Stockport County v Sutton United

Official Matchday Programme

vs Sutton United Tuesday 2nd February Kick-off 7:00pm

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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: Simon Rusk Assistant Manager: Dave Conlon Assistant Manager: Mark McGhee 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 O’Callaghan Club Doctor: Amjad Choudry Head of Commercial and Ticketing: 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 O’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 Customer Relationship Management Executive: Theo Bielby Videographer: Dan Powell

county

Editor: Keith Chapman Editorial Contributors: Andy Monks, David Ancell, Alice Gregory, Neil Simms, Gareth Evans, Steve Beswick, Mike Petch, 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, Sam Bryne, Des Hinks.

Thanks to: Tony Dolbear at Sutton United 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

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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

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Simon Rusk Good evening and welcome to Edgeley Park for tonight’s game against Sutton United.

I would also like to welcome Matt Gray, his players, staff, and officials of Sutton United to Edgeley Park.

Matt and his team have done a wonderful job at Sutton, leading them to fourth in the table and right in the promotion mix. We know they will be a tough side to face, so we really must be at our best.

I’d like to start by thanking Mark Stott and the Board for their confidence and trust in me and my staff.

This past week has been a lot to get on top of, but I’m extremely grateful to everyone who has made myself and Mark McGhee feel so welcome since we came to the club. We’re proud to be here, and we will work as hard as we possibly can to build on the excellent work already made at the club over the past few years, and continue to build a team that the supporters, and the town of Stockport, can be proud of.

We’re so excited about the challenge ahead looking forward but I understand the many challenges we will face along the way.

We go into the game on the back of an excellent performance at Woking on

Saturday. The players deserve a lot of credit and it was pleasing to see the work we did in the couple of days beforehand come out, particularly in the first half.

Everyone played their part, and it was nice to see Connor get that early goal which gave us a platform to impose ourselves on the game.

This evening’s game will be my first at Edgeley Park, and one I can’t wait for. It’s such a shame that our supporters cannot be inside Edgeley Park getting right behind us. Hopefully you will be allowed back in soon, to be right behind the players.

Every game poses a different challenge and tonight’s will be no different. The players are fully prepared, and know how difficult a challenge this evening’s opponents will pose, but they showed at Woking that when we are on song, we are a tough opponent for anyone. Over the coming weeks and months we will all have to fight hard to win, and we can only do that together - be sure that your backing and support, even from a distance, is fully appreciated by us all.

Enjoy the game everyone and stay safe.

Simon 05

Club News

Stockport County Football Club are pleased to confirm the appointment of Simon Rusk as new Club Manager on a threeand-a-half-year contract. Simon Rusk will be joined by Mark McGhee and Dave Conlon as Assistant Managers.

Simon Rusk joins the Club from Brighton where he has been Under-23s coach for six years, after three years as Under-18s coach. During this time, he has developed several young players into Brighton’s Premier League squad and top EFL clubs. He also enjoyed two spells as First Team coach under Chris Hughton. Mark McGhee brings a wealth of experience to the role having previously managed

Stockport County has rich tradition and an incredibly loyal fanbase, I’m looking to continue the great work that’s been done and can reassure fans I will devote everything to the role 06

Leicester, Wolves and Motherwell, and had a spell as assistant coach for the Scotland national team.

Simon Wilson, Director of Football, said: “As fans might expect we were inundated with interest in the role, from a variety of backgrounds, from highly experienced been-there-done-it types, to fresh thinking emerging profiles. Simon is a young talent, very highly regarded in the industry and supported

by Mark and Dave, we think we have found the best of all worlds.”

New Manager Simon Rusk said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be the manager of such a great football club. Stockport County has rich tradition and an incredibly loyal fanbase, I’m looking to continue the great work that’s been done and can reassure fans I will devote everything to the role.

We have a fantastic squad with great infrastructure and can’t wait to start working with the players.

Stockport County need to be back in the EFL and I believe together with Mark and Dave we can steer the Club to success.”

Academy Duo Sign New Contracts The Club is pleased to announce that academy graduates Adam Owen and Jack Hinchy have both signed full-time professional contracts at Stockport County.

Defender Adam, 18, had his first taste of first-team action in pre-season after coming on as a substitute against Fleetwood, and has signed a deal until the end of the season.

Midfielder Jack, also 18, memorably made his County debut as a substitute against Premier League West Ham in the FA Cup, and has signed an 18-month contract with the Club, keeping him at Edgeley Park until the end of the 2021/22 season.

They become the fifth and sixth Academy graduates this season to sign professional deals with the Club.

Assistant Manager Dave Conlon said: “Congratulations to Jack and Adam, who from the first day coming into the first team group have impressed all the staff and senior players with their talent and application.

“These deals give both players an opportunity to build on their progress to date and continue their development. I’m looking forward to working with them in this next phase and helping them kick on.

“It’s also a great opportunity to recognise the Academy and the role it has played to get the players their first job in football, and a big thanks to Alan, Damien and all at the Academy who have played their part.”

Fixture Updates Yeovil Town (H) The kick-off time of our National League fixture against Yeovil Town on Saturday 6th February has been changed to 5:30pm.

King’s Lynn Town (A) Our postponed National League fixture away at King’s Lynn Town has been rearranged for Tuesday 27th April, with kick-off at 7pm.

The game, which will be broadcast live on BT Sport, was originally scheduled to take place at 5:20pm, but has been pushed back by ten minutes.

The game was originally due to be played on January 26th, but was postponed due to a frozen pitch at The Walks Stadium.

Please note that because this game is being shown live by BT Sport, we are not permitted to run our County Live Stream for this game.

The fixture will now take place at the back-end of the season. in between trips to Boreham Wood and FC Halifax Town.

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Jordan Keane Jordan Keane has impressed everyone massively at Edgeley Park since arriving two years ago from Boston United.

His first season could not have gone any better, securing the National League North title, and making 52 appearances for the club as he became an integral part of the title-winning squad.

Fans’ favourite Jordan quickly made the step up into the National League and deservedly earned a new full-time contract with the club last year.

An excellent central defender, he’s also performed equally as good as a holding midfielder, and his versatility has been a real asset for County, and he has really come into his own this season, becoming one of the Hatters’ stand-out performers.

“I’m very happy with my form,” said Jordan, who started his career as a youngster at Stoke

City alongside players such as Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam before moving on to play for Tamworth, Alfreton, Nuneaton and Worcester City. “I seem to be coming into my own a bit. I played central midfield in the Conference North season, but I’ve dropped back into a back three, from where I can influence the game more. It can also come with age, I’ve learned a lot personally and collectively with the team, and I’m really enjoying my football.”

Jordan was one of many heroes in County’s excellent 4-1 win at Woking on Saturday in Simon Rusk’s first game in charge, and he has been impressed by the new manager so far, whilst explaining the squad have been professional after a difficult week.

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We’re pleased with the way things are going, although we should have won games we lost. It’s been a bit stop-start, and we don’t seem to have gotten out of third gear yet “Simon’s got a very good pedigree. I was asking people about him and he has a great coaching pedigree with his coaching badges. When he took training he was quick to say that he would be introducing short, sharp sessions.

It’s been a good few days with him and this week we will learn even more from him. Of course, we have Mark McGhee now on the training ground who has so much experience at the top level. That’s priceless and I’m sure Simon will be tapping into that.

“I’ve been through managerial changes before and you pull back on your professional side. I have the utmost respect for Jim Gannon, I spoke to him, but once you get over the shock of it, then at the end of the day the club have a vision and you have to respect that.

The main aim for us all is promotion and that hasn’t changed. I’m pleased that Dave Conlon is still at the club, he’s a top bloke, who knows the club inside out and has a great relationship with the players and the fans.”

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Jordan is happy with the progress County have made this season as the club remain firmly in the hunt for promotion to the Football League.

“We’re doing well,” said Jordan. “We’re pleased with the way things are going, although we should have won games we lost. It’s been a bit stop-start, and we don’t seem to have gotten out of third gear yet.

There’s been a few games called off and I’m pleased the Boreham Wood and Woking games went ahead.

“It’s been difficult without the fans. However, when Highlight of your career?

Winning the Conference North What is the best advice you have ever been given in football? Not long ago, I was speaking to one of my old coaches, who said just to enjoy it.

Best goal? My volley at Chester in the Conference North.

Best stadium played in? Stoke at PPL Park when we played a pre-season friendly against the Philadelphia Union If you could change one rule in football what would it be? VAR Favourite sport?

Football, boxing and basketball Favourite TV programme?

Friday Night Dinner Twitter or Facebook? Twitter

you are playing you don’t really notice them not being there, you are in the thick of it and just get on with it.

There are times this season when you think we really could have done with the fans, particularly at home in front of a packed Cheadle End. But we are lucky in a sense that we still train and play football. Hopefully everything will fall back into place and our fans will be allowed back into stadiums soon.

“I’ve told the new lads all about the fan base. I remember how many turned up for the Conference North title parade, which was a great day. Our fans are on a different level.”

During the 2018-19 National League North winning season, Keane was an integral part of the Hatters’ midfield which helped lift the trophy. He was one of the first players to sign on for the 2019/20 season, where he made 39 appearances and scored one goal, the second in a 3-2 win over eventual champions Barrow.

This season Jordan has arguably been one of the stand-out performers in the most unique of seasons, and he feels County can kick on to mount a real challenge to long-term leaders Torquay United.

“Of course, we’ve got games in hand and we’re in good form and confidence is high in the squad. We know Sutton will a very difficult game. We played them last season and they’ve got a quick, dangerous side and we shall give them the respect they deserve. The manager will have us ready for the game and we’re all looking forward to it.”

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Welcome...

Sutton United One of the form teams of the campaign so far, Sutton United, arrive here today looking for a first-ever goal against County after two goalless draws between the clubs last season.

The U’s visited Edgeley Park for the first time back in January, just days after Mark Stott’s takeover at County was announced, though it was a largely forgettable game with few chances. Very similar really to our maiden trip to Gander Green Lane earlier in the season!

This game promises so much more though, with both teams having started the season strongly. Sutton currently occupy fourth spot in the league, having amassed 31 points from their 17 games so far – the same total as County, with the two clubs only separated by goals scored.

Matt Gray is the manager responsible for leading Sutton to such giddy heights. He’s in his second season in charge, having initially joined in December 2018 as Head Coach.

Gray worked under legendary U’s manager Paul Doswell, during the last six months of Doswell’s eleven-year spell in charge, before being announced as his replacement in May 2019.

The U’s were 15th when the previous season concluded in March, with a record of 12 wins from 38 games, though with nine wins so far the class of 2020-21 look set to comfortably surpass that tally of victories within the coming weeks, highlighting the marked improvement occurring under Gray’s guidance.

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Nickname: The U’s Founded: 1898 Stadium: Gander Green Lane Capacity: 5,013 Address: Gander Green Lane, Sutton Postcode: SM1 2EY Distance from Edgeley Park: 221.5 miles (3 hours 48 minutes) Current league position: 4th

Harry Beautyman and Omar Bugiel, two reliable sources of goals from last season, have regularly been on the scoresheet again so far this campaign, netting eight between them.

Former Stevenage midfielder Beautyman is prolific at this level, with a record of a goal every three games. He top scored for Sutton with 15 last season. Bugiel, a Lebanon international, chipped in with seven and is a constant physical presence for defenders to contend with.

Another to watch out for is Millwall loanee Isaac Olaofe who bagged a first professional hat-trick in a 5-1 victory over Kings Lynn recently and has five goals for the season so far.

21-year-old Olaofe is in his second loan spell at Sutton, with a short spell at St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership in between, during which he featured away to Rangers, playing at the famous 50,000 seater Ibrox Stadium.

DID YOU

KNOW? Sutton are without a The blue and goal in their last two red seats in th e grandstand at games, though they Gander Green La ne we re given to the are in the midst of a club

by Chelsea wh run of fixtures that en Stamford Bridge was be will really stretch their ing remodelled. promotion credentials.

