Specialist Stanley Knows How To Paint Promotion Pictures!

But although the accomplished battler knows exactly how to apply the perfect finish to any season, the last thing he is is unremarkable.

Not only did he win back-to-back Promotion Finals, he also did it while battling debilitating diabetes.

It’s 14 years since Hereford United beat Halifax Town 3-2 after extra time, Ryan Green’s stunning winner offset by the ripped full-back’s six packs and tanned torso.

Twelve months later, he repeated the trick for Morecambe as they won at Wembley in front of over 40,000 against Exeter.

For both Hereford and Halifax; bankruptcy, reformation, and climbing back through the divisions, things aren’t what they used to be.

But Stanley, now 37, is still lacing up his boots for Clitheroe, pulling the strings in the Northern Premier League North West - and he welcomes the trip down memory lane.

“Hereford deserved that moment, there’s no doubt about that,” he told us in our latest Promotion Final flashback, recalling the 2006 thriller at Leicester’s Walkers Stadium.

“We finished second three years in a row. The year we finally did it, we managed to win 80 points. Accrington were worthy winners, but we deserved to go up.

“I actually sat and watched the game back on Wednesday, it was a thriller - the strange thing is the big moments actually give you more of a tingle now than they actually did at the time.

“I went down with cramp just before the 90th minute. I wanted to stay on but Graham (Turner) decided it was best to come off.

“I was gutted, but when Ryan scored the winner the cramp suddenly disappeared as I legged it down the touchline!

“The thing about Hereford that year was that we have five fantastic attacking players who all played a massive part in our season - yet the goal that took us up came from our right-back!

“Ryan played for Wolves and Wales so clearly he had that in his locker. I’m not sure everyone knew about the body and the tanned chest, mind you! He ripped his shirt off during the celebration and for some reason then grabbed the corner flag and threw it!

“We came from behind twice, but we had done that all season. With the players we had, we were always confident that if we did go behind that it wouldn’t be for long.”

Many players can shake off cramp, but not every player lives their life fighting diabetes.

The chronic disease occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

For sportsmen especially, their blood sugar level is critical - and the killer of more than a million a year is at the centre of all sufferers’ daily lives.

“I’m passionate about putting out the message that having diabetes doesn’t need to hold you back,” Stanley told us.

“There are a number of players who suffer from it, a number in the National League, and a lot of us keep in contact.

“Gary Mabbutt of course is the most high-profile former footballer and he had an incredible career.

“It doesn’t need to stop careers in their tracks and you can go on to achieve all the things you want to.”

The next logistical step for Stanley, who also controlled the middle of the park for Aldershot, Bristol Rovers and Eastleigh, appears to be management.

He has seen former team-mates make the transition from pitch to dug-out - but he knows timing is everything.

“Management isn’t like playing or like a normal job,” he said. “If you have a run of bad games, another club will always give you a chance.

“In management, you don’t get the luxury - that first opportunity is so important, and you have to be totally ready. It has to be the right club and the right time.

“It’s my ambition to one day manage Morecambe, I’ve even told a few people at the club that!

“I have had a small taster being caretaker at Lancaster for six weeks. I enjoyed it, and it left me wanting more.

“But my plan is to carry on playing next season. I’m eight games shy of 700 appearances and that’s a milestone I would love to reach.”