Andy Holt: Accrington Stanley chairman puts club for sale during social media rant

Chairman Andy Holt has put Accrington Stanley up for sale - during an extraordinary series of online posts.

On social media he replied to comments from Accrington assistant Jimmy Bell, who said he and boss John Coleman wanted clarity over their futures.

Bell confirmed that he and Coleman had not been offered new deals, with their contracts due to expire next summer.

Holt responded on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: "I'm not replacing them. I'm replacing me."

Replying to questions from Accrington fans, the chairman added: "I'm not the right person to take this forward.

"Accy needs to change and become a new club with new methods. I have nothing more to offer the club. I'm spent."

Coleman and Bell have been in charge at Accrington for all but two and a half years since 1999, guiding the club to three promotions and EFL status before returning for a second spell.

They oversaw Stanley's promotion to League One in 2018 and, despite dropping into the fourth tier last season, the team are seventh in the table after three consecutive wins - the most recent a 1-0 victory over MK Dons on Saturday.

But Holt, who took over the club in 2015, hit out at Bell's remarks - which came in an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire, external - saying: "When we got relegated last season the first thing our managers said was 'give us a new contract or sack us'.

"There was no way their performance deserved anything but the sack. But their past with the club got them a 'get out of jail free card'.

"Had they buckled down and proved they still had the hunger and desire to rebuild the club, I would discuss new contracts.

"Instead, after a few wins, they went to the media. They tried to use fans to pressure me - which was a mistake."