First up was a home game against league leaders Torquay United which finished 0-0. A long trip to Hartlepool United then followed on Saturday, with The U’s going down 1-0. Boreham Wood are also due soon after tonight’s game, as a very tricky spell concludes.

Since rejoining the National League in 2016, after a 16-year absence, Sutton’s highest placed finish was third in the 2017-18 season, which ended with defeat in the play-offs to Boreham Wood.

The Gaffer: Matt Gray Appointed to his first managerial role at the beginning of May 2019 following the resignation of Paul Doswell, having originally joined the coaching staff the previous December. He previously had spells as Assistant Manager at Eastleigh, Aldershot and Crawley, while as a player he began his career with Tottenham and played for Cardiff, Hayes and Havant & Waterlooville before being forced to retire early through injury.

Memory Match

Despite Saturday’s setback, Sutton have started this season superbly. Could promotion to the Football League beckon in 2021? A win tonight would be a great boost towards that target.

The U’s have picked up 14 points on the road so far, with four wins from eight games, though they’ve only found the net nine times away from home, which is one of the lowest tallies amongst the promotion chasers. Perhaps we should expect a tight, cagey affair tonight then, with whoever scores the firstever goal in this fixture being a potential match-winner.

Sutton United 2-1 Coventry City 7th January 1989, FA Cup Third Round

One of the greatest giantkillings in FA Cup history took place more than 30 years ago when First Division Coventry City travelled to Gander Green Lane to face GM Vauxhall Conference side Sutton United.

earned a famous win through a late goal by Matthew Hanlan.

The U’s took the lead through Tony Rains’ header, before David Phillips equalised for the visitors.

Coventry: Ogrizovic, Borrows, Phillips, Sedgley, Kilcline, Peake, Bennett, Speedie, Regis (Houchen), McGrath, Smith.

Gander Green Lane then erupted as Barrie Williams’s men deservedly

Sutton: Roney, Jones, Rains, Colley, Pratt, Rogers, Stephens, Dawson, Dennis, McKinnon.

Hanlan

Referee: A Buksh (Donis Hill)

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The Players JORDAN ADEBAYO-SMITH (b:Jan 2001 s:Nov 2020) Recent arrival to bolster the forward line. His only other permanent club was Lincoln City from where he had loan spells with Grantham Town, Boston United and Gainsborough Trinity.

DAVID AJIBOYE (b:Sep 1998 s:May 2019) Winger who started with Brighton & Hove Albion, being loaned to Worthing and Millwall. When released in the summer of 2018 he returned to Worthing on a permanent basis.

JON BARDEN (b:Nov 1992 s:Feb 2018) Midfielder who started at Watford, before a spell in the States with James Madison Dukes and back to the USA via Ă?BV of Iceland and Ottawa Fury of Canada, to play for St Louis, from where he joined his current club.

Omar Bugiel

HARRY BEAUTYMAN (b:Apr 1992 s:Jan 2018) Attacking midfielder who after starting with Leyton Orient and being loaned to St Albans City and Hastings United had a first two-year stint with Sutton.

He moved on to Welling United and into the EFL with Peterborough United, Northampton Town, and Stevenage.

DEAN BOUZANIS (b:Oct 1990 s:Aug 2020) Goalkeeper who returns to England for a third spell some six years after leaving Carlisle United. Since then the Australian has played for homeland sides Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City with a loan at PEC Zwolle (Netherlands). After various youth clubs in Australia he moved to Liverpool from the New South Wales Institute of Sport, going on to be loaned to

Accrington Stanley, then appearing for Oldham Athletic before moving to Aris Thessaloniki in Greece.

WAYNE BROWN (b:Aug 1988 s:Aug 2018) A graduate of the Fulham Academy being loaned by them to Brentford, TPS Turku and Bristol Rovers who he joined permanently. The midfielder returned to Finland with TPS and SJK before joining Sutton after two years with Australian side Newcastle Jets.

RHYS BROWNE (b:Nov 1995 s:Jan 2021) Right winger who left Port Vale in the summer and spent a short time with Wealdstone at the end of the year. After being with Interwood FC and Norwich City as a youngster he joined Charlton Athletic and then Aldershot Town. Returning to the EFL with Grimsby Town, from there he played for Macclesfield Town on loan and Yeovil Town.

OMAR BUGIEL (b:Nov 1996 s:Jun 2019) Came to England to sign for Chichester City after playing for TSV 1860 in Munich. The striker moved on to Selsey, before turning out for Bognor Regis Town, Worthing, Forest Green Rovers and, after a loan spell, Bromley.

Harry Beautyman

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KENNY DAVIS (b:Apr 1988 s:May 2017) Another midfielder, he signed after a season with Boreham Wood, but was previously with Braintree Town for six seasons. He started with Chelsea, before moving on to Dagenham & Redbridge, Harlow Town and Grays Athletic.

CRAIG DUNDAS (b:Feb 1981 s:May 2019) A player who has twice been signed from Hampton & Richmond Borough but was first brought to the club in 2007 after playing for Dulwich Hamlet, Croydon Athletic and Carshalton Athletic, the forward or midfielder also had a spell away from the club on loan with Tonbridge Angels.

CRAIG EASTMOND (b:Dec 1990 s:Sep 2015) Midfielder who began his career with Arsenal before loan spells at Millwall, Wycombe Wanderers and Colchester United, who he then joined permanently.

His most recent side were Yeovil Town.

BEN GOODLIFFE (b:Jun 1999 s:Jul 2019) Central defender who was released by Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of last season. They had signed him from first club Boreham Wood, and he was on loan at Dagenham in 18-19.

BRAD HOUSE (b:Oct 1998 s: 2020) Goalkeeper signed after being released by West Bromwich Albion, where he had spent six years.

He was previously on Arsenal’s books and is dual registered with Horsham. Whilst with the Baggies he went on loan to Banbury United and Chippenham Town.

LOUIS JOHN (b:Apr 1994 s:Nov 2019) Signed permanently for a fourth spell in January 2019 after being on loan from Cambridge United. He started with Sutton, first leaving for Crawley Town. After return stints, one on loan, he switched to Cambridge.

The defender had also had loan spells with Bognor Regis, Metropolitan Police, Hemel Hempstead Town, Hampton and Ebbsfleet United.

CALLUM KEALY (b:Sep 1998 s:Jan 2020) Joined from Worthing initially on dual registration terms. The forward started with Brighton before moving on to Lewes and Met Police.

ADAM LOVATT (b:May 1999 s:Nov 2020) Central midfield player signed after three seasons with Hastings. He has also played for Eastbourne Borough.

BEN MARGETSON (b:Sep 2000 s:Jan 2021) Central defender who joined for the rest of the season on loan from Cardiff City.

JUDE MASON Left-back who is a graduate of the club’s academy.

He has been sent out on loan to Hampton, Walton Casuals and Merstham.

ROB MILSOM (b:Jan 1987 s:Aug 2019) Beginning with Fulham, this player, who is at home in midfield or at left-back, was loaned to Brentford, Southend United and Finnish club TPS, then moved to Aberdeen. Returning to England he added Rotherham United, Crawley and Notts County to his CV. ISAAC OLAOFE (b:Nov 1999 s:Oct 2020) Forward who is on his second loan spell from first club Millwall. Between these stints he also headed to Scotland on a similar deal to play for St Johnstone.

BRADLEY PEARCE (b:Mar 1999 s:Nov 2018) Central defender who was promoted from the Academy squad. He has been on loan at Bedfont Sports, Egham Town, Hampton, Walton and Farnborough WILL RANDALL (b:May 1997 s:Jul 2019) Winger who began his career with Swindon Town before moving to Wolverhampton. He subsequently had loan spells with Walsall, Forest Green and Spanish club Jumilla before being released and joining Newport County.

COBY ROWE (b:Oct 1995 s:Jan 2020) Central defender brought in from Haringey Borough, having previously been with Wingate & Finchley.

Hoping to return from long term injury.

TOBI SHO-SILVA (b:Mar 1995 s:Aug 2020) Forward who started at Charlton and had loan spells with Welling and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He then had a season on the books of Bromley before spending two years with Dover Athletic although he was loaned to Chelmsford City and Margate. Joins after a season with F C Halifax Town.

AARON SIMPSON (b:Jul 1997 s:Oct 2020) Right-back who started his youth career with Maidstone United before joining Wolverhampton. Loan spells followed at Portsmouth, AFC Telford United, Kilmarnock, and Jumila. He then signed for Dover from Waterford.

BEN WYATT (b:Feb 1996 s:Sep 2019) Left-back signed from St Albans who was Originally a youth player with Norwich. he went on to play for Ipswich Town, Maldon & Tiptree, Colchester, Concord Rangers and Braintree.

Rob Milsom

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LIAM HOGAN

Rebellious Jukebox Gareth Evans selects Sutton on the County Rock-Ola, and presses play to discover a link with, and test the credentials of… KATIE MELUA. So, what’s the connection?

So far, all of our subjects for this column either have been born, or have lived for part of their childhood, in the towns or cities whence visiting clubs to Edgeley Park hail. Today’s, however, goes one better. She once lived on the very street where The U’s of Sutton ply their trade!

Yes, the 21st Century Queen of Easy Listening, was, you might say, ‘The Closest Thing to Sutton’ in her mid-teens, after moving with her family to a property on Gander Green Lane in 1999 - 15 years after her birth, as Ketevan Melua, in then-USSR republic Georgia, and six following the Meluas’ departure from Moscow to settle in Belfast. Katie - as she became known to the world - was still living with her parents during 2003 when, following her discovery by musical Womble-in-chief Mike Batt, her debut long-player ‘Call Off the Search’ knocked Dido’s ‘Life for Rent’ off the top of the album charts, and she would go on to dominate the middle of the new century’s opening decade as the UK’s best-selling female artist. The former pupil of Cheam’s Nonsuch High School for Girls was honoured two years ago by her inclusion in a ‘100 Women of Sutton’ exhibition - while the name Katie Melua has been given to a tulip as well as, rather further afield up in deep space, to Asteroid25131! But how Rebellious is she? Let’s ‘Take Five’…

1. She listens to the science!

Katie’s second single to make the top 10, after breakthrough hit ‘The Closest Thing to Crazy’ which had owed much to repeated Radio 2 plays by Terry Wogan - was ‘Nine Million Bicycles’, inspired by her visit to Beijing during 2005. But, more interestingly, she was taken to task by scientist Simon Singh for undermining work by cosmologists with the song’s lyric: ‘We are 12 billion light-years from the edge. That’s a guess - no-one can ever say it’s true.’ Upon receipt of the facts and an alternative set of words from Singh, Katie gamely re-recorded an alternate, and a tongue-in-cheek, version for

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Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme that set the record straight by stating: ‘We are 13.7 billion light-years from the edge of the observable universe; that’s a good estimate with well-defined error bars.’ And so, scientific accuracy triumphed over lyrical licence - and Katie, as a one-time member of her school’s Astronomy Club, conceded she should have known better - but, by way of penance, she had to suffer for her art. The line no longer scanned nearly as neatly…

2. A spider once lived inside her!

Katie was far from the old lady I - and, no doubt, you - knew who swallowed a fly. Instead, our eightlegged arachnid hero got into her ear through some monitors that Katie had worn to block out sound whilst on a flight in 2014 - and shuffled around in there for a week. An ear specialist performed a career first by removing the creature alive, before a grateful, and humane, Katie took it home in a test tube and released it into her back garden.

3. She’s in the Guinness Book of Records!

Something of an adrenaline junkie is Katie, who likes nothing better, when not working, than to board a roller coaster, or to do some paragliding or skydiving. But she became a record breaker in 2006 through a daring pursuit in the name of duty that saw her play the world’s deepest-ever gig, 303 metres below sea level. It took place under Statoil Troll A, a North Sea gas rig - watched by a small group of rig workers, a Norwegian TV crew and, naturally, an adjudicator from the Guinness Book of Records. Reports that she opened the show with ‘Faraway Voice’ are unconfirmed.

