Stockport County v Weymouth by Duplexity Artwork

Official Matchday Programme

Lest We Forget

vs Weymouth Saturday 31st October Kick-off 3:00pm

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Stockport County FC Edgeley Park, Hardcastle Road, Stockport, SK3 9DD

Chairman: Mark Stott Chief Executive Officer: Jonathan Vaughan Directors: Mark Stott (Majority Shareholder), Jonathan Vaughan, Ken Knott, Mark Dawson Club President: Steve Bellis Brand and Communications Director: David Ancell Director of Operations: Richard Simkin Life Presidents: Angela White, Robert Smith Bewley, Arthur Collister, Steve Cree, Richard Hill, Mike Flynn, George Hudson, John Rutter Director of Football: Simon Wilson Club Ambassadors: John Fitzpatrick, Freddie Goodwin, Alan Ogley Head of Football Administration: Alex Cowdy First-Team Manager: Jim Gannon Assistant Manager: Dave Conlon Goalkeeping Coach: Karl Lenaghan Physio: Luke Smith Strength & Conditioning: Nick Donnelly Kit Manager: Richard Landon First Team Scouting Consultant: Alan Lord Head of Performance Analysis: Sean Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Callaghan Club Doctor: Amjad Choudry Head of Commercial: Olivia Hanvey Conference and Events Manager: Melissa Ellison Retail & Photography: Mike Petch Online Shop: www.stockportcounty.com/shop Marketing Manager: Alice Gregory Content Executive: Carl Gozem Media Executive: Liam Richardson Ticket Office (matchdays only, from 12:30pm): Sarah Dibben Stadium Safety Officer: Steve Walker Facilities Stadium Maintenance & COVID Manager: Rick Hinks Head Groundsman: Mike Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien Community Foundation: Dave Wardle Website: www.scfcfoundation.com Junior Supporters Club: Ian Butterworth, Brenda Williams Stockport County Lottery: Tom Quayle Historian & Statistician: Ian Watts & Marcus Heap Website: gogogocounty.org Stadium Announcer: Kenny Boxshall Turnstile Manager: Pete Kidd Half-Time Draw: Tony Malone Mascot Supervisor: Louise Mellor

county

Editor: Keith Chapman Editorial Contributors: Andy Monks, David Ancell, Alice Gregory, Jonathan Vaughan, Neil Simms, Gareth Evans, Steve Beswick, Mike Petch, Damien Allen, Peter Attfield, Paul Dean, Olivia Hanvey, Ian Watts, Mark Heys, Luke Smith, Liam Richardson, Ian Butterworth, Brenda Williams, Ian Brown, Greg Hall, Jon Keighren, Oshor Williams, Steven Davies, Dave Wardle, Stephen Kenneth, Steve Bellis, Sam Preston, Alex Cowdy. Thanks to: Pete Saxby at Weymouth FC Design by: Daniel Parker, Duplexity Artwork Stockport County FC is the trading name of Stockport County 2010 Ltd (7254012), which is wholly owned by Stockport Community Leisure Company Ltd (7240006), a private company limited by shares. The registered office is: Edgeley Park, Hardcastle Road, Edgeley, Stockport SK3 9DD

Inside... 09 20

Club Honours

Football League Division Two Runners Up 1996-97 Football League Division Three (North) Champions 1921-22, 1936-37 Football League Division Three (North) Runners Up 1928-29, 1929-30 Football League Division Four Champions 1966-67 Football League Division Four Runners Up 1990-91 Football League Two Play-Off Winners 2007-08 Football League Division Two Play-Off Finalists 1993-94 Football League Division Three Play-Off Finalists 1991-92 Football League Trophy Finalists 1991-92, 1992-93 Football League Division Three (North) Cup Winners 1934-35 Football League Division Three (North) Cup Finalists 1933-34 Lancashire League Winners 1899-1900 Lancashire Combination Winners 1904-05 Cheshire League Runners-Up (Reserves) 1909-10, 1927-28, 1936-37 Manchester Senior Cup Winners 1897-98, 1898-99, 1914-15, 1922-23 Cheshire Senior Cup Winners 1905-06, 1914-15, 1965-66, 2015-16 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 Vanarama National League North Winners 2018-2019

I trust that we have the appetite to push hard again today to get that brilliant rush and reward for all our efforts. 04

James Gannon Good afternoon and a warm welcome back to Edgeley Park, especially to Brian Stock, his staff, players, and the officials of Weymouth FC that are able to attend today’s game. The Terras will have been disappointed with their overall results, but they have been very competitive this season as they adapt to life at this level. Like the other promoted teams, they have a good brand of football and a strong team ethic that should serve them well as they grow into the division. Their defeats have been by the tightest margins. They have begun to start scoring goals, so we can’t underestimate their potential to upset us and make it difficult today. For ourselves we are keen to get back to winning ways. We got over the exit of the FA Cup and bounced back in excellent fashion on Tuesday evening. We faced a number of difficulties going into the game with late withdrawals through injury and illness. But I was very pleased with the attitude of players like Jordan Keane, Sam Minihan and Adam Thomas to play different roles to ensure we didn’t lose the consistency of our shape and way of playing. I felt our game plan was good. But it is important that you have adaptable, strong minded and team-orientated players to fulfil any system, tactics or plan. Those that were able to attend or watch our game on Tuesday evening will have appreciated a decent game of football between two good sides. I believe Solihull under Jimmy Shan will be a strong performing team this year. They are well organised, develop play well, have dangerous mobile attackers, and an ability to score goals. I was very pleased with our players’ ability to restrict much of their strengths, and

in all truth we must come away from the game disappointed that we haven’t scored and won it. The collection of chances in the game were as good as any we have had. We put a lot of energy into the game and perhaps our overall performance dropped off. Perhaps, this time around, we didn’t have the strength in depth on the bench to really impact the game and sustain the search for the winning goal. We expect to see the return of a number of players this week and the squad will be surely stronger going into this key game. We are hopeful of the return of key players Ash Palmer, Lois Maynard, and Mark Kitching to the group, and the arrival of striker Louis Britton on loan from Bristol City. We are not sure the number of games we will play in the coming weeks but it is important we get back towards full strength for the start of November as it is a big month in terms of consolidating our ambition to be amongst the top sides in the league. As October comes to a close we can reflect on having come through a very tough opening period and being in a strong position to move forward. We have enjoyed the feeling of winning and going top of the league. I trust that we have the appetite to push hard again today to get that brilliant rush and reward for all our efforts. Enjoy the game. JG

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Club News County store reopens its doors The Club Shop recently reopened its doors at Edgeley Park, with new season kit, training kit, winter coats, face masks and so much more available to buy. The shop will be open to supporters on Mondays and Fridays 10am - 4pm.

County sign Britton on loan We are delighted to announce the signing of Bristol City striker Louis Britton, on a loan deal until January. The 19-year-old forward signed for Bristol City from non-league Mangotsfield United in 2019, before spending time out on loan at Yate Town last season, where he continued to impress. He has continued to fire in the goals this season too, scoring a hat-trick for Bristol City Under-23s against Swansea City in September, before spending the last month on loan at Torquay United. He made his debut for the Gulls against County in an impressive 11-minute cameo that saw him rattle the crossbar, and later scored the opener for them in a 2-1 win over Chesterfield. Since returning to Ashton Gate, he helped himself to another goal for the Under-23s on Tuesday, in a 4-1 win over Crewe, and now makes the move to Edgeley Park to bolster County’s attacking ranks. Welcome to County, Louis!

Remembrance Day Today’s home game against Weymouth marks the Club’s Remembrance Day fixture for 2020, as we commemorate the sacrifices of servicemen and women in conflicts past and present. To pay tribute to the occasion, the players will be wearing poppies on their shirts, whilst 14-year-old bugler Christopher Stiles will be returning to play ‘The Last Post’, as he did last year, in a powerful and emotional performance at Edgeley Park. The tribute will take place pre-match on the centre-circle, and there will then be a minute’s silence held before the start of the game.

County duo set for milestone appearances 08

County goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe is in line to make his 200th appearance for the Club if selected for this weekend’s game against Weymouth, whilst Ash Palmer could also play his 100th game as a Hatter, if he recovers from illness in time.

Now in his fifth season as a Stockport County player since signing from AFC Fylde, Ben has played a crucial role in the Club’s progression over that period, playing every minute of our triumphant 2018/19 National League North title success, keeping fifteen clean sheets. He impressed once again as he made the step up to the National League last season, missing just one game all season, and signed a full-time deal with the Club over the Summer. Defender Ash joined the Club from Guiseley in the

Summer of 2018 and became an instant fans’ favourite at Edgeley Park with many commanding displays at the back, and was another key component of that title-winning season. Known for chipping in with many a crucial goal in his two years so far at Edgeley Park, Ash picked up the Club’s Player and Players’ Player of the year awards in our first season back in the National League. Congratulations to both Ben and Ash on reaching these remarkable milestones!

Richie Bennett When Richie Bennett signed for County from Port Vale back in March 2020, he had high hopes that County could achieve promotion. The powerful striker made his debut at Maidenhead United and played a key role in County edging out the home side by the odd goal in three. The win lifted County into the play-off positions, but the appearance proved to be the last one for seven months as the coronavirus pandemic hit hard, and the 2019/20 was cut short. Under points per game, County just missed out of the play-offs, leaving many wondering ‘what if?’ For Richie, although it was frustrating, he feels people’s health is far more important. “I joined, played one game then we had to go into lockdown,”

said Richie. “It was away so I haven’t played in front of the County fans at Edgeley Park yet. We beat Maidenhead which lifted us into the playoffs, but when they cancelled the season we were out of the play-offs! It was so frustrating.

Ashton and Mossley before enjoying a hugely successful stint under James Gannon at Northwich Victoria, scoring 44 goals in two seasons, which earned him a move to Barrow where he scored 22 goals in just 53 games.

“I want to get out and play in front of the fans and repay their faith, but it’s one of those things with lockdown. People’s health is the most important.”

Next up was a Football League move to Carlisle United, spending two years there which included a loan spell at Morecambe before moving on to Port Vale prior to the 2019/20 season.

The six-foot-four centre forward, who originally came through the ranks as a schoolboy at Oldham Athletic, worked his way up through non-league playing for Curzon

Bennett scored seven goals for Port Vale in 2019/20 before reuniting with Jim Gannon at County, signing a two-year deal at Edgeley Park.

Now the new season is underway, Bennett is pleased with his, and the club’s contribution. With the resources and abundance of talent at James Gannon’s disposal, Richie feels that the Hatters have the ability to make a mark on the Vanarama National League. “The club have brought a lot of quality in. With the quality we have there’s no reason why we can’t go on and push at the top of the table. “Losing our first game of the season was annoying. We played really well at Torquay and we should have won the game. “At Chesterfield, we played really well and deserved to win. But in the FA Cup tie, they came to stop us, and they played more their game. We were playing to their strengths. It was disappointing for the club to go out of the cup as it is nice to progress as you make more money for the club and excite the fans. The league though is our bread and butter.” Bennett has impressed up front with his physical strength and bringing others into play. He has developed to become one of the key cogs in this talented County squad, and although he is pleased with the start he has made, he feels there is more to come. “I’ve started well,” said Richie.“I’ve got a goal and five assists. There is a lot more to come from me though, I need to be doing more. Until recently we were top of the league and we need more from the team and myself. I know that we are not properly firing on all cylinders yet. We had a big pre-season but we are still finding out each player’s strengths. I had a head start joining in March, but everyone who arrived in the summer is still getting used to each other, I think we need another 6-7 games.” Richie knew first hand how big a club County was from his time working in a sheltered accommodation in Stockport nine years ago, and how much Jim Gannon was a big part of the club. “I used to work in a sheltered accommodation in Stockport 8-9 years ago,” he said.“They were a big club, and always up there. I supported Oldham but Stockport have always been a massive club. When I was working in Stockport it allowed me to fully understand what it means to play for the club. A few people I looked after were County fans. “Jim was always part of the club. I worked with him at Northwich and his knowledge and tactics were the best to be fair. At Northwich he did really well, he didn’t have much to work with. He demands as

“As we’re trying to grow and evolve the team you naturally go back to players you know and trust. As we started to discuss different ideas and targets, Richie’s name came up in conversation with Jim and, once I did my own homework on Richie, I understood exactly what Jim was talking about, so we set out to try and do the deal. “He’s more than just a goal scorer, he can score special goals and different types of goals, as his record at both this level and the level above demonstrates. Richie ticks all the boxes for us and I’m really confident over the next two years he’ll be a big part of what we’re going to do here.” SIMON WILSON, DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

much now as he did back then, which is a good thing. He’s a great manager.

been and we’ve always had that contact, so when there was interest from County I spoke to my agent and it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.

