Chairman Steve Parish, David Blitzer, Joshua Harris, John Textor
Chief Financial Officer
Sean O’Loughlin
Sporting Director
Dougie Freedman
Club Secretary
Christine Dowdeswell
Head of Sports Medicine
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad
Academy Director
Gary Issott
Director of U21 Development
Mark Bright
Chief Operating Officer
Sharon Lacey
Chief Commercial Officer
Barry Webber
Chief Marketing Officer
Aaron Duckmanton
General Counsel
David Nichol
Head of Ticketing
Paul McGowan
Head of Retail
Foz Bowers
Head of Marketing
Matt Franks
Head of Safeguarding
Laura Baptiste
Head Groundsman
Bruce Elliott
Editor Jack Lacey-Hatton
Design Billy Cooke, Stu Ellmer, Lucas Gough
Front cover David Flanagan
Contributors Robin Johnson, Toby Jagmohan, Ed Dowling, Ian King, Tommy Macarthur
Photography Neil Everitt, Peter Hurn, Sebastian Frej, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Kontent Haus, Toby Jagmohan, Getty
Printer Bishops Printers
oliver glasner
Welcome back to Selhurst Park, and welcome to Dave Challinor and his Stockport players and staff for this afternoon’s game.
I’m excited for my first FA Cup tie as a manager. Regardless of where you are from, if you grow up loving football, you know about the FA Cup – it’s a historic tournament.
As I said at the start of the season, we play to win every game and this includes both cup competitions, so our players know what is expected of them. We also know what it would mean to our fans and everyone at Palace to get back to Wembley.
I have always enjoyed cup football, right throughout my career. I managed to win the Austrian Cup twice as a player, then as assistant at Salzburg and finished runners-up in the DFB-Pokal German Cup with Frankfurt, so I have really positive memories from these competitions. It’s all or nothing, you either get through to the next round - or not. That makes it unique, very different from league football. You have to play well in every single game, I don’t think you can really get lucky, which again makes it so special.
It was also a cup final that gave me one of my favourite moments as a manger, winning
we play to win every game and this includes both cup competitions, so our players know what is expected of them. We also know what it would mean to our fans and everyone at Palace to get back to Wembley
the Europa League with Frankfurt. That game reminded me how much joy and happiness a final brings to the fans, it was a very special day that no-one will forget. They are like wedding days, anniversaries, birthdays – they don’t come around often but that is what makes them so special!
It was also a cup final that gave me one of my favourite moments as a manger, winning the Europa League with Frankfurt. That game reminded me how much joy and happiness a final brings to the fans, it was a very special day that no-one will forget
The Christmas period was very busy, so it was nice to be able to give the players a few days off after the Chelsea game and recharge, before what will be a very important week for us. As well as today’s tie, we also have away games at Leicester and West Ham.
Stockport are having a good season, so we will have to be very strong today to get into the next round. But we respect them and will play with our best available team to get the job done
Stockport are having a good season, so we will have to be very strong today to get into the next round. But we respect them and will play with our best available team to get the job done. We’ve had a good start to 2025, following up a very important win over Southampton with a deserved draw against Chelsea – so we want to keep that momentum.
Our excellent victories at Ipswich and Brighton last month, showed that we can be just as strong away from Selhurst Park.
Ahead of this run, I would like to thank you in advance for your support across another busy week – where I hope we can come away with three positive results .
marc Guéhi
Welcome back to Selhurst Park for the first game of our 2024-25 FA Cup campaign as we look to progress to round four.
The New Year is naturally a time to look forward and think about what we as a group want to achieve this year. And a strong run in the FA Cup is high on our agenda. It’s always nice beginning our cup campaign at this time of the season - the eventual prize of a Wembley final in May may feel a long way off now, but we are determined to go as far as we possibly can.
Our first hurdle is a tough one, against Stockport. They’re enjoying a fantastic season in League One after winning promotion last year – and will be relishing a visit to a Premier League stadium.
It’s always a very different challenge when a lower-league team come to Selhurst Park. Obviously, there is an expectation on us to get a good result, but the opposition are always hugely fired up in these circumstances and keen to claim a Premier League scalp. Every year we see a shock in the FA Cup and today we will have to be at our best - from the word go - to ensure that it won’t be us.
