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Stockport County F.C.

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Stockport County Football Club is a professional association football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. The team competes in EFL League One, the third tier of the English football league system.

Formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, they were renamed Stockport County in 1890 after the County Borough of Stockport. The team have played in blue and white kits since 1914; their original colours were red and white. The club is nicknamed "The Hatters" after the town's former hat-making industry. Stockport have played at Edgeley Park since 1902.

Stockport first joined the Football League in 1900 but had to seek re-election in 1904. The club were not re-elected and spent one season outside the competition before they returned for the 1905–06 season. County then played in the Football League continuously for 106 years until 2011, mostly in the lower divisions. The team won their first league championship in 1922, the newly created Third Division North. Two league championships followed in 1937 (Third Division North) and 1967 (Fourth Division). The 1990s was the team's most successful period, when Stockport competed in the First Division for five seasons and reached the League Cup semi-finals in 1996–97. County also made four appearances at Wembley Stadium during this period, two in the Football League Trophy and two in the Football League play-offs, but lost on each occasion.

After financial difficulties in the early 2000s, the club fell back down the divisions, and were relegated out of the Football League at the end of the 2010–11 season, followed by relegation to the sixth tier in 2012–13. Stockport stabilised on and off the pitch in the following seasons, and won promotion to the fifth tier in 2018–19. In 2021–22, County topped the National League, securing promotion back to the EFL after an 11-year absence. In their second season back in the Football League, they secured automatic promotion to League One as champions.

HistoryEdit

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Football LeagueEdit

Stockport County was formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers at McLaughlin's Cafe in Heaton Norris, by a group of pupils from Stockport Sunday School.<ref name="Background">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="The Four Heatons Through Time">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Efn After playing home matches in different parks in the Stockport area for several years, Rovers moved to Green Lane in 1889. This is recognised as their first official ground.<ref name="Complete">Template:Cite book</ref> The club changed its name to Stockport County in 1890, the year after Stockport became a county borough.<ref name="The Four Heatons Through Time" /> The team played in the Lancashire League and local cup competitions until 1900, when they gained admission to the Football League Second Division.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

File:1910 Cheshire ordnance survey map showing Edgeley Park (cropped).jpg
1910 Ordnance Survey map showing Edgeley Park and surrounding area

Stockport left Green Lane in 1902 and moved to Edgeley Park,<ref name="The Four Heatons Through Time" /><ref name="Secret Stockport">Template:Cite book</ref> which was also home to rugby league club Stockport RFC.<ref name="About Stockport County">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> County finished in the bottom three for their first four seasons, and failed to gain re-election at the end of the 1903–04 season.<ref name="Division 2 1903/04">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After spending one season in the Lancashire Combination,<ref name="England – Lancashire Combination">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the club was readmitted to the Football League.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October 1908, it was confirmed that Stockport County would become a 'limited liability company'.<ref>Freeman & Harnwell, p.18</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The team remained in the Second Division for seven years until the 1912–13 season, when they again had to seek re-election.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Stockport gained 22 votes and retained their Football League status.<ref name="Division 2 1912/13">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

David Ashworth was appointed as the team's first manager in 1914.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After the outbreak of the First World War, competitive football was suspended. Stockport did, however, compete in the Lancashire section of the Wartime Football League, which was played from 1915–16 to 1918–19. Ashworth managed County throughout the war until the end of 1919, when he joined Liverpool.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The 1920–21 campaign saw Stockport finish bottom of the Second Division; however, instead of facing re-election, they were placed in the new Third Division North.<ref name="Division 2 1920/21">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The team won their first Football League title in 1921–22, when they defeated Darlington in front of 18,500 fans at Edgeley Park.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The manager Albert Williams was presented with the trophy seven days later, before the final home game against Lincoln City.<ref name="Top Hatters' Silver Salvo">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Division 3 (North) 1921/22">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn The club's goalkeeper Harry Hardy was called up for the England national team in 1924,<ref>Nelson, p.11</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and kept a clean sheet in a 4–0 win against Belgium.<ref name="England Hero Harry Is One of a Kind">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Hardy England Cap back at Edgeley Park">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Efn Stockport remained in the Third Division North during the 1920s, with two consecutive second-place finishes but failed to gain promotion.<ref name="DIVISION 3 (North) 1928/29">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="DIVISION 3 (North) 1929/30">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In the early 1930s, Stockport County played in a black and white home kit, and were briefly nicknamed the 'Lilywhites'.<ref name="Our History">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 23 July 1935, Edgeley Park's wooden main stand burned down, which caused damage to neighbouring houses. The fire also destroyed the club's records until 1935.<ref name="Edgeley Park">Template:PastScape</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A new main stand was built in 1936 and officially opened by Charles Sutcliffe, then president of the Football League.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Freeman & Harnwell, p.36</ref> In 1936–37, the team won the Third Division North title and promotion to the Second Division following a last-day title decider against Lincoln City which was attended by more than 27,000 fans. They finished in bottom place the following season and were relegated back to the Third Division North, remaining there until the divisions were reorganised in 1958.

