Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust acquire historic badge collection to launch exciting new heritage project

The Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust (OASST) have acquired a rare collection of Accrington Stanley pin badges, with one badge dating back over 100 years.

Lifelong Stanley supporter and former Chairman of the Supporters Club, Rob Russell, handed over his impressive collection to OASST chairman Peter Leatham and vice chair Peter Warburton at the OASST shop in the Accrington Arndale.

There are over 60 unique badges in the collection, including one dating back to 1921, a trio of badges from the late 1950s and early 1960s, as well as another extremely rare badge which football memorabilia fairs have linked back as far as 1917.

Also amongst the impressive assortment is a pin badge commemorating Stanley’s recent FA Cup match against Liverpool at Anfield, plus three badges from the club’s memorable FA Cup run in the 2003-04 season, when they beat both Huddersfield Town and AFC Bournemouth.

Eager to protect the club’s heritage for generations to come, the OASST are collecting a wide range of memorabilia and already have a remarkable display of Accrington Stanley shirts in their Arndale shop.

Stanley fans who have any memorabilia and would like it to become part of the heritage collection, are being asked to visit the shop in the Arndale or to contact the OASST by emailing: [email protected]

OASST chairman, Peter Leatham, said: “We are very passionate about protecting the heritage of our football club and have been collecting pieces of heritage and memorabilia for a number of years.

“We are very, very keen to display these properly and we are looking to build a proper heritage centre as a vehicle to do that.”

Accrington Stanley supporter, Rob Russell, said: “All of these badges evoke special memories. The important thing that Peter and the Supporters Trust are doing here is making sure that badges like this don’t get lost and they stay within the club for future generations to enjoy.”

You can see more about the OASST here: www.onstanleyon.com