Stockport County F.C.

Stockport County

Full name	Stockport County Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Hatters, County
Founded	1883 (as Heaton Norris Rovers)
Ground	Edgeley Park, Stockport (Capacity: 10,841)
Chairman	Lord Snape
Director of football/Manager	Jim Gannon
League	Conference National
2010–11	League Two, 24th (relegated)
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport.^[1] They joined the Football League in 1900, and competed in it continuously from 1905 to 2011. Having spent most of their history in the lower reaches of the Football League, the 1990s were more successful, with the club competing in the First Division for five seasons. Instability on and off the pitch led to Stockport quickly falling back to the lower divisions. The club will start the 2011–12 season in the Conference National having been relegated from Football League Two at the end of 2010–11. Their fall from grace was fast, at Christmas 2008 County sat in 5th position in League One.^[2]

Since 1902 Stockport County have played their home games at Edgeley Park and traditionally play in blue and white. They are nicknamed The Hatters, although they are usually referred to by supporters simply as County.

History

For more details on this topic, see History of Stockport County F.C..

Stockport County were formed in 1883 as Heaton Rovers by members of the Wycliffe Congregational Church, and played their first recorded game in October the next year. The club adopted 'The Hatters' as their nickname,^[3] owing to Stockport's history as the centre of the Victorian hat-making industry, a nickname that is shared with Luton Town.

Stockport played in the Lancashire League until 1900. They then gained admission to the Football League Second Division. The club finished in the bottom three for their first four seasons and at the end of 1903–04 they failed to gain re-election. They spent one year in the Lancashire Combination, won the league, and were re-admitted to the Football League. County were fortunate that, despite an awful 1920–21 campaign that saw them end the season bottom of the Second Division, which would normally have seen them face re-election, they were placed in the brand new Third Division North. The Hatters won the league at the first time of asking in 1921–22, but struggled and soon returned (1925–26) to the bottom division where, barring a couple of seasons, the club would stay for more than 40 years. The 1933–34 season saw goals galore, 115 in total,^[4] including a 13–0 win over Halifax Town, which still stands as a Football League record.^[5] In 1936–37 County won the Third Division North, but failed to gain a foothold in the Second Division, finished 22nd out of 22 and were relegated.

The 1950s brought little league success, but were notable for some fine goalscoring by Jack Connor, whose 140 goals are still a club record, including 13 hat-tricks, two instances of 4 goals in a match, and two of 5 goals in a match.^[6] When the regional Third Divisions were to be combined into national Third and Fourth Divisions after the 1957–58 campaign, Stockport managed to finish in the top half of the Third Division North and so were placed in the following season's national Third Division. Just one season was spent at this level, Stockport were demoted and didn't return until winning the Fourth Division in 1966–67. After being relegated in 1969–70, the 1970s and 1980s consisted of little other than mediocrity or struggling against re-election. The introduction of automatic promotion and relegation between the Football League and the Conference was not a good sign for Stockport and, in 1986–87 they had just 6 points from 13 games and faced a real prospect of non-League football, exemplified by crashing out of the FA Cup to Caernarfon Town. Colin Murphy was brought in for his second spell as manager, County gained 45 points from their final 31 games and survived, although Murphy left shortly after the end of the season.^[1]

Danny Bergara was appointed as manager in March 1989, quickly transforming the team, and automatic promotion was gained in 1990–91. The next three seasons saw County make the play-offs, but failed to result in another promotion. In March 1995 Bergara was sacked after an altercation with then chairman Brendan Elwood,^[7] and Dave Jones was appointed manager. The 1996–97 campaign proved to be the most successful in the club's history, finishing 2nd in the Second Division and reaching the semi-final of the League Cup, knocking out three Premiership teams (Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and West Ham United) on the way before losing to Middlesbrough 2–1 on aggregate. Jones left for Southampton, and a succession of managers were unable to build on the success of the 1990s, former England international Carlton Palmer failing to stop County being relegated in 2001–02 or to build a team capable of challenging for a return in subsequent seasons. Sammy McIlroy followed as manager in 2003 but more poor results led to his sacking, and the appointment of Chris Turner just one year later. Another relegation followed, and Turner himself lasted just one year in charge, resigning after a 6–0 defeat to local rivals Macclesfield Town that left County five points adrift of safety & facing a third relegation in just four years.