During the 1939–40 season, Stockport played only two matches before the Second World War started; the Football League was suspended and did not resume until 1946.<ref name="Division 3 (North) 1939/40">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Regional league competitions were set up; the FA Cup was also suspended and was replaced with the Football League War Cup.<ref name="Keep Calm, Carry on and Play Soccer: The Football League War Cup">Template:Cite news</ref> In March 1946, Stockport hosted Doncaster Rovers in a League Three North Cup match which lasted 203 minutes, and is considered the longest professional football game.<ref name="Burnton-29Mar2018">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The regional Third Divisions were combined into the national Third and Fourth Divisions after the 1957–58 campaign. County were founder member of the new Third Division, but were relegated after one season.<ref>Freeman & Harnwell, pp. 46-47</ref><ref name="Division 3 1958/59">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the 1964–65 season, Stockport chairman Vic Bernard re-introduced the royal blue strip,<ref name="Our History" /> and hired former Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann as the club's general manager to improve its image.<ref name=":10">Template:Cite book</ref> Bernard and Trautmann decided to move matches to Friday evenings in an attempt to increase revenue.<ref name="Trautmann The Biography">Template:Cite book</ref> Trautmann resigned from his position in 1966.<ref name="Trautmann The Biography" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> County returned to the Third Division by winning the Fourth Division in 1966–67.<ref name="Division 4 1966/67">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The club was relegated back to the Fourth Division at the end of the 1969–70 campaign, and remained in the fourth tier until 1991.<ref name=":13" /> Eric Webster managed Stockport on five separate occasions, four of which were as caretaker manager during the 1980s, having first joined the club in 1974 as youth coach.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Freeman & Harnwell, pp. 83–84</ref> Following the introduction of automatic promotion and relegation between the Football League and the Football Conference at the start of the 1986–87 season, Stockport faced the prospect of non-League football, with just six points from 13 games. However, Colin Murphy was brought in for his second spell as manager, and Stockport gained 45 points from their final 31 games to remain in the division, although Murphy left shortly after the season.<ref name="Complete" />Template:Efn

File:The Railway End of Edgeley Park, Stockport, during a match in 1994.jpg
Stockport play Oxford United at Edgeley Park in 1994.

Danny Bergara was appointed manager in March 1989, and gained automatic promotion to the Third Division in 1990–91.<ref name="Division 4 1990/91">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the 1992 Associate Members' Cup Final, Bergara became the first South American to lead an English team at Wembley; Stoke City defeated County 1–0.<ref>Freeman & Harnwell, p. 64</ref> He led Stockport to Wembley on three further occasions, once more in the 1993 Football League Trophy Final and twice in the play-offs, but lost all.<ref>Freeman & Harnwell, pp. 64–71</ref> In March 1995, Bergara was sacked after an altercation with then chairman Brendan Elwood,<ref name="Stockport sack Bergara">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was succeeded by Dave Jones.<ref name="Dave Jones Factfile">Template:Cite news</ref> That same year saw the opening of the new all-seated Cheadle End stand, whose capacity was just over 5,000.<ref name=":2" /> The 1996–97 season proved to be the most successful in the club's history: Stockport finished second in the Second Division and reached the semi-finals of the League Cup, in which they eliminated three Premiership teams before losing 2–1 against Middlesbrough over two legs.<ref name="Division 1 1996/97">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Dave Jones left for Southampton in 1997 and Gary Megson took over as manager. County finished eighth in the First Division in his first season, only two places off the play-offs—the club's best ever league placing.<ref name="Division 1 1997/98">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

With Stockport bottom of the First Division in October 2001, a home defeat against Millwall saw manager Andy Kilner sacked.<ref name="Struggling Stockport fire Kilner by unilateral consent">Template:Cite news</ref> Former England international Carlton Palmer was appointed in November 2001,<ref name="Palmer named as Stockport boss">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Stockport gamble on outspoken Palmer">Template:Cite news</ref> but he failed to save the club from relegation to the third tier that season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Palmer was unable to build a team capable of returning to the First Division the next season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web

}}</ref> The summer of 2003 saw an ownership change. Elwood sold the club to Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy in a move that would see Sale play their home games at Edgeley Park. A new company, Cheshire Sport, was established,<ref name="Sharks to merge with Stockport">Template:Cite news</ref> which combined ownership of Stockport County, Sale Sharks and the Edgeley Park stadium.Template:Citation needed