4. She’s a thrifty shopper!

Katie is well known for her charity work - having recorded various songs for good causes (including

Something of an adrenaline junkie is Katie, who likes nothing better, when not working, than to board a roller coaster, or to do some paragliding or skydiving.

those for Band Aid 20 and as half of a virtual duet with childhood icon, the late Eva Cassidy - about whom she wrote ‘Faraway Voice’), and acting as a Goodwill Ambassador for Save the Children.

She has also been known frequently to visit Oxfam shops, and buy her clothes from them, for many years. Not just out of supporting the charity, mind, but due to a genuine dislike for spending and glamour.

5. She sounds great! But isn’t her music a tad too safe?

This, surprisingly, is where Katie earns that little bit of extra Rebellious Jukebox kudos - for, over time, she has eschewed easy listening to become a more adventurous songwriter. She has also not forgotten her origins in what was until 1991 the Soviet Union.

Recently-released latest LP - her eighth, and the logically-titled ‘Album No. 8’ - sees her paired with the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra, while predecessor album ‘In Winter’ was made four years ago with the Gori Women’s Choir in Georgia.

Rebellious Jukebox Rating:… ‘The Closest Thing to Crazy 8’, which, seeing as she’s done some pretty out-there stuff, we’ll call 9!

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Gary Dicker

Phoenix From The County Flames Later this year, it will be 13 years ago since the Hatters won promotion to League One with the never-to-be forgotten Play-Off Final victory against Rochdale at Wembley.

One of those Wembley heroes was Gary Dicker, who shone in a season of so many highs for Jim Gannon’s exciting side which also boasted the likes of County favourites Liam Dickinson, Jim McNulty, Stephen Gleeson and Tommy Rowe.

Dicker was the heart of the County engine room and a real find, developing into one of the most stylish midfielders in the division alongside Dominic Blizzard.

Dicker was brought to County by Jim Gannon in May 2007 and developed into a hugely popular figure during his time at Edgeley Park.

“I loved it at County,” said Gary, who scored his only goal for County in November 2008, opening the scoring in a 5-0 win in an FA Cup First Round tie at home to Yeovil Town. “I remember the day I signed and I went for my medical. Meeting Wardy, and then the Physio Rodger Wylde had me doing laps. Some of the things he had me doing you wouldn’t get away with now! It was the first time I lived away from home and I grew up a lot.

The club couldn’t have been more welcoming and they really looked after me.”

Dicker went on to become a real fans’ favourite at Edgeley Park, playing a big part 20

in County’s 2007-08 League Two promotion campaign, which culminated in the Hatters celebrating success at Wembley, a day that will never be forgotten in the club’s history.

“We weren’t nervous,” recalled Gary on that unforgettable day at Wembley. “I remember when we were driving up, looking at the big arch, thinking we got here. It’s easy saying it now but it could easily have been a 4-1 or 5-1 win, we controlled the game and the result flattered Rochdale. We conceded a couple of sloppy goals but the whole day was just brilliant. I had 40 of my family there, the pub they were in at Wembley was absolutely rocking, singing all of the County songs. My family still talk about it and it was a great day for them. It was an unbelievable day. I got a drugs test that day so the people were with me before and after the game, and I remember Dicko soaking them with champagne! I remember it all.

“That team could have got into the Championship. Most of the squad were 21,22 and 23 with so much time ahead. It was just sad the way things happened after with players leaving.

“I still keep in touch with many of the 2008 squad such as Stephen Gleeson, Jim McNulty, and Dicko. I’ve

been on the County podcast with Dicko too. I played with Raynesy at Carlisle and it is great to see him back at the club.

“I actually met Simon Rusk before lockdown when I was doing my coaching badges. I spoke to him on a visit to Brighton a while back, and it is strange how football works with him ending up at County as the new manager. He’ll have done his own extensive homework on County and the club is in good hands. He’s a really exciting appointment for County.

“I expect him to play possession-based football after being at Brighton for the past eight or nine years. He’s done the groundwork, he’s worked with the Under-16,18, 22 and Under-23s and helped out in the first team under Chris Hughton.

He’s had a decent career. He would have done his homework on the squad. Mark McGhee will be helping him and he has great experience and always someone to lean on. He’s always thinking outside of the box.”

There have some memorable evenings under the lights at Edgeley Park and the Go Go Go County Friday nights were always ones Gary would relish. “I always enjoyed playing on the Friday nights,” he said. “I loved the atmosphere, the fans were close to the pitch, the ground was in the middle of a housing estate, we went on some crazy runs, winning eight league games in a row away from home.”

Speaking about the fans, Gary only has good words to say about their unwavering support for the club.

It was the first time I lived away from home and I grew up a lot. The club couldn’t have been more welcoming and they really looked after me

THE GAME: Wycombe Wanderers 1 County 1 THE DATE: Sunday 11th May 2008 THE COMPETITION: League Two Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg THE MOMENT: Stephen Gleeson’s goal in the play-offs at Wycombe. It was an unbelievable goal, the fans on the pitch, tempers on the touchline, it was just chaos! We were so young back then. It was a hell of a goal. Wycombe had a lot of experienced players in their team and it was a big result. I remember thinking this is what it is all about, the goal, the supporters celebrating, all summed it up.

“I always say that the fans there are probably one of the best supported teams in England.

There are a good, honest bunch and they have supported the club through the good and the bad times. I still look out for their results and I’d love to get back to game when everything gets back to normal.”

Currently Gary is playing in Scotland for Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, and he has an eye on coaching and management when his playing days end. “I am enjoying it up in Scotland,” he said. “Everybody is happy to be playing but playing behind closed doors has been difficult. Football is nothing without fans.

I’ve had Covid myself. But hopefully we can soon get fans back into stadiums when it is safe because the game needs them back.

“I’ve been helping out coaching in the reserves.

I’ve done my A-Licence and I’ll probably look to do my Pro Licence in the next year or two. I want to coach first, and learn. It’s certainly something that I will look to do in the future.

“It’s good to see young managers such as Simon Rusk being given a chance. It’s an exciting appointment for County and I hope that the club gets back into the Football League because that’s where they deserve to be.”

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SNAPPED! ing Assistant Manager Dave Conlon help r to our last out to clear snow from the pitch prio od.

Wo home game against Boreham

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Official Partners of The National League

Stockport County Colts & Junior Academy This week‘s focus is our Under-16s who have had a very disrupted year so far.

However, we have already had four players recruited into the post-16 Academy from this team and it’s a great success already for the continuous pathway from Colts/ junior Academy into County’s post16 Academy.

We already have an Under-11s Academy team who have great prospects looking forward and as the club progresses we are aiming to provide Academy teams at all age groups below 16 so that we have a graduate programme, whereby players can aim to either become footballers or take up a career in the sports industry.

It’s a great formula going forward as, of course, players cannot pin their hopes on reaching high-level football in every instance.

The Under-16s have improved rapidly this season with new recruits coming in who are hungry for success and under the tutelage of Jake Loftus, the Assistant Head Coach of the Colts, this team has started to perform and progress not only in terms of technique but also results.

The team has started to attract more strong players and we hope the season won’t be curtailed too much so that the this squad can display their wares to Damien Allen, Academy manager.

As it stands we wish the boys all the best going forward in their attempts to gain a place in the

post-16 Academy and there will also be the opportunity to take part in trials at the end of the season to see if they can impress.

As the Colts move further forward with the anticipated split into junior Academy teams, we will offer three different levels of provision, starting with the Colts whites who are our development teams. These teams will play at grassroots level where all children from the community can play in Stockport County shirts and also follow the philosophy where we intend all players to improve rapidly.

Secondly, we have the blues Colts teams who will not only represent the community but also be knocking on the door of the junior Academy teams so that they can show potential at or before 16.

The third stage as detailed would be the junior Academy teams where players will be vying for a position in the post-16 Academy with a view to representing the first team.

With Simon Rusk (we warmly welcome Simon and his team) also being successful in moving players through to the first team from the Under-23s/Academy at Brighton, we see this as a continued opportunity for players from the Colts and junior/post-16 Academy to make their debuts in the first team in the near future!

We also wish Jim lots of luck for the future and thank him for his continued support of younger players trying to break through into the senior team.

Steve Beswick 25

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The Mad Hatter’s Quiz with Paul Dean

TRIVIA

WHO AM I?

1. What year was Sutton Utd’s giant killing win against Coventry City?

2. New Chelsea Manager Thomas Tuchel has been a direct replacement twice for which top football manager?

3. Who holds the Premier League record of 310 consecutive appearances?

4. Which team is former Sutton United player and manager Dario Gradi more closely associated with?

I’m a former Hatters manager from 1936 who as a player broke the British football transfer record when I moved from Burnley to Sunderland for £6,500 in 1925.

5. Who was the first sponsor of the Premier League?

6. Who did Mark McGhee sign for from Celtic in 1989?

7. For which club did Simon Rusk play for at Wembley in the FA Trophy Final in 2009?

8. Who was manager of Manchester City when they won their first Premier League title?

T R J W G E T S O C A O F T C B A L W C

O T M B M F I A V I K G R I N R A Q S Q

O E N A K E R P D X C F X W D O W U J V

B J J L L N P Z F X J Y P X A G X C J M

C Y N L Q D T Z H P F H L Q X R N D H P

B E F D K E M I D F I E L D E R D J I M

I F E C I R F Z E J S T K H T P T K W F

G F I R A P X Z C Q F N O H H Z O F O F

D K L N E W L Z C O B X M O F J R U U V

R I X I X F K Z O W J O X C H T L L W C

Q E G N L Y E T P X N V K E F S L T Y R

P Z B K X G B R A Q F Q L F O B F Z E Q

C T N P D A W Z O M M P D L A X H D R M

F J D Q L I U Z H W F O C C Z L C L C C

V M W L M D T N B H U R K X W N E W J J

Y V B M E C C Z E M D A V W B O Q T N R

M O P I T C H Z R T K Z S K F P B D P A

Q Q J U T X V Z V B V Z N D W R M H I G

P K R S N N H Z G A X A J S Y O S F B V

Answers:

S M G O C D O S L W F K U H R G A H O T

Who Am I? Bob Kelly

FOOTBALL BALL NET PITCH BOOTS REFEREE FULLBACK DEFENDER FORWARD MIDFIELDER GOALKEEPER KICK PASS SHOOT FOUL

Trivia 1: 1989.

2: Jurgen Klopp.

3: Brad Friedel.

4: Crewe Alexandra.

5: Carling.

6: Newcastle.

7: York City.

8: Roberto Mancini.

WORDSEARCH

27

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County Heaven Hatter in Macc writes: Evening, everyone - and welcome to tonight’s visitors from Surrey, whose arrival sees our respective teams level on points in third and fourth places - and offering the prospect of an intriguing contest.

The intrigue will be intensified all the more if this rearranged fixture witnesses a goal (hopefully, of course, for us Hatters), given that both of last season’s games with Sutton - indeed, our only two meetings ever - ended scoreless!

But such sequences are made to be broken, as was emphatically the case three days ago - and in Surrey, as coincidence would have it - when, with the club’s new management team in place, we put a bogey team of the last decade at this level to the sword at Kingfield Park. Last season’s draw there had at least brought to an end a run of three straight defeats against Woking, whilst a blistering first-half performance this weekend just gone finally saw us on the way to a victory.

Clearly, a case of playing our ‘Cards’ right at the fifth attempt!

Hopefully, too, and taking inspiration from our 2021 form away from home thus far, we can get back to winning ways in SK3 - following a January that

featured two National League draws and a pair of knockout defeats here. The Woking triumph was our second on the road since the turn of the year and we might well have enjoyed three, had the weather a week ago not put on hold until April the long Tuesday night schlep East to King’s Lynn.

