The Reds – who have just secured their highest league finish since 1958 – will bring their senior squad to Clitheroe for a friendly on Sunday, 4 July (KO 3pm).

It will be the first warm-up game for both sides ahead of the 2021/22 season and will be a chance for fans to make a long-awaited return to Shawbridge for the first time this year.

The fixture – which launches a busy pre-season schedule for the Blues – will further cement a burgeoning relationship between the two clubs.

John Coleman’s senior squad used Shawbridge as a training base once a week during the closing months of a campaign which saw Stanley finish 11th in League One.

The Reds’ Academy side also took part in Clitheroe’s inaugural Spring Football Festival – reaching the final where they lost to Fleetwood Town.

And Blues’ boss David Lynch is delighted to be welcoming Stanley back again in what should be a serious test for his own re-shaped squad.

“I’d like to thank Carl (Garner) at the club and his counterparts at Accrington for organising the game and John for agreeing to bring his side over,” said Lynch.

“They proved again this season what an outstanding side they are and we look forward to playing a team of that standard.

“It will be early days for us both but hopefully there will be a few new players on show – as well as fans in the ground – and it will be a fantastic way to start our pre-season schedule.

“It’s another example of how we are trying to raise the bar in everything we do and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin the build-up to a season I know everyone is desperate to see.”

Admission to the game will be pay on the day with prices set at £8 adults, £5 over-60s, £4 ages 17-14, £2 under-14s or free if accompanied by an adult.

The Blues have a number of other home pre-season games planned and will be announcing a ticket package and season-ticket holder discounts nearer the time.