File:Stockport County FC League Performance.svg
CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2005, after reportedly losing £4 million in operating costs,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kennedy handed ownership of the club to the Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Former County player Jim Gannon was appointed manager, initially as caretaker manager.<ref name="Gannon unveiled as Stockport boss">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He led the club to safety in 2005–06,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and sustained a promotion challenge the next season but eventually missed out on the League Two play-offs on goal difference.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The team continued their success during the 2007–08 season and reached the play-offs in which they faced Rochdale in the Final at Wembley. Stockport came from behind to win the game and earn promotion to League One.<ref name="Stockport 3–2 Rochdale">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In April 2009, Stockport County was placed into administration due to a loan to a creditor of around £300,000, and a tax debt of £250,000 to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.<ref name="Stockport go into administration">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Stockport enter administration after failing to pay creditors">Template:Cite news</ref> Two months later, County's administrator, Leonard Curtis, announced terms had been agreed with the Melrose Consortium—headed by ex-Manchester City player Jim Melrose—for the sale of the club.<ref name="Stockport set to be rescued by sale to Melrose consortium">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Deal agreed for Stockport buy-out">Template:Cite news</ref> In July, administrators agreed to a company voluntary arrangement with the previous shareholders and creditors.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Melrose Consortium bid was rejected by the Football League, however, in March 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A new consortium, the 2015 Group, was given exclusivity to work towards a takeover of the club.<ref name="Second group in bid for Stockport">Template:Cite news</ref>

The purchase of Stockport County by the 2015 Group was approved by the Football League in May 2010, with the takeover announced in June.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Before the start of the 2010–11 season, the new owners pledged to "rebuild the club from top to bottom",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and appointed Paul Simpson as manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> He was sacked after only six months in charge,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Ray Mathias was brought in as interim manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite an upturn in results, County were relegated to the Football Conference for the first time in their history.<ref name="League Two Table 2010-11">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Crewe 2-0 Stockport">Template:Cite news</ref>

Non-league era (2011–2022)Edit

File:Forestgreen hamann 120811-001.jpg
Dietmar Hamann on the touchline for Stockport County

After relegation, a Liverpool-based businessman tried, and ultimately failed, to buy the club.<ref name="Tony Evans resigns directorship of Stockport County">Template:Cite news</ref> Dietmar Hamann, who had no prior managerial experience, was named manager in July 2011.<ref name="Dietmar Hamann takes over as Stockport County boss">Template:Cite news</ref> He won only three of nineteen matches before resigning, after his position had been undermined by a fans' meeting in November.<ref name="Dietmar Hamann resigns as Stockport County manager">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref> The fans called for Gannon to be re-appointed as manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":12">Template:Cite journal</ref> He was reinstated, steered Stockport away from the relegation zone and finished 16th.<ref name="Stockport County 2011-2012 : English Conference Premier Table">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The club regained sole tenancy of their Edgeley Park stadium for the first time in nine years in 2012, after Sale Sharks relocated to Salford City Reds' new ground.<ref name="It's business as usual for County as Sale move out">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Sale Sharks confirm groundshare with Salford City Reds">Template:Cite news</ref> In January 2013, former fcbusiness magazine editor, 30-year-old Ryan McKnight was named as the chief executive officer at County.<ref name="Stockport County: Ryan McKnight named chief executive">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Stockport County Appoint Former fcbusiness Editor as CEO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Gannon was subsequently dismissed for a second time.<ref name="Stockport County: Jim Gannon sacked after 14 months in charge">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Stockport County Relieve Gannon of Duties">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Stockport employed two further managers in three months, and were relegated to the Conference North on the final day of the 2012–13 season.<ref name="Kidderminster 4 – 0 Stockport">Template:Cite news</ref> The club announced it was to lose its full-time status, and proceeded with a part-time model.<ref name="Stockport County go part time">Template:Cite news</ref> McKnight announced his resignation in April 2014.<ref name="Club Statement: Ryan McKnight">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Turnbull Nuneaton 270419-002.jpg
Stockport County lift the National League North title

Neil Young was named as Stockport's new manager in 2015, after he had previous successes in the division with Chester,<ref name="Neil Young named new manager of Stockport County">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but departed in January 2016.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> County once again turned to Gannon, who returned for a third stint.<ref name=":12" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He stabilised the club on the pitch and finished around the play-offs places for the next two seasons.<ref name="National League North Table 2016/17">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="National League North Table 2017/18">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2017, a local search was carried out to locate descendants of the club's founders.<ref name="The teenage terrace heroes who set up a football club: Details of Stockport County founders revealed for the first time" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2018–19, Stockport reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy and won the Conference North, their first league title in 52 years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="We Are Champions!">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Local businessman Mark Stott purchased County for an undisclosed fee in January 2020, and cleared its debts; Stott pledged to return the club to full-time football, to reach the Football League and to find a new training ground.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Managed by Dave Challinor (appointed in November 2021),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> County topped the National League in 2021–22, securing promotion back to the EFL after an 11-year absence.<ref name="BBC-15May2022">Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Hogan Madden Halifax 150522-002.jpg
Stockport County lift the National League trophy