As ever this term, an evening under the EP lights will not have the usual old feeling about it, given the continued absence of fans. The ‘Twelfth Man’ could really have made its presence felt in the face of a challenging match against fellow promotion chasers - but do keep on transmitting those lusty cheers from afar... so long as you get on with your neighbours!

So much for this evening’s opponents. Anything U’s-ful to add, Sandy?!

Sandbach Hatter writes: Not U’s-ually - but I’ll do my best, Maccy! Although why do I get the feeling you have been Sutton that joke since the original fixture in December?!

Anyway, since there hasn’t been a great deal to discuss on the footballing front lately, our members have once again turned their attention to County

Heaven’s famous ‘Off Topic’ section, where we’ve been discussing the current pandemic, homeschooling (for those of us with younger children), and NorthYorks_exile has added a welcome bit of culture with some old pictures of Stockport market.

Meanwhile, over in the Games Room, Maccy is narrowly atop Ceefer’s County Prediction League table (just ahead of MiniHerm), while Archie is two points clear in the original Prediction League he co-hosts with Maccy.

Then, over in Lennie’s Limerick lounge, the last three winners have been Gazz, Epworth and County_fan, for their closing lines relating to the fixtures against Notts County, Dagenham & Redbridge and Boreham Wood respectively.

Elsewhere, the first four players in my latest quiz have been revealed to be Phil Neville, Eden Hazard, Anthony Pilkington (oh, how we all wish he had never left the club) and Ashley Young, but now the race is on for everyone to try and work out what connects them.

Until next time, take care of yourselves - and each other.

Animo et Fide. www.countyheaven.com 29

Steve Bellis Benny Hill, Rubik’s Cube and Smear Campaigns!

I really enjoyed Saturday. Like most County fans I had a sense of trepidation leading up to the game as change always brings about a measure of uncertainty but I shouldn’t have worried.

Having had the great pleasure of meeting Simon and Mark at the training ground last week I left Carrington greatly impressed by them both.

Simon is positive, enthusiastic and extremely focused with a manner that I knew would be well received by the players.

Mark really shocked me. I hope he doesn’t mind me saying (knowing my luck he will) but he always seemed a bit grumpy on TV. He is in fact the complete opposite, he has a wonderfully dry sense of humour and so many stories to tell. His experience in the game will undoubtedly serve Simon well.

Completing the management trio is a far more familiar figure. Dave Conlon is one of the nicest people I have ever met in the game. It must have been a difficult few days for him seeing Jim part company with the club having been by his side for so long.

Typically though he was thoroughly professional and was clearly enthused about playing his part going forward where he provides important continuity.

I was due to travel to the team hotel prior to the Woking game with our Head of Football Administration Alex Cowdy but at the last minute he informed me that he would be driving the manager’s car to the hotel leaving me on my own. I actually think he was just avoiding my 80’s playlist and vegan Fruit Pastilles.

So I ramped the tunes up and headed south and the time flew by. Before I knew it I had exited the M40 and was sat at a set of traffic lights near the hotel.

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I’m sure Alex was avoiding my vegan Fruit Pastilles

I was in such a relaxed state that I forgot I was off the motorway and continued to sing along at the top of my voice to the tune blaring out at the time.

As it happens it was a pre-80’s track, ‘Ernie, the fastest milkman in the west’ by Benny Hill.

I glanced to my left and saw a rather plump woman in the car next to me laughing at me.

I actually pretended to be coughing (like when you trip up walking down the street then break into a jog to hide your embarrassment) but was actually relieved she couldn’t hear what I was singing along to.

Once in the hotel the players, management and Alex arrived.

Hotels are very strange places at the minute as there are more staff than guests. Check-in took about 25 seconds which was great but the place where the biscuits are usually positioned in the rooms are now occupied by anti-bacterial hand wipes which just don’t taste the same.

We had been told previously that we could have a beer but only while we were eating so we made sure that we ate slowly and ordered desserts. The waiter looked a little miffed that we had taken four hours to eat two courses but it wasn’t our fault they didn’t have starters.

The media team soon arrived and even our illustrious kit man Lando couldn’t resist having a beer. Well, when I say a beer, he dragged our media man Liam Richardson out of bed as he heard he had beers.

Liam groggily got up and handed Lando one of his cans of Stella. Despite the fact that he had just woken up and could still taste toothpaste, Liam opened a can too just to be polite.

Lando took one swig of his Stella, grimaced, said ‘it’s too strong’ then left, leaving poor Liam wide awake with a mouthful of mint tasting beer and a wasted can. Cheers Lando.

There was concern overnight that the forecasted weather might result in another postponement but the ref had made it clear he wasn’t a fan of calling games off when he told Alex that ‘unless there is a duck pond with a couple of mallards on the pitch it’s on’.

Delighted we arrived at a rather soggy Kingfield Stadium and there was actually surface water in parts but thankfully no ducks.

We bumped into the groundsman who looked about as happy as a colour-blind kid who just got a Rubik’s cube for Christmas.

What followed was one of the finest performances I have seen by a County team for a long time. I’m just glad I didn’t have to choose a Man of the Match as there were too many options He told us that he really wanted the game off, but it wasn’t.

What followed was one of the finest performances I have seen by a County team for a long time. I’m just glad I didn’t have to choose a Man of the Match as there were too many options.

Alex joined me for the journey home and looked genuinely disappointed that he had missed the Benny Hill track.

It was a great end to the week as I had an awkward moment earlier in the week when in one of my bubbles (I live on my own, so I have a few).

We were chatting and for some reason I declared how unfair it was that the creator of the word ‘Lisp’ put an ‘s’ in it.

To my horror, one of the chaps in the bubble then said ‘yeah it is, I’ve got a lissssp’. I genuinely didn’t know where to look and changed the subject.

I do have the habit of putting my foot in it. I remember once a female Doctor friend of mine telling me about the importance of advertising cervical screening. I said ‘I agree, I love a good smear campaign’. Weirdly she wasn’t amused, but you can’t please everyone.

Ernie... tune!

Anyway, a warm welcome to all those who have been able to travel from Sutton and have a very safe journey home.

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Opposition View Sutton United’s James Board, who is part of the club’s SUFCtv team, gives us his view from our visitors to Edgeley Park this evening.

What are your thoughts on the season so far?

We’ve had a fantastic start to the season, picking up nine wins, drawing four and losing three, amassing 31 points along the way. Considering it took us 27 games to get to the same points-tally last season, any U’s fan would have snapped your hand off for the start we’ve had!

Which games have stood out for you?

With a start to the season as good as ours, there are several games I could pick out. Our opening-day win against Maidenhead, our 5-1 win over King’s Lynn or the 4-1 win at home to Solihull Moors. But even with all these high-scoring games , the ones that stand out for me are our back-to-back 1-0 wins over FC Halifax and Woking.

In the opening seven games of the season we had only conceded five goals, but after trips to Wealdstone and Wrexham that tally increased significantly to 12.

That’s why these two games were crucial for us to steady the ship. A great clean sheet against Halifax and a fantastic defensive display away to Woking really showed the great mentality the squad has.

Which Sutton United players are the ‘ones to watch’ this evening and why?

Again, with the season we’ve had, I could name several players to watch out for. Up front you need to watch out for Issac Olaofe, on loan from Millwall. He’s quick, strong, and loves to dribble at defenders, a real handful! Along with him, on the wing, you need to watch David Ajiboye. Again very quick, confident with the ball and one of the best dribblers in the league. If you can, look up his goal in our 3-0 win over Eastleigh, shades of Diego Maradona!

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Last season’s games both ended goalless

What are your memories of (goalless!) games against County?

Unfortunately for me, my Stockport County memories are watching us play out a 0-0 draw.

Both games last season ended the same way, hopefully there’ll be goals today!

What have been the highlights of your time following Sutton United?

The FA Cup run in 2016/17 has to be top of the list, beating Leeds and playing eventual winners Arsenal at Gander Green Lane is stuff non-league dreams are made of! Other than that, finishing third in the league the season after (our highest-ever finish) was fantastic. It was nice knowing every game I went to that we were probably going to win!

What is your prediction for this evening’s game?

Sorry to say, but I think I’ll have to go with history on this one and say 0-0!

Terrace Talk Simon Rusk got off to a flying start to life as County manager at the weekend with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Woking at the Kingfield Stadium. The team had been keen to make a favourable impression on the new management down in Surrey and they did just that with the game effectively over at half-time.

There has been no time to bask in the glory of the Woking result though, with games coming thick and fast for the former Brighton & Hove Albion coach.

Next up tonight is Sutton United at Edgeley Park having seen the initial fixture called off in December due to COVID. Whoever comes out on top tonight could see themselves in the automatic promotion places depending on how Hartlepool United get on in their game against Halifax Town at The Shay so the incentive will be there be it for Simon Rusk or his counterpart Matt Gray.

Indeed, Sutton could have been coming here looking to add further distance in the automatic spots had they beaten Hartlepool on Saturday but in the end it was Rhys Oates’s second half header which put the North East side back in the promotion driving seat.

Simon might only be fairly young in terms of starting out in management, but he has an UEFA Pro-Licence and six years of coaching at Brighton, learning off the likes of Chris Hughton and Graham Potter, both of whom are well travelled in the game.

Simon Rusk got off to a winning start at the weekend

Furthermore, he has worked with a lot of promising players at Brighton who have since made the first team on a regular basis, including Solly March, Robert Sanchez, Jayson Molumby, Ben White, Max Sanders, Steven Alzate and Aaron Connolly.

He is going to work alongside Dave Conlon and has also got the experience of Mark McGhee to call upon and that will be invaluable during his time at Stockport. Mark has

been a manager in his own right for 30 years and has managed some of the very biggest clubs in the country including Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Tonight’s game will be followed on with further games at Edgeley Park over the coming fortnight with Yeovil Town on Saturday and Aldershot Town the following weekend so it is vital that County make the home advantage count.

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The County Years

1907

County Historian Ian Watts delves into the archives to bring you some of the Hatters’ more memorable moments from years gone by.

Opening game County opened 1907 with a New Year’s Day visit from Chelsea.

County: Joe Butler, Jimmy Heywood, Arthur Waters, Bob Suart, Sammy Dodd, Ernie Cresser, Tommy White, Jimmy Pass, Fred Crump, Thomas Porter, William Lees.

It was the opposition’s second Football League season, and they were to get revenge for the defeat they suffered at Edgeley Park in their first match. Jimmy Windridge gave the visitors the lead in front of a disappointing 7,000 holiday crowd. The home favourites responded with a Fred Crump goal, but Chelsea claimed the points thanks to George Hildson. The crowd was affected by the poor weather and according to reports so was the result with the muddy conditions favouring the heavier side.

First debutant Stockport-born Inside Forward Joe Beswick came into the side for goalscorer Crump for the next match four days later, after impressing for the reserves.

He earned SCAN 118 when he played at Gainsborough Trinity. He was to figure in 10 games without

34

scoring and played the rest of his football with local sides Vernon Swifts, Cheadle and Denton.

Joe was sadly to lose his life in July 1916 whilst serving in the First World War. Summer business The last weeks of the 1906-07 season saw several men making their last appearances with Billy Kennedy (heading to Stenhousemuir), Cresser (Leyton), George Dodd (Notts Co via Workington), Pass (Tottenham H), Arthur Worsley (Stalybridge Rovers), Alf Robinson and Tommy White (both Carlisle U).

Coming in to hopefully maintain the club’s improvement since re-joining the league were Bob Carter (Burslem Port Vale), Tommy Galloway (Ayr), Tom Green (Queens Park R for second spell), Lol Abram (Colne) and Syd Owen (Northern Nomads & Stoke).

