Stockport County v Barnet

Official Matchday Programme

vs Barnet Tuesday 16th March 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 Byrne.

Thanks to: Adam Rowe at Barnet FC Design by: Daniel Parker, Duplexity Artwork.

Stockport County FC is the trading name of Stockport County 2010 Ltd (7254012), which is wholly owned by Stockport Community Leisure Company Ltd (7240006), a private company limited by shares. The registered office is: Edgeley Park, Hardcastle Road, Edgeley, Stockport SK3 9DD

Inside...

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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, 1946-47, 1948-49, 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 Hello, and welcome back once again to Edgeley Park.

Welcome also to Paul Fairclough, his players and all the staff travelling to the game from Barnet this evening.

We’ve had two games away from home in the past ten days, with each providing very contrasting emotions. The defeat at Weymouth was a frustrating one for us. We conceded an uncharacteristically sloppy goal very early, but from then on created more than enough chances to take something from the game. Again, there were plenty of aspects to our game I was pleased with, but ultimately if you don’t take your chances at this level then you’ll get punished.

With that in mind, I couldn’t have been prouder of the way the boys responded last Tuesday night against Solihull. The red card of course made a difference, but as we so often see in football it’s not always straightforward against ten men. We were devastating in that ten-minute spell after the red to drive home the advantage, and kill the game early on.

It was great to see Tom Walker, Harry Cardwell, and Jack Stretton all on the scoresheet for the first time since joining the Club, or returning in Tom’s case. The signings we’ve made in recent weeks have provided us with real depth in attacking areas, and their contribution will prove vital over the coming weeks and months.

I was really pleased in particular for Jack to have that great moment in the second half, capping his debut with his first senior goal – it’s a moment I’m sure will stay with him for the rest of his career.

For Saturday’s game against Dagenham to be postponed was disappointing for us, as it denied us the chance to build on the Solihull performance and get some positive momentum going forward going into a key run of games.

In Barnet we face another tough challenge, despite their current

league position. They went down to Bromley and got a good point at the weekend and will no doubt be looking to build on that under their new manager, so we cannot afford to underestimate them.

Although some results haven’t gone our way in recent weeks, when you look at the league table we’re still bang in the mix for promotion, and everyone is feeling really positive about our chances going forward.

Enjoy the game, and I hope everyone is safe and well.

Simon 05

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Club News Lois represents his national team Midfielder Lois Maynard has been called up by the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team ahead of their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. Lois, who has been capped 12 times previously by his national side, will depart for international duty on the 21st March, taking on Puerto Rico at home on the 25th before playing away to the Bahamas on the 28th.

In doing so, Lois will also become part of a very select group of County players to have represented their national team whilst playing for the Club, becoming just the 12th player to do so, and the first since Peter Thompson.

Congratulations, and good luck Lois!

County sign prolific Paddy!

County Heroes We hear of fans’ inspiring stories, generosity and acts of kindness within the community and we want to help give them the recognition they deserve. Our first County Hero is Phil Robinson, who shows us exactly how County fans stick together.

Phil had heard that fellow fan Andrew had sadly had his bike stolen during lockdown, depriving him of his transport at a time when he really needed it most. He was still mourning the loss of his father and the theft of his bike dealt him a blow he could have done without.

When Phil heard of this news he was desperate to help out, he said ‘I’d saved plenty of money not attending County games, home and away, so wanted to put that to good use before we’re allowed back in stadiums’.

Phil found the bike shop that usually does Andrew’s bike repairs and with a generous discount from the shop, he bought a brand-new bike. With the help of a few other fans, the new bike was delivered to Andrew at his home.

Andrew who was completely surprised, said ‘I can’t believe that Phil has done this for me, I am completely overwhelmed. I’m very lucky to be a part of a Club with such incredibly thoughtful fans”.

We are delighted to announce the signing of striker Paddy Madden from Fleetwood Town, with the forward signing a three-year deal at Edgeley Park.

Manager Simon Rusk said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Paddy and I am delighted that he has accepted the challenge of helping this team and club grow.

“While his experience, and track record speaks for itself, I am drawn to his attitude and hunger for the game. When he walks into our dressing room, he will find similar spirits. We have a strong, together and like-minded group, and this is what makes Paddy a fantastic addition for us.”

Read the whole news article on the Club’s website.

In our opinion, Phil is a real County Hero and an absolute credit to the club. To read the full story, visit the Club’s website.

Tweet to win With the end in sight and a glimmer of hope to see fans back in the stadium, we want you to share your best Edgeley Park moments with us during our stream tonight. Tweet your snap with the hashtag #CountyAtHome for a chance to win a signed ball or a copy of a signed Football Manager 2021, the best images will feature on our live stream and we’ll announce the winners on Twitter after the game 07

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Ben Hinchliffe It is almost five years ago when Ben joined the Hatters after four very successful years with AFC Fylde.

Throughout his time at Edgeley Park, Hinchliffe has firmly established himself as a key figure in the County backline and is arguably the best goalkeeper in non-league football.

Ben has now made over 200 appearances for the Hatters and remains a firm fans’ favourite with the County faithful.

And he will no doubt be looked upon to play an instrumental role in the crucial weeks ahead as the business end to the season enters its key phase.

County head into this evening’s game in confident mood, with the Hatters buoyant after last Tuesday’s 5-0 win at Solihull Moors.

Ben felt that it was an evening where everything clicked, but he believed that this result was coming.

“It was a massive win,” said Ben. “Solihull has been a bogey ground for us in the past, they are a very strong side, so we’re delighted with the result and our performance.

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“We’ve been close in a lot of games recently and we were due to put a few past someone so it was pleasing that everything came together on Tuesday.

“We’ve got to be positive. We’ve got a great squad of players and the new lads have settled in really well. We’ve been very solid defensively, and been unlucky in games such as Notts County, where we deserved to win, and Weymouth where we had the chances to win the game.”

Ben points out that injuries to key players such as Mark Kitching have been crucial. “We’ve been missing the likes of Mark Kitching, Macauley, Connor Jennings, so we’ve had a good bunch of important players out injured. Full credit to the chairman for bringing in the new players to give us a deeper squad.”

Ben started his career under Billy Davies at Preston North End before following Davies to Derby County. He enjoyed a spell at Oxford United then moved back to Lancashire to play for Bamber Bridge before joining former County striker Andy Preece at Northwich Victoria, replacing James Spencer as Vics’ number one.

Six-foot-one Ben will always be a hero to the Fylde fans, having scored the winning spot-kick in the 2014 Play-Off final penalty shoot-out against Ashton United which catapulted the Coasters into the

Best game involved in? Nuneaton away when we won the Conference North title. Was such a great day.

Favourite opposition ground? Stamford Bridge Favourite TV pundits? Micah Richards and Roy Keane!

Best save? Boreham Wood a few weeks ago is up there.

Best advice you’ve ever been given in football? Keep your head down, work hard, set targets and go for it.

Any superstitions? Hundreds! I’ve got quite a few – touching posts and crossbars. I’ve done this throughout my career.

Best moment of your career? Signing a contract for full-time football last summer.

If you could offer any advice to any young County fans who are looking to get involved in the game what would it be? Be the best you can be, keep your head down, work as hard as possible, do everything you can and extra, and you will get your rewards!

Best player faced? Scott Parker Favourite TV programme?

Anything on Netflix that’s half decent!

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Conference North. He also scored a 60-yard wonder goal in the 2013 Play-Off semi-final, which won Fylde’s Goal of the Season award.

In his first season at County, Ben made 47 appearances out of a possible 50, and followed that up with 48 the following season. As County won the National League North the following year, Hinchliffe was the only player to play every minute of every game in all competitions that campaign and kept 22 clean sheets.

“I prefer to play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday,” he said. “It’s been a strange season. The games at the start felt like practice games or pre-season, without any fans inside. It’s been a leveller in many games. If you look at the difference our fans make, particularly at Edgeley Park, we can’t wait to have them back.

Many of our players haven’t played in front of our fans which is a shame but hopefully it won’t be too much longer before they are allowed to return.”

Upon promotion, he stayed very much the same, missing only one game in 2019/20 in all competitions and keeping nine clean sheets before signing for the club full-time prior to the 2020/21 season.

Struggling Barnet make the long trip to SK3 this evening keen to pick up a shock win against County, but Ben says the squad are confident of picking up maximum points from the coming home games, which he feels is vital in keeping up the pressure at the top.

And this season Ben has been equally consistent as the Hatters currently lie fourth in the table, just seven points off leaders Sutton, whom County visit next weekend.

“It was a tough game at Barnet earlier in the season,” added Ben. “They will provide us with a tough test and we know we are going to have to play at our best to pick up the points.

Ben admits he’s enjoying the cut and thrust of regular football, sometimes with three games a week, in the most difficult of seasons where players have been playing behind closed doors.

“We’re in a good place but every game is tough, it’s such a strong league. Any team can give anyone a game. Sutton are top but if we can win tonight ahead of our game there on Saturday, it’s still all to play for.”

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Welcome...

Barnet A little over a year since 5,011 spectators watched the last home game here at Edgeley Park before lockdown began, Barnet return to County in an entirely different situation to 12 months prior.

Then, The Bees were hunting down a play-off place - a quest they ultimately succeeded in, to County’s cost, when the points per game system that was used to determine final league positions elevated them into seventh spot - though now they are second-bottom of the table, and enduring one of their worst-ever seasons.

Barnet have just three wins from 25 games, with two of those victories occurring in the opening ten days of the campaign.

Perhaps it’s no surprise then that the club are currently searching for their third manager of the season. Former Hereford boss Peter Beadle was in charge when a pair of goals from Alex Reid helped County to a 2-1 win at The Hive in early December (one of just two games we’ve played in front of a crowd this season), though he was dismissed just two months into his reign shortly afterwards.

In stepped Tim Flowers, who had achieved great success at Solihull Moors in recent times, though 12

Nickname: The Bees Founded: 1888 Capacity: 6,500 Address: Camrose Avenue, London.