County players celebrate a goal in 2011

Former player Jim Gannon was placed in charge, initially as caretaker-manager. He led the club to safety in 2005–06 and County sustained a promotion challenge the next season, eventually missing out on the League Two playoffs on goal difference. They also set a new Football League record on 3 March 2007 when they beat Swindon Town 3–0, recording nine consecutive wins without conceding a goal. County continued their winning ways in the 2007–08 season and, despite losing an FA Cup match to non-League Staines Town, finished 4th in the league and beat Rochdale 3–2 in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium to earn promotion to League One.^[8]

During the 2008–09 season, Stockport defied the odds by challenging for a play-off place, but their form dipped during the final months of the season which saw them slip to mid-table. Jim Gannon was approached by Brighton & Hove Albion and the approach was accepted by Stockport, but after talks with the chairman of Brighton, Gannon rejected the job and stayed at Stockport.^[9] After he rejected the job, the following game v Huddersfield Town on the Saturday, Gannon got a standing ovation when he came out of the tunnel before the game.

On 30 April 2009, Stockport County were placed into administration following a battle to repay creditors.^[10] It followed a petition by a creditor to repay a loan of around £300,000. Recently, the club has struggled to repay a tax debt of £250,000 to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.^[11] In December 2009 the team's training ground was put up for sale.

On Friday 12 June, Leonard Curtis, administrators of Stockport County Football Club, announced that they had agreed terms with the Melrose Consortium for the sale of the club.^[12] Paul Reeves, one of the joint administrators commented that: "Whilst a deal has been agreed, it is subject to the Melrose Consortium obtaining landlord approval. This is a positive step to safeguarding the club's future." The Melrose consortium, consisiting of 'a group of businessmen with a sporting background' headed by ex Manchester City player Jim Melrose said: "We look forward to developing a fruitful relationship with Sale Sharks and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council which will provide the basis for a successful future for Stockport County Football Club." The immediate aims of the Melrose Consortium are to "...  guarantee football at Edgeley Park next season and to secure the services of redundant manager, and Stockport legend, Jim Gannon".

Gannon however took over as manager at Scottish Premier League side Motherwell, giving County fans cause to worry that he'd be poaching County's young players in the forthcoming weeks. Gary Ablett, former manager of Liverpool reserves, was appointed manager on 8 July 2009 following talks with the (prospective) new owners, even though they'd still not taken over, and in fact never did take over the club. In March 2010 it was announced that a new consortium, the '2015 Group' had been given exclusivity to work towards a takeover of the club. The Group were approved by the Football League at their May 2010 meeting.

It was announced on 17 June 2010 that the takeover of Stockport County was completed by the 2015 Group at a press conference held the same day at 11.00am. It was also announced that Gary Ablett had been relieved of his duties as Stockport County Manager after just one season in charge, which saw them relegated from the 3rd Tier of the English Football League, (League One), with just 5 wins from 46 league matches. It was widely reported that fans' favourite, and former manager Jim Gannon, who was made redundant in April 2009, would return to the club. However, Gannon decided to take a break from the game .

Following the takeover of the club by the 2015 Group, the consortium pledged to "rebuild the club from top to bottom".^{[citation needed]}

On 12 July 2010, former Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson was unveiled as Gary Ablett's successor as the new manager of the club at a press conference at Edgeley Park. Simpson's Assistant Manager was Peter Ward, who was previously assistant manager at the club between 2005 and 2009 under former manager Jim Gannon, and who also played over 100 games for the club in the 1990s. On 4 January 2011 Simpson was sacked, his place taken by Peter Ward on a caretaker basis. Ward was replaced by Ray Mathias after twelve games and two wins. Stockport's relegation from the Football League after 106 years was confirmed after a 2–0 away defeat against Crewe Alexandra.