We also want to keep building momentum after our first game of 2025, last week’s 1-1 draw with
It’s always good beginning our cup campaign at this time of year - the eventual prize of a Wembley final in May may feel a long way off now, but we are determined to go as far as we possibly can
Chelsea. The first 30 minutes of that game were very tough. We gave away an early goal and struggled to get into our rhythm. But all the boys reacted well. We refused to let the game get away from us and started to create some good goalscoring opportunities.
In the second-half, I thought we were much better and thoroughly deserved the equaliser we eventually got – after some great link-up play between the front three and a cool finish from JP. Towards the end, it even felt like we could go on and get the winner.
in the secondhalf, I thought we were much better and thoroughly deserved the equaliser we eventually got –after some great link-up play between the front three and a cool finish from JP.
Towards the end, it even felt like we could go on and get a winner
Chelsea have had a strong first-half of the season, but that game showed that when we’re at our best we can compete with anyone. As I said, today will pose a very different challenge. But we know how important the FA Cup is to you, the supporters, and everyone connected with the club.
We want our name in the hat for the fourth round draw and with Selhurst Park behind us, we can get the job done.
Enjoy the game! .
today will pose a very different challenge. But we know how important the FA Cup is to you, the supporters, and everyone connected with the club. We want our name in the hat for the fourth round draw and with Selhurst Park behind us, we can get the job done
steve parish
Welcome back to Selhurst Park for this afternoon’s match – the start of our FA Cup campaign this season – and welcome to the supporters, players, staff and directors of Stockport County.
Our last home game with Chelsea showcased the character within this squad. After a difficult start, the response from everybody in the second-half was excellent – and it was deservedly capped off with a great team goal, finished off by JP.
Our recent form gives us a strong platform to build upon in 2025, and with just seven points between ourselves and the top-half of the Premier League table at this stage of the season, Oliver and his players can rightfully target a strong second half of 2024/25.
Today, however, we turn our attentions towards the FA Cup. The third round is one of those special weekends in the calendar which makes English football so unique. This competition has given us some incredible memories in recent years, and I very much hope we can create more this year.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to anyone joining us for the first time at Selhurst Park. A particular mention to those young supporters at their very first Palace game. I think every supporter
Our recent form gives us a strong platform to build upon in 2025, and with just seven points between ourselves and the top-half of the Premier League table at this stage of the season, Oliver and his players can rightfully target a strong second
The third round is one of those special weekends in the calendar which makes English football so unique. This competition has given us some incredible memories in recent years, and I very much hope we can create more this year
A particular mention to those young supporters at their very first Palace game. I think every supporter remembers their first match at this ground –hopefully we can get a result to match the occasion for any Selhurst debutants today
remembers their first match at this ground – hopefully we can get a result to match the occasion for any Selhurst debutants today.
Elsewhere, our Women’s team are hoping to kickstart their own journey to Wembley this afternoon. They return to action, following the winter break, for an FA Cup tie at home to Sheffield United. The WSL then returns next weekend – so I’d like to once again urge you to go along and support Laura and the team throughout the rest of the season.
We had a strong showing in the League Cup this season, reaching the quarter-finals, and now the challenge is to improve upon that in the FA Cup. That task begins today. Throw everything you have behind Oliver’s team – and enjoy the game.
Up the Palace .
During a remarkable career, former Stockport and Palace centre forward Aaron Wilbraham scored in four different decades. Along the way - as he tells Jack Lacey-Hatton – Wilbraham was involved in some pivotal Palace moments, though not always on the Eagles side.
Football really is a funny old game. If you want proof, just ask Aaron Wilbraham.
In his 23-years as a professional there were many highlights, with one of the standout moments coming on 27 th May, 2013 – Wilbraham playing the full play-off final at Wembley, as Crystal Palace won promotion to the Premier League.
Long before that day, however, Wilbraham’s career had already intertwined with Eagles history. He was on the pitch for another seminal Palace moment, 6th May 2001 and a dramatic relegation escape away at Stockport County.
That day Wilbraham was in the colours of today’s opponents where he began his senior career. For much of a tense afternoon Palace were staring down the relegation trapdoor, which could have seen them sent down to what is now League One.
And Wilbraham may never have had that day in the Wembley sun 12 years later, had one shot not come back off the woodwork.
“It was a sliding doors moment,” he remembers. “Our manager was really up for the game, even though it was the last day of the season, and we were already safe.
“I remember having a shot in the second-half that came back out off the stanchion. It was inches away. If that ball dips in, who knows.