Postcode: HA8 6AG Distance from Edgeley Park: 188.1 miles (3 hours 26 mins) Current league position: 22nd

he failed to arrest their decline, losing 11 of his 12 games in charge. Flowers did at least inspire The Bees’ most recent win, which came on February 16th against Halifax, though otherwise his results were worse than Beadle’s.

Barnet supporters are well used to managerial movement though, with 18 different gaffers having managed the club since 2010. When taking into account three managers returning for additional spells in charge, there have actually been 21 changes in management at the club in the last ten years.

One of that number is Paul Fairclough, who recently returned to the club as an interim manager until Flowers’ replacement is announced. Fairclough, who is also the Head Coach of the England C team, takes charge tonight.

County will face a muchchanged Barnet team from last March, with only three members of the team that featured here on March 7th, 2020 also representing the club in last Tuesday’s home loss against Wrexham.

DID YOU KNOW?

County’s Assis tant Manager Mar k McGhee worked for Ba rnet between November 20 17 and March 2018, initially as manager and latterly as ‘Head of Technical’.

Saturday’s trip to Bromley did bring about a change in recent results though, with Barnet gaining their first point in six games in a 2-2 draw. Experienced midfielder James Dunne was red-carded in the closing stages however, so he will miss tonight’s game.

The Bees have the second-worst record on the road in the National League right now, having gained just five points away from home, toward their total of 13 for the season.

33 goals have been shipped in 11 away games, with heavy defeats to Chesterfield (0-6), King’s Lynn (1-5), Halifax (2-5) and Woking (1-4) sustained so far.

The situation isn’t much brighter at home either - with just eight points earned on their own ground Barnet have the worst home record in the division.

The Gaffer: Paul Fairclough Chairman Tony Kleanthous recently turned to trusted right-hand man Paul Fairclough following the recent departure of Tim Flowers. England C boss Fairclough agreed to oversee a fourth spell in charge of the Bees, alongside coach Gary Anderson, in order to allow the club to explore their options.

Interestingly, goalie Scott Loach was twice selected in an England squad in 2010, during his time at Watford. At 6ft 3in he’s an imposing and impressive last line of defence, though with a -41 goal difference he’s obviously been over-worked somewhat this season.

One saving grace for the beleaguered Barnet fans, players and officials is the curtailment of the National League North and South seasons, meaning there will be no relegation from our division. That must be a blessed relief for all concerned, with Barnet effectively bottom of the table given Dover’s continued non-participation in the league.

Whoever replaces Flowers has a significant rebuilding job ahead, starting perhaps with the confidence and morale of his men, who’ve endured a horrible season so far.

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The Players SCOTT LOACH (b: May 1988 s:Jun 2019) Goalkeeper who started with Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest, Southwell United, and Lincoln City. His first-team games came while out on loan, then he joined Watford for six years. His career continued with permanent spells at Ipswich, Rotherham United and Notts County. After a loan stint with York City, he joined Hartlepool United.

DWIGHT PASCAL (b:Mar 2001 s:Oct 2020) Dwight rose through the ranks at The Hive London as a scholar, where he went onto to make his first-team debut, aged just 15 when we took on Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy. The full-back went on to make further appearances for the Club before departing in 2019. Dwight has had a spell at Potters Bar Town since leaving but returned to The Hive London ready to show Bees fans exactly what he can do at senior level.

JACK CONNORS (b:Oct 1995 s:Oct 2020) Connors has plenty of experience at non-league level and rose through the ranks as a youth prospect at Dagenham and Redbridge before making 49 appearances in all competitions for the Daggers in the early part of his career.

TYRONE DUFFUS (b:Jan 1997 s: Sept 2020) Duffus is primarily a midfield player but also has the ability to play in defensive positions too. He rose through the ranks of Premier League side Everton as a youngster, before making a switch to continue his development with Cardiff City.

MATT PRESTON (b:Mar 1995 s:Oct 2020) Preston joined the Bees having made well over 100 appearances at Football League level, his signature was highly sought after by a number of fellow National League clubs.

JJ Hooper JAMES DUNNE (b:Sep1989 s:Jul 2019) Midfielder who started with AFC Wimbledon and Arsenal, being loaned by the Gunners to Nottingham Forest. He moved on to Exeter City before progressing to Swindon Town via Stevenage, St Johnstone on loan, Portsmouth, Dagenham also on loan, and Cambridge United.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN McQueen joined the Bees in the summer of 2020 following a successful trial period with the Club. He started his career as a youth player at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, before moving to Carlisle United where he made 25 senior appearances in his 18-month stay.

ELIOT RICHARDS (b: Sept 1991 s:Sept 2020) Eliot can play anywhere in the forward areas but primarily

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plays in the number 10 role and has racked up over 150 Football League appearances playing for the likes of Bristol Rovers, Exeter City and Tranmere Rovers.

ALFIE PAVEY (b:Oct 1995 s:Sept 2019) Pavey has played for a number of clubs at Football League and National League level, representing the likes of Millwall, Havant and Waterlooville, Dartford where he has enjoyed great success for a striker. Pavey is tall and strong in the air, with the ability to hold up the ball and bring other players around him into the game.

MICHAEL PETRASSO (b:July 1995 s:Oct 2020) Canadian international winger Michael Petrasso joined the Bees on a season long loan deal from Canadian Premier League side York9 FC. Petrasso made the move to The Hive London, having already had the experience of playing in the Football League for the likes of QPR, Oldham Athletic and Leyton Orient.

JJ HOOPER (b:Oct 1993 s:Sept 2020) JJ’s early career saw him develop through the youth academy at Premier League side Newcastle United, but his first big season would come with Havant and Waterlooville as he fired 20 goals in all competitions as the Hawks reached the play-offs.

JAMES CALLAN (b:Jun 2003) Young goalkeeper who is a valuable member of the Bees squad.

MUHAMMADU FAAL (b:Jul 1997 s: Nov 2020) The 6’ 5” striker had his best spell at Enfield Town where he scored 24 goals in 25 appearances during his time with the Towners. That form attracted attention from various Football League clubs and eventually, Faal was snapped up by then League One side Bolton Wanderers.

THEMIS KEFALAS (b:May 2000 s:Jan 2021) Themis is currently on loan from Championship side QPR. The defender joined the Super Hoops in 2018 and has since spent time on loan at Billericay Town of the National League South.

HARRY TAYLOR (b:May 1997 s: July 2014) Harry Taylor’s career started as part of the Chelsea youth system in 2005, where he left in 2012 to join Barnet along with his brother Jack. Taylor can play both in defence and midfield in both wide and central positions. He commands the midfield when in the centre of the pitch and has an eye for a pass and breaks up play well. He also is superb positionally in the defensive unit and puts his body on the line to stop shots.

BEN RICHARDS-EVERTON (b:Oct 1991 s:Jan 2021) Richards-Everton joined in January 2020 on a free transfer from League Two side Bradford City. RichardsEverton moved to The Hive London with a vast amount of experience in the EFL, where he made close to 100 appearances between spells with Bradford City and Accrington Stanley.

WES FONGUCK (b:Jul1997 s:Sep 2019) After training with Crystal Palace this midfielder was picked up By Barnet from Croydon for the youth team. He graduated from the academy, with a debut in May 2016.

He has also been loaned to Hendon and Hampton and was away from the club for a time last summer.

XANDER MCBURNIE (b:Nov1997 s:Jan 2020) A Bradford City graduate being loaned by them to Ossett Town. Most of the midfielder’s football has been played abroad and he joins from Swedish side Ytterhogdals.

COURTNEY BAKER-RICHARDSON (b:Dec 1995 s: Jan 2021) The 6’ 2’’ striker has played for various clubs including Swansea City, where he scored four league goals in 17 Championship appearances during his time at the Liberty Stadium. He has also scored goals at non-league level, where his best record came at Leamington where he netted 21 goals in the 2017/18 season. He has also linked up with former teammates Liam Daly and Ben Richards-Everton, sharing a similar work ethic to Tim Flowers’ recent acquisitions.

TOMI ADELOYE (b:Feb 1996 s:Feb 2021) Starting with Charlton Athletic, he progressed via Millwall to Stoke City. The Potters loaned the forward to Macclesfield Town before he moved on to Chelmsford City, Dover Athletic, Welling United, Leatherhead, Altrincham and FCU of Manchester. His travels had not finished as he has since played for St Albans City, Hartlepool United, Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United and East Kilbride.

eliminator. Jerome played for Crystal Palace as a youth player after growing up in his hometown of Croydon.

EPHRON MASON-CLARK (b:Aug 1999 s: Jul 2016) Mason-Clark signed his first professional deal with Barnet in July 2016 after graduating from the youth academy.

Possessing the skill to play either as a striker or on the leftwing, he made his debut for the club as a substitute in the Checkatrade Trophy against Norwich Under-23s.

MYLES JUDD (b:Feb 1999 s:Feb 2021) Joined on a short-term loan from Leyton Orient. The rightback has since had his stay extended.

LEE VAUGHAN (b:Jul 1986 s:Mar 2021) Right-back who started with Walsall and after a loan stint with Willenhall Town switched to AFC Telford United. He then had two spells with Kidderminster leaving them to play for Cheltenham and Tranmere in-between. Recent moves were to Solihull Moors and back to Telford.

BEN NUGENT (b:Nov 1992 s:Sep 2020) Ben Nugent became Peter Beadle’s first signing of the summer when he joined in September 2020. The 6ft 5 inches defender came to the Club with Football League pedigree, having made 222 senior career appearances to date. Nugent has played for the likes of Cardiff City, Brentford, Peterborough United, Gillingham and Stevenage, and he will be hoping to use that previous experience to the benefit of Beadle’s side.

JACK TOMPKINS (b:Dec 2001 s:Jul 2018) Young midfielder with a bright future ahead in the game.

LOIC HERNANDEZ (b:Nov 1999 s:Jul 2018) Hernandez, another product of the youth academy, signed his first professional Tomi Adeloye deal deal at The Hive London in the summer of 2018. In search of first-team football, Loic enjoyed a one-month loan spell with Wingate and Finchley in September 2018 and continues to provide stiff competition for a place in the JOSH WALKER (b:Dec1997 s:Jul 2018) Barnet defensive line.