The 2011/12 season started with County appointing Ray Mathias as permanent manager, however before a ball was kicked he was replaced by former Liverpool, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich & German International midfielder, Dietmar Hamann. Hamann did poorly and was sacked a short time into November, with County languishing in 17th position. He was replaced by Sir Jim Gannon, in Gannon's first match back at the club, they lost a hard-fought match to joint-leaders Fleetwood Town, 2-1.

Colours and crest

Several historical Stockport County crests.
Top: 1978–88, 1989–91, 1994–2006
Bottom: 2006–10, 2010–11, 2011–present

Stockport County's traditional kit colours are blue and white, although they have played in other colours throughout their history. Originally competing in blue and white striped jerseys and white shorts, they experimented with red and white stripes in the early 1900s and from the mid-1930s to mid-1960s played in white jerseys and black shorts.

No set pattern has been established for the clubs use of blue and white as main colours, at various times playing in a white jersey with a blue band and blue shorts; blue jersey with white pin stripes and white shorts; a short experiment with an Argentina-style kit, light blue & white stripes with black shorts, after the 1978 World Cup, which was abandoned after the outbreak of the Falklands War;^[13] and a return to blue & white striped tops with blue shorts in the 1980s.

County marked their 125th anniversary during 2008 by bringing in a third kit – a gold colour with black trim. The kit was worn on 17 occasions, all away trips, during which County were unbeaten. The strip was retired 'undefeated' at the end of the year, having been worn for 13 victories and 4 draws.^[14]

The club crest which was used for many years until 2010, when the club exited administration, was based on the achievement of arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport. It was further altered slightly in 2006, to resemble the town's arms even more closely, including the Latin motto Animo et Fide, which, when loosely translated, means With Courage and Faith. The blue shield is taken from the coat of arms of the 'de Stokeport' family, from whom Stockport derives its name. The twin-towered castle above the shield is Stockport Castle, which stood until 1775.

After the completion by the 2015 Group takeover of the club, a new club crest has been adopted for the coming seasons. The new crest was still based on the Stockport coat of arms, though the "Animo Et Fide" 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 & crosslets in the shield. The medals hanging from the lions rampant (which represented Cheshire and Lancashire, owing to Stockport's location astride the Mersey, which was the historical 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 are sponsored by the Metropolitan Borough Council; therefore, if the badge had been kept the same, the same badge would have effectively appeared twice on the shirt.

The crest was altered in 2011, to re-include the town motto. The new version adds 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.^[15]

The Stockport County Supporters' Co - Operative use the blue on white cross symbol from the 1978 badge as the main identifier in their company logo.

For a list of historical kits, see HistoricalKits.co.uk

For further details of the crest of Stockport, see Manchester-UK

The kit is currently supplied by Nike.

Grounds

Main article: Edgeley Park

Panoramic view of Edgeley Park
Left: Popular Side
Centre: Cheadle End
Right: Main Stand

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.^[1]

In 1902 the club required a larger ground and moved to Edgeley Park, then home of the rugby league club Stockport, who went out of business three years later.^[16] Stockport County have played home games there ever since, celebrating the centenary in 2002.

In late 2000 the chairman considered moving the club to Maine Road, the former 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 after the move. Ultimately the protests were not necessary as Manchester City Council decreed that Sale Sharks would make better tenants.^[17] Maine Road has since been demolished to make way for a housing estate and Edgeley Park is now shared with Sale whose Parent Company Cheshire Sports now own the ground.