“In the end, Dougie [Freedman] goes and scores the winner. He ended up being the manager that signed me for Palace.
“Then at the end it was bedlam, all the Palace fans came on and we all had to run off the pitch.”
Wilbraham
I remember having a shot in the second-half that came back out off the stanchion. It was inches away. If that ball dips in, who knows. In the end, Dougie [Freedman] goes and scores the winner. He ended up being the manager that signed me for Palace. Then at the end it was bedlam, all the Palace fans came on and we all had to run off the pitch
By the tightest of margins, Palace had secured safety and maintained second-tier status.
Wilbraham had in fact already scored in the earlier meeting between the teams that season, while the year before another landmark career moment took place at Selhurst Park –his first senior red card.
“Aki Riihilahti came right through the back of me and the referee just played on. So I remember losing my head, chased after him, but caught him with my forearm.
“Years later I rang Jarkko Wiss, who I played with at Stockport and was captain of Finland, after they had won a big qualifier – and Rihilahti was with him!
“So we were having a laugh over the phone about it. I said he went down too easy and he was saying ‘nah, you elbowed me.’
Aaron
Years later I rang Jarkko Wiss, who I played with at Stockport and was captain of Finland, after they had won a big qualifier – and Rihilahti was with him! So we were having a laugh over the phone about it. I said he went down too easy and he was saying ‘nah, you elbowed me
Aaron Wilbraham
I met Gus Poyet from Brighton on the Tuesday, and then met Dougie on the Wednesday near Selfridges. The money was similar, but it just came to the fact that Dougie just seemed to understand what I was all about as a striker. He seemed to know a lot more about me, I had a good feeling about him
“I’ve still got the picture somewhere of me in a yellow kit with my hands on my hips and the refs just got his red card out. At the time I never could have imagined coming back years later playing for Palace.”
Yet fate had other ideas.
After successful spells at MK Dons and then in the Premier League with Norwich City, Wilbraham was wanted by the Eagles in the summer of 2012. The only obstacle? Brighton were also interested.
“I came out of Norwich having had a really good year, we finished 11th in the Premier League. I was always involved and to get to the top level at 32, I just threw myself into it even when coming off the bench, running around like a madman I was on the pitch. I was roughing up defenders and just appreciating every minute.
“But Paul Lambert [the manager] moved to Aston Villa and wasn’t going to take me with him. I think if he’d have stayed at Norwich he would have wanted to keep me around the place.
“I think he felt like he’d left me in limbo a bit, but instead he gave me a really good reference to whoever was interested in my services. And there was a decision to make about where to go.
“I met Gus Poyet from Brighton on the Tuesday, and then met Dougie on the Wednesday near Selfridges. The money was similar, but it just came to the fact that Dougie just seemed to understand what I was all about as a striker.
“He seemed to know a lot more about me, I had a good feeling about him.”
Mile Jedinak said to me I was the best teammate he played with in his career. I was taken aback. But he meant it in terms of the whole package –what I brought onand-off the field. He said, ‘because even when you weren’t involved, you were so good at keeping the lads together
Over a decade on from nearly scoring a goal that could have relegated Palace, Wilbraham signed for us, one of eight Eagles recruits that summer.
The story that followed is well told, a dramatic season ending in promotion glory. But Wilbraham’s own role that year is still to this day unappreciated in some quartersthough certainly not by his captain at the time.
“We had a reunion at the ten-year anniversary, and Mile Jedinak said to me I was the best teammate he played with in his career. I was taken aback.
“But he meant it in terms of the whole package – what I brought on-and-off the field. He said, ‘because even when you weren’t involved, you were so good at keeping the lads together, whether it was little fantasy football competitions or arranging team nights out.
“He said my positivity, even when I wasn’t playing was huge. Mile didn’t
Aaron Wilbraham
mean it as if I was Alan Shearer and scoring goals every week, but it was a big compliment and something that means a lot to me.”
This is not to say Wilbraham didn’t play his part that season. Glenn Murray was in a rich vein of goalscoring form, flanked by the attimes unplayable duo of Wilf Zaha and Yannick Bolasie.
But as the season wore on, Wilbraham was often utilised an increasing amount by manager Ian Holloway, whenever the game needed something different.
He appeared in eight of the final ten league games of the season, before then getting a chance in the play-offs, when Murray was injured against Brighton.