Return to the Football LeagueEdit

In their first season back in League Two, 2022–23, Stockport finished 4th and reached the play-off final, losing to Carlisle United 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw at Wembley.<ref name="BBC-28May 2023">Template:Cite news</ref> The following season, 2023–24, Stockport secured automatic promotion to League One and were later crowned as champions with two games remaining.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They reached the League One play-offs in the following season but lost on penalties in the semi-final to Leyton Orient.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Colours, crests and traditionsEdit

Stockport County's traditional kit colours are blue and white, although they have played in other colours throughout their history.<ref name="Kit History">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Stockport's original colours were possibly red and white, although other sources suggest they wore blue and white during their early years. From the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s, County played in white jerseys and black shorts.<ref name="Background" /><ref name="Our History" /> No set pattern has been established for the use of blue and white as the team's main colours. They have played at various times in a white jersey with a blue band and blue shorts, and a blue jersey with white pin stripes and white shorts. The club experimented for a short time with an Argentina-style kit, light blue and white stripes with black shorts, after the 1978 World Cup. This was abandoned after the outbreak of the Falklands War,<ref name="Background" /> and it returned to blue and white striped tops with blue shorts in the early 1980s. Stockport marked their 125th anniversary during 2008 by bringing in a third kit—a gold colour with black trim.<ref name="Coca Cola League Two 2007 – 2008 Kits">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It retired 'undefeated' at the end of the year, having been worn for 13 victories and four draws.<ref name="Express Lines – Magic Gold">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The club former crest, which was used from 1991 until 2010 when the club exited administration, was based on the arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport. It was altered in 2006 to resemble the town's arms more closely, including the Latin motto Animo et Fide, which loosely translated means "With Courage and Faith".<ref name="Stockport – Explanation of the Arms of Stockport">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The blue shield is taken from the coat of arms of the de Stokeport family, from whom Stockport derives its name.<ref name="Secret Stockport" /><ref name="Stockport – Explanation of the Arms of Stockport" /> The twin-towered castle above the shield is Stockport Castle, which stood until 1775.<ref>Template:PastScape</ref>

After takeover of the club by the 2015 Group in 2010, a new crest was adopted. It was still based on the Stockport coat of arms, though the Latin motto was removed, along with a patch of green at the base of the badge; the flag of Cheshire, featuring a sword and three wheatsheaves, replaced the golden lozenges and crosslets in the shield. The medals hanging from the lion's rampant (which represented Cheshire and Lancashire, owing to Stockport's location astride the River Mersey which forms the historic border between the two counties) were removed. It also saw the return of a football on the shield. This change was made in part because as of the 2010–11 season, Stockport County was sponsored by the town's Metropolitan Borough Council.<ref name="Npower League Two 2010 – 2011 Kits">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The crest was further altered in 2011 to re-include the town's motto. The new version added two white ribbons—one at the top, with Animo et Fide, and one at the bottom with Stockport County F.C.. In addition, the football was again removed from the shield. Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative used the blue on white cross from the 1978 badge as the main identifier in their company logo.

The club's kit was manufactured by local company Umbro, who supplied all three kits for the 2013–14 season. Stockport was Umbro's flagship partner for their relaunch in the UK.<ref name="Background" /><ref name="New Kit Deal Agreed">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From the start of the 2014–15 season, Stockport again changed their kit manufacturer, from Umbro to Spanish-based company Joma.<ref name="County hope they're dressed for success">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Kit deal sees County go back to the future">Template:Cite news</ref>