Plans had been drawn up, prior to the club's entrance into administration, to move to a new, larger stadium in the Stockport area, with an increased capacity and better conference and banqueting facilities. These plans have since been scrapped, due to the financial problems which the club had, though it is believed that it may be a long-term aim of the club's new owners, The 2015 Group, to move away from Edgeley Park in the near future;^{[citation needed]} the reasoning for this, apart from naturally aspiring for a new, state-of-the-art stadium, is the lack of revenue streams at Edgeley Park. Currently, at the ground, though there are conference and banqueting facilities, they are limited, and there are no executive boxes in the Ground, making it an unattractive proposition for many companies who may pay to use the facilities on offer; football clubs in the lower leagues make much of their money through holding conferences at their home stadia, and so Stockport County are naturally held back by the lack of good, attractive facilities at Edgeley Park. Also, because Stockport no longer own the ground, all profits including conferencing and banqueting go 100% to Sale Sharks parent company Cheshire Sports, making the opportunity for Stockport County to make revenue from the ground even more restrictive.

Honours

The League Two Playoff Trophy

Football League

• Division Two
  • Runners Up: 1996–97
• Division Three (North)
  • Champions: 1921–22, 1936–37
  • Runners Up: 1928–29, 1929–30
• Division Four/League 2
  • Champions: 1966–67
  • Runners Up: 1990–91
  • Play-Off Winners: 2007–08
• Football League Trophy
  • Runners Up: 0–1 vs. Stoke City 1991–92
  • Runners Up: 1–2 vs. Port Vale 1992–93
• Division Three (North) Challenge Cup
  • Winners: 1936–37
  • Runners Up: 1937–38

Other Competitions

• Lancashire League Champions: 1899–1900
• Lancashire Combination Champions: 1904–05
• Manchester Senior Cup Winners: 1897–98, 1898–99, 1914–15, 1922–23
• Cheshire Medal Winners: 1922–23, 1924–25, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1930–31
• Cheshire Bowl Winners: 1933–34, 1948–49, 1952–53, 1955–56, 1956–57,
  1958–59, 1960–61, 1962–63
• Cheshire Friendly Trophy Winners: 1965–66, 1966–67
• Cheshire Premier Cup Winners: 1969–70, 1970–71, 2010–11

Youth Competitions

• Puma Football League Youth Alliance Cup Winners: 2006–07
• The UMBRO Cup Winners: 2007

Club records

Team records

• Biggest win: 13–0 vs. Halifax Town, 6 January 1934, also a Football League record.
• Biggest away win: 7–1 at Bradford City, 18 September 1965
• Biggest defeat: 0–7, nine times, most recently 6 October 1986 vs. Sheffield Wednesday
• Consecutive wins: 9, 2006–07
• Consecutive away wins: 8, 2007–08, also a Football League record.
• Consecutive wins without conceding a goal: 9, 2006–07, also a Football League record.
• Consecutive defeats: 12, 2009–10
• Consecutive games scored in: 30, 2007–08
• Consecutive League games scored in: 26, 2007–08
• Highest attendance: 27,833 vs. Liverpool, 11 February 1950
• Highest attendance (all-seated): 10,273 vs. Leeds United, 28 December 2008
• Lowest attendance: 1,089 vs. Southend, 15 February 1985
• Lowest number of paying spectators: 13, vs. Leicester City (at Old Trafford, 7 May 1921) also a Football League record.^[18]
• Longest match: 3 hours 23 minutes vs. Doncaster Rovers, 30 March 1946, also a world record.^[19]

Player records

• Most goals (season): 46 League + 6 Cup by Alf Lythgoe, 1933–34
• Most goals (career): 140 by Jack Connor (1951–1956)
• Most hat-tricks (career): 17 by Jack Connor (1951–1956)
• Most appearances (career): 555 Andy Thorpe (1978–1986, 1988–1992)
• Most international appearances (caps) - 9 Jarkko Wiss, Finland (2000–2002)
• Youngest player: Chris Coward, aged 16 years 31 days vs. Sheffield Wednesday, 23 August 2005
• Most consecutive clean sheets: 9 by Wayne Hennessey, 2006–07, coinciding with league record for consecutive wins
• Oldest player: Alec Herd, aged 40 years 47 days vs. Crewe Alexandra, 25 December 1951

Nine game winning run

Stockport County currently hold the record for winning nine Football League matches without conceding a goal. This record ran from January to March 2007, as manager Jim Gannon led the club to the best form shown by a football club in Football League history.