“Because I had done so much work on my fitness on days off, I think the lads always trusted me to put a shift in,” he recalls.
“Glenn getting injured was a blow, but they knew I had been doing the work and could play in big games.”
Suddenly Wilbraham was taking centre stage in another game that can claim to be the biggest in Eagles history, this time playing for Palace rather than the opposition.
Asked to sum up that win over Watford, he only needs two words, “unreal experience.”
“To play the full 120 minutes on a red-hot day in one of the biggest games around, the most expensive game in the world. I’ll never forget it.
“I should have had a hat-trick that day really, but Kevin [Phillips] came on, got the goal and we got there in the end.
“I remember in the second half of extra time, out of the 15 minutes
Aaron Wilbraham
Because I had done so much work on my fitness on days off, I think the lads always trusted me to put a shift in, Glenn getting injured was a blow, but they knew I had been doing the work and could play in big games
played, I felt like I held the ball in the corner for nine minutes. People talk these days solely about running stats and how tiring it is after covering a certain amount of distance.
“But you don’t realise how tiring it is wrestling in a corner with two, three defenders on your back, that is pretty tiring believe me!
“I’ve had some great days in football, but that was right up there. Because it was already into the summer, we didn’t actually have a mad trip away to celebrate or anything like that.
“But we managed to all get to Las Vegas the following year anyway, after staying up in our first season in the Premier League. We had a good trip and properly celebrated. And the fact that we still do reunions and we’re still close a group, is special.”
To play the full 120 minutes on a red-hot day in one of the biggest games around, the most expensive game in the world. I’ll never forget it. I should have had a hat-trick that day really, but Kevin [Phillips] came on, got the goal and we got there in the end
Aaron Wilbraham
Dave Challinor is obviously manager, who was my captain from back at Stockport. He’s a great leader and he’s done really well to get County back up to where they are now. He always gets them really well organised, and they’ve been doing really well in the league, so it won’t be an easy game
Aaron Wilbraham
Aaron Wilbraham
After leaving Palace in 2014, further successful spells followed at Bristol City and Bolton. An Indian summer at Rochdale followed, Wilbraham signing in 2018 and playing into his forties.
“I look back now and I don’t actually know how I did it really either. To score in four different decades was crazy.
“At the time the only other player I knew that had done it was Stanley Matthews, but then I few weeks after, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored for Milan and matched me. So me and my mates were then joking saying ‘Wilbrahimovic did it before Ibrahimovic!”
Wilbrahimovic even briefly came out of retirement last year to help his brothers non-league team – Knutsford - win the Cheshire Cup final, providing a similar display to the one he gave at Wembley in 2013.
At the time the only other player I knew that had done it was Stanley Matthews, but then I few weeks after, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored for Milan and matched me. So me and my mates were then joking saying ‘Wilbrahimovic did it before Ibrahimovic!
He has registered again this season but insist he is now “quite happy with just playing golf and padel instead.”
Off the pitch, Wilbraham moved firstly into coaching and more recently worked as an agent, which has seen him keep close tabs on today’s opponents.
“I still live only 15 minutes from Stockport’s ground and I’ve been three or four times this year.
“Dave Challinor is obviously manager, who was my captain from back at Stockport. He’s a great leader and he’s done really well to get County back up to where they are now.
“He always gets them really well organised, and they’ve been doing really well in the league, so it won’t be an easy game.”
Whatever happens today, it probably won’t be quite as tense as that memorable meeting from 24 years ago. .
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with Aaron Wilbraham
After talking us through some of his standout memories for both Palace and Stockport – we asked Aaron to pick out five of his favourite teammates from both clubs.
Mile Jedinak
He was a warrior of a player. An absolute midfield beast and a leader to boot. He used to appreciate what I was bringing to the team, despite not playing loads. That was a massive compliment for me.
Paddy was actually injured for the promotion season, but the effort he put into to every single player off-the-field was massively important and kept everybody grounded.
Glenn Murray
That season Glenn was absolutely on fire. We pushed each other lots in training, every single day and working with him made me a
Shefki Kuqi
Shefki took me under his wing, he was strong as an ox. We were both big lads upfront together - a lot of defenders told me years later they used to hate playing against us.