Striker who started off as a youth At Tottenham before joining Fulham. He joined Wealdstone during his final year RICHARD TAYLOR (b:Oct 2000 s:Feb 2021) at Fulham before making a permanent switch to Hendon.

Left-back or central defender who started with Burnley, before switching to Southend United, from where he joined AYMEN AZAZE (b:Dec2001 s:Dec 2018) on a month’s loan.

Young Belgian keeper from the club’s Academy who was involved with the first team after Matrevics was called up for LIAM DALY (b:Aug 1987 s:Jan 2021) international duty.

The powerful defender, who stands at 6 feet 6 inches tall, brings a vast amount of experience to the Bees’ backline.

JEROME BINNOM-WILLIAMS (b: Mar 1995 s: Sept 2020) The full-back who can also play in the centre of defence ANTHONY WORDSWORTH (b:Jan 1989 s:Nov 2020) joined the Bees having most recently played for fellow Wordsworth has made over 380 senior appearances across National League side FC Halifax Town. Binnom-Williams the Championship and League One, scoring 67 goals in all played 25 times for the Shaymen, as the Yorkshire based competitions. His move to The Hive London becomes his Club finished in the Vanarama National League play-off first outside of League One and he brings a vast amount of places, losing out to Boreham Wood in their play-off quality and experience to the side.

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Commercial Look After My Bills sponsor home game against Barnet Look After My Bills, the energy auto-switching company that have helped over 500,000 people across the UK save on their energy bills, are the match sponsor for our home game today against Barnet.

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Design our programme cover

We’re offering young supporters the chance to design the cover of our award-winning programme! The winner’s design will feature as the official front cover of our programme for our home match against Hartlepool on Saturday 27th March. Not only that, the winner will receive a County ball signed by the players, and the winner’s parent or carer will receive an Easter hamper, provided by the competition’s sponsor, Together. Visit our website to find out how to enter.

Player sponsorship opportunities

With some new additions to the squad in recent weeks, we now have some more player sponsorship opportunities available. This could be your chance to boost your businesses profile amongst our County fanbase.

For more information, email us at commercial@stockportcounty.com

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Rebellious Jukebox Gareth Evans selects Barnet on the County Rock-Ola, and presses play to discover a link with, and test the credentials of…

TOYAH WILLCOX. So, what’s the connection?

A little different from the hooks on which previous subjects in this series have been hung. For onetime High Priestess of Punk, accomplished actress, and all-round national treasure and good egg Toyah was neither born in Barnet (that honour goes to the Birmingham suburb Kings Heath); nor, to the best of my knowledge, has she lived there (although she did, at an early stage of her career, reside in the capital at ‘Mayhem’, a converted British Rail warehouse at Battersea - where, legend has it, she slept in a coffin used by the French Red Cross to transport deceased accident victims!). Instead, Toyah, on committing her finest works of acid rock to vinyl over 40 years ago, paid tribute of sorts to the North London Borough when naming an EP that then grew into an LP. Are you confused, readers?

Almost certainly. And is she Rebellious? Let’s ‘Take Five’…

1. Sheep Farming in Barnet The locality of tonight’s visiting ‘Bees’ may not be known for its resident ovine ruminants - but the story goes that, while laying down half a dozen tracks that were initially to see the light of day as an Extended Play effort in Germany during 1979, Toyah saw some sheep 18

Toyah saw some sheep in a field around Finchley, within the Borough of Barnet, just off Regent’s Park Road. And thus was named the platter in a field around Finchley, within the Borough of Barnet, just off Regent’s Park Road. And thus was named the platter - whose cover, mind you, featured the chanteuse a good 250 miles away from ‘The Old Smoke’. Her pose in front of the ‘golfball’ geodesic domes at the Fylingdales ballistic missile early-warning radar station - up near Whitby on Yorkshire’s east coast - almost never made it to print and on to the sleeve, after RAF guards spied Toyah (conspicuously sporting a neon orange hairdo) and her photography crew,

and chased them off the high-security site. Still, the record is a good ‘un - with two of the original EP cuts, ‘Danced’ and Neon Womb’, destined to be live favourites throughout Toyah’s 30-plus years in the business - and in the year following its German issue, it became a full-length, 11-track studio album-proper, her first of 15 released between 1980 and 2008.

2. Acting Toyah’s singing career might have attracted more publicity in time, but it would not have got off the ground at all without her early success in musicalcrossover acting roles - notably, as the murderous ‘Mad’ in punk flick ‘Jubilee’, and as mod party-girl ‘Monkey’ in ‘Quadrophenia’ - that boosted her confidence sufficiently to try her luck more seriously with an eponymous band she had put together in 1977, on the back of her screen debut as a singer in BBC play ‘Glitter’. Her serious acting and music performances were to go hand in hand - with 40 stage shows and 10 films to feature the former student from Birmingham’s Old Rep Drama School.

The aristocracy of the theatre world - notably, Katharine Hepburn and Laurence Olivier - adored her, too.

3. Singing After releasing her second LP of 1980, ‘The Blue Meaning’, Toyah severed musical ties with the punk/indie aesthetic - albeit without ditching the colourful… erm, ‘barnets’, which continued to alternate between electric blue, shocking pink and other bright hues - and moved from cult popularity to mainstream chart success. The following year was her ‘annus mirabilis’, with two EPs and two more singles all hitting the Top 20, the ‘Anthem’

And so to the present - and the ‘Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch’ at-home videos, which, during Covid, have racked up millions of views

album going platinum, and a live collection - ‘Toyah!

Toyah! Toyah!’ - generating yet more interest, both nationally and internationally, in a vocalist who ended 1981 cleaning up at a good few of the annual music awards ceremonies. A quarter of a century later, she was still performing sell-out concerts - including ‘80s tours - where, to her astonishment, the majority of the audience was under the age of 20.

4. Doing other stuff Toyah earned herself a shout-out in pub quizzes up and down the country by simultaneously presenting series - on BBC and ITV, respectively - of ‘Songs of Praise’ and ‘The Good Sex Guide Late’ in 1996. Either side of that year, she became every child’s favourite TV auntie by narrating ‘Brum’ and speaking as a Voice Trumpet on ‘Teletubbies’. A far cry from her earlier persona that crossed Helen of Troy with Vivienne Westwood for the 1980s kids, but their next-decade successors loved her just the same.

5. Entertaining in lockdown And so to the present - and the ‘Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch’ at-home videos, which, during Covid, have racked up millions of views as our heroine and husband, King Crimson founder and guitarist Robert Fripp, have entertained the nation on a weekly basis. Whether they are performing Swan Lake, tap dancing in the kitchen (ahem… no jokes about falling in the sink!), or covering songs

by Bowie, Britney, Guns N’ Roses, The Kinks, Metallica, Nirvana and The Sex Pistols, we, dear readers, are lucky to have them.

Rebellious Jukebox Rating:…

‘Four from Toyah’ - and then ‘Four More…’!

19

The

Travelling Fan Liam Richardson

The day out and getting there What looks set to be a contender for our longest away trip of the season given the situation at Dover right now meant a fifth overnight stay of the season was required for Richard Landon and the media team.

As is a weekly occurrence, an original departure time of ‘4-ish’ quickly transpired into a phone call from our beloved kitman at around 3.30pm. ‘Ready when you are lads.’ Great. Cheers Lando! There’s nothing quite like a jog down Castle Street on a Friday afternoon.

Our destination for the night was a Premier Inn in Bridgwater, arriving at around 9pm, via a couple of stops. After a quick visit to the players’ hotel in the morning, we continued the rest of the journey down to Weymouth, even arriving in time for a walk along the beach and a stop for fish and chips, before making the rest of the way to the ground.

Bob Lucas Stadium This was both my and County’s first-ever visit to the Bob Lucas Stadium, so named after a longstanding former Club President of the Club. A former greyhound track, the ground has a capacity of 6,600, and we were situated high up in their 900-seater stand behind the dugouts. It was a modest enough set-up, if not slightly dissipated by the unfriendly nature of the ground staff there who at times made us feel more like prisoners of war than visiting media! Still, the elevated standpoint offered a lovely view out onto the South Coast, the sea away to our right in the distance, and a giant landfill away to our immediate left. Magical.

20

Weymouth v County Vanarama National League Saturday 6th March 2021 The Bob Lucas Stadium

Weather: The sun was out, but with a bitter sea breeze blowing over on the South Coast Distance from EP: 247 miles Journey time: 5 hours Outcome: A bitterly disappointing afternoon for County as an early goal consigned us to defeat on the South Coast.

The match The less said about this one the better. Having been so solid defensively under Simon Rusk, a sloppy start to proceedings left County with it all to do early on as Andrew Dallas lashed the Terras in front after just four minutes. Having given the hosts something to hang on to very early on, cue a County siege for the remainder of the game as we huffed and puffed to find a way back into the game.

In fairness we appeared to do everything but score, seeing the ball cleared off the line to

deny both Sam Dalby and the impressive Harry Cardwell, whilst James Jennings was also denied from point-blank range.

When Weymouth came to Edgeley Park and won earlier in the season, they fully merited it on their second-half performance. This was a very different kind of game, but as has been the case a few times this season, County came unstuck against a well drilled and organised defence.

Getting away After post-match media duties were completed, we reboarded the minibus for a very sombre journey home, as we reflected on a missed opportunity.

These journeys home often spark great debates of the mind, and this one was no different as Sam Byrne shocked us all by telling us he sleeps on four pillows (FOUR?!). I’m no expert on pillow etiquette, but if anyone has any advice for Sam on how wrong this is, please do feel free to tweet him during the game. He then followed this up by telling us that ‘horses are pointless in modern society.’ It was at that point we had to tell him to rein it in.

Anyway, long faces aside, we arrived back at Carrington at midnight, eager to never discuss that day ever again.

Memory of the day The chance to sit by the sea with fish and chips was certainly a treasured memory in these strange times – everything was going so well until we arrived at the ground!

