.

"Eric has always been very fair with me. He never interfered with team selection and I've left on very good terms.

"I'd like to thank the fans as well because they were brilliant during my time there.

"I'd like to think I've left the club in better shape than when I took over."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.