Colin Woodthorpe
He was a father figure to me when I was a young pro. Great to learn about the football world from and what I should expect as I went through my career.
stockport county
the Hatters 1883
PLAY-OFF CHASERS
Returning to the third tier of English football for the first time since the 2009/10 season, Stockport County have enjoyed an excellent start to life in League One. This followed on from last season’s promotion as champions from League Two – losing just eight games all season. Despite fierce competition, the Hatters are enjoying another successful campaign, and having got themselves firmly in the promotion chase, lie just outside the play-off places.
A fast start to the season saw County lose just once in their first 11 games of the season. A tricky end to 2024, with defeats against Stevenage and Huddersfield, has seen Dave Challinor’s side lose some
ground in the standings. But a top-six finish remains a real possibility, highlighted by a well-earned draw against high-flying Birmingham City on New Year’s Day. The goals of forward Louie Barry have proved imperative to their charge, with the Aston Villa loanee having netted 15 league goals. However, the 21-yearold was recalled by his parent club following the Birmingham game.
In the FA Cup, County have already got past Forest Green and Brackley Town to reach this stage of the competition. They will be looking for a better display than their last cup meeting against higher-league opposition, which ended in a 6-1 defeat at Blackburn in the first round of the League Cup back in August.
“If
key players
Dave Challinor’s side are flying through the EFL after first getting promoted back into the ‘92’ back in 2022. Let’s take a closer look at four of his most key players.
mr reliable
Having spent much of the past decade between the sticks for Stockport, Ben Hinchliffe is something of a modern-day County legend. He has been integral to the club’s recent rise through the football pyramid, playing every league fixture when County won the National League North title back in 2019.
Fast forward nearly six years and Hinchcliffe remains a solid, dependable member of Dave Challinor’s team. The 2020/21 season proved one of his most successful in a County shirt, keeping 19 clean sheets in the National League – more than any other goalkeeper, as the team narrowly missed out on promotion in the play-offs.
Liverpudlian Touray came through the ranks at local club Everton, signing his first professional contract with the Toffees in July 2013. After leaving the following year, the fullback joined Chester, before moving onto Rhyl and Nantwich Town.
Touray’s career breakthrough came with a move to Salford City, helping the Ammies – backed by their class of 92 owners - to back-to-back promotions to reach the Football League. A powerful leftback, able to offer a threat at setpieces, Touray also scored Salford’s third goal in their National League play-off final win at Wembley.
When eventually reaching the EFL, Hinchliffe continued his development, keeping 18 clean sheets in 46 appearances in all competitions. Stockport only conceded 37 goals that year, with Hinchcliffe contributing to the second best defensive record in League Two.
In his first season in League Two, Touray was named in the EFL Team of the Season XI and would go onto become the club’s record day appearance holder. After joining Stockport in 2023, Touray secured the third promotion of his career with County winning the League Two title.
Hinchliffe
serial winner
A major coup for Stockport County, Oliver Norwood joined the Hatters in the summer of 2024, following a successful trial period with the club. Norwood had spent the previous year in the top-flight with Sheffield United, making 30 appearances before leaving following the club’s relegation.
Having first come through the ranks at Manchester United, Norwood was first given senior experience via loan spells at Carlisle
and Scunthorpe. His big break proved to be a move to Huddersfield Town, becoming a key player in West Yorkshire before moving onto Reading and, later, Brighton and Hove Albion. At Brighton, Fulham (on loan) and then Sheffield United, the midfielder completed a remarkable hat-trick of consecutive promotions from the Championship.
At international level, Norwood won 57 caps for Northern Ireland, making his debut in 2010. He became a key part of the side that qualified for Euro 2016, featuring in all four matches his country played at the tournament where they reached the last 16.
instant hit
The first signing for Stockport following the club’s return to the EFL, Kyle Wootton immediately endeared himself to the County faithful with an outstanding 2022/23 season. Arriving from Notts County on a free transfer, Wootton won the club’s Player of the Season award, scoring 14 league goals to help his new team reach the play-offs.
Prior to that Wootton had scored 59 goals in just 134 appearances at Notts County, firmly establishing himself as one of the best forwards in the National League. The big striker initially came through at Scunthorpe United where he spent six years after graduating from the Iron Academy, which included loan spells at various clubs including Lincoln, Stevenage and Halifax Town.
Winning League Two with Stockport marked the first promotion of Wootton’s career. With top goalscorer Louie Barry now back at Aston Villa, Wootton’s form could prove vital to County’s promotion hopes.
squaddepth
Loaned In Academy Graduate New Signing
through time
1904
After first joining the Football League in 1900, Stockport finish 16th in the Second Division in 1903/04. The system at the time means County have to seek reelection to remain in the league. However, they failed to gain the required votes and spent a season playing in the Lancashire Combination League. After a year away they are re-elected to the EFL.