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1976–1978 Bukta none
1978–1979 Admiral
1979–1984 Adidas
1984–1985 Bukta
1985–1986 Langdale Services
1986–1987 Umbro none
1987–1989 En-S Messenger Newspapers
1989–1991 Ribero Sovereign Rubber
1990–1991 Gordon Ford Group
1991–1993 Gola Cobra
1993–1995 Super League Robinsons Best Bitter
1995–1996 Beaver
1996–1999 Adidas
1999–2002 Patrick
2002–2007 TFG Sports Scandia<ref name="We're not bitter">Template:Cite news</ref>
2007–2009 Diadora<ref name="County Kit Sponsors Diadora Go Bust">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref name="Stockport County new 07/08 diadora home football kit">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Just Search<ref name="Stockport County new 07/08 diadora home football kit" /><ref name="New County kit unveiled" />
2009–2010 Macron<ref name="New County kit unveiled">Template:Cite news</ref>
2010–2011 Nike Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
2011–2012 GT Law
2012–2013 GT Law (Home and Away)
Leemic (Third)
2013–2014 Umbro<ref name="New Kit Deal Agreed" /> citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
Match Day Cards (Away)<ref name="Stockport County sign new sponsorship deal">Template:Cite news</ref>
Leemic (Third)<ref name="Record-Breaking Kit Launch">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2014–2015 Joma RESB Ltd. (Home)<ref name="County hope they're dressed for success" />
Playerboots.com (Away)<ref name="County hope they're dressed for success" />
Robinsons Dizzy Blonde (Alternative)<ref name="Robinsons sponsor new alternate away strip">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation 		CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref name="Kit deal sees County go back to the future" />

2015–2016 Playerboots.com (Home)<ref name="New County Kit Unveiled">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
TCM Advisors Limited (Away)<ref name="TCM returns to Stockport County">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
Robinsons Dizzy Blonde (Alternative)<ref name="Robinson's sponsored alternate away shirt supports Michelle">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2016–2017 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
TCM Advisors Limited (Away)
Robinsons Unicorn (Away)

2017–2018 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref name="New 2017/18 home kit revealed">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
Pioneer Group (Away)<ref name="Pioneer raise the roof at County!">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
Robinsons Brewery(Away)<ref name="Robbies sponsor County alternate away shirt">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2018–2019 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
Project Solar (Away)<ref name="Sun shines on County as Project Solar UK sponsor away shirts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
Robinson's Brewery & Help for Heroes (Away)<ref name="Robinsons and Help For Heroes Back County">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2019–2020 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
Cheshire Anilox Technology (Away)<ref name="The Stockport County 2019-20 Alternate Away Kit!">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>
Project Solar (Away)<ref name="Revealed: The Stockport County 2019-20 Away Kit!">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2020–2021 Puma<ref name="20/21 Season: Kit Partner & Sponsors">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Pioneer Group (Home)
VITA (Away/Alternate)
2021–2024 VITA

GroundsEdit

Green LaneEdit

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Heaton Norris Rovers originally played home matches at the Heaton Norris Recreation Ground, then at various locations in Stockport until settling at a park on Green Lane, Heaton Norris, in 1889. The nearby Nursery Inn served as the team's home, with players using a barn as changing rooms.<ref name=Complete/> The club played at Green Lane for its first two seasons in the Football League.<ref name="The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds Second Edition 1888–2005">Template:Cite book</ref>

The stadium had one main stand that ran the length of the pitch, and a raised bank behind one of the goals. The remainder of the ground was uncovered terracing, with turnstiles located at the back of the Nursery Inn.<ref name="Green Lane Conservation Area Character Appraisal">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Edgeley ParkEdit

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By 1902, County required a larger ground and moved to Edgeley Park, then home of the rugby league club Stockport RFC.<ref name="Edgeley Park" /> Green Lane was retained for use by the club's reserve team, although one further first team game was played at the ground in April 1903, when Edgeley Park was used by the rugby club.<ref name="Stockport County: A Complete History">Template:Cite book</ref> The Green Lane site was later used for housing.<ref name="The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds Second Edition 1888–2005" />

File:EP-01.jpg
Aerial pic of Edgeley Park, home of Stockport County

In 1995, a new 5,000 all-seated Cheadle End stand was built to replace the terrace.<ref name=":2" /> In late 2000, chairman Brendan Elwood considered moving Stockport to Maine Road, the home of rivals Manchester City. The potential move was unpopular with supporters, and protests were staged after it was suggested that the club would change its name to Man-Stock County.<ref name="Man overboard">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Manchester City Council ultimately decreed that rugby union club Sale Sharks would make better tenants.<ref name="Sale step closer to Maine Road">Template:Cite news</ref> Maine Road was demolished in 2004 to make way for a housing estate, and Edgeley Park was then shared with Sale whose parent company, Cheshire Sports, owned the ground.<ref name="Sale to merge with Stockport">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2001, The Railway End, opposite the Cheadle End, was the last part of Edgeley Park to be converted to seating, and took the stadium's total capacity to 10,852.<ref name=":2" />

There was another rumour that Stockport would leave its home ground in 2012. This was dismissed by chairman Peter Snape,<ref name="Chairman Lord Snape says County will not leave Stockport">Template:Cite news</ref> before Sale Sharks confirmed that they would be moving to Salford City Reds' new stadium.<ref name="It's business as usual for County as Sale move out" /><ref name="Sale Sharks confirm groundshare with Salford City Reds" /> It left Stockport County as the only tenants at Edgeley Park.<ref name="Boardroom Statement – Cheshire Sport and County agree Edgeley Park Deal">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In May 2012, County renamed the Main Stand "The Danny Bergara Stand" in honour of the club's former manager.<ref name="Stockport County to rename stand in honour of Danny Bergara">Template:Cite news</ref>

