Accrington Stanley midfielder Scott Brown can’t wait for life in League One after signing a new one-year deal at the Wham Stadium, writes TOM SCHOFIELD.

The 33-year-old made 44 appearances last season as Stanley won the League Two title, but knows the third tier is not going to be easy for John Coleman’s men.

Brown’s new deal will take his stay at Stanley in to a fourth season after arriving from Grimsby Town in January 2016.

“It’s a chance to try and replicate what we did last year, obviously the league is going to be a lot harder, but I can’t wait to get started,” Brown said after signing his new deal.

“The lads have all come back fit and we just can’t wait to get going.”

And Brown admitted that last season’s title-winning campaign was his best in football.

He added: “Obviously to have played such a big part in it, and the emotions right the way through the season.

“We got promoted and then obviously the next step was to go on and win the league.

“I thought our preparation for every game was spot on, and that belief is still there in the squad right now.

“We’ve been able to keep a lot of the players that were here last year, we’ve had a good few additions as well, people who have strengthened the squad.”

Despite a fantastic season, it didn’t all go Brown’s way.

He struggled to get into the team at the start of the season, not becoming a regular in the side until November.

“I missed the first eight or nine games, I just couldn’t get in the team,” said Brown who saw Liam Nolan preferred in the early weeks.

“Once I got the chance though I took it and it was nice to keep my place right the way through until the end of the season”

Brown’s experience will be key for Stanley this term, and having made his first team debut in League One for Bristol City, he knows what to expect in the campaign ahead.

“I came through at Everton, but when I left there I signed at Bristol City in League One,” said Brown.

“The first year went really well, I won the young player of the season. I had a great season in the second year but the manager got sacked, and Gary Johnson came in and we ended up getting promoted to the Championship.”