“I’ve always kept in touch with Jim wherever I’ve

Boyhood team: Oldham Best stadium you’ve played in: The Etihad Stadium for Port Vale Best goal you’ve scored: For Barrow at Dagenham. Jordan Williams set me up and I struck it on the half volley. Best friend in football: I’ve got some good friends in football. I meet up with David Worrell now and then and I have a good group of friends in the game. Favourite other sport: Table Tennis Twitter or Facebook: I’m not on social media but I’ll go for Facebook if I have to choose. If you could buy a ticket for one sporting event what would it be: World Cup final. If you weren’t a footballer, what would you be: A PE teacher If you could offer advice to anyone who is interested in getting into football what would it be: To work hard, the harder you work the luckier you get.

“I’ve got a lot of good memories from Northwich with Jim, I did really well there and we were successful. I’ve appreciated him for putting his trust in me.” County earned a hard-fought point from fellow promotion-chasers Solihull Moors in midweek. This afternoon the Hatters welcome National League new boys Weymouth to Edgeley Park for the first time, and Richie believes that the squad will show their opponents the utmost respect. “We will be fully prepared,” said Richie. “Weymouth are not a team I have played against before. They are a very good team, and we will show them respect like we did with Wealdstone. Newly promoted teams tend to have a mindset of going out with nothing to lose. They are a club who have just come up. “It is important that we make Edgeley Park a fortress. We need the fans back as soon as it is possible. Teams have got to dread coming to Edgeley Park. We have a very good squad and we must build on our home form and make it the best in the league, and pick up points away.”

Welcome...

Weymouth We welcome Weymouth to Edgeley Park today for the first ever meeting between these two sides.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a game that has been more than 130 years in the making, with both clubs following very different trajectories since forming in the late 1800â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, though back-to-back promotions for the Dorset club have finally brought us together. Memories of their most recent triumph will remain fresh in the minds of all involved too, with the covid lockdown ultimately leading to an August National League South play-off final, three months later than originally scheduled. Weymouth earned their place in the National League courtesy of a bizarre penalty shoot-out Nickname: The Terras Founded: 1890 Stadium: Bob Lucas Stadium Capacity: 6,600 Address: Radipole Lane, Weymouth, Dorset Postcode: DT4 9XJ Distance from Edgeley Park: 246.8 miles (4 hours, 33 minutes) Current league position: 19th

win against Dartford, after the game had finished goalless. Just six penalties were taken that day, with Dartford missing all three of theirs! That gave The Terras (so named for their original terracotta colour kit) just two months to prepare for their first National League campaign since 2009 - preparation that was severely hampered by the departure of manager Mark Molesley for League Two side Southend. Molesley left the club on August 13th, less than a fortnight after victory over Dartford, bringing an end to three success-filled years in charge. Indeed, their play-off final victory marked a fitting end to a decade that saw The Terras drop to step seven of the pyramid before regaining their place at this level. Newly appointed manager Brian Stock, a former Welsh international who represented three clubs in the Championship during his playing career, stepped in to replace Moseley, taking on his first managerial role in the process after time spent as part of the backroom staff at AFC Bournemouth.

Stock’s first game in charge was at our near neighbours Altrincham, in a fixture which brought together the play-off champions from the National League North and South. It ended in a 0-0 draw. Frustratingly, three 1-0 defeats were to follow, with losses incurred to Woking, Sutton and Barnet, before their first victory of the season finally arrived on October 17th, with a 2-1 home win over National League North champions King’s Lynn Town. Striker Cody Cooke had the honour of bagging The Terras’ first goal in the National League in 11 years. Cooke was a Stock signing this summer, joining after his release from St Mirren. Fast forward a week and Weymouth found themselves knocked out of the FA Cup last Saturday, ousted by Oxford City of the level below who struck in the 88th minute to win 3-2 and secure a home tie with League One side Northampton Town.

The Gaffer: Brian Stock Stock joined Weymouth from the AFC Bournemouth backroom staff, where he was appointed as an Academy Coach after a successful professional football career. Stock had previously run his own private youth academy with great success and also earned his UEFA B coaching badge. Starting his career at AFC Bournemouth, the former midfielder made 172 appearances for the Cherries between 2000 and 2006 before moves to Preston North End and Doncaster Rovers.

The Terras had little time to dwell on that disappointment though, thrust back into action on Tuesday night, away to Bromley. It’s a 300-mile round trip from Weymouth to Bromley in South East London, though venturing north to Stockport represents an even longer journey, with some 512 miles separating SK3 with Weymouth! DID YOU KNOW? Quite a week of travelling The Bob Luca s Stadium then, although three out is named afte r Weymouth of The Terras’ next four FC’s former cl ub president. games are back at the It was previous Bob Lucas Stadium, ly a greyhound raci Weymouth’s home ng and speedway stad since 1987. ium.

At Doncaster he made 216 appearances and captained Rovers to their Play-Off Final victory over Leeds United in 2008; Stock also won three caps for the Welsh National Team during his time at Doncaster.

It’s a time to lament the restrictions on supporters attending games though, as fixtures against Wrexham, Yeovil Town and Chesterfield, all ex-Football League clubs of course with healthy followings, would have registered amongst The Terras’ highest attendances of the season in normal circumstances.

Stock then teamed up with former Bournemouth teammate Eddie Howe at Burnley before retiring from professional football in January 2019 whilst he was with Havant & Waterlooville.

Weymouth have been averaging over 1000 fans at home games in their last two seasons and no doubt supporters will be really keen to witness National League football in the town again, whenever it is considered safe to do so. In the meantime, many will be tuned in online today, hoping Weymouth’s lengthy journey north is a fruitful one.

The Players MYLES ANDERSON (b:Jan 1990 s:Aug 2020) Defender signed from Hartlepool United who can play on the left or in the centre and started with Leyton Orient, before progressing via Aberdeen to Blackburn Rovers. After being loaned to Aldershot Town he figured with Exeter City before moving to Italy where he played for clubs such as Monza, Pro Patria and Chievo. He returned to the UK to sign for Barrow and then went on to play for Torquay United and Chester. Also had another loan spell with Aldershot.

Memory Match

GERARD BENFIELD (b:Sep 1997 s:Jun 2020) Goalkeeper who started with Hamworthy United and moved on to play for Salisbury and Wimborne Town. 2nd August 2020 National League South Play-Off Final

Weymouth 0 Dartford 0 Weymouth win 3-0 on penalties Weymouth clinched promotion to the National League in dramatic style with a 3-0 penalty shoot-out win over Dartford in the Vanarama National League South promotion final. Weymouth’s second successive promotion came as Tom Whelan, Jake McCarthy and Jaidon Anthony all proved red-hot from the spot.

Gerard Benfield

CALVIN BROOKS (b:Jun 1994 s:Jan 2015) Began with Dorchester Town before switching to Yeovil Town. A loan spell with Weymouth early in the 2014-15 season previewed a permanent switch for the central defender. HARRY BURNS Midfielder who has become part of the Terras first team after involvement in last season’s Dorset Senior Cup win.

Dartford’s Jack Jebb, Darren McQueen and Noor Husin all wildly blitzed their spot-kicks over in stark contrast to the deadly finishing of Weymouth’s penalty takers. In winning, the Terras ended an 11-year wait to return to the top-flight of non-league football.

CODY COOKE (b:Mar 1993 s:Aug 2020) Signed on after two seasons with Scottish side St Mirren. The forward’s earlier football had been played for Penryn Athletic and Truro City.

JACK BYCROFT (b:Sep 2001 s:Sep 2020) Goalkeeper brought in on loan until January from Southampton. It is his first spell away from his parent club.

JACK DICKSON (s:Jul 2020) Right-sided defender joined from Poole Town where he had been since 2013 coming up through the youth system.

BRENNAN CAMP (b:Oct 2000 s:Sep 2020) Central or right-sided defender spotted by AFC Bournemouth playing youth football for Portland United. His current season long spell is his second loan deal with today’s opponents.

OLLIE HARFIELD (b:Jan 1998 s:Jun 2019) Left-back or left-sided midfielder who joined from Dagenham & Redbridge. He started at the Bournemouth Academy and whilst with that club was loaned to Poole and Boreham Wood.

JACK HOEY (s:Jul 2019) A player whose youth football was played at Christchurch and Bournemouth. He progressed via New Milton Town, Alresford Town, Bashley and AFC Totton, then spent time in the States with Burlington Community College, Gardner Webb University and Greenville FC. Jack, now in his mid-20s, can play in most forward midfield positions and had a loan spell with Dorchester COREY JORDAN (b:Mar 1999 s:Oct 2020) Central defender who has come through the ranks at Bournemouth. He is on a month’s loan from them and was previously sent out to Eastbourne Borough.

City and in the EFL at Forest Green. He started 2018-19 with Maidstone and then Dagenham. CAM MURRAY (b:Mar 1995 s:Jan 2019) Until a move to Dorchester, his most recent previous club, this man had played most of his football in Yorkshire. He was with Leeds United and Bradford City before he joined York City, who loaned him to Frickley Athletic. The midfielder moved on for two spells at Scarborough Athletic, either side of games for FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge Celtic.

JOSH LESLIE-SMITH (b:Nov 1998 s:Sep 2020) After playing for the Academy at Bournemouth this defender signed for Poole, from where he has joined Weymouth.

JORDAN NGALO (s:Dec 2017) Central defender or midfield man who made it into the England Schoolboys squad despite not being connected with a club whilst studying at Portsmouth College. He went on to play for Blackfield & Langley before joining today’s opponents.

JAKE MCCARTHY (b:Dec 1996 s:Jun 2017) Central midfielder who joined from his first club Bournemouth. Before signing for the Terras he had loan spells with Totton, Dorchester, Havant & Waterlooville and Maidstone United.

ADEOYE OLUMUYIWA (s:Jun 2019) Central defender who started out with Team Solent. Next he tried a spell in the United States with New Orleans Jesters. He returned home to play for Blackfield before the switch to the Terras.

JOSH MCQUOID (b:Dec 1989 s:Aug 2018) Forward who started with Bournemouth before switching to Millwall. After being loaned to Burnley he returned to his first club and then went on to add to his CV Peterborough United and Coventry City both on loan, Luton Town with further loans to Stevenage and Torquay, before his most recent club Aldershot.

SAM PEARSON (b:Oct 2001 s:Sep 2020) A wide midfield player who is on loan from Bristol City until January. He previously had a similar spell with Bath City.

