ACCRINGTON Stanley are back in the Football League after an absence of over 44 years.

The club has had an abundance of coverage, both national and international, since being crowned Conference champions and ending almost half a century of hurt.

Yet the club has not welcomed the vast crowds that officials had anticipated.

Less than 2,000 witnessed Stanley's first League Two win over Barnet on Saturday.

We investigate the reasons behind the apathy.

THE Leader of Hyndburn Council has branded Accrington Stanley's support at the Fraser Eagle stadium "appalling".

Just 1639 people turned out to watch Stanley record their first win of the season on Saturday against Barnet, the lowest crowd in the top three divisions.

Worryingly, this was more than 1000 less than Tuesday's attendance for the side's return to the Football League.

And today Coun Peter Britcliffe warned the people of the Borough to support their side or risk losing Stanley altogether.

He said: "I was delighted with the win on Saturday but I'm absolutely appalled with the gates. It's very disappointing.

"I really would say to people that if we're to have a football league team in Hyndburn then the people do need to get behind them.

"It's disappointing we lost our first two matches but we've moved up quite substantially.

"People might be disappointed they lost their first two matches but that's all the more reason to get behind them.

"One of the things that is tremendously important now we've got league football back after 38 years is that it stays there and the only way we can do that is by getting behind the club and supporting them."

It is unclear why fans are staying away from Stanley but some have highlighted the increase in admission prices and car parking facilities as potential causes.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "It's disappointing and Stanley need bigger gates if they're going to survive in the football league.

"They need more than 2000 to make it work. What we need to do is rally round the team and I'll be making sure I go to as many games as I can.

"I think people are genuinely pleased the team is back in the football league but they need to translate that general feeling for Stanley into genuine support."

Peter Hargreaves, chairman of Oswaldtwistle Mills, who used to sponsor Stanley's shirts, said he was "devastated" by the low turn outs.

He said: "I can't believe it. I think I'm more concerned about last Tuesday's match, which was our first home game in the league for 44 years, but then Saturday continued a worrying trend.

"There's something terribly wrong. The club can't survive on gates of 1600 and fans have to get the message that if it continues then they won't have a club.

"I was thinking we would get nothing short of 3000 for our first game.

"I just don't know the answer."

A spokesman for Fraser Eagle, who sponsor the shirts and the stadium, said they hoped the first win of the season would generate more interest in the team.

He said: "We are delighted the Reds have won their first game in the Football League in over four decades and congratulate all involved with the club.

"This result shows Stanley can compete in the Football League and provide great entertainment for the fans.

"Hopefully this will encourage the bigger attendances that the club is hoping for."