1922
A first ever league championship is claimed, as Stockport finish top of the newly formed Third Division North. County beat Darlington in front of 18,500 fans at Edgeley Park to mathematically confirm promotion. They follow this up with by remaining in Division Two the year after by just one point.
1956
Record goalscorer Jack Connor calls time on his spell at County after five successful seasons, moving to nearby Crewe Alexandra ahead of the 1956/57 campaign. During his time at Edgeley Park, Connor netted a remarkable 13 hat-tricks and twice scored five-goal hauls in the same game. The prolific forward finished with 132 goals in total.
1996/97
One of the most successful seasons in club history. Stockport County finish second in the Second Division to win promotion to second tier – losing just 10 league games all year. The Hatters also reach the semi-finals of the League Cup – a run which includes knocking out former Premier League champions Blackburn. In the last four, County narrowly lose 2-1 on aggregate to top-flight Middlesbrough. A further run to the last four of the EFL Trophy means that Stockport play 67 games in total, across all competitions.
1883
1890
1901
Club first formed – then known as Heaton Norris Rovers
Renamed Stockport County
Arthur Wharton – widely considered the first black professional footballer –signs for Stockport and makes six appearances
1922
1924
1937
Football League Division Three (North) Champions (first EFL title)
Harry Hardy becomes the first Stockport player to win an England cap while with the club
Champions of Division Three (North) again –only to be relegated the following year
1972
2002
2011
2022
Eliminated top-flight West Ham United from the League Cup
Relegated to Division Two
Relegated out of Football League for first time in history after 106 years
Promotion to EFL after winning National League
2024 League Two Champions
After a tumultuous decade that sees County drop out of the EFL following administration and relegation, current manager Dave Challinor is appointed in November and leads the team to a stunning promotion as National League Champions, winning 94 points to top the table ahead of big-spending Wrexham. In their first season back in the EFL, County very nearly are promoted again but lose out in a penalty shootout to Carlisle United. The following season sees Challinor’s team crowned as champions with two games remaining.
dreamfive
GK Harry Hardy
The only Stockport player to date to have played for the England senior team while at the club, Hardy kept goal for the Three Lions in a 4-0 win over Belgium back in 1924. He also made 150 consecutive appearances for County.
def Andy Thorpe
Stockport born-and-raised, Thorpe signed as a trainee with the club in 1978. He went on to play 555 matches for County and is the club’s record appearance holder.
def Mike Flynn
Flynn spent 10 years at Stockport, predominantly through the 1990s – one of the most successful eras of the club’s history. He led the club to Second Division promotion as captain.
mid Tony Dinning
Player of the Season during Stockport’s 1999/00 season, Dinning scored the goal that secured Stockport their first ever win away at Manchester City.
fwd Jack Connor
Stockport’s record goalscorer hit 140 goals for the club in just five seasons, a total that will surely take some beating.
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7-0
League Cup Smash
The last time Stockport County came to Selhurst Park for a cup tie – it proved to be a perfect day for Palace, back in September 1979.
After a hard-fought 1-1 draw up north in the first leg of the 2nd round tie, Palace ran riot in the return game – Terry Venables’ side winning 7-0, our record win in the competition until an 8-0 win over Southend in 1990. A repeat today would do nicely.
4-1
Clinton at the double
A dour first-half that saw no goals and barely a shot on target was followed by an onslaught in the second. Forward Clinton Morrison grabbed a trademark double, with Aki Riihilahti and Freedman also on target.
The season wouldn’t end well for either club, Palace’s promotion push fading to a 10th place finish, while Stockport were relegated – yet to return to the second tier since.
dougie delivers
0-1
Easily our most famous meeting with Stockport. With just three minutes left on the final day, of 2001/02 Palace were on a one-way ticket to the third tier of English football.
Enter Dougie Freedman, who scored a stunning individual goal to win the game. That strike sealed not only one of our most important wins - but also sparked some of the most memorable scenes in Palace’s modern-day history. If you were there, you know.
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eagle eye
@_SByrne
Sam Byrne has been covering Stockport County since May 2015 for the Stockport Express newspaper and the MEN media group. Here he gives us his views on the team ahead of today’s game.