SHAMIR MULLINGS (b:Oct 1993 s:Oct 2020) Most recently spent a year with Aldershot and a loan spell with Dulwich Hamlet after being with Macclesfield Town. Started on the books of Southend United who loaned him to four clubs. Next stop was a permanent switch to Bromley, but the forward was then off on loan again to Thamesmead Town and Cray Wanderers. His career then built with Havant, Staines Town, Chelmsford

ANDY ROBINSON (b:Oct 1992 s:Jun 2019) Defensive midfielder who progressed to the first team at Southampton, before joining Bolton Wanderers after a loan spell. He next headed back down south to join Dorchester and made his way to today’s visitors via Gosport Borough and Havant. ALEFE SANTOS (b:Mar 1995 s:Aug 2020) Winger who was with Aldershot last season. He joined Stoke City as a schoolboy from Henbury Colts. Moving on to Bristol Rovers, he went on to play for Derby County, who loaned him to Notts County and Eastleigh before joining Yeovil in 2017. BEN THOMSON (b:Feb 1990 s:cs 2015) Forward who started with Frome Town and went on to play for Gillingham Town. Since switching to today’s opponents has been promoted twice. JOSH WAKEFIELD (b:Nov 1993 s:Jul 2017) Midfielder who started with Bournemouth and spent much of his time there out on loan with spells at Wimborne, Dagenham, Dorchester, Welling United, Torquay, Bristol Rovers, Yeovil and Walsall. He made his way to his current club via Aldershot and Poole.

Ben Thomson

TOM WHELAN (b:Apr 1996 s:Oct 2020) Joined Yeovil from Salisbury but failed to establish a regular place in the side and spent time on loan with Chippenham Town and Weymouth. The midfield man’s early clubs were Verwood and Poole, and at one point Salisbury loaned him to Bury. He has now made his move from the Glovers permanent.

Rebellious Jukebox Gareth Evans selects Weymouth on the County Rock-Ola, and presses play to discover a link with, and test the credentials of… PERRIE EDWARDS. So, what’s the connection? Perrie - best known these days as one quarter of Little Mix - was born in South Shields, and spent a good deal of her childhood there, completing the primary school years, progressing to secondary school and, finally, going on to Newcastle College for a BTEC in Performing Arts. This time was, however, interrupted by two spells in faraway places. One at the extreme end of faraway, in Hamilton, New Zealand, for a

couple of years as a teenager. And the other, at not quite such a dramatic distance, that saw her attend Radipole Primary School (as well as June Hornby’s Dance Studio for honing her tap and ballet moves) in Weymouth - and, unknowingly, provide our subject for this afternoon’s Jukebox selection. But how Rebellious is she? Little Mix, lest we forget, pop kids, landed on the music scene courtesy of that most nefarious route: selfassembly from the parts with most potential in two separate competing girl-bands (Perrie, along with Jesy Nelson, was in one called Faux Pas, trivia fans) on The X Factor. That was in 2011 since when the reality musical talent programme’s first winning group have become bona-fide megastars, selling over 50 million records worldwide and gaining a plethora of awards. And, for the last three years, Perrie has followed in the footsteps of some members from girl-bands past by dating a professional footballer. Hmm - let’s ‘Take Five’… 1. She hasn’t forgotten Weymouth. She might not have lived there very long, and did so at a tender age, but Perrie still finds time in her celebrity schedule to visit Weymouth, as well as events around the town. Some friends and relatives remain there, but the wider community is pretty fond of her, too - with block-voting from those with Radipole School connections having been the order of the weekend nine years ago to help keep Little Mix in The X Factor and propel Perrie and the rest of the band towards stardom.

Perrie with her current beau, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

2. The ‘Shout Out’ was to her Ex. Yep - Little Mix’s fourth number one, and the BRIT Awards’ Best British Single of 2017, was about Perrie’s break-up with fellow X factor graduate Zayn Malik, and, fittingly, her husky vocals help make the track stand out. ‘Shout Out to My Ex’ is also a smart song that operates at two levels: on first listen, as the ultimate kiss off anthem; but then, after the lyrics are taken in, it is more about overcoming a split than getting public revenge on Zayn for doing the dirty on Perrie with model Gigi Hadid - and it goes further by thanking him for for making her stronger after four years together. One of an increasing number of the band’s hits that speak confident messages of self-love, equality and sisterhood - and, when all’s said and done, there’s a welcome place in the pop world for them. 3. Her diva influences. You name them, Perrie has worshipped them. Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Whitney

She might not have lived there very long, and did so at a tender age, but Perrie still finds time in her celebrity schedule to visit Weymouth.

Houston and Michael Jackson are or were all known for more than their strong, distinctive vocals. Before the turn of the century, ironically, we would have called that extra something The X Factor. Oh - and we should add Steve Perry of Journey to her list of fave stars… which is fair enough, as she was named after him! 4. Her profanity caused a media blackout! The year was again 2017 when Little Mix took to the stage for a Radio One Big Weekend performance - although those tuning in across the nation to watch or listen were left short-changed when Perrie swore during the girls’ rendition of ‘Down and Dirty’, and the BBC promptly cut them out of its iPlayer and wireless live broadcasts. Rock ’n’ roll… 5. Her product endorsements. High Street fashion? Tick. Perrie last year became the face for Superga, and also released her first designed collection of Italian shoes under the brand. High Street food? Tick. She has this summer been taken on by Nando’s - so look forward to peri-peri sauce puns a-plenty! Anything else? Actually, and rather impressively, yes - as the first woman to advertise Supreme Nutrition products, which she does alongside current beau, Liverpool and England’s Alex OxladeChamberlain. Rebellious Jukebox Rating:… the bingo call it’s ok to like - ‘Little Mix, Number 6’.

Matty Warburton

Phoenix From The County Flames In a brand new feature this season, we will be talking to past County players about their favourite memories from their time at Edgeley Park. County legend Matty Warburton took time out of his busy playing schedule to tell us how he is getting on and shared his favourite memories from his brilliant spell at Edgeley Park. Matty Warburton will always hold a special place in the hearts of County and its loyal fans. A credit to the club on and off the pitch throughout his two seasons at Edgeley Park, Matty’s creativity, vision and finishing made him one of County’s stand-out performers in the memorable 2018/19 title-winning campaign. In a season of so many outstanding individual performances, Matty saw off competition from other outstanding performers Sam Walker and Ash Palmer to pick up the Graeme White Player of the Year Award after a brilliant season that saw him score 27 goals. In a season of so many fond memories, Matty says that there is only one game that stands out. “Nuneaton more than any other game because of what it meant,” said Matty. “It was the day we secured promotion and won the National League North title. Ash Palmer scored the first goal, then I scored the second just before halftime, which give us a cushion and when that goal went in we knew it was going to happen. We knew what it meant to the club and the fans, who were incredible. There were so many of our supporters inside the ground at Nuneaton, the flares, and the scenes when we scored, it was just an amazing day.” The final weeks of the championshipwinning season saw us all experience a full rollercoaster of emotions. From the

depths of despair of losing at Chorley to the highs of beating Curzon and EP erupting on hearing the news that Spennymoor had grabbed a late, late winner against our title rivals, lifting the Hatters back to the top of the league. The defeat at Chorley was the day Matty thought he had personally cost the club the title, following his first-half miss at Victory Park. “At Chorley we broke through and the ball was squared to me a yard out, but somehow I put it over the bar. We had a lot of fans at the game, there was more in the home end. I looked up and the lads had their head in their hands, everyone in the away end did, and I just thought ‘oh my god, I may have just cost us the league.’ On the halfway line one of their players said to me ‘you’ve choked it’. My head had gone and Bully was trying to get me back on it. It was awful. I got back on the coach, I didn’t speak to anyone. I just kept thinking you may have just cost the club. Then two days after that we beat Curzon 2-0 and I got the second. Towards the end I ran into the corner and the Cheadle End were jumping up you

could tell

something big had happened. I was so relieved. We knew we were nearly there as we had Nuneaton next and it was a winnable game. It was class. I don’t think you get days as dramatic as that one often in your career. It’s good that we have the technology to watch these moments back.” The Championship season team had a phenomenal connection with the fans – and for the first time for a long time really got what it meant to play for the Hatters, and Matty says that he loved every minute of his time at Edgeley Park. “I loved it at County,” said Matty. “I had a difficult start. In my first game I missed a penalty at Spennymoor, which was saved. I don’t think I really fully understood the calibre of the club shortly after I joined but I quickly learned and made so many great memories. From the people at the club from the top to the bottom, going to the bar after the game, speaking to people. It was the happiest time of my career. We also had such a good group of lads, who I am still mates with. “Winning the league at Nuneaton, it was overwhelming. I had just came off. Then the referee blew for the final whistle, Me and Dan Cowan just wanted to get amongst it. I was just blown away. I had grown men say to me, ‘you don’t know what this means.’ That last day, lifting the trophy, we couldn’t get off the pitch. I wouldn’t change anything. The fans had been through some bad times so it was brilliant to give them back joy and pride. “On the day of the Civic Parade we underestimated how many fans would turn out. It was the last day of the Premier League season. It was quiet when we got to the town hall but when we came out there

THE GAME: Nuneaton 0 County 3 THE DATE: 27th April, 2019 THE COMPETITION: Vanarama National League North THE MOMENT: The Nuneaton game more than any other for what it meant, it was the day we secured promotion and won the National League North. Ash scored the first, then I scored the second just before half time. After the second we knew it was going to happen!

were hundreds lining the streets, blue flags and blue shirts everywhere, and so many were following the bus to the outside of the ground. We took videos of the Main Stand and the whole road was packed. Steve Bellis was addressing the fans on the pitch and he said to me you’re going to come in last. The fans’ reaction to me leaving was amazing, I had not had one bad word said, everyone understood. I didn’t expect that reaction, it was very emotional.” Matty formed a close bond with many of the players at County, who he says are lifelong friends. “They are great people and all good mates. I’m still part of the group chat on Whatsapp, there’s eight of us in it. We had such a close bond. Jim signs players on characters and personalities. Credit to Jim and the staff. There was nothing personal and if something needed to be said, it was, but there was never any conflict after a game and it was all forgotten.” Warburton only had great words to say about his relationship with the County fans. “They just took to me. They took to me as a player. We did a lot off the pitch, too, such as the children’s Christmas

parties, which helped to build a bond between the players and the fans. At the end of games the players used to show their appreciation to the fans. Things like that made a difference. At Barnet away in the FA Cup I had a calf injury so I was on the bench. In the second half the fans were singing my name for me to come on. My mum and dad were in the away end and were just blown away by the support.” Matty moved to League Two Northampton to play full-time football, which he said was a big difference from playing part-time at County. “I had a teaching job. This may sound strange but I didn’t get a minute to myself, I was so busy with work, training and matches. But since going full-time we are finished training by 1pm-2pm. It’s bizarre, I’ve got more extra time, so I’ve attempted to learn to play the guitar and speak Spanish. I loved it! But I never had this chance before and I had to take it. Sam Walker once said he’s not met anyone as obsessed about football as me. I couldn’t turn it down. I’ve gone to Yeovil to play regular games again and I’m enjoying it. I’ve settled in well and I’m being played in my favourite position. “It’s different playing games behind closed doors but you kind of forget about it. Warm-ups you tend to notice but you zone out when the game gets underway.” Matty says he will always keep an eye on how County are doing. “Always. I’ll always keep an eye out how County are doing. Keane, Minihan, Sam Walker, Bully are my close friends and check to see how they are doing first.” “I went to the Solihull game last season as I don’t live too far from there. It’s difficult to get to watch the lads but I will if I can and I know Yeovil are due to play at Edgeley Park in February and on the last day of the season down there. It will definitely be a strange feeling.”