Last debutant County were to stick with known players towards the end of the year, with the last new face appearing on 9th November when Derby County visited EP. The new man was amateur Albert Cook, an outside left who had played for Potteries sides North Staffs Nomads, Burslem Port Vale and Stoke. He also appeared for County’s tenants Northern Nomads and after five games for us he re-joined BPV. Closing game We were to end the year up against another London side but this time we had to travel to the capital.

One man did most of the other work that would be regarded as a manager’s duty in modern times. Fred Stewart spent most of the years from 1896 until 1911 in the role of Secretary Manager

County: Butler, Tom Craig, Waters, Fred Smith, Suart, Albert Ambler, Tom Green, Carter, Crump, Abram, Tommy Butterworth.

On 28th December it was clear the Hatters’ party had not travelled well, or at least the journey home would not have been too happy as Clapton Orient inflicted a 4-1 defeat. With future Hatter Jimmy Greechan in the forward line, Clapton built their win on a Bill Martin hat-trick, with Mark Bell also scoring. Tom Green scored our consolation.

Most Apps In Calendar Year Arthur Waters 40 (ever present), Bob Suart 36, Joe Butler 35 Most Goals In Calendar Year Fred Crump 12, Tom Porter 8, Bob Carter, Tom Green and Jimmy Pass 4 each Worst Run 5 without win (9th February to 16th March) D2 L3 Best Run 6 unbeaten (26th October to 30th December) W2 D4 The man in charge County team selections at this time were generally decided by the committee. However, one man did most of the other work that would be regarded as a manager’s duty in modern times. Fred Stewart spent most of the years from 1896 until 1911 in the role of Secretary Manager.

Fred left his home town to create a lasting legacy at a new Welsh club, Cardiff City who he served until 1934.

And finally...

Early in the year, County faced Fulham in an FA Cup First Round tie. Nothing particularly odd there, however, we had been drawn to play at home. That home advantage was sold and the players helped make it pay with a 0-0 draw in front of 30,000 with another 12,000 at the replay also at Craven Cottage, with County banking a £720 share of receipts.

Thanks to all the anonymous donors who have supplied images for this article.

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WEST HAM UNITED

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Dawson 83’

Monday 11th January | Emirates FA Cup Third Round | Edgeley Park

The Hatters’ first appearance in the Third Round of the FA Cup for 14 seasons saw them host Premier League West Ham from four tiers above, and do themselves immense credit by keeping the ‘Hammers’ at bay for 83 minutes before a Craig Dawson header settled the tie.

Heavier rain during the half-time interval made the going rather more stodgy underfoot by the time the teams re-emerged.

But the Hatters carried on where they had left off by defending resolutely, as West Ham pressed in the energy-sapping conditions.

But the visiting substitutes began to make their mark, as Soucek headed over – and then, with seven minutes remaining, Bowen whipped in a peach of a cross from the right for Dawson to glance home and book the Hammers a meeting with Doncaster in the Fourth Round.

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Sam Byrne It seems bizarre to think that we’ve reached February before a first real ‘crunch’ tie for County in the National League, but tonight’s clash with high-flying Sutton promises to be just that and could well play a part in defining The Hatters’ campaign.

The two sides played out consecutive goalless draws last season (with the fixture at Edgeley Park most notable for Mark Stott’s first fixture at the club) and there’s nothing to suggest based on league standings that there’ll be an awful lot between the two clubs on this occasion either.

by an incredibly well-worked team move finished off by Rooney for the second goal. Given the pressure that was on Rusk and the side given the circumstances leading up to the fixture, it was an impressive win on the road – albeit against a poor Woking side on the day.

But County are coming into the tie buoyed by that resounding 1-4 win at Woking on Saturday, in what was Simon Rusk’s first game in charge of the club – set up by a blistering first-half performance which has to be right up there as one of County’s best halves of the season.

Rusk and company will know that tonight represents a first massive test of the new man’s regime, and it’ll be interesting to see whether that attacking intent shown at Kingfield on Saturday is emulated back at Edgeley Park this evening.

Based on Saturday’s early signs, there’s certainly no reason to think otherwise!

I can only think of the second half at Wealdstone to mirror that showing, when a John Rooney hat-trick sealed a 2-5 win – although that fightback came late on in the second half, rather than across a complete half of football as we saw on Saturday.

I also appreciated Rusk’s post-match interview with Liam Richardson – the new boss was evidently pleased with what he’d seen, but also gave a nod of appreciation to Jim Gannon with some acknowledgement for the work that had gone before into shaping this excellent group of players into a top National League side.

If Rusk was starting as he means to go on for The Hatters, then supporters may well be in for a treat; it was really free-flowing, attacking football capped 38

If Rusk was starting as he means to go on for The Hatters, then supporters may well be in for a treat; it was really free-flowing, attacking football

County began Simon Rusk’s tenure with free-flowing, attacking football

The appointment of the former Brighton U23 boss may have raised eyebrows in some circles last week, but taking the appointment at face value and taking the emotions on show following the departure of Jim out of the equation, it looks a shrewd appointment by The Hatters.

The 39-year-old, as has been mentioned across various social media over the last week, is qualified to the highest level by way of coaching badges and comes having carved out a reputation at The Amex for being a progressive, forward-thinking coach; a man who helped mould Albion into a club with some of the best young prospects in the country on their hands and who likes to play attacking, possession-based football.

I spoke to former County icon Gary Dicker, who played for Brighton in Rusk’s early years at the club, whose genuine excitement for The Hatters following the appointment of Rusk was really encouraging to see.

“He’s a really exciting appointment for County. He’s turned down clubs in leagues higher and has been really sought after. Pressure comes with every job, but he’ll be fully prepared and will have researched everything about the club.”

Of course, there’ll be difficulties for both Rusk and supporters given that the two parties won’t have chance to form any real connection as long as

we see the current Covid restrictions in place, but performances like Saturday and hopefully a followup showing tonight will go a long way to finding success in this new era.

Meanwhile, the continued uncertainty around the National League has definitely made it difficult for all clubs to plan for the remainder of this season and beyond. At the time of writing these notes, it looks like we may well see the National League’s top division continue whilst further questions remain over the immediate future of the National League North and South.

As is now sadly quite commonplace, the handling of the whole issue around National League funding/ grants/loans has been really poor by the relevant authorities – but we may hopefully now be reaching crunch time for a decision to be reached.

In these horrendously difficult times, the continuation of football across the country has definitely been a massive help to the mental health of supporters, players and everyone involved in the game, so fingers crossed that we see a satisfactory solution in place sooner rather than later which allows the season to continue - and allows Simon Rusk and County to kick on with a promotion push back into the Football League after a ten year absence.

Enjoy the game!

39

Physio

Luke Smith Good evening everyone.

Tonight we again have a full squad with no injuries from our weekend game at Woking. I would like to commend the lads on their professionalism during this busy period of games.

With the games coming thick and fast we will be using the time we have to focus on recovery strategies and management of the players which will hopefully see us gain maximum points and improve our league position even further.

Enjoy the game.

The Stockport County Sports Injury Clinic To arrange an appointment please call myself on 07557476154.

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41

County’s Finest Hour Back in 1964, County, rooted to the bottom of Division 4, embarked on an FA Cup run that captured the hearts of the nation.

Victories over Wigan Athletic and Grimsby Town had seen the Hatters reach Round Three where, against all the odds, they performed heroically to force a goalless draw at Third Division leaders, Bristol Rovers.

The replay, two days later, is regarded as the most emotional, action-packed game ever to be staged at Edgeley Park as County won 3-2, to set up a date against Bill Shankly’s Liverpool – the reigning Football League champions - in their own Anfield fortress.

County’s Cup exploits had jettisoned them onto a national stage, and they received an invitation from Morecambe Council to prepare for the big game in the Lancashire coastal resort.

Speaking at a Civic Reception held in County’s honour, Morecambe Mayor, Councillor John F McHale, said: “Everyone has been willing to do whatever they can to help County beat Liverpool.”

Spare a thought for Mike Eckersall, though. Whilst his teammates were enjoying Morecambe’s local leisure facilities and training at the town’s football ground, Mike, a part-time professional, worked all week before making his own way to Liverpool on the day of the game!

The tremendous media attention was manna from heaven for new chairman, Vic Bernard. Asked by one reporter if he felt County would be overawed by playing in front of so many opposition fans, he replied: “Don’t you worry about that, I think you’ll find that Kop full of Stockport folk!”

County team photo taken on the Monday after the draw at Anfield

42

Bernard wasn’t too far off the mark, either. There were indeed many ‘Stockport folk’ congregated in the sacred part of Anfield as an estimated 11,000 travelling fans had made their way to Merseyside. Three special trains, all hauled by steam locomotives, were backed

up by almost 100 coaches, mainly provided by North Western, such prolific carriers of Hatters’ fans throughout the 1960s.

The 51,851 attendance, incidentally, was the biggest in round four and, remains to this day, the biggest to watch County in any competition.

Far from being overawed, County took the game to Liverpool right from the off and, midway through the half, the travelling hordes were rewarded when the Hatters took the lead. Len White played the ball out to Johnny Watt on the right, and, when the cross came in, got his head to the ball just before colliding with Liverpool ‘keeper Tommy Lawrence. White lay flat out concussed as his teammates celebrated the goal that gave the most unlikely half-time scoreline: Liverpool 0 Stockport County 1.

That White, the Newcastle United legend, was wearing County colours is yet another strange twist of fate along this incredible Cup journey. Midfield general, Frank Beaumont, had picked up a three-game ban, one of which was the Anfield clash. Worried they would travel to Merseyside without their most experienced player, the Hatters paid Huddersfield Town £4,000 to bring the maestro across the Pennines; but for Beaumont’s suspension, one of the best-ever County players may never have arrived at Edgeley Park.

When Gordon Milne fired the Reds level after the break, Shankly’s men probably felt they would go on to record a comfortable victory. It didn’t happen. Magnificent County were still asking all the questions and then, 13 minutes from time, Ian Sandiford burst clear and was brought down by Ron Yeats for a blatant penalty. But, just like the 1950 Cup-tie against Liverpool, it wasn’t given. Sandiford may have been guilty of getting up too quickly to get his shot away, which was blocked on the line. White and then Watt saw their follow-ups suffer the same outcome as desperate Liverpool hung on to deny County deserved victory.

Reporting for the Stockport Advertiser, the inimitable Tom Turton wrote: “This was not the day County forced a draw with Liverpool, rather did Liverpool force a draw with County.

Liverpool wearing their now famous all red kit for the first time in the replay

Len White gives County the lead at Anfield

“It was the day when the famous Kop, an amazing, swirling mass of 28,000 people had been stunned into silence, the day where the vociferous cry of ‘County, County, County’, first loyal, then defiant and finally dominant, had taken over.”

Post-match, Vic Bernard pulled off a PR masterstroke when he produced 4,000 tickets for the replay: “I knew we wouldn’t lose,” he told the Liverpool Directors!”

Home tickets were scheduled to go on sale on the Sunday morning. Fans camped out all night, and when the ticket office opened at 10am, Hardcastle Road was thronged with thousands of people. There was a three-hour wait to be served. Some 24,000 were lucky.

Many others were not.

By the time Wednesday night came around, all roads led to Edgeley Park. There were crowds and policemen everywhere. Even the BBC TV cameras turned up!

The pre-match atmosphere was perfectly captured in the Times report: “What an exciting evening it was, misty and cold yet burning with the heat of combat.

Long before the kick-off the ground was throbbing at the seams, the terraces were swaying, the banners were flying, and all Stockport was ringing with the rival chants. Fever was in the air - cup fever.”

County were then welcomed onto the pitch by, according to the Stockport Advertiser’s front-page report, “the biggest-ear splitting roar since Edgeley Park was built.”

Wearing their now-famous all-red strip for the first time in a domestic game, Liverpool were the dominant force and, although the Hatters had their moments, Shankly’s men won 2-0 with goals from future England World Cup winner Roger Hunt, on 38 and 86 minutes.