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council purchased the stadium in 2015, to prevent it from being demolished and redeveloped.<ref name="Stockport County's Edgeley Park ground 'could be bought by the council to stop it being bulldozed'">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After a plea from fans to safeguard the ground,<ref name="Stockport County's Edgeley Park future to be decided at crunch council meeting">Template:Cite news</ref> an emergency council meeting was held, and the stadium was purchased for £2 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It is currently leased back to the club.<ref name="Stockport council 'set to pay around £2m' to save Edgeley Park football ground from demolition">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Council complete deal to buy Stockport County's Edgeley Park">Template:Cite news</ref> In February 2022, the club agreed a 250-year lease of Edgeley Park from Stockport council.<ref name="BBC-21Feb2022">Template:Cite news</ref>

Supporters and rivalriesEdit

File:Stockport County Fans.jpg
Stockport County supporters in the Cheadle End

With both Manchester United and Manchester City F.C. located around Template:Convert from Edgeley Park, Stockport County has always vied with top-level clubs for local support. During the mid-1960s, the Football League introduced a minimum admission price for all clubs in the four professional tiers, attempting to boost revenue for smaller clubs. It had the opposite effect in places like Stockport, where many other league clubs were in relatively close proximity. As a result, County moved all their home games to Friday evening, which generated larger crowds and extra business in surrounding pubs and restaurants.<ref name="Trautmann The Biography" />

In 2004, the club attracted a crowd of more than 20,000 for one of its tour matches in China.<ref name="Stockport County scores in China's business league">Template:Cite news</ref> Stockport were watched by 22,000 in Yingkou against their then sister side Stockport Tiger Star.<ref name=":8">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Stockport County: 'Man City were our rivals, now it's Curzon Ashton'">Template:Cite news</ref> It is possible this attendance was a result of County's association with their affiliate team, and Tiger Stars' name change to include 'Stockport' two years before.<ref name="County's Tiger bid a roaring success">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="China beckons for Stockport">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The 2006–07 season saw the club average the fourth highest average attendance in League Two.<ref name="History of English Football">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There was a further increase the following season with Stockport's away support outnumbering home supporters on a number of occasions. Stockport County had an average away attendance of over 900, the highest in the division.<ref name="Jimmy Gannon's Blue & White Army, Stockport County Salute you">Template:Cite journal</ref> The club set a National League North record attendance, when 4,797 people attended a home fixture with F.C. United in December 2015.<ref name="National League North – Records – 2015-2016">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This attendance was broken again three times in the following three seasons.<ref name="Patrick 17">Template:Cite news</ref>Template:Efn

The support from County fans has often been cited by managers and players,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Perry, pp. 94–95</ref> with the fans influence likened to having a twelfth player on the field.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Between the 2006–07 and 2009–10 seasons, the squad number 12 was allocated to the 'Blue & White Army', in reference to the fans being the team's 12th man. However, for the 2010–11 season, the number reverted to one of the players.<ref name="Programmes">Stockport County Official Match Programmes</ref> It was given back to the fans upon the club's return to the National League in 2019.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Some famous Stockport County fans include darts players Tony O'Shea and Nathan Aspinall, singer-songwriter Daz Sampson, Blossoms bassist Charlie Salt, and Manchester City and England under 21 defender, Taylor Harwood-Bellis. O'Shea has written articles in the club's matchday programme and has also worn County's colours in all of his televised darts matches.<ref name="Programmes"/> Sampson became a lifelong member of the Stockport County Supporters' Trust after he released "The County Song", which paid tribute to the team's Football League record of nine consecutive wins without conceding a goal.<ref name="Honour for Daz">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Supporters' groupsEdit

'Help the Hatters' is a group of volunteers who raise money for the club and help with the maintenance of Edgeley Park.<ref name="Help the Hatters">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Thank you. Again.">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They also organised the 'Players Fund',<ref name="Players' Fund Partnership">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Stockport County fans continue to help the Lord">Template:Cite news</ref> which paid the wages of young players,<ref name="Turner deal agreed">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and gave the Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative shares in the club.<ref name="Players' Fund Partnership" /><ref name="County's fans can do their share">Template:Cite news</ref> The group transformed the club's Legends Lounge into the Stockport County Museum, which was opened by former player George Haigh on his 102nd birthday.<ref name="Birthday boy George Haigh launches County Museum">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative is the other active supporters' group.<ref name="Co-Op">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Guardian Account">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It runs the Stockport County Appearance Number Scheme (SCAN), where every player who has played a first-team game is recognised with a framed certificate and a number which shows their position on the list of players who made their debut for the club.<ref name="SCAN Scheme">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Fact Sheet on Stockport County Appearance Number Scheme">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