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County Colts Good goalkeeper coaches are hard to come by... usually! Here at the Colts we are very fortunate to have two very good goalkeeper coaches – Barry George and Rhys Williams. Barry and Rhys have both played at club level in their youth and adult years and bring this experience to our goalkeepers from Under-7s through to Under- 16s. A lot of work goes in on the Monday sessions as well as the Academy night to help our goalkeepers hone their skills, particularly their handling and distribution/ decision-making. As per the rest of the coaches our goalkeeper coaches go out to games at the weekend and make sure there is a transition from gameplay into training and vice versa. This means that all goalkeepers have to work to the Colts philosophy: to have goalkeepers who have capable feet and who don’t panic under pressure. Obviously, we have all seen this developing especially in the Premier League with goalkeepers encouraged to be an eleventh outfield player and we always believe it’s a complete goalkeeper who can use their feet as well as their hands. As a result, they also have to be able to cope with being the last stop when it comes to making mistakes! This is why psychologically we make sure that our goalkeepers are encouraged to be brave and to make decisions without hesitation, as hesitation itself is the cause of so many mistakes. If we are playing in games and a cross comes over which we feel is in the goalkeeper’s area, they are told to make a swift decision to come and collect or get some sort of contact on it to punch clear. We don’t expect defenders to do this as the goalkeeper can gain extra height. It’s so important as with the rest of our players that mistakes Rhys Williams don’t result in criticism as

being definite in decision-making is essential to a development model and making mistakes is part of this concept. Avoiding hesitation and making definite decisions whether to play out or in absolute risk situations to use our get out ball is accommodated in our philosophy, where we can hit the front three as part of our 4-3-3 system at 11 v 11. So many teams see the way we play and think they can easily press us to gain advantage, but part of any successful philosophy is being unpredictable. When you have three players up front who are ready to receive a quality get out ball, this then makes opposition defenders hesitate in going forward to support any attack.Our goalkeepers are essential in this unpredictability as they can see the game in front of them. Being positive brave and decisive with our specialist goalkeeper tuition will help to push the quality of goalkeepers so they can hopefully join our post-16 Academy. As the club moves forward, we know this challenging philosophy will soon start to reap rewards. Steve Beswick

Official Partners of The National League

County Ladies Under-18s top of the table, but FA Cup defeat for firsts To start on a positive note, our Under-18s team are sitting top of the table in the CW&GFL Youth Division. Following their 0-5 away win at West Kirkby, their record is played three, won three. Congratulations to Manager Martin Randles and the coaching team, Laura Garraway and Jennie Trow. Elsewhere the season has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. After wins against Brighouse and Barnsley, but a home defeat by Liverpool Feds, the first team were at home to Leeds United Women in the Women’s FA Cup last Sunday.

Captain Fran Davies chases down a Leeds attack (James Gill Media)

The first half went well, with County having the majority of the possession and Leeds finding it difficult to break out of their own half. A penalty to the visitors just before half time was saved by ‘keeper Jess Linford and County were looking good to carry on after the break and wrap the game up. Leeds had other ideas. They started the second half strongly and now County were struggling to cross the half-way line. After ten minutes the Leeds got the crucial first goal. A low ball across the box from the Leeds left was well met and fired home just inside the left post.

Levi ChambersCook came in at right back (James Gill Media)

County pressed forward with some good football from the midfield, but the final ball to the strikers just wasn’t finding its way through a well-organised defence. Leeds doubled their advantage with ten minutes to go. An excellent free-kick finding its way in just under the bar in the top left corner. 2-0 to Leeds at the final whistle and it’s a case of “there’s always next year” for the FA Cup. For anyone interested in joining the club to play or train with any of our teams, e-mail development@ stockportcountylfc.com for more information Follow us on Twitter @SCLadiesFC and Instagram @stockportcountylfc

Chaneece Reeves competes for a header in midfield

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The Mad Hatterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quiz with Paul Dean

WHO AM I?

TRIVIA 1. Before managing in the Premier League I was originally a striker before becoming a defender, I played 11 seasons for the same club before managing them in the Bundesliga. Who am I? 2. Who scored the fastest goal in the Premier League history in 7.69 seconds in 2018-19 season?

As well as making 240 appearances for the Hatters I made two appearances for Man City in their top flight league winning season 1967-68.

3. Jim Gannon and who else managed the Hatters in season 2005-06? 4. How many times had Man City won the top league before 2012?

WORDSEARCH E U J K A L I N L Y Y Y X D G Q A S H X

R E L F F T J B K P T U E C Q H C Y C K

F R U T E J C H B L N R T R J I H R A N

W R I O X V R H A L Q X G E W U K O O H

R M U Z B T A N A W E W W B V F A F C D

E E N T E M E S D E F E N C E F X R Q K

F G N A O P N T L V M R Q E D Q C N M I

O T M R N R A Y F G J X O E K R L Y Z Q

R J V N O C T D X U V P O R F D J Q O E

W Y I C K C P S C Z J Z D E I B V Q R B

A E S L X C V J A Q P C O F A T X O C Q

R A E O K T Z E N Q K T V E W O C V H P

D Q H J E Z N R D L P Z V R R S V L G D

S B F R I N Y S X U E U G A E L D C W X

B E O U B O U E D Z Q D G H R C T S A I

H D U A J W F Y O M I X R H A U K P L E

S X L P S H O O T S K C I K E E R F J W

P R B K F K S F Y B U V N Y Y U M O C P

Answers:

Z Z X M S R A Y T M K P G X G G B L V N

Who Am I? Alan Ogley

L J I G D V G H N F M S J A C S X Y P A

Trivia 1: Jurgen Klopp 2: Shane Long for Southampton v Watford 3: Chris Turner 4: Once 1967-68 5: Eric Cantona

MATCH ASTROTURF SHOOT SAVE CORNER HOOK TEAM FREE KICK DRIBBLE DEFENCE HALF-TIME FOUL FORWARDS PENALTY LEAGUE TACKLE JERSEY SCORE COACH REFEREE

5. Which Man Utd player scored the first Premier League hat-trick?

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

RYAN CROASDALE 29

Steve Bellis Spider-shaped sweets, James Bond and football’s Judith Chalmers! Well here we are again, that time of the year where we encourage our kids to do all the things they are told not to do for the other 364 days of the year... knock on strangers’ doors, beg and eat as many sweets as humanly possible. I genuinely detest Halloween, that’s why I moved to a steep hill in the middle of nowhere so I don’t have to buy loads of overpriced spider-shaped sweets with more E’s that the word ebeneezer and hand them out to kids that I don’t know in the freezing cold. I actually thought we were going to get away with it this year as it looked like bumbling Boris was going to ban it to restrict unnecessary contact in these pandemic times but you’ll never guess what? BJ did a U-turn! Almost as annoying as the begging kids are the adults who seem to think it’s bonfire night and let fireworks off. What exactly is the point of fireworks anyway? In my opinion they are about as useful as a one-armed trapeze artist with an itchy bum. Back to Boris and his chums and we have to be honest and say that things aren’t exactly tickety boo on the old Covid front. The pandemic has however seen the emergence of two new unlikely potential British superheroes who have flanked the Prime Minister at many of his not very brief briefings. First is Jean Claude Van Tam or whatever his name is. The Deputy Chief Medical Officer has been very clear and assured in his delivery of how bad things are. However, the one that has really caught the eye of the public is the Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty

The new James Bond?

who delivers the latest grim death figures with the power of a Ben Hinchliffe penalty. I kid you not, he has made such an impression that people have even talked about him becoming the new James Bond. As one observer put it ‘His appearance is mildly alarming. He has mad scientist hair and poachedegg eyes which bulge disconcertingly, but his ability to speak clearly and directly was oddly soothing’. Soothing and clear he may be but can you imagine having him at your dinner party, a right barrel of laughs he would not be unless you are into disease, infections and death. Back to today and it gives me great pleasure to welcome our friends from Weymouth who make their first ever visit to Edgeley Park.

Neither side deserved to lose in midweek

The only link I can recall is a chap by the name of Des Bulpin who was once the Director of Football at the Terras (so called because they once had a terracotta coloured kit... I bet that was nice). Des was part of the management team with Andy Kilner in the early part of the millennium until he became footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equivalent of Judith Chalmers travelling to Singapore, Uzbekistan, the Philippines and India in a variety of roles. The last time I heard he was off the road and appropriately managing Street FC in the Toolstation Western League.

We can be very pleased with our showings so far but we will once again need to be at our best if we are to achieve three more points this afternoon.

Des is also the man famed with discovering Peter Crouch although at six feet seven inches he probably didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to look too hard. Anyway, we welcome Weymouth on the back of our very hard-fought draw here against Solihull Moors. I think it is fair to say that we deserved to go in at half-time with a lead but it was not to be although Richie Bennett went very close when he clipped the bar. The second half was much more even and on the night neither side deserved to lose. We can be very pleased with our showings so far but we will once again need to be at our best if we are to achieve three more points this afternoon. Weymouth will be keen to put on a show after their excellent promotion to the National League at the end of last season. We wish them a very safe journey home and look forward to meeting them at the Bob Lucas Stadium in March.

Opposition View Terras radio commentator Ben Ashelford gives us his view from a visiting perspective. How do you assess your season so far? It’s been a slow start, but we knew going in to this season how hard it was going to be. We are operating as a part-time club with the lowest budget in the league. We also lost our manager following the play-off victory but we are not too worried just yet. What are your aims for the season? The realistic amongst us say that our aim this season has to be to stay up. We play within our means and so staying up and building brick by brick is the way forward. It would have been nice to go on an FA Cup run too, but perhaps a run in the FA Trophy and to stay in the division would be considered a good return. Finishing above Yeovil would be a bonus. Who are the Weymouth players to watch? We have Brennan Camp on loan from Bournemouth. It’s his second season with us and the lad will make it at the higher end of the game, superb talent. Ollie Harfield also deserves a mention as a very energetic left-back.

The chance to see us play a league game in a terrific and former Football League stadium is something that I never thought we’d get back to 32

Brennan Camp

What have been the highlights following Weymouth? The back-to-back promotions that brought us back to the National League is the most recent highlight. Previous to that we had the FA Cup games against Nottingham Forest a few years ago. We also caused travel disruption last season when Southern Rail underestimated how many fans we would take to Bath away! Have you been to Edgeley Park before? No. And it was on my list of grounds I was really looking forward to visiting! Sadly, I won’t be able to travel on Saturday either. Maybe next year. How much are you looking forward to the game? The chance to see us play a league game in a terrific and former Football League stadium is something that I never thought we’d get back to. So even watching your stream is something I’m very much looking forward to.

Terrace Talk The games are coming thick and fast at Edgeley Park this week, with this afternoon’s clash against Weymouth being the third fixture from three played on home soil within the last seven days. A warm welcome to Brian Stock and his side as they make the long journey up to Stockport from the Dorset coast. Weymouth return to the National League following their Play-Off success against Dartford last season and whatever your view on the Play-Offs it is probably only right that the side who finished third in the table should achieve promotion at the expense of the side who finished sixth, even if the roles reversed make for good entertainment. County themselves have been involved in the cruel twists of the Play-Offs in the past as we know, back in 1994 and looking for a place in Division One, Danny Bergara’s side finished twelve points ahead of Burnley yet came out on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline against the Clarets at Wembley. Manager Jim Gannon was in the Stockport starting eleven that day and it was a bitter/sweet experience for Chris Beaumont who gave County an early lead but was subsequently sent off, similarly Mick Wallace who had assisted Chris’ goal, was also given a red card by referee David Elleray that afternoon. Some might say that is the lottery of the PlayOffs, others may want an extra promotion place opening up for promotion in its place but at the moment it is looking likely that it is the way things will stay for the time being.

In every division thereafter up to the Premier League there is more than two promotion places available so why not the National League?

Danny Bergara leads County at at Wembley in 1994

Not so long ago only the Champions of the then Football Conference made it into the Football League but now seven teams have the opportunity to compete for promotion. With Bury and Macclesfield Town unfortunately running into financial difficulty, maybe it was a good time to reconfigure the promotion process. It’s only an opinion but why can’t two teams go up automatically and one from the Play-Offs meaning three teams come down from EFL League Two? In every division thereafter up to the Premier League there is more than two promotion places available so why not the National League? Like at County there are a number of ex-league clubs looking for a return to the 92, just as many as there are in this league looking for their first taste of league football as was the case with Harrogate Town last season. Back to today and hopefully the lads can do the business on the pitch this afternoon.