Liverpool went on to win the FA Cup for the very first time that season; County, though, were the only side to take the lead against them during their historymaking run.

43

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STOCKPORT COUNTY

1

BOREHAM WOOD

1

Rooney 6’

Tshimanga 60’

Saturday 23rd January | Vanarama National League | Edgeley Park

The Hatters turned out at home in league action for the first time in three weeks – and for the first time in five years without Jim Gannon at the managerial helm – to break their duck against bogey team, and in-form away-day specialists, Boreham Wood.

The afternoon’s first incident of note also yielded the first goal. when, with just over five minutes played, Alex Reid was fouled just to the left of the visitors’ area. John Rooney then executed the resulting free-kick to perfection – curling the ball into the far top corner for his far-from-unlucky 13th goal of the season in all competitions.

But with the hour approaching, the visitors drew level. Kabongo Tshimanga, who had fired into the side-netting several minutes previously, made no mistake after being played in on the right as he blasted a well-struck shot past Ben Hinchliffe.

45

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COUNTY JUNIORS

S P O N S O R E D B Y:

Good evening, and we are back at Edgeley Park this Tuesday evening for tonight’s game with Sutton United under the floodlights.

A lot has happened since my last notes with, of course, the departure of manager James Gannon. James has been a good friend and supporter of the Juniors since he arrived at the club as a player. A regular in the Family Lounge and also at our monthly meetings along with his wife Hazel and family.

We shall miss his support and wish him all the best for the future wherever that may be.

Our last match here a week last Saturday ended in a 1-1 draw with Boreham Wood, a good result against one of the best teams in the league, who looked a threat going forward.

The pitch didn’t help but a great effort from the ground staff to get the game played at all. Including tonight we now have three home games on the run with a good chance to accumulate some points before we are off on our travels again.

That’s all for this time.

Mascots

Ella is 4 years old and is a huge County fan.

Connor Dimaio is still her favourite player, even though he’s moved on she clearly hasn’t just yet!

Eden is 3 months old. Eden is a brand new County fan and his middle name is Francis after Big Kev!

Ian Butterworth 47

All Past Players Following on from the successful All Past Opponents feature that has run over the last few seasons, we begin our All Past Players series which profiles the men who have worn the County shirts of various colours over the years.

DOCTOR BLADES played for both County and Stockport Association, as well as the Stockport Rugby team. He worked at Stockport Infirmary.

He later moved to practice in Romiley becoming a prominent member of the local golf club.

He died from pneumonia during the flu epidemic at the end of WW1.

BILLY UPTON came to the club as a full-back and put in some impressive performances with one defensive pairing seeing him and his colleague at the back called rather a warm pair. He was injured during the club’s first FA Cup tie proper and missed much of the second half. At the end of the 1895 season plans were in hand to hold a collection for the retiring player. A few years later, now a weaver, he was involved in a notorious court case at Chester Assizes but was cleared.

IKE WRIGHT’S first-team appearances all came during the 1891-92 season. His only goal came in his second appearance, 48

a 1-2 defeat at Buxton. His last game before leaving for Gorton in the summer came in a 7-2 victory over the only club below County in the table, Denton. In April 1892 he was suspended for a breach of the professional rules by playing for Stockport Shop Assistants.

TOMMY HIGSON had previously played for London Casuals and Rossall School.

Locally born the right half-back also turned out for Stockport Association but was more regarded as a cricketer, and after playing for Stockport CC went on to represent Lancashire CCC. HARRY BARNES’ first spell for County began with a goal in a friendly earning selection for our opening Combination game of the 1892/93 season. During

the season he was arrested and detained overnight before being sent to Rawtenstall charged with neglecting his family, but he was playing again by the next game although his appearances were limited after that.

JOE BIRCHENALL was a centre-half in the County side that lost our first-ever game in the FA Cup proper. He joined in 1892 after six seasons with Macclesfield, the signing was only confirmed after an enquiry and he was suspended for one month by the FA as a result.

After his delayed debut he was a regular until losing his place late the following season.

JACK ANGUS came to County from neighbours Ardwick where he had scored three goals in seven Division Two games earlier in the 1892/93 season.

He made his debut the following day as County beat Stoke side Dresden United and Jack was a regular for the second half of the season. The forward was reported to have signed for Southampton Saint Mary’s in the summer.

He made his debut the following day as County beat Stoke side Dresden United and Jack was a regular for the second half of the season BEN HARVEY is yet another Stockport Association player, joining directly from the Cale Green side, his arrival being announced at the AGM at the Conservative Club on Stuart Street, Heaton Norris.

Like Upton he was off the field for part of the FA Cup tie against Burton Swifts. A couple of years after his debut he moved on to play for West Manchester and Nelson but was back in time to help County to the Football League and played in that first Second Division season.

WILLIE McCOMBIE was one of the earliest Scottish-born players to join the club. But the inside-right took a familiar route joining from town rivals Association. He joined soon after playing alongside some County men when a combined team hosted Blackburn Rovers. He stayed for two seasons but figured little in the second and moved on to Burscough and Skelmersdale United.

Player Dr Thomas Blades Thomas Craig James Fergusson James Gotheridge Billy Jepson George Perry Tom Pixton J Ramage Geordie Smith Billy Upton Tommy Urmston Dick Godwin Will Hope Charlie Heyes Jack Muirhead Talbot Ike Wright Jimmy Bates Jack Wallwork Malkin Tommy Higson

Debut from 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 05.09.1891 12.09.1891 12.09.1891 19.09.1891 19.09.1891 26.09.1891 03.10.1891 17.10.1891 07.11.1891 09.01.1892 27.02.1892

J Roberts Jones Ross Charlie Harrison Hawes Eaton Merrifield Harry Barnes

05.03.1892 26.03.1892 02.04.1892 15.04.1892 15.04.1892 23.04.1892 23.04.1892 17.09.1892

J Entwistle Gallie W Gittins E Grewcock George Gaskell Joe Birchenall Dixon H Coghlan W Heald Sam Riley E Witterance Jack Angus Wilson Tom Gould Ben Harvey Nelson Joseph Hewitt Billy Leigh William McCombie Moores

17.09.1892 17.09.1892 17.09.1892 17.09.1892 24.09.1892 01.10.1892 08.10.1892 29.10.1892 12.11.1892 12.11.1892 31.12.1892 14.01.1893 08.04.1893 16.09.1893 16.09.1893

Additional Stockport Rugby Club Newton Heath L&YR West Manchester West Manchester Unknown Hurdsfield Rovers None None None None None None Bury None Chester St Oswalds None None Macclesfield Marple None Casuals Stockport Association None Whalley Range Bury None None None None Brierfield FC Clitheroe Witton None None Royton Macclesfield Macclesfield Bolton team None Skelmersdale U None Gorton Villa Ardwick None Buxton Stockport Association

16.09.1893 16.09.1893 16.09.1893 09.12.1893

Park Lane (Wigan) West Manchester Stockport Association Heaton Norris Juniors

49

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

Chris Ridgway

Imagine Radio Good evening, and a warm welcome to Sutton United - the first team to face County at Edgeley Park since Simon Rusk took the wheel.

Tighter in the league than two licks of paint, both County and Sutton have much to gain from a win tonight. Hartlepool will be watching with interest as a win for either side sees them leapfrogged and nine points behind Torquay - with two in hand.

On the same points-tally after the same number of games played, we’ve scored one more goal than Sutton this season, but conceded one more - it’s neck and neck stuff, but with performances like the one that kicked off the new era on Saturday, the rest of the league will be on notice.

Filling big shoes, Simon Rusk will have been delighted to send out such a statement. Flowing football, numerous goalscorers and an emphatic win, you couldn’t really ask of a better way to introduce yourself to new fans. I said to Ryan Croasdale last week (who agreed by the way!), promotion was still on. With that form, you could argue the league title is still on, no matter how strong Torquay have looked, remember Chorley?

Coming at a time where fixture congestion is likely to be peak, momentum couldn’t be more valuable. With a new manager comes a bounce, with the new set-up comes confidence and with

The players have a buzz about them

the players we have at our disposal there is trust - this could be the season County make the step back into the league.

Matty’s comment that stuck with me the most. A new manager coming in raises everyone’s game 5-10%.

We had Andy Welsh on the show last week, a player who excited and is now part of a major project himself as manager of ‘the new Bury’.

With clean slates all around, shirts to be played for and confidence to win, the players have a buzz about them, while the manager lays out fresh ideas opposition won’t know how to prepare for.

With vast experience within the game, having played in the Premier League and in the MLS, Andy gave insight, along with our dream team hosts Matty Mainwaring and Liam Dickinson, of what it was like playing for a new manager.

He spoke about playing for the shirt, Dicko mentioned everyone having the same goal, but it was

We saw that on Saturday, we looked unplayable. With any luck, we will again tonight - then the league title is on.

Hope everyone is safe and well, we’ll be back before you know it.

Enjoy the game.

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51

Oshor Williams With winter’s bite currently at its most remorseless, anyone watching me dress for my daily lockdown constitutional could be forgiven for thinking I was preparing for an assault on Mount Everest.

As layer upon thermal layer of clothing begins to distort the shape of my already distorted body, my wife takes the opportunity to remind me that we are only walking the Cheadle loop not trekking in the Himalayas. By way of retort, I remind her of the old Norwegian saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!

Walking across the fields, feeling the ground resistant against my boot then soft and yielding under the frosty crust I was transported back in time to Stockport Lads Club, County’s training home for several years in the 80’s. Though not exactly the Etihad Campus we were grateful to have the use of a facility which was enclosed, sheltered on three sides, and accessible.

As a bonus it also had decent showers, something we couldn’t always take for granted back in the day.

During the winter months the ground frequently frosted over, but if the surface wasn’t rolled between training sessions frozen divots formed presenting not only the prospect of a badly twisted ankle but also the very real threat of a nasty flesh injury for any player unfortunate enough to go to ground at speed. There was little we could do about the first hazard, but to minimise superficial wounds from the jagged surface we all took to wearing tracksuit bottoms. Well, that was the idea, but things didn’t quite turn out like that.

Jim McGuigan

52

The manager, Jim McGuigan, an incredibly talented coach and tactician with a proven record of achievement, believed that we should train how we expected to play. This also extended to the way we dressed for training and he duly banned the use of

The County squad wrapped up warm for training

tracksuit bottoms. Another of my old managers, John McGrath, insisted that we played all matches in short sleeve shirts as he believed they showed off our physical strength and made us look smart.

But playing in sub-zero temperatures wearing only a pair of skimpy 1980’s shorts (that’s how we wore them folks!) and a tight short sleeved, shrunk in the wash shirt made me feel anything but smart. In fact, it made me feel decidedly dumb... and cold!

At the time, such prohibitions were not uncommon.

In the world of 1980’s football, it was not enough to be strong you had to make sure you did not appear visibly weak. The English winter was viewed as another grim opponent testing our mettle and sorting out the men from the boys. The idea that players needed protection against the cold either in training or, heaven forbid, during matches was a total anathema to most managers.

Yet in the contemporary game players often train wearing scarves, snoods, hats, gloves, tights, tracksuit bottoms, in fact only five layers less than Osh before he sets off on his daily walk round the Cheadle loop. Wearing gloves became more acceptable due in no small part to the wonderful John Barnes who could have worn boxing gloves and wellies and still performed with grace and flair.

But there was a period during which some players, notably Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli, took it to a new level and wore snoods in competitive games drawing derision from the likes of Alex

Ferguson who stated that ‘real men don’t wear them’ and Roy Keane who said that players had all gone soft. The masculinity of snood-wearing superstars was further called into question by Paul Ince who scathingly said, ‘Now you’ve got snoods, people wearing headphones when they are doing interviews… pink boots, green boots. You name it, they’ve got it. Tights? They’ll be wearing skirts next.’ It may come as no surprise that the snood wearers (who counted David Silva amongst them) were Manchester City players whilst the affiliations of their arch critics are rooted firmly in the Red side of the city. And what about the offending item itself?