Wayne Hennessey, who was on loan to Stockport at the time from Wolves, kept all the clean sheets in his first nine games in professional football. He made his footballing debut against Boston United where Stockport won 2–0. The players involved in the record-breaking run are below:

Wayne Hennessey, 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.

During this time Wayne Hennessey received the League Two Player of the Month Award and Jim Gannon was candidate for the Manager of the Month Award twice.

Support

County fans away at Fleetwood Town in 2011.

With both Manchester United and Manchester City around 7 miles (11 km) from Edgeley Park, Stockport County have always struggled for local support. During the mid sixties the Football League introduced a minimum admission price for all clubs in all four divisions, attempting to help boost revenue for lower clubs. It had the desired effect only in small towns miles from big city teams. It had the opposite effect in places like Stockport, where people had the choice of paying the same price on Saturday afternoon to stand on the terraces and watch Stockport or to watch Manchester City or Manchester United. Stockport devised a unique solution, moving all their home games to Friday evening kick-offs, which generated larger crowds and extra business in surrounding pubs and restaurants. Even during the 1998–99 season, crowds averaged around 20,000 less than local rivals Manchester City, who were a division below County at the time.^[20]

County achieved a notable milestone in 2004, when the club attracted a bigger crowd for one of its tour matches in China than both Manchester United and Barcelona achieved in their subsequent tour matches in the country. County were watched by more than 25,000 in Yingkou against their then sister side Stockport Tiger Star, whilst Utd attracted a little over 23,000 in Beijing and Barcelona less than 9,000 in Shanghai; perhaps this high attendance was down to Stockport County's association with their affiliate team, and Tiger Stars' name change to include 'Stockport' 2 years previously.

Although the club has had great misfortunes on the pitch from 2000–01 onwards, crowds have continued to be rather healthy. In fact, during the 2005–06 season home attendances (that is, given attendances minus away support) increased slightly on the season before,^[21] helped by a 10,006 crowd against Carlisle on the final day of that season; this game in particular attracted such a high crowd as the town of Stockport fully got behind its team at Edgeley Park, because had County lost that particular game, they would have been relegated for the second successive season, and more significantly would have been relegated from the Football League for the first time ever, as County have competed continuously in the Football League since 1900. County eventually drew the game with Carlisle, and survived the drop, while Carlisle themselves gained the league championship.

The 2006–07 season saw the club average the fourth highest average attendance in League Two,^[22] and was the highest average since the club's last season in the First Division.^[23]

The 2007–08 season saw a further increase in attendance. Away support increased in recent seasons, due to a combination of lower ticket prices, improved results and the close proximity of sides such as Bury, Rochdale & Macclesfield Town, with Stockport's away support outnumbering home supporters on a number of occasions.^[21] In the 2007/2008 season, Stockport County had an average away attendance of over 900; the highest in the league. Only 2 teams in the league above surpassed this figure.^{[citation needed]}

Stockport County's average attendance for the 2008–2009 season in League One was 6,130.

Vocally, the support from Stockport fans has often been cited by managers and players as inspirational and a huge boost to the team during play, with their influence likened to having a twelfth player on the field, and Stockport supporters often receive praise from other players & managers, both at home and away, for their loyal and vocal support.^[24][25]

Stockport County fans are known for singing the club's anthem, "The Scarf My Father Wore", and, similar to Tottenham Hotspur fans, the "Blue & White Army"; in this chant, the supporters sing the manager's name, followed by "blue & white army", as the team play in blue & white.