The County Years 1934

County Historian Ian Watts delves into the archives to bring you some of the Hattersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; more memorable moments from years gone by. Opening game This season had to be covered as the Hatters started the year setting a Football League record. County: Jimmy McGann, Eddie Vincent, Fred Jenkinson, Charlie Robinson, Jack Stevens, Len Jones, Jabez Foulkes, Joe Hill, Alf Lythgoe, Jimmy Stevenson, Percy Downes. Halifax included former Hatter John Johnman and some press reports predicted a bit of a struggle to get the win, but County were twoup at half-time against the visiting Halifax Town side. No warning of what was to come for the 7,807 crowd, as the team scored a record second-half tally on the way to the 13-0 win, that has only since been equalled. There were some discrepancies in reports of the scorers but the most consistent list appeared to be Hill 8, 14, 51; Lythgoe 50, 80; Vincent 53 pen; Foulkes 57; Downes 59, 65, 66, 88; and Stevenson 61, 86. First debutant Goalkeeper Richard Prytherch Finnigan signed from Chester in mid-March, and made his debut on the 30th of that month against Barrow, to claim SCAN 414. Dick then kept the shirt through to the end of the season, gaining a

Division Three (North) Cup runners-up medal in the process. Summer business It was one of the busier summers with no less than 13 future First Team players being signed. After free transfers were given to several men then first to sign up was Bob Still (from Chorley), and also joining were Albert Lumberg (Brighton), John Stanger (Carlisle or Workington), Leonard Caiels (Linfield), Wilf Aspinall and George Wilson (both Workington), Alec Betton (Newcastle U), Les Cant (Bury), Eddie Green (Manchester U), Jimmy Collins (Rochdale), Bill Smith (Boldon Colliery), Arthur Welsby (Exeter C), and Dr Mackenzie (Hull C) who had come to practice in the town. Then just after the season had commenced came possibly the most important signing as Billy Bocking rejoined from Everton for a ÂŁ250 fee. Closing game The side headed to Southport on the last Saturday of the year and came back with both points. County: Frank McDonough, Bocking, Ken Haigh, Harold Taylor, Jones, Still, Foulkes, Robinson, Hill, Stevenson, Bert Hales.

County’s goals came from Charlie Robinson netting a brace on 16 and 47 minutes. Their hosts, who included future Hatter Jack Seagrave, scored through Ray Worswick on 35 minutes. Last debutant Last of the twelve First Team debutants for this year was Frank McDonough (SCAN 430). The Easingtonborn ‘keeper was bought from Blackpool for £175, and made his debut the following day as County beat Chesterfield 4-2 on 22nd December. He stayed for four seasons before joining Macclesfield. Most appearances in calendar year Jabez Foulkes 49 (ever present), Charles Robinson 48, Len Jones 47 Most goals in calendar year Alf Lythgoe 44, Jimmy Stevenson 16, Jabez Foulkes 14 Worst run Three games without a win (10th to 24th November) one drawn Best run 15 games unbeaten (6th January to 30 March) 11 wins, four draws. This extended a run of two wins and a draw at the end of 1933. The man in charge Fred Westgarth had been in charge since May 1933 although he was officially regarded as just a trainer by the club board until 13 July 1935 when he became Trainer Manager. The 47-year-

old had earlier experience with South Shields, Ebbw Vale, Workington and Luton Town. He left County for Carlisle United with their manager moving to Edgeley Park. And finally A description of County fans’ celebrations after the team came back to win at home to Tranmere. The Advertiser reported: “It is a long time since such cheering was aroused at Edgeley Park. Following the turnaround hats were thrown up and middle-aged supporters displayed undreamed of agility as they dance for joy at the turn of events.” Let’s hope we get to see similar scenes at some time this season. Thanks to all the anonymous donors who have supplied images for this article.

STOCKPORT COUNTY -

SOLIHULL MOORS -

Tuesday 27th October | Vanarama National League | Edgeley Park

The Hatters returned to National League action at Edgeley Park, and extended their unbeaten run to five matches. They did so without notching up a fifth successive victory, though, as their contest under the lights in SK3 against fellow high-fliers Solihull Moors ended goalless.

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SNAPPED!

nty’s midweek home Preparations underway prior to Cou can’t wait to welcome draw against Solihull Moors. We it is safe to do so! you back into Edgeley Park when

Luke Smith Physio

Good afternoon everyone. Our injury list is back down to reasonable numbers as we see Ash Palmer, Mark Kitching, and Lois Maynard return to the first team squad. A few slight niggles had seen us manage individual training schedules and allow other members of the team to step up with Ryan Croasdale making his first start and becoming Man of the Match. With regards to our other injuries we are expecting Harvey Gilmour, Jordan Williams, and James Jennings to return and be in contention for our next fixture.

Ryan Croasdale

Our recovery strategies are excellent and we hope to maintain a minimal injury list with good recovery and monitored training loads. Enjoy the game, Luke

Our recovery strategies are excellent and we hope to maintain a minimal injury list with good recovery James Jennings

Travelling Fan The

The New Order of positions in the table looked good after this relatively short-distance assignment for County in front of the TV cameras. Gareth Evans wended his way down through the Peak District to enjoy a ‘Fine Time’ at the Technique Stadium. The day out and getting there Having allocated us a killer - albeit highly successful midweek schlep to Wealdstone, the fixtures computer was rather kinder with the follow-up, which, with a late kick-off added in to accommodate BT Sport’s live coverage, allowed the rare Saturday luxury of a postlunchtime departure. I opted to make this jaunt directly from my Macclesfield home, rather than from Edgeley Park with the rest of County’s media team - and the motorway-free meander saw me navigate some heavy fog around the westernmost Pennines above the Cheshire Plain, before crossing into Derbyshire and the Peak District National Park for more welcome blue sky and autumnal sunshine. An hour later, with conditions becoming greyer, I caught sight of Chesterfield’s crooked spire, headed out of town for a mile or so on the Sheffield Road to Whittington Moor - and, 90 minutes ahead of the contest, turned into the Technique Stadium car park, which, on non-matchdays at present, serves as a COVID-19 testing centre. The Technique Stadium The all-seater ground that replaced Saltergate as Chesterfield’s home is this season celebrating its 10th birthday - which is something of a sobering thought to those of us who still think of it is a pretty brand-new arena, as well as a reminder that its first season of operation coincided with County’s last as a Football League outfit. We paid a visit on New Year’s Day in

CHE

STERFIELD FC

Chesterfield v County Vanarama National League Saturday, 17th October 2020, 5:20pm The Technique Stadium Weather: Overcast, with some light drizzle Distance from EP: 39 miles Journey Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes Points: 3 course of that 2010/11 campaign to what, back then, was known as the b2net Stadium, but came away smarting from a 4-1 defeat and had not returned since. A decade and two name-changes later, the Technique’s facilities still appear swish and fresh - and the 10,000-capacity ground’s design, including curved roof-lines for the East and West Stands on the longer sides, is not uneasy on the eye. We reporters took up residence in the Van Yard (West) Stand, which also

housed the Directors - while seats around all three of the others for this fixture behind closed doors were to remain uninhabited.

crossbar, following a mighty rumble around the home area during which County had twice struck a post and had a third effort cleared off the line.

COVID-19 arrangements Our hosts had organised themselves at a level to which other opposing clubs should, dare I say, a-Spire! Beginning with a friendly welcome for the usual temperature check and use of the contact tracing app, those of us using the press box were allocated banks of three seats each to keep well socially distanced. And the pre-match care extended to the County players who emerged on to the pitch from the opposite side of the ground to the home team - although Chesterfield did throw in a couple of features associated with normal times of yore, by employing an announcer and playing a fast-paced techno number with which to greet the sides’ arrival.

Getting away With no crowd in attendance, queues around the stadium were sparse, save for some Saturday night traffic heading into central Chesterfield - and a comfortable drive, skirting around the top end of town, made for a comfortable journey back into the Peak District, before heading north-west.

The match Television viewers, whether partisan or neutral, were treated to an entertaining contest with plenty of talking points. Well-struck shots by Mark Kitching and, subsequently, Jordan Cropper saw the teams go into their separate stands at half-time with a goal apiece although the opening 45 minutes had also witnessed the disallowing of two attempts for longstanding Hatters’ nemesis, Tom Denton, as well as the rejection of a stonewall County penalty following the home captain’s handling of counterpart skipper Liam Hogan’s shot. A few chances at either end after the break eventually led to the one that counted five minutes from time, when substitute Alex Reid headed in the winner off the

Home-time By 9pm - and after what I realised had been my first night-time drive in the dark since travelling home from Maidenhead in pre-lockdown times seven months earlier! - I was home in Macc. Memory of the day Going into the game knowing, with the earlier afternoon’s programme of matches completed, precisely what County would need to do to end the day as National League leaders on goal difference. And then seeing it happen (but also wishing more fellow Hatters had been there to share the joy)! Travelling fan verdict Journey: 8/10 Stadium: 9/10 COVID Safety Measures: 9/10 Programme (16 pages, including two on County): 7/10 OVERALL MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE: 9/10

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Good afternoon, and we are back at Edgeley Park for our third home match this week. Our visitors today are Weymouth who have made the long journey North from the South Coast. I have just finished watching last Tuesday’s nights match with Solihull Moors. What a tense game to watch! I think probably a draw was a fair result with most of time both teams cancelling each other out. With Torquay winning away we are off top spot but there is still a long way to go. It was really disappointing to go out of the FA Cup on penalties last weekend. I felt so sorry for Sam Minihan who was very upset at the end of the game. So it’s back to the bread and butter of the league, and to continue the form we have shown since the start of the season. ZOOM MEETING On Sunday 15th November we will be holding a zoom meeting with James Gannon from 11 am. If you would like to ask James a question please message us your child’s name and the question. The child will ask the question themselves but we want to have a list beforehand too. We hope you can join us on the morning, details on how to log on nearer the time. That’s all for tonight, stay safe.

Mascot Maison

Age: 10 Attends: All Saints Primary School, Heaton Norris Favourite players: John Rooney, Sam Minihan Hobbies: Football and boxing.

Ian Butterworth 45

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Supporters’ Co-operative The Supporters’ Co-operative made a conscious decision this week, whilst trying to take in all the hard lessons from 2020, to look forward to 2021 with a degree of positivity.

High up on our list of priorities in any year has been the massively popular and brilliantly organised Stockport Hatters Half-Marathon. In just a few short years the race has established itself as a staple in the UK race calendar, attracting runners from all over the country to the start on Edgeley Park car park each year peaking at over 450 in 2016. The race has established a reputation for topclass organisation, allied to the friendliest and most efficient stewarding team I, as a long time Stockport Harrier, can remember seeing- thus ensuring runners return again. The course has been almost 100% the same each year, around three miles, at the start and finish covering Stockport roads, with the rest a glorious stretch of well-maintained tracks on the Trans Pennine Trail skirting the magnificent River Mersey.

As promoters of the Hatters Half-Marathon we have aimed to make the event a showcase for Stockport County, the Supporters’ Co-operative and the town of Stockport. We think we have succeeded in this, and the race has been a good fundraiser not only for ourselves but charities including the Co-operative’s long-standing charity of choice `The Wellspring` who do such wonderful work for Stockport’s homeless people. The decision to look to stage the race again in 2021 is a bold one, and will ultimately look to a substantial improvement in the Covid-19 situation – no small ask, but given this, we are confident we can provide the people of Stockport with the North West`s premier road/ trail race successfully again! Watch out for more information. Ian Brown Stockport County Supporters’ Co-operative

All Past Opponents WIGAN ATHLETIC

Wigan had already given County a difficult FA Cup tie back in 1964 as a non-league club. When they were elected to the EFL it took the Hatters nine games to record their first victory against the then Springfield Park side, although they did have a League Cup twolegged win, although we also got punished in that competition and lost our first-ever penalty shoot-out in 1982. On a brighter note, a late James Gannon goal in a 2-1 away defeat set us up for a home leg win and our third trip to Wembley.

