PLAYER of the season Ian Craney is close to securing a contract extension at Accrington Stanley after being crowned Nationwide Conference player of the season.

The midfielder got the majority vote from all the Conference managers to become the league's star man at a glittering ceremony for the league in Birmingham.

And he hopes it won't be long before he is able to sign a deal to keep him at the club until the end of the 2007/08 season, ending speculation that he is a target for other clubs.

"It's great to be offered a new contract because it shows I've done well," said Craney, who is the first player to do the player of the season double for the UniBond League and Conference.

"There have been a few rumours about other clubs being interested, but I just want to do well in League Two with Accrington.

"I'm at a club where I'm liked and I want to show my loyalty, so I can't wait to sign."

He added: "Being player of the season is a great honour because there are some top players in the Conference.

"It's nice because it's voted for by the managers. It's the second time I've been player of the season in three years so I'm made up.

"But it's a big thank you to the rest of the lads because I've got good players around me.

"If you haven't got good players around you then you don't get the service, so it shows what a good team we have.

"And for the gaffer to get manager of the year as well is a great achievement for the club."

Craney believes such accolades will help the club go into their debut Coca Cola League Two season full of confidence.

However, the 23-year-old believes it's time to consign last season's achievements to the history books and look ahead to picking up more prizes next term.

"It's got to be about looking forward," he said.

"We're not going to forget what's happened, but it's done now and we can't play off it forever.

"I believe we have a squad that can do well in League Two.

"We've got to focus on picking up our next trophy now because the more you do that the better chance you have of achieving something."

On a personal note, Craney is aiming to make it a hat-trick of player of the season trophies after claiming two, from different divisions, in the last three years.

"You've always got to strive to get more awards," he said.

"I want to be the first to do the treble!"