How do you think Stockport have adapted to life in League One following last season’s promotion? It’s been a mixed bag in terms of results and performances at times, as you’d expect from a newlypromoted side, but in the main, they’ve adapted brilliantly.
To be sitting in and around the League One play-off places in the New Year is a really encouraging position to be in. The club still has that momentum generated over recent years with two title wins since 2022.
At the start of the season what were your expectations for this team in 2024/25?
It was a difficult one to gauge, after promotion last season, Stockport underwent a bit of a shift in terms of their recruitment and the evolution of the side. A fair few players were moved on, and several fresh faces came in, as you often see with a promoted side. That shift was more towards signing younger players with potential. By doing that they’ve been viewed as a side which could either, do really well if those young players flourished, or struggle if they weren’t able to adapt. It really was a case of ‘anything can happen.’
How will forward Louie Barry’s return to parent club Aston Villa impact Stockport for the rest of the season?
I don’t think anyone around the club would pretend that it won’t have a massive impact. Barry was the joint leading goalscorer in the division at the time that he left, and he accounted for a large part of Stockport’s goals and chances created.
The positive is that it forces the side to evolve and find a new way to play - hopefully we see that start to develop throughout the next month.
Who is Stockport’s most important player – and who flies under the radar?
Midfielder Lewis Bate is sadly unavailable for today, but he has had an incredible start to life at Stockport since joining in the summer after leaving Leeds United.
Formerly of Chelsea, the 21-yearold was instantly installed as the new club captain in pre-season, and has impressed everyone so far. He feels like one who will succeed at a higher level at some stage.
Elsewhere, Callum Camps is a classy box-to-box midfielder who’s great to watch, and chips in with the odd goal.
How important is the FA Cup to Stockport this season?
Manager Dave Challinor always takes it seriously and has a fair record of cup runs, and upsets, as both a manager and player.
Aside from the obvious important potential boost to the coffers, I think the value for the fans is what we’re seeing today - drawing a Premier League side and travelling in big numbers to enjoy the occasion. In that sense, I’d say the cup has already served its purpose for this season!
And finally, where do you think Stockport will finish this season?
Stockport are in a great position at the minute sitting in and around those playoff places, but you feel they’d need a bit of luck with injuries and a strong end to the January transfer window to really kick on.
That is definitely feasible in a league with not much to separate a lot of the sides in the mix. But at the same time, a top ten finish would be a huge success in the club’s first season back at this level since 2010.
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we meetAgain
Despite having previously played out three League Cup ties, and spent nine seasons together in the Football League – including the famous ‘nail biter’ at Edgeley Park in May 2001 – this afternoon is just the second time that Palace and Stockport have faced off against one another in the FA Cup.
The previous occasion took place in the Cheshire town on Saturday, 9th December 1933, a second-round tie which Palace – then mid-table in Division Three South – had entered in mixed form, with three wins and three losses in their last eight fixtures.
In the previous round Palace had seen off fellow Third Division South outfit Norwich City while County of Third Division North, had visited Lancaster Town and secured a single goal victory. Ahead of kick-off, however, it looked like a tall order for the South London club, as County were unbeaten at home for almost a year at that stage, and were going well in their league.
19331 2
Recent signing Alf Haynes from Arsenal was amongst the players who left Selhurst Park on the Thursday before the game, staying at a hotel in Buxton. The Southern Railway offered cheap return tickets at 16s 6d (83p) to connect with the 0830 train from Euston. Despite being a cold afternoon, a crowd of 17,400 were present at the game, generating £1,000 ‘gate money’ – the best of the 17 ties played that weekend.
The Hatters struck an early blow after just five minutes when Ned Vincent opened the scoring from a free-kick more than 20 yards out which found a breach in the Palace wall. County continued to create opportunities in the first-half but failed to add to their tally, with the Glaziers struggling to settle into the contest and the legendary Peter Simpson – up front – being caught offside a number of times.
A half-time talk by manager Jack Tresadern, aided reputedly by a glass of champagne, changed things around, with Simpson equalising within three minutes of the restart following a melee in the County goalmouth.