WIGAN BOROUGH

The previous occupants of Springfield Park who were disbanded in 1931. We had a much better record against this Wigan side in the Football League who we faced after dropping into Division III(N) in the 1920s. We also faced them in the Lancashire FA and Manchester FA Cups. Comp

H/A

EFL

LSC

MSC

Comp

H/A

EFL

FLT

Comp

H/A

LSC

CCL

FAC FLC

V Wigan Reserves or U23 A

WIGAN COUNTY

Another Wigan side, and again they played at Springfield Park. This is the earliest of our opponents based in that town and we faced then in the Lancashire League at the end of the 1890s, and also recorded a win in the Chorley Charity League. F

WILLENHALL PICKWICK

Possibly the most interestingly named of all our opponents. This Midlands side hosted County in a Fourth Qualifying Round FA Cup tie on 30th November 1912. Dick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien and Tommy Charlton got the goals to give County a 2-0 win.

WILMSLOW ALBION

Friendly opponents a number of times, the first meeting with our senior team was back in the 1931-32 season for the home sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funds, and

reprieved in the 1990s as part of our pre-season programme of games. Comp

H/A

WIMBLEDON

County are yet to face the new AFC Wimbledon side but played the old side - later taken over by Milton Keynes but who after a few years agreed to declare Wimbledonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history was not part of their past. Our only victory over the side came in an away game on 6th September 1980 when a rare John Rutter goal and a late second from Les Bradd gave us a 2-1 win at the old Plough Lane ground, having trailed after an hour. Comp

H/A

EFL

WITTON ALBION

The first meeting came in 1895, just five years after the Northwich club had been formed, but those early games were against Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second string. We sent the first team for a pre-season friendly in August 1985 when Mike Power scored our goal in a 1-1 draw. Nine years later County recorded a 2-1 victory in another pre-season friendly with Dean Emerson and Alun Armstrong hitting the back of the net.

WOKING

Five games played and we will be looking for our first victory over this side in the current season. At least the most recent meeting saw us break the run of defeats. Comp

H/A

FAC

WOKINGHAM TOWN

WINSFORD UNITED

A team our reserves had been facing since 1922 when we joined the Cheshire League. They had also met in 11 Cheshire Senior Cup ties during our Football League years, but only twice since, the second of those games being won by County on penalties after a 4-4 draw. Comp

H/A

CSC

Friendly opponents at the end of another Army camp training week. County drew 2-2 in a game played seven days before the second Witton match mentioned above.

County Heaven Sandbach Hatter writes: Good afternoon, everyone! These National League fixtures at EP are coming thick and fast, eh? I’m actually writing my opening half of this afternoon’s article prior to our midweek contest against the ‘Moors’ of Solihull, so I do hope we picked up another three points under the Edgeley floodlights before facing the ‘Terras’ of Weymouth today. Even more interestingly, I am penning these words from the Family Sandy’s half-term hotel in... Weymouth of all places! While my latest quiz is also consequently enjoying a week off, I wonder if any (or, more accurately, either) of our readers can work out what will ultimately link the five former Hatters who will feature? So far, we have revealed Ian Ironside and Fraser Forster, with three as-yet unknown players still to come – however, while you may think the link connecting all five is obvious, what if I told you there are in fact TWO links between them?! If you fancy taking part, or just wish to keep an eye on the results to see if you are correct, pop along to County Heaven next week when Week 3 will commence! Meanwhile, in the Limerick Lounge, congratulations go to Maccy, Epworth and Hermann, for their winning conclusions to the rhymes set by Lennie in relation to County’s recent fixtures against Wealdstone, Chesterfield (league) and Chesterfield (FA Cup) respectively. Well done, lads! And, speak of the little Terra, it’s now time to hand you over to my old mate and co-contributor – here’s Maccy!

Hatter in Macc writes: Thanks, Sandy - and a glowing, autumnal welcome to our visitors from the south coast, who make a first, and rather long, trek up to Edgeley, possibly unaware of the part their club once played in a little piece of County history... despite our never before having faced each other competitively! For Weymouth is the unlikely answer one will find when researching opponents against whom the Hatters first enjoyed a victory under the legendary management of Daniel Alberto Bergara de Medina. Danny Bergara had taken over the reins from Asa Hartford a dozen games before the end of 1988/89, but had seen out that Fourth Division campaign without masterminding a win. With eight draws and four defeats under his belt, The Man from Uruguay’s first pre-season in charge saw him and his squad conduct a mini-tour of Dorset seaside towns - kicking off with what turned out to be his lucky 13th match, and a single-goal friendly triumph over today’s guests, on 26 July 1989, before enjoying another victory, by the odd goal in three, at Bournemouth two nights later. Not many of us will have been there to share the moments on either of those balmy summer evenings - but, results-wise, they marked the beginning of a very special, and joyous, era to be a County fan. So thanks, you Terras! Back to the present - with this afternoon giving us a third home fixture within a week, but also the last here for three weeks. Tuesday night’s point against Solihull was hard-fought and well-earned in equal measure. Hopefully, we can follow that up, and sign off for our temporary leave of absence from SK3, with three more of them to make it a Happy Halloween! Animo et Fide. www.countyheaven.com

Imagine Radio Jon Keighren

Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Solihull Moors was one of the best goalless games I have witnessed for a long time, it was a fascinating tactical battle. Two excellent teams eventually cancelled each other out in a second half which saw defences on top and the front men given little or no opportunity to break the deadlock. Jim Gannon may rue the two chances that County created on the stroke of half time, when Richie Bennett and Alex Reid both hit the woodwork, but ultimately a point apiece felt like a fair outcome. As Jim said after the game: “They’re a good side, they look very well coached, they move the ball well and if we’re above them we’ll finish in the top three.” The high spot was the full debut of Ryan Croasdale and again the manager summed it up perfectly: “It was an absolute pleasure watching him and you can see why we brought him in, (he’s a) fantastic footballer.” I must thank my neighbour Jack Prince who joined me for the live stream of the Moors clash – Jack has played at Edgeley Park before, albeit sitting behind a drum kit for The Coral as they supported Blossoms in the summer of 2019. More recently, he has thrown everything into his coaching career, gaining his UEFA B Licence and had a full-time coaching role at Espanyol before the pandemic. Forced to return to the UK, Jack now works with an Academy on the Wirral, so it was great to have a coach’s eye on the game and he will be back in the New Year. This afternoon, John Whelan is back alongside me on the gantry as County look to extend their unbeaten run in the National League to six games. John’s support this season has helped to enable us to provide our live stream for every home fixture. County could have the outstanding Ash Palmer back this afternoon to make his 100th appearance for the club, whilst goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe is set to make his 200th appearance. Ben’s 59 clean sheets across the last four seasons underlines his immense contribution to County’s

Ben Hinchliffe is set for his 200th appearance

resurgence and his distribution on Tuesday night was pinpoint accurate all night. Ben has been named in the divisional Team of the Year on six separate occasions, highlighting the fact that he remains the best goalkeeper in non-league football. Today’s opponents Weymouth have enjoyed tremendous success in the last couple of seasons, winning back-toback promotions to reach the National League, which caught the attention of Southend United who managed to prise away manager Mark Molesley, so Brian Stock has taken charge in his first management role. It is becoming increasingly difficult for semi-professional teams to compete at this level, which makes last season all the more impressive when you consider that the parttime Hatters were in the Play-Offs when the virus hit. The virus has impacted Weymouth more recently, as they had four players self-isolating earlier this month, but they’re back to full-strength now and have finally got their first win on the board, but every season it gets tougher for teams who rely on players with full-time jobs elsewhere. Enjoy the game – wish you were here.

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Oshor Williams Halloween is a time of both fun and fear when it is widely believed that ghostly entities wander abroad. The tradition is said to have its origins in the ancient Gaelic festival of ‘Samhain’ or ‘summer’s end’. It is more widely recognised as the Christianised feast of All Hallows Eve or Halloween. As a child with a vivid imagination I was profoundly scared of the dark, a phobia which remained with me until early adulthood. This was food and drink to my older siblings who delighted in telling me the most gruesome supernatural tales just before I was dispatched to bed with a glass of milk and a head full of terrors. They told me that our house was haunted, and that Halloween was the night when the dead spirits of the house rose up to steal the souls of any child

The Dell of Southampton

who remained awake. As I lay cowering beneath my candlewick bedspread listening to every creak and groan of the aging floorboards, I wondered if the house might truly be haunted and whether there really were dark forces at large on this solemn night. Everyone has a haunted house story but what about haunted football ground stories? Most grounds are arenas of great historical passion

Arsenal’s Highbury Stadium

and emotion and many have been around for over a century. Despite modernisation or expansion most remain on their original site and have borne witness to the passing of legendary players, charismatic managers and dedicated fans. If ghosts do exist, roaming the corridors and terraces of a vast football stadium might hold more appeal than hanging around the bedrooms and cellars of stately homes. Surely there’s no class distinction in the afterworld! Well my dear friends, I did a little research and discovered that there are several clubs with a haunted history. When my old club Southampton moved from the Dell to the St Mary’s Stadium there were reports of unseen forces moving objects around the ground. Whilst I do recall cups and boots flying around the dressing room after heavy defeats I can safely say that this was due to human rather than spiritual activity.

I was unable to find any ghostly tales about Edgeley Park which was rather disappointing given its rich history and heritage.

However, these incidents appeared to be genuine poltergeist manifestations. The story goes that during the building of the stadium, Pre-Christian tombs were disturbed, and the spirits were taking the revenge on the Saints who failed to win any of the first five games played in their new home. The situation was deemed so serious that the services of a witch were engaged to ward of the mischievous spirits. Arsenal’s famous Highbury ground was also said to be haunted by the spirit of their hugely popular and successful manager Herbert Chapman. There were also sightings of a horse which was apparently killed during the construction of the stadium. I’m afraid my research does not inform us whether Herbert and the horse appear separately, simultaneously or whether he is in fact sighted riding the horse which to me would seem like a super cool way to do your haunting. I was unable to find any ghostly tales about Edgeley Park which was rather disappointing given its rich history and heritage. And though I am still haunted by some nightmare performances during my time with the club, I could find no spine-chilling ghost stories or unexplained events within the County annals. So, whilst we continue to endure the eerie silence and ghostly emptiness of the terraces let’s hope that on the pitch our positive spirit enables us to overcome any malevolent entities from the ‘other side’. Enjoy the game. Osh

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Deadly Duos Steven Davies

Jason Oswell & Matty Warburton Hello again to the digital version of the official matchday programme where we are looking at the ‘deadly duos’ that have graced gods green acre over the past years. Today, we welcome Weymouth (virtually anyway) for what should be a cracking game of football. Today I want you to cast your mind back to the 2017/18 season. We not only had a successful season that saw us finish in the play-offs but we also reached the Quarter-Final in the FA Trophy, losing out in a replay away to Brackley Town. Firepower wise that season we had signed two very good players and goalscorers in Jason Oswell and Matty Warburton, both in their first season at County after being snapped up pre-season. Jason Oswell (who had been playing inbetween the English lower leagues and the Cymru Premier) was signed from Newtown in Wales where had scored 25 in 40 games. Matty Warburton had spent the season before playing for Curzon Ashton before a spell at Salford. He had also scored an incredible 13 goals in the last 16 games of the previous season which had (rightly so) caught the eye of Jim Gannon looking to replace previous top scorer Danny Lloyd. Neither players would disappoint and on the first home game of the season both found the net to get them of the mark in a 3-0 win against Gainsborough. This then followed with Jason netting an incredible nine goals in his first eight games for the Hatters as they pushed for promotion. Throughout the season they both scored an incredible 50 goals between them in the league and cup competitions, with Jason netting 29 and Matty getting the remaining 21 goals. With numerous league clubs sniffing around at the end of the season Jason ended up getting a transfer to League Two club Morecambe. After that he went to play back across the border for Wrexham before recently signing for AFC Telford.