Between the 2006–07 and 2009–10 seasons the squad number 12 was allocated to the 'Blue & White Army', in reference to the supporters being the team's 12th man on matchdays. However, for the 2010–11 season, the number reverted to one of the players. Stockport fans also have a wide variety of songs, being ranked 7th on FootballChants.org for the number of individual chants.^[26]

Rivalries

As the two nearby Manchester clubs have rarely been in the same division as Stockport, there is little or no rivalry with either club. Therefore, County's main rivalries are with other clubs such as Burnley, and Stoke City, for historical reasons, as well as other rivalries with local clubs such as Oldham Athletic, Bury, Rochdale and Macclesfield Town. The rivalries with Burnley and Stoke City are largely fuelled by meetings in the early 1990s, including the Football League play-offs finals and Football League Trophy finals being played each club respectively - both of which Stockport controversially lost. Therefore, games nowadays against these clubs, for Stockport fans at least, have added edge. According to the last Football Fans Census in 2001, Burnley, Manchester City and Stoke City are cited as Stockport County fans' biggest rivals.^[27] However, overall, there are very few genuinely fierce rivalries between Stockport County and other clubs, with the club being nicknamed 'The Friendly Football Club' by other football supporters.

Players

Current squad

As of 23 September 2011.^[28]

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Matt Glennon 2 DF Mark Lynch 3 DF Euan Holden 4 MF Jon Routledge 5 DF Danny O'Donnell (Vice-Captain) 6 FW Antonio German 7 MF Sean McConville 8 MF Jon Nolan 9 FW Martin Gritton 10 FW John Miles 11 MF Ryan Fraughan 12 GK Ian Ormson 13 FW Cameron Darkwah 14 MF Sam Sheridan

No. Position Player 15 DF Danny Whitehead 16 DF Ryan McCann 17 DF Andy Halls 18 MF Daniel Rowe 19 FW Nick Chadwick (Captain) 20 FW Tom Elliott 21 MF Nabil Brahim-Bounab 22 DF Carl Piergianni 23 FW Michael Paton (on loan from Aberdeen) 24 FW Joe Edwards (on loan from Bristol City) 25 DF Chris Blackburn 27 GK Dane Smith 28 GK Mark Halstead (on loan from Blackpool)

Notable former players

County players Anthony Pilkington, Carl Baker,
Stephen Gleeson & Tommy Rowe In Dec 2008.

• Alun Armstrong
• Brett Angell
• Bill Atkins
• Carl Baker
• Luke Beckett
• Tom Bennett
• George Best
• Joel Cantona
• Sean Connelly
• Kevin Cooper
• Liam Dickinson
• Mike Flynn
• Kevin Francis
• Jim Fryatt
• Jim Gannon
• Stephen Gleeson
• Harry Hardy
• Wayne Hennessey
• Oli Johnson
• Paul Jones
• Shefki Kuqi
• Chris Marsden
• Martin Nash
• Anthony Pilkington
• Micky Quinn
• Tommy Rowe
• Tommy Sword
• Andy Thorpe
• Johnny Warren
• Arthur Wharton
• George Whitcombe
• Ashley Williams
• Jarkko Wiss
• Frank Worthington
• Rodger Wylde

See also: Category:Stockport County F.C. players, Hall of Fame

Owners and club board

Stockport County are privately owned by the 2015 Group. The 2015 Group were brought together in 2010 by prominent Stockport County fan Dave Schofield. The group subsequently purchased the club in June 2010 and therefore brought the club out of administration.