Travelling fan verdict Journey – 6/10 Stadium – 5/10 Overall match day experience – 5/10

21

Stockport CountyFC FC Stockport County Official Club Sponsors Official Club Sponsors

SPORTS KITS EQUIPMENT CLOTHING

Saving Businesses of Stockport Money

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SPORTS KITS EQUIPMENT CLOTHING

Stockport County Colts & Junior Academy

Promising young stars from our Under-12s!

This week we will look at our Under-12s Blues team.

The Blues underwent a big change at the start of the season with Jake Loftus and Alex Gray taking over the team. Alongside a big influx of new players, the team needed to bond over a short period of time.

The season started very well with strong performances in the championship as the players hit the ground running. The team understood what the coaches wanted to achieve, with an entertaining possession-based style in line with the club’s philosophy.

As coaches, they anticipated a slow start to the season, however, the players bonded as a team quickly and it showed on the pitch with great team play and some fantastic goals. Jake and Alex

looked to develop players individually as the team already had a great level technical ability, so they wanted to focus on their game understanding.

To achieve this, the players had to learn not only how to play out from the back but the reasons for playing this way. The development and progress of the team was clear to see, for example in a game against the top of the league, the players‘ performance displayed all the markings of a team that understood the Colts’ approach to playing.

The team currently sits at the top of the league table having only lost one game all season. Jake and Alex are looking forward to the team improving even more than they already have over just a short period of time as we certainly have some prospects here for the post-16 Academy!

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Official Partners of The National League

Supporters’ Co-operative Last week saw the very welcome sight of Board members from the Club and the Supporters’ Co-operative meeting to engage in discussions, whilst strictly observing current Covid regulations.

It was a most useful meeting which, if built upon, will ultimately lead to much benefit for the Club, its supporters, and the Supporters’ Cooperative.

For our part we wanted to confirm our continuing willingness and determination to work and engage with the Club as a trusted partner, and in this respect, we look forward to reestablishing the previous pattern of regular meetings twixt Club and us every six to eight weeks going forward.

The Supporters’ Co-operative has traditionally provided a link between the Club and County supporters that, over the years, has proved of benefit to both,

and in these difficult times, it is no less relevant.

The successful Community Ticket Initiative was discussed, in conjunction with the Club’s other schemes currently in operation, and it was noted that a review of all the Club’s ticketing initiatives is pending.

From our perspective we emphasised our willingness to continue playing our part, helping with the organisation of the Community Ticketing Initiative which, thanks to great support from County fans, introduces County’s potential future fan base to life at Edgeley Park.

Moving on, the Club agreed to the Co-operative having a

presence in EP on a match-day.

On the Hatters’ Half-Marathon, the Club are willing for us to use Edgeley Park for the race, if we get approvals.

Safe standing was touched upon. The Club likes the idea of safe standing but there are practical difficulties surrounding implementation due to current ground layout. The feasibility will be reviewed as part of any future development of the stands.

It was noted that the question would be included in our upcoming consultation process aimed at County supporters on safe standing.

Stockport County Supporters’ Co-operative 25

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The Mad Hatter’s Quiz with Paul Dean

TRIVIA

WHO AM I?

1. Which team did Barry Fry leave Barnet to manage in 1985, only to return to manage the Bees in the same year?

2. For which player did the Bees receive their record transfer fee?

3. Which three managers have won the Champions League as manager a record three times?

4. Who was the last English player before Raheem Sterling to score a brace in an FA Cup Final at Wembley?

5. Who was the only member of England’s Euro ‘96 squad to play for a non-British club side at the time?

6. Who scored the first ever hat-trick in the Premier League for Manchester City?

I played as a forward for the Hatters from 1948-51 making 111 appearances scoring 35 goals.

7. Who did the Hatters beat 5-0 away from home in season 2006-07 only to heartbreakingly miss out on the play-offs on the last day of the season?

8. From which team did the Hatters sign Mike Summerbee in 1976?

R F R F O E B Q Z P S A C K E D Y V C L

S I X F G U D O Y V P I M C S G H A F J

L S Y X L S R E P T T P W S K X X I J C

Y G K H G I Z E S A K E H W I H S O M D

X J K A M S T N M M R C E O R G A P I M

R R X E A S M M N N A V V A E O U G F B

K E S N B E Q T E G L V G H M X S P O V

B A N V N M A R Q Q R S C A Z G F Z P B

C N K L G A N M R C Y N R I W Q K X Z I

X Y S U I Z M Z D P O I L U K E S H A W

I I C J H M K Z V U O T X R U B C D Z X

N H T A I E I A E Y I B X H N L C I Z E

J Z O A B B M W R I A I N V V O U C L W

B R U M O V M N A E R C L E G Y N G L P

A T S E I N I M C Y U G Z I N G S E Q D

R K M F I N C K Z F M L E E X C V U C I

L P T B T X H T U T Y P D J J A K B S B

N A Y R A T I H K M P A V L J Z Q U P C

G S M Q V F O Y J T I O S Q B P J B U D

Answers:

C Z U F L S F K Y H M B T I N W Z O X J

Who Am I? Alec Herd

BRUMO CASEMIRO ERIKSEN GRIEZMANN INIESTA JOAO MARIO KIMMICH LEDESMA LUKESHAW MATIC MESSI MILNER MKHITARYAN WERNER

Trivia 1: Maidstone United.

2: Dougie Freedman.

3: Bob Paisley, Carlo Ancelotti & Zinedine Zidane.

4: Ian Wright.

5: Paul Ince.

6: Paulo Wanchope.

7: Darlington.

8: Blackpool.

WORDSEARCH

27

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

Remembering Andrew Wood We were saddened to learn last week of the passing of another one of the County family.

Andrew Wood (Andy) was an ardent sports fan and extremely active sportsman in his own right.

He played football, cricket, tennis, and golf locally but suffered with illness over the last four years.

Andy was an avid Stockport County supporter, watching the club for over 45 years. He was a season ticket holder right up until his passing on 6th March.

He will be very sadly missed by all who knew him, including everyone at Edgeley Park.

Our thoughts are with all of Andy’s family and friends at this very sad time.

Rest in Peace Andy and thank you for your loyal support.

Andrew Wood 4.8.62 - 6.3.21.

Andy was an avid Stockport County supporter, watching the club for over 45 years. He was a season ticket holder right up until his passing on 6th March 29

Steve Bellis A Good Thrashing, Green Olives and Poor Piers!

I have been saying for a while that we would give someone a good thrashing soon. We have been creating chances but lacked that clinical finishing that is the difference between wins and draws.

It might have come at Weymouth a week ago last Saturday had the two that were cleared off the line and the shot that hit the post gone in.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect it to come at Solihull, a place where we have never managed a win.

Previously, despite the results, I have enjoyed the afternoon games at Solihull due to its proximity to Birmingham airport which meant that when the game wasn’t going well (and they usually weren’t) I could watch the planes taking off and landing instead.

As a youngster I was one of those nerds who had a CAM (Civil Aircraft Markings) book who used to underline the registrations of aircraft I had seen.

Thankfully, I had grown out of this by the time I was about 48.

Solihull had kindly invited a select few of us to attend, unlike some other clubs I could mention who shall remain nameless as it’s not fair on Weymouth or Dagenham & Redbridge.

I had the great pleasure of the company of our Director of Football, Simon Wilson, and our Head of Football Administration, Alex Cowdy.

Both excel in their roles and just listening to their football experience and absorbing their knowledge makes the games so much more interesting.

We have been on the end of some key erroneous decisions recently but last Tuesday night this was certainly not the case.

After a start where both teams cancelled each other out, the ever-lively Alex Reid took advantage of a 30

Don’t have the nuts at Leggy Lynda’s mum’s

misplaced pass and slid in Harry Cardwell who had made one of many excellent runs.

Before ‘H’ had chance to unleash his shot he received a shove in the back from Tyrone Williams and referee Daniel Middleton didn’t hesitate as he pointed to the spot.

The offender’s decision to hold his fingers up to his eyes to create some imaginary spectacles indicating that the referee might need some optical assistance wasn’t a great one. He was sent off, for the offence, not the pretend specs.

John Rooney rifled the spot-kick home and what followed was a blitz of the kind of finishing we have been missing of late.

Rooney’s finish for the second was sublime, Tom Walker’s header capped a great flowing move, Harry’s first goal for the club came from another clever run and a wonderful night was completed by a debut goal for young Jack Stretton who had only arrived the previous day from Derby.

Watching Derby manager (and one of the finest forwards the country has produced) Wayne Rooney must have been delighted by his young player’s contribution and that of his younger brother.

Meanwhile, back on the box rather than in it, last week was an interesting one for our Royal Family and the marmite figure that is Piers Morgan.

I’m not a Morgan fan, ever since the phone hacking revelations during his time at the Daily Mirror and his paper’s attempt to smear our soldiers with faked pictures of torture of Iraqi civilians. Morgan was the editor so has to take responsibility yet he refused to apologise (I think there’s a trend developing there).

Well Spud, you are in good company. It turns out that my good friend Leggy Lynda’s mum, Yvonne, did exactly the same thing at a family party (note to oneself... don’t have the nuts at Leggy Lynda’s mum’s for lunch).

Back to Piers and he had got himself into a right old twist about the revelations from Meghan Sparkle and soon not to be Prince Harry.

He is certainly a love/hate character, a bit like olives.

Now if I am sat in the sunshine with an ice-cold gin and tonic, a bowl of olives is a welcome aperitif.

There was a huge build-up to the interview being aired on American TV and I expect the Royal Family were sweating profusely (with the exception of Prince Andrew of course) about what the couple might say.

However, if I’m sat in the Fingerpost on a cold winter’s night sipping a pint of Robinson’s best bitter then you can stick your olives where the sun don’t shine.

It was bombshell after bombshell as Oprah Winfrey (who it was noted looked like a cross between Ian Wright and Mrs Doubtfire) teased the feelings out of the self-ostracised couple.

I remember an amusing evening involving olives. My ex-wife (she really didn’t appreciate me returning to County) and I were enjoying an evening outside a nice Spanish restaurant in Marple and were enjoying some of those large green olives, the ones with the big stones in the middle.

Piers didn’t believe a word of it and questioned Sparkle’s admission that at one point she was suicidal.

We were soon joined by our good friend (and County fan) Spud and ordered more Sangria.

It was then that I noticed that Spud seemed to be having difficulty chewing something. I assumed he had swallowed some of the fruit or ice from the Sangria but it turned out he was eating the stones from our olives, mistaking them for nuts.

When I told him what they were he spat them out faster than a wig blows off in a hurricane.

At a time when mental health issues are increasingly common this was insensitive to say the least and Piers was taken to task by his Good Morning Britain colleague Alex Beresford (I have no idea who he actually is by the way as I don’t rise early enough for breakfast, never mind breakfast TV).

Poor old Morgan looked really piersed off by the line of questioning and like the big brave man he is, he left the set of his own programme leaving his co-presenter Susanna Reid more speechless than usual.

It seems that Morgan was asked by his employers to apologise for his outright dismissal of Sparkle’s mental health issue claims but, as we know, Piers Morgan doesn’t do apologies.

Bye bye Piers... not missing you already.

Meanwhile, on another channel I noticed a good question (actually it might not have been that good as I can’t remember what it was) being asked by the MP for Coventry, Zarah Sultana, I found myself wondering if she was a currant MP. Back to this evening and we warmly welcome the players and playing management of Barnet FC.

Zarah Sultana... a currant MP

We hope they have a safe if slightly miserable journey home.

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Opposition View This evening’s opposition view is provided by Barnet supporter, Carla Devine.

How do you assess your season so far?

I think it’s fair to say so far this season has not been the season we hoped for and has been pretty poor. It was always going to be a bit of a tricky one with the implications of Covid and a very short preseason but unfortunately we just haven’t been able to find anything that has worked for us consistently and have found it hard to put a stamp on our own style of play.

What have been the highlights of your season so far?

Admittedly, there haven’t been too many but our FA Cup win against League One Burton back in November is definitely up there.

It was a brilliant performance, and we definitely deserved the win.

In the league, the away victory at Dagenham and recent home win against Halifax stand out as these were one of the few times we showed we did have quality and could get results in the league.

Which Barnet players are the ones to look out for?

Michael Petrasso who we have got on loan from Canadian team York United has been absolutely outstanding since he came in.

Not only is he our top scorer but he plays the game so beautifully so is definitely one to look out for.

Harry Taylor is also a great player especially when we play a passing game as he holds the ball well and covers so much of the pitch.

Our goalkeeper Scott Loach can’t go without a mention as he is a 32

caught a couple of Stockport games on BT, one of those being the close FA Cup game against West Ham. Keeping an eye on the league, of course your current position speaks for itself and given your massive win against Solihull last week, you know how to find the back of the net!

Jamie Stephens

magician in goal but unfortunately he dislocated his elbow in Saturday’s game so luckily for you, won’t feature this evening.

Who are your all-time favourite Barnet players?

This is tough as we’ve had so many great players and my answer definitely isn’t drawing off the obvious ones! Lee Harrison was my first-ever footballing hero so he’s definitely on the list. Midfielder Mark Byrne and fellow goalkeeper Jamie Stephens also stand out for me as being favourites. Byrne was quick with the ball and had a great shot on him and Stephens was so reliable in goal, it was such a shame when he got injured.

What do you know about Stockport this season?

Stockport are actually one of the only teams I’ve watched live this season as the reverse of this fixture was one of two games I was lucky enough to go to when fans were allowed back in. In that game, you looked a well-organised side though I’m sure us going down to 10 men also helped! I’ve also

What are your memories of games against Stockport?

I distinctly remember Matt Glennon from an away game at Stockport as he was up for good banter with the away fans and made the game entertaining especially when we were losing. A trip to Edgeley Park was also the last Saturday game we had before lockdown came in so that one will definitely be in the memories for a while too! I also met England keeper Karen Bardsley before that game although I did have to double-take as I wasn’t expecting to see her heading into a Stockport vs Barnet game!

Have you been to Edgeley Park before?

I grew up in Leeds so Stockport was actually a local fixture for us as it’s just a nice little drive across the Pennines. I think my first trip there was around 2006/07, we went again in 2010 when we lost 2-1 and for the trip there last season.

What is your prediction for the game?

I’m a bit torn because I know you’re a good team but I am also known for being a bit of an optimist so I am going to go for a 1-1 draw.

Terrace Talk It was frustrating that County could not close the gap on the automatic promotion places at the weekend due to a positive Covid test in the Dagenham & Redbridge camp, especially as others had dropped points along the way. Luckily the games are coming thick and fast at the moment though and Barnet are the next visitors to Edgeley Park this evening.

Barnet lie second-bottom in the National League table as things stand, but they showed good fighting spirit a few days ago at Bromley when coming back on two separate occasions to level the scores in an action-packed 2-2 draw which saw both teams see a man red-carded.

Paul Fairclough is currently in caretaker charge of the Bees for the fourth time having replaced former County loan player Tim Flowers who left the club last week after just four months at the helm.

Paul Fairclough needs no introduction at this level

Paul needs no introduction at this level and his work with Barnet, Stevenage and the England C team make him one of the most experienced managers around.

Even though there is a big gap for the Londoners to make up at present, he is sure to make the club tighten up prior to the next manager being appointed.

At a foggy Hive Stadium back in December, Alex Reid was at the double to bring the points back to Edgeley Park. Alex had been neatly put through by Richie Bennett and made no mistake in beating keeper Scott Loach to open the scoring, much to the annoyance of the Barnet defenders.

The Bees got back into the contest a few minutes after the break when winger Ephron Mason-Clark found himself unchallenged off a corner kick to beat Ben Hinchliffe and level the scoring. It was a tad harsh on County’s keeper after he had twice denied striker Inih Effiong in the first forty-five.

Referee Alan Dale then reduced Barnet to ten men when sending off the experienced Anthony Wordsworth for his challenge on Sam Minihan and County made that advantage count, as Reid wrapped the game up with a quarter of an hour to go when

prodding home another decent assist from Bennett.

Soon after that game the manager Peter Beadle left the club and in came Flowers, who played four games here at County in the winter of 2001 when covering for Lee Jones and Sam Turner. The former England and Blackburn Rovers keeper could not replicate his work at Solihull Moors whilst in London earlier this campaign and left by mutual consent prior to the weekend just gone.

Managerless they may be, but Simon Rusk will be warning against any complacency tonight.

33

The County Years

1978

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

Opening game Not an auspicious start to the year on Monday 2nd January.

County: Mike Rogan, George McBeth, John Rutter, Ken Fogarty, Derek Loadwick, Graham Smith, Mike Summerbee, Carl Halford, Terry Park (Peter Fletcher), Eddie Prudham, Steve Massey We did hold our hosts at the Old Showground until nearly the hour mark but then Bob Oates [57 minutes], and a brace from Jim Lumby [70 & 85] left us well beaten. The County forwards made little impact on a defence that included future Hatter Mike Czuczman.

First Debutant County made an attempt to introduce goals from non-league football by paying £3,000 to bring in Runcorn striker Barry Howard. He made his debut at Barnsley on 18th February (SCAN 827) and helped us to a 1-0 win.

However, his time was not a success with just one goal, at Rochdale, in 13 games.

Summer Business Howard left for Altrincham in the summer and also heading out were Phil

34

Jackson (Napier City Rovers, New Zealand), veteran Chris Lawler (Bangor City), Fletcher (Huddersfield Town), Massey (AFC Bournemouth), McBeth (Macclesfield Town) and one-game reserve Gary Schofield. Coming in were Les Bradd (Notts County) and Stuart Lee (Wrexham) to form a high scoring partnership, with Bradd costing £15,000.

Jimmy Goodfellow (Rotherham United), also signed.

Last debutant The news County were signing a player from the Netherlands and a fee of £11,000 would be paid for him showed another step in the plans for the club.

He turned out to be former Manchester City midfielder Phil Henson, who had moved to Sparta for the previous season. He debuted in a 2-2 draw at Crewe in September, and went on to make a decent contribution to a side that struggled after this first season, before being sold to Rotherham for a profit early in 1980.

Closing game We ended the year on a great note with Bradd and Lee to the fore.

County: Rogan, Smith, Rutter, Paul Edwards, Park, Alan Thompson, Henson, Summerbee, Bradd, George Armstrong, Lee. We went ahead just before half-time through Les Bradd against highly-rated visitors Portsmouth.

Then Pompey levelled through Dave Pullar, but a pair from Stuart Lee sandwiched a Mike Summerbee goal before the hour mark to put us 4-1 up. Colin Garwood completed the scoring on 77 minutes of a thoroughly entertaining night.

Most apps in calendar year John Rutter 51 (ever present), Mike Rogan 50, Terry Park 49

The man in charge Former England International Mike Summerbee had joined the club in the summer of 1977 initially on loan from Blackpool. His appointment as Player Manager was announced on 22nd March 1978, taking over from Alan Thompson who stayed on as a player. With the heaviest financial backing in the club’s history to date his side flirted with a promotion challenge, but tailed off in 1979 and after a poor start to the following season he resigned on 17th October shortly after a 6-1 defeat at Bradford City.

And finally...

30th August 1978 is one of those games that goes down in infamy amongst County fans.

Leading 2-1 after switching a home League Cup tie to Old Trafford, a series of controversial decisions by referee Peter Willis rescued our big-money hosts, who were down to 10 men after Gordon McQueen was red-carded on 87 mins for hacking down a County man.

Former boss Alan Thompson had scored from the spot on 61 and Terry Park added our second with 11 left. Then a combination of a free kick on 88 minutes for the rarely punished offence of steps by County keeper Rogan and one minute later a penalty for reportedly Thompson flicking his heel at arch wind-up merchant Joe Jordan, turned the result on its head.

Most goals in calendar year Stuart Lee 15, Les Bradd 14, Terry Park 8 Worst run 4 defeats (17 to 27 March)

It was somewhat ironic that many home supporters were applauding the County boss, a legend with their City rivals, as he led his men in a lap of honour at the end of the game.

Best run 4 games unbeaten (13 to 28 October) W1 D3

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

35

STOCKPORT COUNTY

2

CHESTERFIELD

0

Jennings 60’, Reid 81’ CHE

STERFIELD FC

-

Saturday 27th February | Vanarama National League | Edgeley Park

The Hatters’ fourth contest of the season with Chesterfield, and their 100th against the ‘Spireites’ in all competitions over more than 120 years, saw them end a goal drought that had stretched through four games and achieve their first ‘double’ in 2020/21.

Second-half goals from James Jennings and Alex Reid overcame the in-form Derbyshire side to move County back up to third place by 5pm.

36

37

Sam Byrne After back-to-back away trips followed by another postponement for The Hatters, it’s felt like an absolute age since we were last at Edgeley Park.

The late postponement of Saturday’s clash with Dagenham & Redbridge will certainly have been a source of great frustration for the County camp, especially on the back of that big win at Solihull and in search of some real momentum.

Whilst County are by no means the only club to be affected by Covid postponements, it feels like we’ve been hit by so many at the worst possible times often when County are looking to really get into their stride!

But if you’re looking for a nice tonic to the weekend’s frustration, The Hatters provided just that with the marquee signing of Fleetwood Town striker Paddy Madden on a three-year deal on Monday evening.

Time will tell whether we see the Irishman in action as soon as tonight, but the signing of the Cod Army’s leading marksman should provide County fans with real excitement about the side’s prospects this season and beyond. Madden is and always has been a natural finisher, and looks the closest by way of an out-and-out goalscorer since maybe Luke Beckett or a forward of that ilk at Edgeley Park.

The former Scunthorpe man has seen it all in the game and will be well placed to deal with the pressures of leading County to success, and it’ll be exciting to see him out in the blue and white.

The Weymouth defeat was a real sucker punch the in our last Saturday outing. The disappointment and real low feeling we all felt that evening was obviously tough for supporters, players and everyone around

38

Paddy Madden’s signing provides real excitement

the club - but it was swiftly onto Solihull three days later, with the 0-5 win on Tuesday evening proving the perfect response.

One slight upside to this entire pandemic has been that games do come incredibly thick and fast - so when you do suffer defeat, you don’t need to wait long to put things right.

To be frank, Solihull away in recent years has had the same inevitable feeling of defeat as a trip to Brackley! But regardless of the Moors’ red card, The Hatters were superb in attack and continued to show the same solidity at the back as we have been doing under Rusk and Co.

County will be looking to build on an enjoyable outing last week

Moving on to individual performances, and given that I’ve heaped praise on Mark Kitching and Connor Jennings in recent weeks only to see both men continue to be sidelined through injury, I’m wary of jinxing anyone else in the squad!

Having said that, the talisman John Rooney showed on Tuesday exactly what County were missing at Weymouth last weekend. His early penalty was followed up by a superbly taken second, with his sixteen-goal tally rapidly approaching the total required to become The Hatters’ top goalscorer at this level.

Not forgetting that his brace on Tuesday evening came not long after an effortlessly brilliant through ball for James Jennings to give County the lead against Chesterfield last time out at Edgeley Park, Rooney is once again showing why he’s so valuable to this side - and how he can do things that no other player in any National League side could do.

There have been so many drawbacks to not having County fans along for the ride this season, and a big one for me has been that players like Rooney, Alex Reid, Macauley Southam-Hales, Mark Kitching (and now Paddy Madden!) have not been able to form that real bond with supporters. I know that the Edgeley Park crowds would be loving

watching Southam-Hales and Kitching bursting down the wings, Rooney and Reid scoring crackers at the Cheadle End - but naturally that absence of supporters has made it difficult to form that connection, and I do think this season’s recruits have suffered in that respect.

As we’ve seen down the years, that connection can really help push the side on to success and County are having to forge their own path without that support behind them from the stands this campaign. Of course, that remains the same for all clubs - but I genuinely believe few clubs at this level can really rival The Hatters for support and how that support can help push the side on.

As for tonight’s visit of Barnet, whilst Tuesday night’s big win was an enjoyable one after a grim Saturday at Weymouth, the County camp will know that it counts for very little unless real momentum can be built on the back of it.

With a huge trip to National League leaders Sutton United to come this weekend, Rusk’s men have a real opportunity to do just that here tonight, and to hopefully be heading into Sutton back in good form - with the added boost that Madden’s arrival will surely provide the entire club to boot.

Enjoy the game!

39

Physio

Luke Smith Good evening everyone.

In this past week we have had great progress on our injured players.

Macauley has had a full week on the grass and is ready to be integrated back into first-team training. He has shown excellent professionalism since the terrible challenge three weeks ago. He has been focusing on recovery every day and pushing himself each session to get back in a very timely manner. This will be a huge boost for the team and will hopefully see him available for selection in the next week or so.

Secondly, Mark Kitching has also

been working on improving a back issue which was picked up several weeks ago, he has been to see a specialist again and we should hopefully see him return to field sessions this week and, symptom dependent, be back in first-team training shortly after. Finally, Connor Jennings has recently had a shoulder issue which we are taking precaution over, he has been training individually until we can obtain a clear diagnosis and implement a treatment plan.

Enjoy the game.

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

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Treatment Injury Assessment and Treatment

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Sports Massage 1 Hour

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41

42

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fans back to Edgeley Park!

43

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Phil Chisnall: 1942-2021 Everyone at Stockport County Football Club was saddened to hear of the death of our former player Phil Chisnall, who passed away on March 4th at the age of 78.

Born in Davyhulme, Phil was a highly-talented schoolboy player who represented Stretford, Lancashire and England Schoolboys. He was signed

by Manchester United straight from school in 1958, only a couple of months after the Munich disaster.

He made his first-team debut for The Reds in 1961, in a game at Everton. The match finished 5-1 to The Blues with former County player Alex Young scoring one of the goals. His performance was good enough to retain his place for the following game and over the next two and half years he went on to make 47 appearances scoring 10 goals.

Despite playing for England Under-23s, first-team appearances were becoming harder at Old Trafford, and in 1964 Chisnall was to make one the rarest moves in English football. To this day he remains the last footballer to be transferred directly from Manchester United to their rivals Liverpool. His signing by Bill Shankly took him to the league champions, but sadly his opportunities to establish himself in the first team were limited. He only made 10 appearances for Liverpool but he was to appear in the first-ever game to be shown on Match of the Day (where he was the first Liverpool player to touch the ball) and he also scored a goal in Liverpool’s first-ever European fixture against KR Rekjavik.

In 1967 he moved to Southend United for a club record fee of £12,000, and at Roots Hall he had his most successful period as a player. For four seasons, playing as an inside forward, he was almost ever present making 161 appearances scoring 32 goals.

In Sept 1971 Chisnall joined Stockport County.

A match programme at the time records that his mother-in-law called County manager Matt Woods to tell him he was looking for a move back north and within 24 hours he had signed for The Hatters. He played 32 times during the 1971-72 seasons and scored 2 goals, his final appearance being against Newport County on April 11th 1972.

During his time at Edgeley Park he played in a struggling County side that finished 91st in the Football League and were defeated by non-League Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup. With a knee injury hampering his performances, he was released at the end of the season and this was to be his last season in the league. This was a sad finish to a professional career that as a hugely talented schoolboy had promised so much but never really delivered to levels he might have expected.

After he finished playing football, he owned two betting shops before working on the production line in the Soreen malt loaf bakery in Manchester. In his latter years, his footballing connection with County remained as one of his grandsons trained in the County Academy. In 2014 he suffered a serious stoke after which the Manchester United Foundation fitted a stairlift into his home.

Chisnall is quoted as saying “Football was a game to me. I played for fun and was given a few quid for it.

It’s a bit more intense today. We had no agents, apart from my wife, mind you, she used to take 80 per cent, not just ten!” We remember Phil for his contribution to County and we send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.

45

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COUNTY JUNIORS

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

Hello again, and welcome back under the lights at Edgeley Park for tonight’s game with Barnet.

Our visitors are having a difficult season having only won three games. No doubt they will be fighting hard to get anything out of tonight’s game. The demise of Dover is keeping them off the bottom of the table.

You have to wonder if any other clubs will not see out the season. With things starting to look brighter on the covid scene and lockdown starting to lift, hopefully we will see the season out and next will see normality return.

Looking at the fixture list we see out this month with three difficult matches against Hartlepool, our rearranged game with Eastleigh here at Edgeley Park and an away trip to in-form Sutton. It will be interesting to see how the table will look as we enter April.

I write these notes after our away match at Solihull Moors last Tuesday night - what a night and result!

After the disappointment of the Weymouth game we bounced back with a 5-0 away win. Yes, Solihull had a player sent off early resulting in the early penalty, but then we outplayed the home side until half-time.

The second half was more even, but again we had the chances to add more goals than the one we scored near the end.

County are offering young supporters the chance to design the front cover of the match-day programme for the game on the 27th March. It is open to children aged 16 and under and is sponsored by Together. Full details are on the club’s website with the template to download with your design. Good luck to all of you that enter! Closing date is Monday 22nd March.

That’s all for this time.

Mascots

Edie is 2 and she loves animals, Stockport County and making a mess!

Her favourite player is Sam Minihan and she’s looking forward to joining the Juniors when it’s back open.

Sebastian is 4 years old. He likes dinosaurs, superheroes and playing football. He lives in Essex and is looking forward to going back to football training so his friends can see his Stockport County shirt.

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.

The basis of these articles will be the years of research done by those who were or have been official or unofficial historians of the club. Starting back in the 1960s with Simon Myers, through Peter Freeman and Richard Harnwell and on to Marcus Heap and Ian Watts. These researches eventually led to Peter’s books and then to the Stockport County Appearance Number (SCAN) scheme.

JIMMY ANGUS 20-year-old centre forward or centre-half. After his early debut he kept his place for three games but was then only used in the Manchester Senior Cup ties despite scoring regularly for the reserves. He was recalled three games in at the start of the following season but dropped out permanently in October and was to return to the North East at West Stanley.

JIMMY LOMAX Started with Lancashire clubs before an apparent brief spell with Dundee. Jimmy took two seasons to establish himself, making just 12 appearances until September 1910 after which he never really looked back. The 5’ 5” tall player enjoyed the visit of Canadian side Calgary Hillhead in October 1911 - scoring four goals in a Monday afternoon 8-4 victory. After County Jimmy spent some time with Nelson and ten years later was playing for Hurst.

48

BILL BERRY Another North Easterner. He found his way to County via Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. After joining County he missed just one game and had a good spell in April scoring his three goals that month. Early the following season he lost his place and later the Players’ Unions campaigned successfully on his behalf for compensation for injury.

WILLIE BAUCHOP Scotsman William Fotheringham Bauchop had played for several clubs in Scotland before spending a season in the SouthWest of England with Plymouth Argyle. Back home he figured for Hearts before his two years at Brunton Park. The winger started the season in County’s first team but lost his place after consecutive 0-2 defeats. He was back in the seniors in November and kept his place until New Year’s Day. The following season was not successful and when released he signed on for Division Two rivals Leicester Fosse against whom his last County match had been played.

He was to stay in England for another four seasons moving around the country each year before returning to his first club.

TOMMY CHARLTON Having been on the books of Stockton, Middlesbrough and Darlington he was making his Football League debut when he came to County. He made just six appearances in that first season but then became a regular for the next three years and chipped in with his fair share of goals. He was sold to Burnley for £650 after 99 first-team games.

DAVID MELVILLE Another Scottish import although he arrived via Yorkshire. His earlier football had been played for Partick Thistle and Bradford City whilst not always the first name on County’s team sheet he appears to have been a consistent performer - making over 20 appearances in each of his three seasons at Edgeley Park. After leaving he played for Southport and York City.

TED GETTINS A “good steady player with a strong kick” after five seasons with Gainsborough Trinity, he moved to topflight Middlesbrough. On his arrival at Edgeley Park he immediately made a full-back position his own and over the next two seasons was alternated between left and right-back. He left temporarily to join Haslingden but returned for 1912-13 season playing for the reserves.

JIMMY HINDMARSH Forward who cost County a £100 fee when they signed him from Southern League Plymouth Argyle where he had scored 16 goals the previous season.

The former Whitburn, Sunderland and Fulham player was converted to a centre-half after an injury as he was not scoring goals. His next known appearances after leaving County came post-war for Manchester City.

Player Jimmy Angus Jimmy Lomax Bill Berry Walter Wilson Willie Andrews Henry Hibbert Walter Jones Jos Pollard Willie Bauchop Tommy Charlton James Greechan James Kennedy David Melville John Nixon Alex Weir William Moore Ernest Newman Ted Gettins Frank Kelly Ted Price Arthur Green Jimmy Makin Jimmy Hindmarsh Richard Prout Chris Baggeley Jock Bridge Joe Birds

Debut 01.01.1909 09.01.1909 20.02.1909 27.02.1909 06.03.1909 06.03.1909 08.03.1909 15.03.1909 01.09.1909 01.09.1909 01.09.1909 01.09.1909 01.09.1909 01.09.1909 01.09.1909 04.09.1909 04.09.1909 06.09.1909 06.09.1909 11.09.1909 23.10.1909 14.03.1910 01.09.1910 01.09.1910 26.11.1910 10.12.1910 14.01.1911

Harry Brown Jimmy Mitton Billy Hardy Billy Devlin John Graham Billy McIver Dick O'Brien Robert Russell Harry Beech William Davidson Robert Emmerson Joe Graham Joe Norton George Trotter Jake Hiftle Jack Rourke George Warren Norman Rodgers William Froehlich Fred Smith Fred Houghton

14.01.1911 13.02.1911 01.04.1911 02.09.1911 02.09.1911 02.09.1911 02.09.1911 02.09.1911 23.09.1911 09.10.1911 09.10.1911 09.10.1911 09.10.1911 09.10.1911 14.10.1911 14.10.1911 21.10.1911 04.11.1911 02.12.1911 16.12.1911 25.12.1911

Signed From Morpeth H Lancaster T Manchester United Failsworth Oldham Athletic Sheffield Wednesday Buxton None Carlisle United Darlington Glossop Leeds C Bradford City Croydon Common Glossop Derby County Walsall Glossop Watford Walsall Nottingham Forest None Plymouth Argyle Fulham Handforth Whitchurch Macclesfield Manchester City Heart of Midlothian Glossop Heart of Midlothian Wallsend Park Villa Heart of Midlothian Hartlepools U Leith Ath Heart of Midlothian Sandbach Ramblers Newcastle C Wallsend Park Villa Wallsend Park Villa Nuneaton T Blyth Spartans Ashington Park A Willenhall Swifts Hooley Hill None Heart of Midlothian Park A

49

County Heaven Hatter in Macc writes: Evening, all - and greetings from Edgeley Park for the first time this month, following the postponement of Dagenham & Redbridge’s visit here at the weekend.

That false start aside, we have, since our last notes and over the two preceding Saturdays, achieved our inaugural league ‘double’ of the campaign (here against Chesterfield - which became a ‘treble’, on taking our FA Cup triumph over the ‘Spireites’ into account), and, subsequently, had a first ‘double’ done unto us (at Weymouth).

Defeat ‘Wey’ down on the Dorset coast was followed a week ago by another road trip - albeit a mercifully shorter one, to the West Midlands - where demons were well and truly exorcised, not only from the previous weekend but also from the last seven years in which four previous trips to Solihull’s Damson Park had yielded three defeats and just a solitary draw. Netting five (and, dare I say, it could have been ‘Moor’?) to prevail in style on the fifth visit was quite the historical turnaround, which sets County up nicely this evening to seek back-to-back wins for the first time since those in the capital at 50

Bromley and - as coincidence would have it - Barnet during early December.

All of which smoothly takes us back to tonight’s North London guests, whose most recent visit took place only a year and nine days ago, but now feels a lifetime away - turning out to be as it was the last game played at EP in front of fans before the enforced early ending to season 2019/20. Let us hope that not many more weeks will pass before the turnstiles can be clicking again in SK3.

So much for tonight’s opponents, then. Now, over to my esteemed co-contributor, who is Buzzing to regale you with everything Heavenly – and more Bee-sides!

You ok, Hun? Sandbach Hatter writes: Thanx chick, will DM you.

Speaking of Barnet, following our delightful catch-up via Zoom recently (contrary to popular belief, we don’t actually live together like Ant and Dec, or Bert and Ernie), I think I speak for both Maccy and myself when I say we’ll be glad when the barbers are allowed to re-open, as my barnet in particular is totally out of control! I can barely get a (honey)comb through it, and I’m seriously considering getting a buzz-cut.

Right, putting all this bee-autiful punnery aside, let’s have a Games Room update, shall we? As usual, the conclusion of another month has produced a string of awards being handed out.

Firstly, in Ceefer’s County Prediction game, it was County_ fan who claimed February’s title, while in the original ‘Macc and Archie Prediction League’, it was… oh, County_fan again!

No doubt he will make himself available, should anyone want to drop him a line for some lottery numbers…

Elsewhere, in Lennie’s Limerick Lounge, the latest trio of winning lines were provided by newcomer Elworth (not to be confused with Epworth), Ceefer, Lennie himself and Gazz, for our recent fixtures against Notts County, Chesterfield, Weymouth and Solihull, respectively.

Finally, my latest quiz has just started - so if you get over to County Heaven sharpish, there’s still time to make up lost ground and get involved.

Until next time, fellow Hatters – enjoy the match, wherever you may be.

Animo et Fide. www.countyheaven.com

Jon Keighren

Imagine Radio County’s 5-0 win at Solihull Moors last Tuesday has kept the Hatters firmly in the promotion race and was a welcome boost after struggling to find the back of the net in previous weeks.

But listening to Simon Wilson, who I met with on the day of the game, he knew this performance was coming, based on the number of chances that Simon Rusk’s team have been creating. In terms of ‘Expected Goals’, County were already top of the league, and last Tuesday finally saw them capitalise on that statistic.

Simon Rusk has done a terrific job putting his own stamp on the team and, after ten games in charge, he’s kept County at the heart of the race for the EFL and has every right to be optimistic about the remainder of the campaign.

However, the gaffer will no doubt be pleased to be back at Edgeley Park where it’s almost six-anda-half hours since County last conceded a goal.

You have to go back 14 years to find another run of league games where County have managed to achieve four clean sheets in a row at home.

The achievement is even greater when you consider that the manager is still wrestling with high profile injuries to Macauley

helm. Only Dover Athletic, who have now shut their gates, sit below the Bees in the National League table, and the struggling side have won just once away from home, some five months ago.

Ben Hinchliffe has kept four home clean sheets in a row

Southam-Hales, Mark Kitching and Connor Jennings.

Tonight’s visitors, Barnet, have had a difficult season so far, but with a new manager incoming and the immediate threat of relegation seemingly lifted following the termination of football at Step Two, chairman Tony Kleanthous has time to build for next season.

He has turned to trusted righthand man Paul Fairclough in the interim after parting company with Tim Flowers who had a brief and disastrous period in charge.

Flowers quit last week after losing eleven of his 12 games at the

But Saturday’s gutsy two-all draw at Bromley was a promising development and the Bees should be able to play with a bit more freedom now, after the FA rejected plans for a Step Two competition, effectively ditching relegation and promotion from the North and South.

At the other end of the table, County remain one of half a dozen clubs who still feel they can claim top spot at the end of a bizarre but increasingly exciting National League title race.

Finally, thank you for all the positive reactions to the interview with our Director of Football Simon Wilson, which aired this week. We are planning to make this a monthly event with a focus on different areas of activity as the season progresses, keeping you firmly in touch with events around the club, even during this prolonged, enforced period of absence.