RivalriesEdit

As the two nearby Manchester clubs have rarely been in the same division as Stockport, historically there has been little rivalry with either club until the 1990s, when the rivalry between County and Manchester City took form between 1997 and 2002. The two clubs spent three out of five seasons in the same division and during the 1998–99 season, Stockport were a division above City.<ref name="Friend or foe?">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The club also has significant local rivalries with Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Bury,<ref name="Football Fans Guide">Template:Cite book</ref> Crewe Alexandra, and Macclesfield. According to a survey in 2003, County supporters include more distant clubs Burnley and Stoke City among their main rivals for more historical reasons.<ref>Freeman & Harnwell, pp. 64–65,70</ref> The club also has a fierce rivalry with Wrexham<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> which was intensified during the 2021–22 season as both teams battled for the National League title, which Stockport won on the final day of the season beating Halifax Town FC 2–0.

PlayersEdit

Current squadEdit

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Out on loanEdit

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Template:See also

Hall of FameEdit

This list contains the names of all past players/club staff who have been inducted into the Stockport County Hall of Fame.<ref name="Hall of Fame">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:Columns-list

InternationalsEdit

Fourteen players have earned full international caps while registered with Stockport County. Harry Hardy was the first Stockport player to win an international cap, in 1924, and remains the only Stockport-registered player to have played for England.

Player Country Caps Goals Years of caps Notes
Jarkko Wiss Template:Flagicon Finland 9 1 2000–2002 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Shefki Kuqi Template:Flagicon Finland 7 1 2001 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Petri Helin Template:Flagicon Finland 7 0 2001–2002 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Martin Nash Template:Flagicon Canada 6 0 1997 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Ibou Touray Template:Flagicon The Gambia 5 1 2023–2024 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Nick Colgan Template:Flagicon Ireland 4 0 2003–2004 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Myles Hippolyte Template:Flagicon Grenada 2 1 2023 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Harry Hardy Template:Flagicon England 1 0 1924 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Paul Jones Template:Flagicon Wales 1 0 1997 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Jim Goodwin Template:Flagicon Ireland 1 0 2002 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Danny Griffin Template:Flagicon Northern Ireland 1 0 2004 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Ashley Williams Template:Flagicon Wales 1 0 2008 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Peter Thompson Template:Flagicon Northern Ireland 1 0 2008 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Lois Maynard Template:Flagicon Saint Kitts and Nevis 1 0 2021 citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Board and technical staffEdit

Club personnelEdit

Position Name
Club owner Mark Stott
Non-executive chairman Ken Knott
Chief executive officer Simon Wilson
Chief operating officer Gavin Bailey
Directors Mark Stott
Jonathan Vaughan
Ken Knott
Club president Steve Bellis
Brand and communications director David Ancell
Life presidents Angela White
Robert Smith Bewley
Arthur Collister
Steve Cree
Richard Hill
Mike Flynn
George Hudson
John Rutter
Head of football administration Alex Cowdy

Source:<ref name="Club Statement – Mark Stott">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Stockport County Contacts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Coaching staffEdit

Position Staff
Director of football Template:Flagicon Simon Wilson
Manager Template:Flagicon Dave Challinor
First-team coaches Template:Flagicon Clint Hill
Template:Flagicon Dave Conlon
Head of goalkeeping Template:Flagicon Nick Colgan
Sports therapist Template:Flagicon Luke Smith
Head of performance Template:Flagicon Sam Holt
Player liaison officer Template:Flagicon Matt Jansen
Assistant coaches Template:Flagicon Joppe Meulensteen
Template:Flagicon Andy Mangan
Kit manager Template:Flagicon Richard Landon
Club doctor Template:Flagicon Amjad Choudry
Head of recruitment Template:Flagicon Jonathan Smith

Source:<ref name="Stockport County Contacts" />

Media staffEdit

Position Staff
Media and communications manager Template:Flagicon Liam Richardson
Club photographer Template:Flagicon Mike Petch
Digital content producer Template:Flagicon Carl Gozem

Source:<ref name="Stockport County Contacts" />

Managerial historyEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Top 10 managers in the club's historyEdit

