Skip to content

Jan 15

County Charity Cycle

‘Port to ‘Port by Bike

On Saturday 17th March 2012, Stockport County supporters are getting on their bikes for the “County Charity Cycle” to raise money for good causes.  The bike ride will follow a route from Stockport County FC’s stadium at Edgeley Park to Southport FC’s ground at Haig Avenue, ahead of the fixture between both teams in the Blue Square Premier League.  Co-ordinated by County fans, Russ Johnson, David Roe and Adrian Stores; and Amanda Brown from St Ann’s Hospice, the event will raise money for St Ann’s Hospice and Stockport County Supporters’ Co-operative.

Catering for leisurely, fun cyclists and more seasoned riders, the ride is open to all who want to join in.  Anyone wishing to take part should be 16 years of age or over.  Cost of entry is £15 and all riders gain free entry into the match, courtesy of Southport Football Club. Southport’s Director and Commercial Manager, Haydn Preece, comments: “Of course we will give free entry for those cycling as fundraisers on the day”. The selected route covers a total of 46.7 miles, and is flat.

The generous sponsors assisting the County Charity Cycle include Bullocks and P Fahey & Sons (who will return the cyclists and their bikes respectively to Stockport), Parfetts, Life Leisure and Decathlon. County’s Commercial Manager, Rob Clare said “I think a cycle ride to Southport sounds like a good idea and St Ann’s Hospice would appreciate some extra support”. He has agreed to cycle himself.  The leading fundraisers from males and females will receive a special, limited edition “26 – Cycling” 3 piece kit from the Olympic Range of clothing kindly donated by Adidas.  More details are available at: www.countysupporterscoop.co.uk 

St Ann’s Hospice provides care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers. All its services are free of charge and it has to raise £16,000 each day to provide these.  St Ann’s Hospice cares and helps around 3,000 patients (over the age of 16) every year affected by cancer and non-cancer life limiting illnesses. The Hospice provides care on three sites and in people’s own homes, working in partnership with acute hospitals, primary care trusts, community services and voluntary organisations. St Ann’s Hospice celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011. St Ann’s Hospice is the adopted Charity of Stockport County Football Club in 2012-2013.

Stockport County Supporters Co-operative is the democratic and representative voice of the supporters of Stockport County Football Club, with objectives to strengthen the bonds between the Club and the community which it serves.  It is organising a variety of community initiatives and shows that supporters are working to preserve the Club, which it sees as a vital asset of the community of Stockport, for future generations.

Jan 12

Darlington
1 Comment

Dead as a Darlo?

Variation on the ‘dodo’ theme, but let’s hope extinction isn’t just around the corner.

Whilst, one club, Weymouth, gets a firmer footing and will revert back to full-time status after a torrid time, poor Darlington lurch from crisis to crisis.  I have feared the same fortunes for my beloved County.

Darlington could cease to trade this week, unless a new owner is forthcoming, according to administrator, Harvey Madden.  White knights are not as prevalent these days!  Darlo are in administration now for the third time in recent years.  The Administrator comments: “Things are still dire. We have not had any definite interest. We have seen a hell of a lot of people interested in the last week. No one has taken it a step further and quite a few have withdrawn. Without money, the club will not survive. I will have to make decisions by the end of the week and assess it.” Deja vu – Stockport County?

Jan 3

GA

R.I.P GA

Saddened to learn of the premature death of former Stockport County Manager, Gary Ablett, at the youthful age of 46. Personally don’t think he had anything other than a ‘poisoned chalice’ at County – in that period of decline, demise and whilst penniless at the Club.  On all accounts a nice fellow who deserved better and a longer life.  He passed away after a 16-month fight with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Dec 26

Mardinspor

World Language

It’s an old adage but “football is a world language”.  How often have I referred to this, with a comment on football being just the ice-breaker to remove any barriers in conversations or warm up a new acquaintance in commerce.   I recall my times in Aarhus and Copenhagen (Denmark) when amongst MDs I discovered the ‘Wembley Club’.  My own book has this as a recurring theme.

My last encounter was the Owner/Designer at Loka jewellery.  On learning that I was married to a Turk, support Kocaelispor in Turkey (obviously to a lesser degree than County!) and had bought my Son, a cim bom shirt for Christmas – he emphasised that even Barcelona would be defeated by his home team in Mardin.  The explanation that followed suggested such a slope on their home pitch (Mardinspor) and on the edge of a ‘mountain’ that the fear and vertigo would undermine even the best team.  Must look into this Ground in more detail – but a nice story anyway.

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →