[2] In 1960, amid persistent financial difficulties, mainly relating to the speculative purchase of the new Burnley Road stand, Stanley was relegated to the recently formed Division Four.

On 12 February 1962, Edwin Slinger, the chairman, resigned and revealed that Stanley owed up to £4,000 in unpaid transfer fees and a similar sum to the Inland Revenue.

Pilkington, as life vice-president, brought in Bob Lord, who persuaded the rest of the board to resign by promising to buy shares, despite his chairmanship of the nearby Burnley Football Club.

Stanley was accepted into the Lancashire Combination Division Two for the next season, and with some local investors stepping forward to reduce debts to a more manageable level, it seemed as if it might be a new beginning for the club.

[2] [citation needed] Players who played 100 matches for Accrington Stanley, or who gained international caps whilst with the club.