Well, it disappeared in 2011 when the International FA Board banned it ostensibly on health and safety grounds, but I think they secretly did so in the interests of good taste.

I can hardly wait to be back at Edgeley Park with the rest of the County faithful. A wonderful throng of people huddled under wooly hats, scarves, overcoats, and Canada Goose jackets. As I pour the hot steaming Bovril from my Thermos flask, I must resist the temptation to play the curmudgeon and say ‘Look at that big softie wearing gloves on the pitch. They wouldn’t have allowed that in my day.’

Enjoy the game.

Osh 53

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Deadly Duos Steven Davies

Aaron Wilbraham and Shefki Kuqi This season has certainly been one to remember with more interference than a VAR official at a Liverpool match! Anyway, let’s hope everything is currently on track and we can carry on getting back to the top of the league.

Now the towns Knutsford and Vushtrri are just over 1,000 miles apart, but if you put them together you get around 46 goals. Confused? Don’t worry, I promise you it will all become clear.

Just after the millennium in the 2000/01 season Ian Moore had just been sold to Burnley for £1million thus meaning that we needed another striker to not only replace him, but also to partner Aaron Wilbraham who was making a name for himself after coming through the youth team.

Shefki Kuqi

The 6’ 3’’ striker had been on the books for a few years scoring his first senior goal on his debut at Maine Road against Manchester City, who coincidentally he and his family also supported.

Although playing a role in the previous seasons Aaron found himself more on the bench and was only just about to win the regular spot in the starting Xl. Shefki Kuqi, on the other hand, was a striker who was born and played football at a youth level in Kosovo, before moving to Finland and starting his professional career in Helsinki playing for numerous clubs in the Veikkausliiga (the Finnish Premier League).

After making a name for himself there he joined County in January 2001 and in my opinion both Shefki and Aaron were two of the reasons we didn’t get relegated that season, with Shefki coming in and finishing the season scoring 6 goals (5 of which were in 4 games) including winners against

Barnsley, Birmingham and Portsmouth. Aaron himself also went on to score 7 times in the remainder of the season thus forming a very welcome and successful partnership.

The season after that, however, we weren’t as lucky in the results, nevertheless Shefki still managed to score six times in 17 starts before sadly falling out of favour and being dropped by then-manager Carlton Palmer resulting in a move to Sheffield Wednesday in 2002.

Known for his “Flying Finn” goal celebration where he would celebrate a goal by carrying out an acrobatic leap then swallow dive, Shefki also was capped 62 times for Finland before moving back to his homeland to pursue his management career after he retired.

Aaron went on to play all up and down the country after he left County and I was pleasantly surprised to see him pop up and score a penalty against midtable Premier League side Manchester United last year when United were held to a draw at home to Rochdale.

Aaron Wilbraham

Enjoy the game.

55

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57

Talking Football Sam Preston

In recent days, high profile Premier League players such as Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Chelsea’s Reece James have been racially abused on social media.

It goes without saying that there is absolutely no place for those ‘fans’ in football and the fact it still needs saying in 2021 is bleak.

Some may wonder why players are still taking a knee before matches, seven months after the practice began in the topflight.

But it has kept the subject of racism on the agenda. In previous years, the abuse which has been seen over the past few days would bring the issue to light for a short period of time and then it would fade away again.

Now, it is constantly front and centre, which is the only way progress can be made.

But it is vitally important that football stamps out the outright abuse and discrimination because without doing that, it has no chance of tackling the more insidious, structural bias which exists within the game.

Micah Richards recently fronted a fantastic, honest documentary about tackling racism in the game.

He attempted to get to the bottom of why social media companies are unable to prevent the stream of bile which black footballers face every day.

58

Reece James

Marcus Rashford

Looking from the outside in, there appears to be no good reason why it can’t be stamped out.

An end to anonymous social media accounts would be a start. Behind every account should be a named, traceable person, who can be held legally accountable for any abusive content posted by it.

The documentary, as well as another in recent months by Anton Ferdinand, has also tried to shine a light on the systems within the game which are laced with racial bias, both conscious and unconscious.

The current systems of power which mean that a fraction of top managers are black also need to change.

But we won’t get to that stage without tackling the overt abuse players are currently facing simply because of the colour of their skin.

In Richards’ documentary, he spoke to Alan Bush, the Fan Education Manager at Kick it Out. He deals with those who have been found guilty of sending racially abusive messages to footballers.

He said that for most of them, they see it as a way to put a player off their game. It’s staggering that

Getting racism to stick on the agenda is just one small step of progress but it must be followed by action in the corridors of power they find this acceptable to do and everyone within the game has a role to play in kicking it out.

It’s simply not good enough that this issue keeps rearing its ugly head, the abuse is widely condemned before nothing changes and black players are still subjected to the same abuse.

Getting racism to stick on the agenda is just one small step of progress but it must be followed by action in the corridors of power.

59

The Hatters v The U’s

Facts & Figures Head to Head

Goals scored

Previously at EP

County: 0 Sutton: 0 Draws: 2

County: 0 Sutton: 0

County: 0 Sutton: 0 Draws: 1

Previous meetings

Last time out

18th January 2020 National League County 0 Sutton United 0 5th October 2019 National League Sutton United 0 County 0

They played for both clubs 18th January 2020, National League County 0 Sutton United 0 More than 5,000 supporters attended County’s first match since the club’s takeover by Mark Stott – but, on the pitch, another competitive game against Sutton United ended in a goalless stalemate at Edgeley Park.

It was County’s first such home stalemate since September 2017, when the Hatters and Bradford Park Avenue failed to produce a goal between them in a National League North fixture.

Nicholas Bignall Played up front on loan (from Reading) for County in 2009, during the Hatters’ Football League days - and for Sutton United in 2014/15.

County: 11 appearances, 3 goals.

Sutton: 7 appearances, 1 goal.

60

The Hatters came close to opening the scoring after 14 minutes when Elliot Osborne curled just wide from the edge of the area.

Harry Beautyman fired wide for the visitors in the second half, while 18-year-old defender Festus Arthur was off target late on at the other end as both teams settled for a point.

Team (4-2-3-1): Hinchliffe; Cowan, Palmer, Arthur, Clarke; Turnbull (Capt.), Keane; Thomas (Bell, 82), Osborne (Jackson, 68), McAlinden; Archer (Mulhern, 76).

Unused Subs: Minihan, Ormson.

Attendance: 5,079 (95 away).

2020-21

CHE

Statistics W 6 6 3 5 6 4 3 4 4 3 3 6 4 2 3 4 2 4 3 2 2 3 1

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

Home L 1 3 1 2 3 2 3 3 2 5 2 1 4 3 4 3 3 3 5 4 9 5 7

F 17 17 11 19 16 17 9 18 10 17 10 13 18 5 9 13 7 19 13 11 13 9 5

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

Away L 2 3 3 2 2 3 3 4 5 0 3 5 4 2 5 5 5 6 2 5 3 6 5

Goals

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2

Subs

Goals

Subs

Starts

0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 15 1 3 1 0 4 0 0 8 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 12 3 2 1 4 3 0 0 15 1 1 4 14 2 2 1 15 0 1 3 13 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 9 1 1 1 14 3 8 2 15 0 9 1 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 3 10 1 1 4 6 0 1 0 - 29 19

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

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

0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 14

F 23 10 18 9 6 11 15 14 13 11 16 7 12 14 17 10 9 7 12 10 7 3 8

A 11 8 12 10 5 12 14 12 15 4 14 12 13 8 17 15 14 19 15 19 7 17 23

W 13 10 9 9 9 9 8 7 8 7 7 8 7 6 7 6 6 6 5 5 4 3 2

D 4 3 4 4 3 3 6 6 3 5 5 1 3 6 3 5 4 3 5 3 3 1 3

Total L F 3 40 6 27 4 29 4 28 5 22 5 28 6 24 7 32 7 23 5 28 5 26 6 20 8 30 5 19 9 26 8 23 8 16 9 26 7 25 9 21 12 20 11 12 12 13

Total

0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4

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 0

A 17 20 18 17 13 25 22 25 19 21 20 15 23 14 29 24 23 39 29 36 32 35 42

GD 23 7 11 11 9 3 2 7 4 7 6 5 7 5 -3 -1 -7 -13 -4 -15 -12 -23 -29

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

Cup Starts

Josh Barnes Nyal Bell Richie Bennett Louis Britton Ryan Croasdale Jordan Downing Harvey Gilmour Max Greenhalgh Ben Hinchliffe Jack Hinchy 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 7 4 6 4 3 5 5 3 4 4 4 2 3 4 4 2 4 2 2 3 2 0 1

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

Player Roll-Call

A 6 12 6 7 8 13 8 13 4 17 6 3 10 6 12 9 9 20 14 17 25 18 19

Subs

Promotion

P 20 19 17 17 17 17 20 20 18 17 17 15 18 17 19 19 18 18 17 17 19 15 17

Biggest Win

Goals

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

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

2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 18 3 4 1 1 5 0 0 14 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 21 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 18 4 3 2 5 3 0 0 21 1 1 4 18 3 2 1 18 3 1 4 15 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 15 2 3 1 20 4 12 2 20 1 14 1 7 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 0 1 8 11 1 1 6 9 0 1 0 - 43 23

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2

Most Goals

Highest Attendance Lowest Attendance Top Goalscorer

Pts 43 33 31 31 30 30 30 27 27 26 26 25 24 24 24 23 22 21 20 18 15 10 9

W W D W L W D L W L D L W W W L W D L L L L L

Form Last 6 Matches W L D D W W W W L W W D W D W L D W D L W L D W W L W D W W L D D W W W D W D L L W L D W L W L D W D L L W W W L W W L W L W D D W D D D L L W W L L D L D D L W L W L D W L L L L W W W L W D D W L L D L W W L D L L W L L L L L L

Relegation

National League Records Saturday 12th December 2020 Chesterfield 6-0 Barnet Tuesday 13th October 2020 Wealdstone 2-5 Stockport County Saturday 17th October 2020 Wealdstone 4-3 Wrexham Wednesday 2nd December 2020 FC Halifax Town 5-2 Barnet Saturday 26th December 2020 Torquay United 6-1 Yeovil Town Monday 28th December 2020 Weymouth 3-4 Torquay United Saturday 23rd January 2021 Wealdstone 3-4 Aldershot Town Saturday 26th December 2020 Torquay United 6-1 Yeovil Town 1,323 Tuesday 15th December 2020 Weymouth 2-3 Wrexham 337 Michael Cheek (Bromley) 11 = 9 Goals + 2 Penalties Macauley Southam-Hales scored against Woking

# 1 2 23

National League Fair Play Team Notts County 19 Stockport County 19 Yeovil Town 50

1 2 2

Pts 86 96 220

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 Sunday 31st January 2021

61

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2020-21

Fixtures & Results Date Opposition October 2020 Sat 3 Torquay United Tue 6 FC Halifax Town Sat 10 Dover Athletic Tue 13 Wealdstone Sat 17 Chesterfield Sat 24 Chesterfield Tue 27 Solihull Moors Sat 31 Weymouth November 2020 Wed 4 Chesterfield Sat 7 Rochdale Sun 29 Yeovil Town December 2020 Sat 5 Bromley Tue 8 Barnet Tue 15 Notts County Sat 19 Guiseley Tue 22 Hartlepool United Sat 26 Altrincham Mon 28 Wrexham January 2021 Sat 2 Altrincham Mon 11 West Ham United Sat 16 Notts County Tue 19 Dagenham & Redbridge Sat 23 Boreham Wood Sat 30 Woking February 2021 Tue 2 Sutton United Sat 6 Yeovil Town Sat 13 Aldershot Town Tue 16 Maidenhead United Sat 20 Eastleigh Tue 23 Notts County Sat 27 Chesterfield March 2021 Sat 6 Weymouth Tue 9 Solihull Moors Sat 13 Dagenham & Redbridge Tue 16 Barnet Sat 20 Sutton United Tue 23 Eastleigh Sat 27 Hartlepool United April 2021 Fri 2 Aldershot Town Mon 5 Bromley Sat 10 Wrexham Tue 13 King's Lynn Town Sat 17 Maidenhead United Sat 24 Boreham Wood Tue 27 King's Lynn Town May 2021 Sat 1 FC Halifax Town Mon 3 Wealdstone Sat 8 Dover Athletic Sat 15 Torquay United Sat 22 Woking Sat 29 Yeovil Town