Matty Warburton

Jason Oswell

Matty, on the other hand, stayed on for another season with County where he beat the season before and scored 27 goals to finish as our topscorer. This also included an incredible nine goals from four games during a mid-season period. With himself and players like Mulhern, Bell and Stephenson also scoring and playing alongside him these goals helped County win the league on the last day of the season at Nuneaton. Matty Warburton then went out on a high and signed for League Two club Northampton Town before going out on loan to Yeovil Town. It is players like these that although they may have been at County for a season or two, they certainly made an impact and got the results that ultimately led us to the play-offs before promotion. Let’s get another three points today and fingers crossed it won’t be long before we are celebrating again. Enjoy the game.

Community Foundation scfcfoundation.com

@scfcfoundation

Stockport County Community Foundation

0161 286 8888 option 3

Stockport County ‘Buxton Goalz 2020’ resumes We are pleased to announce our very popular ‘Buxton Goalz Project’ will resume on Wednesday 4th November 2020 at Buxton Community School. The National League Trust funded project has been run by Stockport County Community Foundation for the past six years in partnership with High Peak MBC. The project delivers football sessions every Wednesday and Friday night from 6-8pm at Buxton Community School. The sessions are free of charge and target local children aged 10-19 years old, within the Buxton and surrounding area. The aim is to help keep participants active, help develop football and life skills for young adults, and to give participants a sense of fulfilment, enjoyment and belonging.

MBC,they have once again helped provide vital funding. Due to the success of the sessions, we also had two of Stockport County’s Academy players in recent years make the transition from player to coach. The project helped support, teach, and transition both Academy players the correct procedures and disciplines on becoming a coach, delivering on the project. Both coaches have thrived in their new roles as football coaches for the project and are both delighted to resume the sessions once again next week. They also bring an added factor to the sessions by being able to provide the players professional football knowledge and skills, in order to help develop and inspire our young participants.

Prior to the sessions stopping in March due to the pandemic, the project was continually growing significantly with over 40 participants regularly attending every Wednesday and Friday night before the break. With the continued support from The National League Trust and High Peak

Head of the Goalz Project and Stockport County Community Foundation coach Joshua RigbyBates had this to say regarding the project’s continual improvements: “I would like to thank The National League Trust and High Peak Borough Council, along with the players who

attended and our other coaches who deliver the sessions. We are really excited about resuming the sessions next week and although we have had to implement some changes due to government guidelines, we are cannot wait to see the players once again’. If you would like to know more about our Goalz Project please contact; communityfoundation@ stockportcounty.com

Check out our new Community Foundation Instagram account Please check out and follow our new Community Foundation Instagram Account @scfc_community_foundation in order to stay up to date with our current and new exciting programmes being announced all the time. We are very passionate about providing opportunities within our community and continue to make such a positive difference on a weekly basis during these challenging times.

Premier League Primary Stars Girls Festival is a great success

Free mens’ weekly football sessions resume next week

As part of the Community Foundation’s Premier League Primary Stars Programme, we continued our partnership with Lark Hill Primary School in Edgeley to deliver a Girls Football Festival recently. The day was made even more special by the attendance of our Stockport County Ladies Player Livi Wild who shared her knowledge and experience throughout the day. The day proved to be a huge success and everyone had a fantastic time showcasing their football skills. One of the girls who took part throughout the day commented: “Today has been really good. Having Stockport County work with us is fun and really enjoyed playing football with my friends. The coaches make the sessions fun; they teach you good skills to make you a better footballer. I love football, it’s my favourite sport.” The day was rounded off by a question and answer session from Livi and then we presented the girls with some prizes for their hard work and a memory of a brilliant last lasting experience with Stockport County. With football now the number one female team participation sport in England, the aim of the festival was to provide as many girls as possible with, first and foremost, a fun experience but also hopefully ignite an interest in the game that they will be able to develop through their local schools, clubs and County FAs.

We are delighted to be once again using the power of football to engage with local men in Stockport. The ‘Turn up and Play’ project offers men over the age of 18 the opportunity to take part in FREE football sessions once a week at the Life Leisure Complex in Brinnington from 10.15am to 11.15am. The aims of these sessions include raising young people’s aspirations, improve community cohesion, reduce anti-social behaviour and increase community pride. We also provide the opportunity for the group to socialise after each session with refreshments provided. The first session after the enforced break will take place on Tuesday 3rd November 2020 and everyone in the Foundation is excited about developing the programme once again over the coming weeks. Matthew Bailey, Assistant Community Foundation Manager at Stockport County, said: “We are delighted to be in a position to be once again delivering these weekly sessions every Tuesday morning. The sessions delivered are designed to help learn new skills, meet and interact with new people in a fun and safe environment. Whilst having the opportunity to work with our passionate team of coaches within the Foundation. If you would like more information about this programme, please don’t hesitate in contact the office.

Talking Football Sam Preston

No sooner had ‘Project Big Picture’ been unanimously rejected when reports of a European Premier League emerged, backed by the billions of JP Morgan. Liverpool and Manchester United were once again leading the charge, seemingly determined to alter the face of English football irreversibly. Within the Big Picture proposal, there were a lot of things which may improve the state of the game in this country; greater grassroots funding, a fairer distribution of wealth, more money for non-league fans and cheaper tickets for fans. But you’d like to think that the current six richest clubs in the country would offer a few decent carrots considering they were proposing to alter the fabric of English football and tilting the balance of power irrevocably their way. They saw the current crisis facing EFL clubs as a moment of opportunity and swooped, offering some short-term sweeteners to desperate teams in the hope of having their power grab waved through.

They saw the current crisis facing EFL clubs as a moment of opportunity and swooped, offering some short-term sweeteners to desperate teams in the hope of having their power grab waved through.

Liverpool and Man United led the Project Big Picture proposals

Thankfully, it was rejected. The European Premier League idea seems, at the time of writing, to be designed to replace the Champions League, instead of being a breakaway which would see the likes of United and Liverpool split from the English pyramid forever. But with every outrageous suggestion, aimed at further plundering money from English football, it is tempting to wonder what life would be like if the ‘big six’ did just that and left the rest of us to it. The Premier League’s television rights would no longer be worth billions, but that may mean Championship clubs are no longer overstretching their expenditure in a reckless attempt to get there. Instead of a division where an absolute maximum of six teams start the campaign with realistic ambitions of winning it, a more competitive topflight could emerge.

Granted, when fans can return, they would not be able to visit some of the great sporting arenas of this country. But the current competitive imbalance has meant plenty of those trips end in a predictable defeat at the hands of a lucratively assembled opponent anyway. That’s not to say it would definitely be a wholly good thing if the ‘big six’ no longer took part in English football – there’s no use being glib about what would be a seismic change – but it is worth wondering how bad it would really be.

Fans can see they’re being ripped off, and there must be hope that the events of 2020 have proved a tipping point in terms of getting a better deal for them

This also ties into the issue of the £14.95 payper-view price plan. Fans of EFL clubs have been paying £10 for iFollow access for months, with the only real discontent surrounding the reliability of the streams.

If anything good is to come out of the doomed Big Picture proposal, it would be a conversation around some of those aforementioned sweeteners.

There is greater resentment at paying £4.95 more for Premier League clashes which wouldn’t be televised anyway because the amount raised represents pocket change for clubs in a division which spent over £1bn on transfer fees during the summer, in the middle of a pandemic.

Why is it that the only way away tickets can be capped at £20 is if the balance of English football is changed forever? It’s a nonsense. But a dialogue needs to be started around making it a reality, while making it clear that the cynical power grab will never be acceptable.

Fans can see they’re being ripped off, and there must be hope that the events of 2020 have proved a tipping point in terms of getting a better deal for them, now that their impact on their clubs has been starkly underlined.

But while we wait for the latest cash-soaked proposal from the top of the game, it is worth remembering that the game in this country would survive – and could thrive – without its very richest clubs.

Pay-per-view pricing has also caused resentment in recent weeks

Hatters v The Terras

Facts & Figures Head to Head

Goals scored

Previously at EP

Played: 0

County: 0 Weymouth: 0

Played: 0

County: 0

Weymouth: 0

Draws: 0

They played for both clubs

Abs Bell-Baggie

Matty Bound

Jordan Rose

Now at Eastleigh, Abdulai Baggie joined in the summer from Weymouth. The 28-year-old was a key part of Weymouthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play-off campaign last season and was also a member of the squad that won the Southern League Premier two seasons ago.

Central defender Matty Bound, who began his career at Southampton, enjoyed a hugely successful spell at County between 1994 and 1997, before continuing in the Football League with Oxford United and Swansea City.

Jordan Rose had two spells in defence at County (2010/11 and 2012), and double that number playing for Weymouth. He had his first stint with the Terras during 2009/10, before returning on loan from Havant & Waterlooville in August 2017.

His family remained in South Wales in the latter stages of his career, while he turned out at Weymouth (two spells, from 2004-06 and during 2009) and Eastleigh.

He subsequently went back on loan a second time, for one month in November 2018, before signing permanently in July 2019. Rose left the Terras in September 2019 and joined Eastbourne Borough.

The Sierra Leonean international played in the Football League for Port Vale, Rotherham United and Tranmere Rovers, ahead of joining County, under Neil Young, for 2015/16.

2020-21

CHE

Statistics National League Team Torquay United Stockport County Sutton United Hartlepool United Solihull Moors Wealdstone Woking Notts County Maidenhead United Eastleigh Bromley Boreham Wood Wrexham Barnet FC Halifax Town Dover Athletic Aldershot Town Yeovil Town Weymouth Dagenham & Redbridge King's Lynn Town Chesterfield Altrincham

W 3 2 1 1 3 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 0

D 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1

Home L 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 0

F 5 5 3 3 7 9 4 9 4 5 8 1 2 2 3 4 2 3 2 2 4 6 0

D 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 2

Away L 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 2 2 1 1 3 1 0 2 3 2 2 1

0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 -

0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

A 4 4 2 1 2 5 5 1 5 4 0 3 5 5 2 9 4 3 4 6 9 5 5

W 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 1 0

Total L F 1 12 1 12 1 8 0 9 1 8 2 14 2 5 2 10 3 8 1 12 1 8 2 5 3 6 2 6 1 4 4 5 3 10 2 6 4 4 4 3 4 8 4 9 1 3

D 0 1 0 2 1 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 3 0 1 4 1 1 1 0 3

Total

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Goals

0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 12

Goals

0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 5 0 -

Subs

0 0 6 1 0 0 6 5 0 6 2 5 4 5 6 0 5 3 6 1 0 4 1 0 -

F 7 7 5 6 1 5 1 1 4 7 0 4 4 4 1 1 8 3 2 1 4 3 3

A 5 5 3 3 2 15 6 7 13 8 5 3 7 10 3 16 10 8 7 8 17 9 5

GD 7 7 5 6 6 -1 -1 3 -5 4 3 2 -1 -4 1 -11 0 -2 -3 -5 -9 0 -2

Play-Offs: Elimination Round (5th v 6th, 4th v 7th)

Cup Starts

Starts

Josh Barnes Nyal Bell Richie Bennett Ryan Croasdale Jordan Downing Max Greenhalgh Ben Hinchliffe Liam Hogan Jack Hopkins Connor Jennings James Jennings Jordan Keane Mark Kitching Lois Maynard Sam Minihan Adam Owen Ash Palmer Alex Reid John Rooney Macauley Southam-Hales Finley Stanyer Jamie Stott Adam Thomas Jordan Williams Own goals Total

W 2 2 3 2 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

Play-Offs: Semi-Finals (2nd v 5th/6th, 3rd v 4th/7th) League

Player Roll-Call

A 1 1 1 2 0 10 1 6 8 4 5 0 2 5 1 7 6 5 3 2 8 4 0

Subs

Promotion

P 6 6 5 5 5 6 6 5 6 5 4 5 6 5 5 6 5 6 6 6 6 5 4

Starts

# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

STERFIELD FC

0 0 7 1 0 0 7 6 0 6 2 6 4 6 7 0 6 4 7 1 0 5 2 0 -

0 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 5 0 -

0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 13

Pts 15 13 12 11 10 10 10 9 9 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 4 4 4 4 4 3 3