Based on win percentage in all competitions<ref name="Stockport County Manager History and Statistics">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Name Nat From To Record
P W D L %
Lincoln Hyde Template:Flagicon 1926 1931 221 128 35 58 57.92
Dave Challinor Template:Flagicon 2021 Present 203 112 45 46 55.17
Andrew Wilson Template:Flagicon 1932 1933 43 21 12 10 48.84
Simon Rusk Template:Flagicon 2021 2021 41 20 12 9 48.78
Dave Jones Template:Flagicon 1995 1997 117 57 32 28 48.72
Fred Westgarth Template:Flagicon 1934 1936 95 46 16 33 48.42
Andy Beattie Template:Flagicon 1949 1952 150 71 28 51 47.33
Bob Kelly Template:Flagicon 1936 1938 52 24 16 12 46.15
Jim Gannon (three spells in charge) Template:Flagicon 2006 2021 507 233 120 154 45.96
Danny Bergara Template:Flagicon 1989 1995 319 137 83 99 42.95

Current manager in bold. Statistics only include full-time managers (interim or caretaker managers are excluded). Stats correct as of 19 April 2025.

HonoursEdit

Source:<ref name=":13" /><ref name="Records">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

League

Cup

Club records and statisticsEdit

Team recordsEdit

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Consecutive away wins: 9, 2021–22<ref name="Programmes" /><ref name="Stockport boss has a young vision">Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Consecutive wins without conceding a goal: 9, 2006–07, also a Football League record<ref name="Stockport boss has a young vision" /><ref name="FL record">Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Consecutive defeats: 12, 2009–10<ref name="Programmes" />
  • Consecutive games scored in: 30, 2007–08<ref name="Programmes" />
  • Consecutive League games scored in: 26, 2007–08<ref name="Programmes" />
  • Highest attendance: 27,833 versus Liverpool, FA Cup fifth round, 11 February 1950<ref name="Records" /><ref name="Programmes" />
  • Highest league attendance: 27,304 versus Lincoln City, Third Division North, 1 May 1937<ref name="Records" /><ref>Freeman & Harnwell p. 169</ref>
  • Highest attendance (all-seated): 10,592 versus Leyton Orient, League One play-off semi-final, 14 May 2025<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Lowest attendance: 812 versus Barrow, FA Trophy, 19 November 2013<ref name="FA Trophy replay: Stockport County 2 Barrow 3">Template:Cite news</ref>
  • Longest match: Three hours and 23 minutes versus Doncaster Rovers, League Three North Cup, 30 March 1946<ref name="Burnton-29Mar2018" />
  • Lowest number of paying spectators: 13 versus Leicester City (at Old Trafford), Second Division, 7 May 1921, also a Football League recordTemplate:Efn

Player recordsEdit

  • Most goals (season): 46, Alf Lythgoe, 1933–34<ref name="Records" /><ref>Nelson, p.25</ref>
  • Most goals (career): 132, Jack Connor (1951–1956)<ref name="Records" /><ref>Nelson, p.29</ref>
  • Most appearances (career): 555, Andy Thorpe (1978–1986, 1988–1992)<ref name="Records" /><ref>Nelson, p.61</ref>
  • Most international appearances (caps): 9, Jarkko Wiss, Finland (2000–2002)<ref name="Records" /><ref>Nelson, p.117</ref>
  • Youngest player: Paul Turnbull, aged 16 years and 97 days versus Wrexham, 30 April 2005<ref name="Records" />
  • Oldest player: Alec Herd, aged 40 years and 47 days versus Crewe Alexandra, 25 December 1951<ref name="Records" />
  • Most consecutive clean sheets: 9, Wayne Hennessey, 2006–07<ref name="FL record" />

Nine-game winning runEdit

Stockport County won nine league matches in succession without conceding a goal from January to March 2007 under manager Jim Gannon, a Football League record.<ref name="Stockport County : Records" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wayne Hennessey, then on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, kept a clean sheet in his first nine games in professional football.<ref name="FL record" /> Hennessey received the League Two Player of the Month award in March.<ref name="Hennessey's heroics secure award">Template:Cite news</ref> The other players involved were: Robert Clare, Michael Rose, Ashley Williams, Gareth Owen, Stephen Gleeson, Jason Taylor, Adam Griffin, David Poole, Damien Allen, Anthony Pilkington, Tony Dinning, Dominic Blizzard, Liam Dickinson, Adam Proudlock, Tes Bramble and Anthony Elding.<ref name="Stockport County datafile">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

NotesEdit

Template:Notelist

ReferencesEdit

General

  • For Stockport County season by season records, 1891–1994 see:

Template:Cite book

  • For Stockport County attendance figures, 1925–1994 see:

Template:Cite book

Specific Template:Reflist

Further readingEdit

Template:Refbegin

Template:Refend

External linksEdit

Template:Sister project

Template:Stockport County F.C. Template:Stockport County F.C. managers {{#invoke:Navbox|navbox}} {{#invoke:Navbox|navbox}} Template:Football in Greater Manchester Template:Authority control

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