Club board

Name	Position
Lord Snape	Chairman[29]
Mike Clarke	Director
Ken Graham	Director
Kevan Taylor	Director

Technical staff

Current coaching staff

Jim Gannon		Director of football & Manager
Willie McStay		Assistant Manager [30]
Stuart Delaney		Youth Team Manager
Bernard Hirmer		Goalkeeping Coach
Alan Lord		Head of Youth Development
Rodger Wylde		Club Physiotherapist

Top 10 managers of the club's history

Based on win % in all competitions

Name	Nat	From	To	Record
				P	W	D	L	%
Lincoln Hyde		1926	1931	221	127	37	57	57.47
Fred Westgarth		1933	1936	141	72	28	41	51.06
Andrew Wilson		1932	1933	44	22	12	10	50.00
Dave Jones		1995	1997	131	63	36	32	48.09
Eddie Quigley		1965	1966	51	24	7	20	47.06
Andy Beattie		1949	1952	148	68	31	49	45.95
Danny Bergara		1989	1995	352	156	88	108	44.32
Jim Gannon		2006	Present	182	79	42	61	43.41
Bob Marshall		1939	1949	139	59	29	51	42.45
Jimmy Meadows		1966	1969	128	54	36	38	42.19

^{*Stats correct as of January 12, 2009}

For a full list of past managers, see League Managers Association

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Freeman, Peter (1999). Stockport County - From the Nursery. ISBN 0–9537558–0–0. 
2. ^ "Football League One Table". 20 December 2008. http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/LeagueTable/0,,10419~20081220,00.html. 
3. ^ Freeman & Harnwell (1994). Stockport County: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon. ISBN 1-873626-72-X. ; later updates from [1] as applicable
4. ^ League Tables - Stockport County FC - SCFC MAD
5. ^ FOOTBALL LEAGUE RECORDS: GOALS | The Football League | Records | Goals
6. ^ http://www.stockportcounty.premiumtv.co.uk/page/PastPlayersDetail/0,,10419~399201,00.html
7. ^ "Inside Football: Bergara's plight symptomatic of insular England". http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20001012/ai_n14351172/pg_2. ^{[dead link]}
8. ^ Fletcher, Paul (26 May 2008). "Stockport 3–2 Rochdale". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7416601.stm. Retrieved 20 June 2009. 
9. ^ "Gannon rejects Brighton approach". BBC Sport. 26 February 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/7908756.stm. Retrieved 20 June 2009. 
10. ^ "Stockport go into administration". BBC Sport. 30 April 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/8027353.stm. Retrieved 20 June 2009. 
11. ^ Morris, Richard. "Stockport County goes into in administration". Crains Manchester Business. Thursday 30th April 2009. [2]
12. ^ "Deal agreed for Stockport buy-out". BBC Sport. 12 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/8098042.stm. Retrieved 20 June 2009. 
13. ^ Historical Football Kits
14. ^ The most unique kit in football history
15. ^ New Shirt Revealed and Animo et Fide Returns
16. ^ EDGELEY PARK HISTORY | Stockport County | Club | EP History
17. ^ "Sale step closer to Maine Road". BBC Sport. 4 December 2000. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/1054881.stm. 
18. ^ It is estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 people actually attended the match; Manchester United and Derby County had played immediately beforehand, and some of the spectators for that match had stayed on to watch the Stockport match for free. However, only 13 people paid at the gate to watch the Stockport match by itself. Reference: "A beautiful game". Stockport Express. 19 November 2002. http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/nostalgia/s/10/10257_a_beautiful_game.html. ^{[dead link]}
19. ^ [3]
20. ^ Historical attendances
21. ^ ^{a b} Stockport County official match programmes, 04/05, 05/06 & 06/07 seasons.
22. ^ Attendances England average
23. ^ England historical attendance and performance
24. ^ Scapens, Alex (6 September 2006). "Only sing when we’re winning? County shout loudest, win, lose or draw". Stockport Express (M.E.N. Media). http://menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/p/517219. 
25. ^ Cheadlender.com
26. ^ "Football Chants Top 10". FootballChants.org, 19 June 2007. http://www.footballchants.org/top10.php. 
27. ^ Club Rivalries Uncovered
28. ^ "First Team". Stockport County F.C.. http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10419,00.html. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
29. ^ http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10419~2261011,00.html
30. ^ Willie McStay is Hamann's assistant

External links

• Official website