Form Last 6 Matches W L W W W W L W W W W D W W W L W W W W D D L W W W D D L L W W W W W L W D L L W W W L L L L W W W W W D D L W L D W - L D W L W W L W L L D L W L W D W L D D D W L L L L W L L W D L D D L D D L D L L L W L L L W L D L D W L L L L L W L L L D L D D - Relegation

National League Records Biggest Win 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 8

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Saturday 10 October 2020 Solihull Moors 5-0 Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn Town Tuesday 13 October 2020 Dover Athletic 0-5 Aldershot Town Tuesday 13 October 2020 Wealdstone 2-5 Stockport County

Most Goals

Saturday 17 October 2020 Wealdstone 4-3 Wrexham

Top Goalscorer

Tom Denton (Chesterfield) 5 = 3 Goals + 2 Penalties

On his full debut, Ryan Croasdale won Man of the Match against Solihull Moors

# 1 7 23

National League Fair Play Team Notts County 3 Stockport County 7 Yeovil Town 23

0 0 1

Pts 12 28 102

Cut off dates for number of yellow cards in league matches only, cups are different: 5 = Following 23 fixtures , 10 = Following 37 fixtures, 15/20 = End of the season Automatic league suspension starts next match after an offence, automatic cup suspension starts next match after an offence in the same competition Yellow cards are specific to each competition, red cards apply across all competitions All details up to date as of Thursday 29 October 2020

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2020-21

Fixtures & Results Date

Opposition

Comp

Score

Att Pos

October 2020 Sat 3

Torquay United

A NL

0-1

- 21 Hinchliffe

Minihan

Jennings J

Maynard

Palmer

Hogan

Kitching

Tue 6

FC Halifax Town

H NL

2-1

- 10 Hinchliffe

Minihan

Southam-Hales ¹ Maynard

Palmer

Stott

Kitching 1 ²

Sat 10

Dover Athletic

H NL

3-0

Hinchliffe

Minihan

Stott

Maynard

Palmer

Hogan

Kitching ²

Tue 13

Wealdstone

A NL

5-2

Hinchliffe

Minihan

Jennings J ¹

Maynard 1

Palmer

Hogan

Keane

Sat 17

Chesterfield

A NL

2-1

Hinchliffe

Minihan ³

Stott ¹

Maynard

Palmer

Hogan

Kitching 1 ²

Sat 24

Chesterfield

H FAC4Q

1-1

Hinchliffe

Minihan

Stott ³

Maynard

Palmer

Hogan 1

Thomas

Tue 27

Solihull Moors

H NL

0-0

Hinchliffe

Minihan

Stott

Croasdale

Keane

Hogan

Thomas

Sat 31

Weymouth

H NL

November 2020 Wed 11 Notts County

A NL

Sat 14

Dagenham & Redbridge

A NL

Sat 21

Eastleigh

H NL

Sat 28

Hartlepool United

A NL

December 2020 Sat 5

Bromley

Tue 8

Barnet

A NL

Sat 12

Sutton United

H NL

Altrincham

A NL

Mon 28 Wrexham

H NL

Sat 19 Sat 26

A NL

FAT3

January 2021 Sat 2

Altrincham

H NL

Sat 9

Maidenhead United

A NL

Sat 23

Boreham Wood

H NL

Tue 26

King's Lynn Town

A NL

Sat 30

Woking

A NL

Tue 5

CSC2

February 2021 Sat 6

Yeovil Town

H NL

Sat 13

Aldershot Town

H NL

Sat 20

Eastleigh

A NL

Tue 23

Notts County

H NL

Sat 27

Chesterfield

H NL

March 2021 Sat 6

Weymouth

A NL

Tue 9

Solihull Moors

A NL

Sat 13

Dagenham & Redbridge H NL

Tue 16

Barnet

Sat 20

Sutton United

A NL

Sat 27

Hartlepool United

H NL

April 2021 Fri 2

Aldershot Town

A NL

Mon 5

Bromley

H NL

Sat 10

Wrexham

A NL

Tue 13

King's Lynn Town

H NL

Sat 17

Maidenhead United

H NL

Sat 24

Boreham Wood

A NL

May 2021 Sat 1

FC Halifax Town

A NL

Mon 3

Wealdstone

H NL

Sat 8

Dover Athletic

A NL

Sat 15

Torquay United

H NL

Sat 22

Woking

H NL

Sat 29

Yeovil Town

A NL

Key:

CHE

STERFIELD FC

Bold = Goalscorer ¹ / ² / ³ = 1st / 2nd / 3rd Sub / = Yellow / Red Card = Penalty = Lost 6-7 on Penalties * = Own Goal

Rooney

Bennett ²

Jennings C ³

Reid ¹

Barnes

Stott

Keane ¹

Thomas ³

Bell ²

Rooney

Bennett

Jennings C ³

Keane

Barnes

Jennings J ²

Croasdale

Thomas 1 ¹

Reid ³

Rooney 2

Bennett ³

Jennings C ¹

Keane

Barnes

Jennings J ²

Croasdale

Thomas ³

Reid 1 ¹

Rooney 3 ³

Bennett 1

Jennings C

Reid ²

Barnes

Kitching ¹

Croasdale ³

Thomas ²

Bell

Rooney

Bennett

Jennings C

Keane

Barnes

Jennings J ²

Croasdale

Thomas ³

Reid 1 ¹

Rooney

Bennett ¹

Keane

Reid ²

Barnes

Jennings C ²

Croasdale ³

Southam-Hales

Bell ¹

Rooney

Bennett ²

Jennings C ¹

Reid

Barnes

Owen

Hopkins

Southam-Hales ¹ Bell ²

Stanyer

Hopkins

Ryan Croasdale is awarded Man of the Match for the Solihull Moors game in midweek, voted for by Match Sponsors Marlow Braide Solicitors

National League News CHE

STERFIELD FC

21 of the 23 National League sides took a break from league action last Saturday, with the FA Cup providing the opportunity for some much-needed prize money and the chance of a dream tie in the First Round Proper. Whilst that ‘dream tie’ might not really have materialised for our counterparts with former cup winners Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic all drawn elsewhere, Woking’s win against Aldershot earned them a home tie against Gillingham of League One, with The Gills representing the highest-ranked opposition for the 12 National League sides that made it through to Monday nights draw. County’s victors Chesterfield landed a nice draw too, with a trip to League One side Rochdale ahead for them. Barnet and Eastleigh also have League One sides to face, in Burton Albion and MK Dons respectively, and both will fancy their chances, with their opponents experiencing poor starts to the season. Barnet and Eastleigh will have home advantage too. Bromley will take on Yeovil in the only all National League tie of the round, with the other six teams from our league due to take on League Two opposition. King’s Lynn Town will perhaps be the most excited, with a trip to the 19,000 capacity Vale Park, home of Port Vale, to look forward to. It may well be the biggest stadium The Linnets have played in since their formation in 2010. Hartlepool United were big winners last Saturday, knocking six past Ilkeston Town, and their reward is an away trip to Salford City. Dave Challinor’s men will travel in good heart too having had a positive start to the season, though an 85th-minute equalising goal conceded to Altrincham on Tuesday night in a 1-1 draw will undoubtedly rankle promotion-chasing Pools. That late leveller saw the North East side drop to fourth in the table, though sitting pretty at the top of the league going into today’s games are Torquay United, who picked up their fifth win in six games away at Aldershot. Victory was secured with three goals in eight minutes either side of half time, with all the w’s (as Ken Boxshall might say) doing the damage – goals from Wynter, Wright (twice) and Whitfield earning a 4-1 win.

Not many pundits will have tipped Torquay for the top, even at this relatively early stage of the season, and likewise Sutton United are revelling in defying predictions too. Matt Gray’s men have four wins from five after their latest success at Yeovil Town, with a Harry Beautyman brace moving them up to third place. Beautyman scored 14 times from midfield last season and is now off the mark for this campaign too. Sutton’s fellow London side Wealdstone also recorded another win, their third in six, to find themselves in the play-off spots. A Danny Parish hattrick fired The Stones to a 3-2 victory away at King’s Lynn Town. Remarkably, Wealdstone’s six games have featured 29 goals, with their attack-minded formation seemingly always guaranteeing goals, albeit at both ends. All of a sudden Maidenhead United have shot up the league, with three successive wins lifting them from bottom of the table to ninth. Manager Alan Devonshire admitted recently that “no-one saw them coming”, referring to wins over Wrexham and Notts County, and their fine run of form in the league continued with a 2-1 win over Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday night. For their part Dagenham and Redbridge have had a very slow start to the season, with just one win in six leaving them perched on the edge of the relegation zone. They were many tipsters’ outside bet for promotion, though improvements are clearly needed before those predictions come true. The big movers in the bottom half on Tuesday night were Dover Athletic, who gained their second win of the season, overcoming Eastleigh 3-2 to climb six places to 16th. Dover are at home again today, hosting Altrincham, though the game of the day might well be at Huish Park, Yeovil, where the home team go searching for a muchneeded first win of the season at the seventh attempt, taking on fellow slow starters Chesterfield, who currently sit second bottom. Both teams have ambitions of a return to the Football League come the season’s close, though three points today would simply be a welcome relief after a poor first month.

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Stockport County

Weymouth FC

1 Ben Hinchliffe

[1357]

1 Gerard Benfield

2 Sam Minihan

[1359]

2 Brennan Camp

3 James Jennings

[1397]

3 Corey Jordan

4 Liam Hogan

[1395]

4 Josh Wakefield

5 Ash Palmer

[1372]

5 Adeoye Olumiwiya

6 Lois Maynard

[1394]

6 Jordan Ngalo

7 Adam Thomas

[1373]

7 Alefe Santos D’Abadia

8 John Rooney

[1400]

8 Jake McCarthy

9 Richie Bennett

[1396]

9 Ben Thomson

[1339]

10 Josh McQuoid

10 Connor Jennings 11 Jordan Williams

11 Jack Dickson

12 The Blue & White Army

14 Myles Anderson

14 Mark Kitching

[1398]

15 Josh Leslie-Smith

15 Jamie Stott

[1380]

16 Andreas Robinson

16 Jordan Keane

[1370]

17 Calvin Brooks

17 Macauley Southam-Hales

[1401]

18 Sam Pearson

18 Ryan Croasdale

[1402]

19 Jack Hoey

19 Alex Reid

[1399]

20 Cody Cooke

20 Nyal Bell

[1367]

21 Jack Bycroft

21 Joshua Barnes

22 Harry Burns

23 Finley Stanyer

23 Cameron Murray

24 Jack Hopkins

24 Tom Whelan

25 Adam Owen

25 Harrison Bruton

26 Louis Britton

26 Oliver Harfield

The numbers in brackets are each player’s unique Stockport County Appearance Number (SCAN), showing his position in the list of players to make their debut for the club in a senior competitive game. For more information please visit www.scanscheme.org

Today’s other Vanarama National League fixtures (3.00pm unless stated) Boreham Wood v Dagenham & Redbridge Bromley v Eastleigh Dover Athletic v Altrincham FC Halifax Town v Wealdstone Hartlepool United v Torquay United (5.20pm live on BT Sport) King’s Lynn Town v Woking Maidenhead United v Solihull Moors Wrexham v Sutton United Yeovil Town v Chesterfield

Match Officials Referee Andrew Kitchen Assistant Referee 1 Nicholas Hawksby Assistant Referee 2 Alex Gray Fourth Official Henry Naylor

Next At Edgeley Park

Eastleigh Saturday 21st November 2020 Kick-off: 3.00pm Vanarama National League

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