Midway through the second-half, with County on the attack, Vincent miscontrolled when the ball came
back to him in midfield, presenting possession to Palace’s Frank Manders. The inside-right then sped away and took the direct route to goal, beating Stockport ‘keeper McGann with a fierce strike from 25 yards, in off the post. With Stockport continuing to press, the Glaziers defence held firm, with Haynes the pick of the players to keeper County’s attackers quiet. Palace’s reward for their win? A thirdround home game against Aldershot – a 1-0 win – before a heavy defeat in the fourth at Arsenal.
stockport √ palace 9th December 1933 / Edgeley Park
Frank Manders
Peter Simpson
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eagle arcade
Another matchday is upon us at Selhurst Park, so it’s time to get your heads in the game – can you tackle all our tough teasers below? Can you fit the 12 names to have represented both Stockport and Crystal Palace?
Prove that you are eagle-eyed – which ball is the real one?
from the terraces
The page for supporters: taking your comments from the terraces into the programme. Want to get in touch? Use the details below.
Happy Birthday Jude! Love Mam, Dad and Finlay! Eagles!
today!
Happy 10th Birthday Rudy, enjoy your special day today, sing your heart out with Palace songs. Be loud, Be proud, Be Palace !! Love Mum, your brothers and all your family x
Happy 10 th Birthday Maisy - May! We hope you have the best day ever! You make the world a better place. We love you so much! Love all the Family xxx
birthday today Amy.
Wishing Malcolm Goddard a Happy 80th birthday from Pat, Lisa, Simon, Theresa, Katie & Yasmin xx.
Welcome five-year-old Hughie MiltonO’Donovan, a fourth generation Palace fan, to his first match. Enjoy the day. Love Mumma, Papi and Grandda.
Bobby Frewing turns 10
Happy birthday from Mum, Dad, Lily, and Freddie. X
Happy
Love from the Harts and the Ripleys
To Thomas, Hope you have the very best and happiest 7th Birthday. Lots of Love, Mummy, Daddy, Nathan and Willis Xxx
Welcome to Selhurst Park to SallyAnne Fisher for her first live game with Daddy! Enjoy the day! COYP!
Happy 18th birthday to Edward GiffordJames from all his family! Attending today with his friend Hugo, his first game at Selhurst, travelling all the way down from Suffolk. COYP!
Eva Mortimer is very excited to be attending her first game today with her brother Freddy. Living behind enemy lines in Hove they were delighted with the win against Brighton!
A very happy birthday to Peter Couchman, a life time Palace fan and season ticket holder. From Harry.
A special day for Henry and his dad Mark. Henry’s attending his first game at Palace today so hopefully he can celebrate with a win!
We hope you enjoy your first Eagles game Josh! Lots of love Uncle Callum and Auntie Emma
Email programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of 30 words or fewer and an image to feature on our messageboard.
24/25 fixtures & results
fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first)
2Manchester United 14:00
15Everton 17:30
22Fulham 15:00
25Aston Villa 20:00
5Brighton & Hove Albion 15:00
thirdround
thu 9 jan 19:00
Bramall Lane
thu 9 jan 19:45
Goodison Park
thu 9 jan 19:45
craven cottage
fri 10 jan 19:45
Adams Park
fri 10 jan 20:00
Villa Park
sat 11 jan 12:00
St. Andrew’s
sat 11 jan 12:00
Ashton Gate Stadium
sat 11 jan 12:00
Riverside Stadium
sat 11 jan 12:15
Anfield
sat 11 jan 14:00
King Power Stadium
sat 11 jan 15:00
Deepdale
sat 11 jan 15:00
Select Car Leasing Stadium
sat 11 jan 15:00
Stadium of Light
sat 11 jan 17:45
Elland Road
sat 11 jan 17:45
Etihad Stadium
sat 11 jan 18:00
The Coventry Building Society Arena
sat 11 jan 18:00
Gaughan Group Stadium
sat 11 jan 18:00
One Call Stadium
sun 12 jan 12:00
MKM Stadium
sun 12 jan 12:30
The Lamb Ground
sat 11 jan 15:00
Vitality Stadium
sat 11 jan 15:00
Gtech Community Stadium
sat 11 jan 15:00
Stamford Bridge
sat 11 jan 15:00
St James Park
sat 11 jan 15:00
Carrow Road
sat 11 jan 15:00
The City Ground
sun 12 jan 15:00 the emirates
sun 12 jan 15:00
selhurst park
sun 12 jan 15:00
Portman Road
sun 12 jan 15:00
St. James’ Park
sun 12 jan 16:30
St Mary’s Stadium
mon 13 jan 19:30
the den
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