64

Comp Score A H H A A H H H

Att Pos

NL NL NL NL NL FAC4Q NL NL

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

- 21 Hinchliffe - 10 Hinchliffe - 6 Hinchliffe - 2 Hinchliffe - 1 Hinchliffe - - Hinchliffe - 2 Hinchliffe - 2 Hinchliffe

Minihan Minihan Minihan Minihan Minihan ³ Minihan Minihan Minihan

Jennings J Southam-Hales ¹ Stott Jennings J ¹ Stott ¹ Stott ³ Stott Stott ²

Maynard Maynard Maynard Maynard 1 Maynard Maynard Croasdale Maynard

Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Keane Palmer 1

Hogan Stott Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan 1 Hogan Hogan

Kitching Kitching 1 ² Kitching ² Keane Kitching 1 ² Thomas Thomas Kitching

H FAC4Q A FAC1 H FAC2

4-0 2-1 3-2

-

Keane Keane Keane

Stott Stott Stott

Croasdale Croasdale ² Croasdale ¹

Palmer Palmer Palmer 1

Hogan Hogan Hogan

Thomas Kitching Kitching ³

A A A H A A H

NL NL NL FAT3 NL NL NL

2-0 2-1 0-1 3-1 0-4 1-1 2-0

Thomas Minihan Minihan Keane Minihan Minihan Southam-Hales ¹

Jennings J Jennings J Williams Southam-Hales ¹ Williams Williams Stott

Maynard Maynard Maynard Croasdale Croasdale Maynard Maynard

Keane Keane Palmer Palmer Palmer Keane Keane 1

Hogan Hogan Hogan Stott Hogan Hogan Hogan

Kitching ³ Williams ¹ Kitching ¹ Kitching Kitching Kitching Kitching

H H H A H A

NL FAC3 FAT4 NL NL NL

2-2 0-1 1-2 2-0 1-1 4-1

Southam-Hales ¹ Minihan 5 Southam-Hales ³ Minihan Keane Minihan

Stott Williams ³ Jennings J ¹ Stott ² Southam-Hales Southam-Hales 1 ¹

Maynard Maynard Maynard Maynard Maynard Maynard

Keane Keane Palmer 1 Keane Palmer Keane

Hogan Hogan Stott Hogan Hogan Hogan

Kitching Kitching Williams Kitching Kitching ¹ Kitching

H H H A A H H

NL NL NL NL NL NL NL

A A H H A H H

NL NL NL NL NL NL NL

A H A H H A A

NL NL NL NL NL NL NL

A H A H H A

NL NL NL NL NL NL

-

Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe

1,031 11 Hinchliffe 792 5 Hinchliffe - 10 Hinchliffe - - Barnes - 13 Hinchliffe - 9 Hinchliffe - 4 Hinchliffe -

4 4 4 3

Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Barnes Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe

Key:

CHE

STERFIELD FC

Bold = Goalscorer 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 = 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 5th Sub / = Yellow / Red Card = Penalty, * = Own Goal = Lost 6-7 on Penalties, = After Extra Time # = West Ham United additional unused substitutes: Jennings J, Stott

Rooney Rooney Rooney 2 Rooney 3 ³ Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney 2 Rooney 1 ¹ Rooney 1

Bennett ² Bennett Bennett ³ Bennett 1 Bennett Bennett ¹ Bennett ² Bennett ³ ² Bennett 1 ¹ Thomas Thomas ²

Jennings C ³ Jennings C ³ Jennings C ¹ Jennings C Jennings C Keane Jennings C ¹ Croasdale

Reid ¹ Keane Keane Reid ² Keane Reid ² Reid Reid ¹

Jennings C Reid 1 ³ Jennings C Reid 1 ³ 4 Jennings C 1 Reid

Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes

Stott Jennings J ² Jennings J ² Kitching ¹ Jennings J ² Jennings C ² Hopkins Jennings C ²

Keane ¹ Croasdale Croasdale Croasdale ³ Croasdale Croasdale ³ Owen Keane

Thomas ³ Thomas 1 ¹ Thomas ³ Thomas ² Thomas ³ Southam-Hales Southam-Hales ¹ Thomas ³

Bell ² Reid ³ Reid 1 ¹ Bell Reid 1 ¹ Bell ¹ Bell ² Britton ¹

Barnes Barnes Barnes

Hopkins ³ Jennings J Jennings J

Maynard ¹ Maynard ¹ Maynard 4

Southam-Hales ² Stanyer Southam-Hales Britton ³ Bennett ² Britton

Rooney 1 Rooney Rooney Gilmour ² Rooney Croasdale Croasdale

Bennett ² Bennett ² Bennett Britton ³ Bennett ¹ Thomas ¹ Bennett 1 ³

Jennings C Jennings C ³ Keane ² Jennings C Keane Jennings C 1 Jennings C

Reid 1 ¹ Reid 2 Reid Reid 2 Reid Reid Reid ²

Barnes Barnes Barnes Hinchliffe Barnes Barnes Barnes

Minihan ¹ Kitching ¹ Jennings C ² Hinchy Stott Stott Minihan ¹

Croasdale Croasdale Croasdale ³ Hogan Gilmour Gilmour Gilmour

Williams ³ Thomas ³ Thomas ¹ ³ Rooney 1 ² Southam-Hales ¹ Southam-Hales ¹ Williams ²

Britton ² Britton ² Britton Bennett Britton Bennett Britton ³

Rooney 1 Rooney 4 Croasdale Rooney Rooney 1 Rooney 1 ³

Bennett ³ Croasdale Bennett Bennett 1 ³ Bennett Croasdale

Croasdale Jennings C ² Jennings C ² Croasdale Jennings C Jennings C 1

Reid 1 ² Reid ¹ Thomas Reid 1 ¹ Reid ² Reid 1 ²

Barnes Barnes Hinchliffe Barnes Barnes Barnes

Minihan ¹ Hinchy 4 Minihan ² Jennings C ³ Minihan Palmer ³

Gilmour Gilmour Hogan Palmer Stott Stott

Williams ² Southam-Hales ² Rooney Williams ¹ Williams ¹ Williams ²

Thomas ³ Thomas ³ Reid ³ Thomas ² Croasdale ² Bennett ¹

Stanyer

Hopkins

Williams ² Williams ³

Minihan Minihan ¹

Williams ³

Minihan ¹

Palmer 5 Kitching ¹

Bennett ¹ # Keane

65

National League News CHE

STERFIELD FC

After so many recent postponements National League football seems to have finally come out of hibernation in the last ten days, with just two games called off since January 19th.

Things might be improving on the fixture front then, though unless an extension to the season is granted we’re going to need many more postponement-free matchdays to rattle through the remaining games.

County are one of ten clubs who have 27 games to squidge into four months, having managed ten fewer than that in the near four months since the season started. Spare a thought for Dover Athletic and Solihull Moors though, they have 29 games still to come!

It’s going to be a relentless slog from here on in, with a SaturdayTuesday-Saturday-Tuesday ad infinitum rhythm to most teams’ fixture lists. Until the season eventually concludes, that is...

That’s all to come, though for now eight games are scheduled for tonight with Hartlepool in particular looking to continue their excellent recent form as they travel to Halifax.

Dave Challinor’s men have taken 15 points from a possible 18 of late and ascended to second in the table on Saturday with Rhys Oates’s second-half goal 66

securing a 1-0 win over our visitors tonight, inflicting just a second away defeat of the season on Sutton.

Barnet meanwhile are bottom of both the form table and, more importantly, the league table, and have now lost six in a row after their latest defeat, which came at home to runaway leaders Torquay United on Saturday.

The Bees are yet to experience any upturn in form since Tim Flowers took over as manager, with chairman Tony Kleanthous issuing a statement to the club’s fans last week apologising that the club had reached its lowest league position since 1979 and promising improvements.

One beacon of hope may be recent recruit Courtney BakerRichardson, a former Swansea striker who featured 17 times for the Welsh club in the Championship. The 25-year-old joins on loan from Barrow, aiming to spearhead a survival surge away from the relegation zone.

Barnet’s current situation is all a far cry from last season, which saw the North London club challenging for the play-offs.

The reverse situation applies at Maidenhead United however, who spent last season battling relegation but are now firmly amongst the promotion chasers.

It’s a remarkable turnaround for The Magpies, who were thirdbottom in last season’s table when the league unexpectedly finished in March. The points per game system lifted the club above Ebbsfleet and the Berkshire boys then benefitted from Bury’s demise, and the subsequent imbalance it caused in the football pyramid, earning a reprieve from relegation as a result. Alan Devonshire’s outfit have made the most of their relative good fortune, registering nine wins in 17 so far.

Maidenhead’s latest maximum points-haul came at Halifax’s expense on Saturday, with winger Josh Coley bagging a late winner in a 3-2 thriller.

How nice it is for the games to be the main talking point of the league again! Here’s hoping that remains the case with a continued evasion of the dreaded P-P’s appearing on the fixture list from here on in.

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Stockport County

Sutton United

1

Ben Hinchliffe

[1357]

1

Dean Bouzanis

2

Sam Minihan

[1359]

2

Jon Barden

3

James Jennings

[1397]

3

Ben Wyatt

4

Liam Hogan

[1395]

5

Ben Goodliffe

5

Ash Palmer

[1372]

6

Louis John

6

Lois Maynard

[1394]

7

David Ajiboye

7

Adam Thomas

[1373]

8

Kenny Davis

8

John Rooney

[1400]

9

Omar Bugiel

9

Richie Bennett

[1396]

10 Harry Beautyman

10 Connor Jennings

[1339]

11 Will Randall

11 Jordan Williams

[1404]

12 Coby Rowe

12 The Blue & White Army

13 Brad House (Gk)

14 Mark Kitching

[1398]

14 Craig Dundas

15 Jamie Stott

[1380]

15 Craig Eastmond

16 Jordan Keane

[1370]

16 Bradley Pearce

17 Macauley Southam-Hales

[1401]

17 Tobi Sho-Silva

18 Ryan Croasdale

[1402]

18 Adam Lovatt

19 Alex Reid

[1399]

19 Wayne Brown

20 Nyal Bell

[1367]

20 Jordan Adebayo-Smith

21 Joshua Barnes

21 Callum Kealy

22 Harvey Gilmour

22 Ben Margetson

23 Finley Stanyer

24 Rob Milsom

24 Jack Hopkins

25 Isaac Olaofe

25 Adam Owen 27 Jack Hinchy

26 Aaron Simpson [1405]

Tonight’s other Vanarama National League fixtures (7.45pm unless stated)

Aldershot Town v Barnet (7pm) Chesterfield v King’s Lynn Town (7pm) Eastleigh v Wrexham (7pm) FC Halifax Town v Hartlepool United (7pm) Boreham Wood v Weymouth Notts County v Bromley Torquay United v Altrincham Wealdstone v Maidenhead United

Match Officials Referee Elliott Swallow Assistant Referee 1 Stuart Morland Assistant Referee 2 William Davis Fourth Official Alan Bennett

Next At Edgeley Park

Yeovil Town Saturday 6th February 2021 Kick-off: 5.30pm Vanarama National League

27 Rhys Browne 32 Filip Chalupniczak

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

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