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Posts tagged ‘county’

Jun 17

Stockport Fans S'PORT

There’s only two S’PORT teams!

I said only Stockport County in this blog….”S’PORT”; not to be confused with Southport.  Yet the two S’ports will now meet in the Blue Square Premier (BSP) League next Season.

The other S’port has had its ‘punishment’ of relegation rescinded and will actually feature in the BSP. Despite finishing fourth from the foot of this Division, the expulsion of Rushden and Diamonds has saved them from descending to the Blue Square North. Rushden and Diamonds were thrown out at the League’s AGM because of its continuing uncertainty and financial instability.  In effect, it could not guarantee to be able to fulfill its fixtures for 2011-2012. A court hearing followed after a major creditor issued a winding-up order over unpaid debts. Déjà vu?

It has been a tough year at Rushden after they had earlier faced a five-point deduction for submitting incorrect financial information. The Club’s Chairman has said: “We weren’t allowed to attend the AGM as we were suspended from membership so we were not allowed to voice our opinion”.

The Ground has since been repossessed and without external investment the future looks bleak its’ supporters’ trust, ‘Save RDFC’, has announced.

Jun 12

Vernon Bear

Hoddlegate

So National media today publishes an interest in investment by GHA (Glenn Hoddle Academy) to Stockport County.  No surprises where this might have come from with the Tottenham connection.  A strategic alliance ‘yes’ but takeover ‘not sure’.  With ‘Wardy’ and ‘Lordy’ currently in post, the indigenous team are more than capable of continuing their already impressive record of talent spotting and developing youth.  I could even assist with my Turkish connections. 

My fear is the amount of times that unfounded or unscrupulous characters crawl out to express a desire in owning a football club.  I have witnessed it many times with some household names expressing a potential bid but our ‘due diligence’ actually confirming that they haven’t got a “pot to piss in”.  

The latest publicity will appeal to the fans, but I offer a word of caution on premature excitement.  If some of the characters supposedly involved are true, then I’m already nervous. And claims of Council-relationships that mean an iconic new stadium cause me concern – as that’s not what I’ve heard. 

Whilst, it’s rare for me to agree with much that “County” do these days, I do think that “show me the money” and an honest and robust appraisal is fundamental.

Jun 9

Stockport County Fans Edgeley Park
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Who are your favourites?

No doubt not everyones choice but just picked ‘my all time’ team at Stockport last night (since I’ve been watching):

1. Paul Jones 1996-1997 Another Welsh international goalkeeper. I can recall at least three in my lifetime. Bought from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

2. Sean Connolly 1992-2001 Plucked from obscurity in amateur football in Sheffield where studying to be a physio. Now same job at Cardiff City, up until recently under former ‘County’ manager, David Jones. ‘No smoke no fire’.

3. John Hardiker 2005 Hardiker was a product of the academy system at Morecambe where he made his first full appearance at the age of 16. The same management I’m currently assisting at Stalybridge Celtic. He moved in 2002 for a fee of £150,000 to Stockport County where he famously scored two goals in a prominent victory over Manchester City. Could have picked Paul Williams here!

4. Les Bradd 1978-1981 31 goals from central defence, some notable record. Solid player. Last time I saw him was in the commercial department at Nottingham Forest. Close run with Bill Williams; Les was mainly a striker, but in defence often at “County”.

5. Tommy Sword 1979-1986 More than 230 appearances from the Geordie defender. Bought as a player who played up front but played at the rear for the team – though did score 51 goals. Believe now runs a pub in the North East.

6. Chris Marsden 1996-1997  424 appearances in the Football League and scored 22 goals as a left footed midfielder. He first came on the radar at Huddersfield Town before successful spells at Stockport County and Birmingham City.

7. Tony Hancock 1988-1989  Got from ‘Sunday league football’ I recall. Gave you that real lift of excitement every time he got the ball with his trickery in dribbling and pace.

8. Anthony Pilkington 2006-2009  Joined County from Atherton after being spotted by scoring a hat-trick against FC United of Manchester. Prominent in the 2007 record-breaking team. Now at one of my clients, Huddersfield Town.

9. Kevin Francis 1991-1995 (+2000) Never to be forgotten. Away fans teased him with ‘circus tunes’ targeting his 6ft 7 inches (2.01 metres) frame, yet he often had last laugh as a towering goal scorer terrorising the oppositions’ defences (especially in the air!). 28 league goals in consecutive seasons with Stockport in 1992-93 and 1993-94. Obtained from Derby County reserves.

10. Micky Quinn 1982-83 Now a media pundit but once a feared striker. Always a bit on the podgy side, yet those first few steps often set him apart and enabled 39 goals in 63 appearances. We picked him up from Wigan where they got shot of him saying he’d never make it in professional football. An occasional drinking partner of mine when at College in Portsmouth. 

11. Louis Cavaco 1996 -1998 Wizzard on the run, never forget that goal against West Ham in the League Cup (away). One of only a few Portuguese players to have been at Stockport.

12. Neil Edwards 1991-1997 Seem to recall got from Leeds United reserves. Welsh stopper with only real limitation that not the tallest in the game! 

13. Tommy Rowe 2007 – 2009 A player with so much potential, unfortunately sacrificed at the time of the Club’s financial difficulties by a transfer for a miniscule fee to Peterborough United. 

14. George Best 1975  Needs no further introduction R.I.P yet only played 4 games for the Club. 

15. Les Chapman 1979 (and 1985) Midfielder; also managed the Club. Came from San Jose Earthquakes back to UK and “County”. 

16. Ashley Williams 2003 -2008 162 appearances and only 3 goals. One of last must have been that scorcher against Rochdale (away). Bought from Hednesford Town. Now in premiership with Swansea City. 

I know I have missed some other talented players out, but this was my first attempt at listing players that have most entertained me over the years. What a team though! 4-4-2 with Francis and Quinn up front.

Who have I had most contact with, well that’s different. Drinking or just in same place, Andy Thorpe, Carlo Nash, Micky Quinn, Paul Jones (defender), Nicky Brookman, Lee Todd etc. Absent but not forgotten are: Rickie Lambert, Rob Clare, Carl Baker, Alun Armstrong, Stuart Lee etc.  They are all in my very own ‘Hall of Stockport County Legends’. Who would you pick?

May 11

Stockport County Wembley
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Something about Mary

The Acting Chair of Stockport County is getting more attention.  For a high profile position, when the football club has plunged out of the Football League, this could be expected.  Yet the attention is not just raised media profile but alleged death threats.  In no circumstances should a prominent official be subject to such vitriol.  As fans – calling for a perhaps perceived incompetent or unwanted official in any setting might be acceptable – but threats on a person’s life is a NO.  Nowhere is this more in focus than the actions against Celtic’s Manager, Neil Lennon – it has been suggested through some sectarian divide with their Glasgow counterparts or a person of a different political persuasion.

Only time will see if Mary remains in post.  Social media appears of ‘one voice’ at present.  Stockport Vital Football has the headline “Mary takes centre stage….again”.  A more independent source is the Stockport Express, even if we are referred to as “StoickportCounty”!

I’m sure the Acting Chair will consider her appointment as a baptism of fire in professional football after replacing the previous Chairman, Alwin Thompson around the time of departure of the team’s Manager, Paul Simpson.  Incidentally, Mr Thompson was introduced to an involvement with “County” by me.

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