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51

Oshor Williams It’s amazing how quickly the press seizes upon any fallout or apparent conflict within a football club.

Only a few weeks ago the media dined out for a couple of days on a training ground spat between Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce and experienced midfielder Matt Ritchie. Both are highly respected and well-liked figures within the game, however, once the story leaked to the press it received disproportionate column space providing an unwelcome distraction to the crucial mission of preserving the Magpies’ Premier League status.

This is only one of several reasons why training grounds have become fortresses, no longer welcoming casual visitors as they did in the past for fear that a loose comment or conversation might be taken out of context and broadcast around social media. Now that phone cameras can pick out a pimple on your nose from 50 yards, a mistimed training ground tackle captured in ‘slo-mo’ and posted on Instagram could be misconstrued as a violent clash between feuding players. Whoever said the camera never lies clearly had no concept of VAR which is proof positive that what we see, when taken out of context, is not always what it appears to be.

However, it will come as no great shock to anyone that in a high-octane competitive contact sport like football, training ground clashes are inevitable.

I can, however, say with confidence that they do not occur with quite the same frequency as they did in my own playing days. Within my first week of pre-season training as an apprentice I witnessed several heavy-duty scraps between first-team players, with one specific encounter worthy of a slot at Madison Square Garden! I wondered what I’d signed up to but soon learned that it was an overspill of the testosterone-filled, win-at-all-costs mentality which prevailed in the 1970s. This was a 52

Matt Ritchie’s conflict provided an unwelcome distraction for Newcastle recently

Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini fell out publicly

comparatively physical and undisciplined era with players such as Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris and Norman ‘Bites Yer Legs’ Hunter. Although both sound like Mafia hit men they were in fact extremely skilled defenders who were also known to resort to the ‘black arts’ in their determination to stifle the genius of talented players like George Best and Jimmy Greaves. The leading forwards of the day had to be exceptional, possessing the ability to control and manipulate the ball whilst evading tackles from behind as well as the occasional thigh-high

There will always be the odd training ground bust-up, but the manager’s job is to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible and use his or her managerial experience to restore harmony to the camp

challenge. Players did not just reserve that mindset for competitive games, they honed it on the training ground. Unsurprisingly this often led to training ground altercations, but these were predominantly player-on-player affairs. Disputes between players and managers are seldom public but those which are invariably take centre stage within the media.

Who could forget the well documented fall out between Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini at Manchester City? Or Mario Balotelli and Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan? Or Mario Balotelli and Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool?

In a world of ambitious, high performing athletes, disagreement is inevitable, but it is important to ensure this does not develop into widespread discord. There will always be the odd training ground bust-up, but the manager’s job is to diffuse the situation as quickly as possible and use his or her managerial experience to restore harmony to the camp. In which case I would suggest it’s probably not a good idea to make Mario Balotelli your next signing.

Enjoy the game.

Osh 53

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Deadly Duos Steven Davies

Scott Spencer and Danny Hurst Tonight we find ourselves at home to Barnet as we quickly approach the last quarter of the season.

Back in the 90’s when I was a kid, myself and my mate Ian used to go and watch Hyde United whenever County were away. Thus meaning that over the years I ended up developing a bit of a soft spot for the Tigers, and even now I sometimes look out for their results.

If you fast forward to the 2011/12 season and Scott Spencer was knocking them in for fun as Hyde were crowned the Conference North winners, also earning him an England C call-up in the process.

In the summer of 2014, I was genuinely excited when we signed both Scott and Danny Hurst. Scott was probably one of my favourite players at that level at that time and one that I had heard of and recognised the name whilst Danny was touted at the time as the best goalkeeper in non-league.

Scott started his football career in the Everton youth team and after a few loan spells here and there he ended up scoring over 50 goals in around 100 games when he signed for Hyde, moving onto bigger and better things when he was signed for the Hatters by Alan Lord.

Making his debut against Tamworth away ‘Spenno’, who was a character on and off the pitch, scored his first goal against Worcester in a 2-0 win. The goals followed and Scott went on to score eight in 14 starts including a cracker against Chester in the FA Cup which won him our Goal of the Season. Scott scored 14 in 46 in his County career and I’ve spoken to both Scott and Steve Bellis previously about each other and they both seem to have a massive mutual respect.

Scott Spencer

Danny Hurst had come through Barrow and Fleetwood before being signed from Southport where by then he was a highly respected keeper.

Making his debut against North Ferriby, Danny was our number one for that season and the campaign after, before injury sadly sidelined him.

We had to replace him for the remainder of the season after with current Manchester United and England goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Scott returned to Hyde before coming back to County for a short spell in 2016, making a handful of appearances and scoring a few goals, whilst Danny on the other hand went on to retire after playing for ourselves.

Both were brilliant players in their own right and I always feel that this was the era when the ship started to turn for us and we started to get that feel-good factor back at County.

Enjoy the game today and let hope that it’s three points in the bag.

Danny Hurst

Animo Et Fide.

55

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57

Talking Football Sam Preston

Last week, Rangers were confirmed as champions of Scotland once again, preventing Celtic from winning ten Scottish Premiership titles in a row.

Last season, it was the turn of Liverpool to end a 30-year title drought but the following year has brought an injury crisis and an alarming fall from grace.

There can’t be many Celtic or Liverpool fans who saw this coming. The old cliché is that a week is a long time in football.

A year is an absolute eternity and that’s especially pertinent when it’s a year like the one we’ve just had.

The landscape can change so rapidly, which is what helps make football the most thrilling sport in the country. That endures despite the financial imbalances at all levels of the game.

At the moment, there will be despondent supporters up and down the country, with that feeling being compounded by being unable to attend the game.

The landscape can change so rapidly, which is what helps make football the most thrilling sport in the country 58

It’s been an alarming fall from grace for Liverpool

They might be marooned in mid-table, staring down the barrel of relegation or unable to make the jump from also-rans into promotion winners.

Rangers have been in that position in the last decade, as they dropped to the bottom of professional Scottish football and had to work their way up.

Liverpool need to regroup and go again and so do Celtic. There’s talk of Manchester City building a dynasty in English football, but the game tends to move in cycles.

Rangers fans will tell you that the heartache and struggles endured make the day in the sun sweeter

That’s what the most hardened supporter of every club up and down the land knows.

It’s worth keeping the faith because this time next year the landscape could look totally different.

Nobody would have predicted Liverpool losing six home games in a row this time last year. Not many saw Celtic’s collapse and Rangers’ rampage on the horizon.

And that’s just at the top of the premier divisions in England and Scotland. It could all change so quickly for so many clubs up and down the pyramid.

Nobody really knows the true impact of no fans and a condensed schedule on any club. Next season might be completely different once fans return.

And it’s worth sticking it out because that moment when you’re able to line the streets with fans of your club to celebrate a trophy or a promotion is the sweetest feeling possible for a football fan.

The heartache, tedium and struggles that have been endured to get to that day in the sun make it even sweeter.

Rangers fans will tell you that The heartache, tedium and struggles that have been endured to get to that day in the sun make it even sweeter. Rangers fans will tell you that.

County have endured their share of hard times in recent years but are firmly in the process of bouncing back.

We all hope this season ends in promotion but even if it doesn’t – keep the faith.

59

The Hatters v The Bees

Facts & Figures Head to Head

Goals scored

Previously at EP

Played (all competitions): 14

County: 19

Played (all competitions): 6

County: 6

County: 3

Draws: 4

Draws: 2

Barnet: 4

Barnet: 17

First competitive meeting

Last time out

Barnet: 1

Saturday 1st January 1994 Football League Division 2 County 2 Barnet 1

Previous games Tuesday 8th December 2020 National League Barnet 1 County 2 Saturday 7th March 2020 National League County 1 Barnet 1

Barnet 1 County 2 Tuesday 8th December 2020 Vanarama National League County returned to the capital city for the second time in three days to claim a huge three points at Barnet, as Alex Reid continued his scoring streak with a brace in an eventful 2-1 win at The Hive.

They played for both clubs Keith Alexander Ken Charlery Anthony Pulis 60

Reid pounced either side of the break following Ephron Mason-Clark’s secondhalf leveller to seal another away win for County, after the hosts had seen Anthony Wordsworth dismissed with a straight red for a lunge on Sam Minihan – with the win in North London moving The Hatters up to fifth in the National League.

County line-up (3-4-1-2): Hinchliffe; Hogan ©, Keane, J. Jennings; Minihan, Maynard, Rooney, Williams (Kitching, 65), C. Jennings (Thomas, 90); Reid, Bennett (Britton, 86).

Subs not used: Barnes, Croasdale.

2020-21

CHE

Statistics Home L 2 3 4 2 2 5 3 3 5 4 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 5 9 6 10 5

F 30 22 21 20 14 22 20 17 26 11 21 17 14 23 21 13 15 16 24 16 18 8 9

A 11 13 13 7 8 14 14 11 22 12 16 17 14 10 18 14 12 9 24 26 22 28 18

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

D 2 4 3 3 2 3 4 4 3 6 4 3 4 2 4 2 4 1 3 3 1 2 0

Away L 2 4 2 6 5 2 5 4 3 4 7 5 7 6 4 7 7 8 8 6 8 8 6

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

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

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

A 11 12 12 20 14 5 18 15 12 15 27 19 23 17 17 20 19 20 28 15 29 33 17

W 16 14 14 13 12 12 11 10 10 9 11 11 10 11 10 9 9 8 8 6 6 3 3

Total

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

Subs

Goals

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

Subs

0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 18 6 3 2 0 4 0 0 1 2 1 1 3 3 0 1 14 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 14 3 2 1 9 5 1 1 18 3 1 5 15 2 2 1 19 0 1 4 19 6 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 2 1 1 23 3 10 4 23 0 11 1 0 0 0 0 10 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 3 10 1 1 6 0 1 0 6 9 0 1 0 - 37 30

F 14 14 25 18 23 8 22 16 17 20 21 21 19 13 15 13 13 13 10 10 13 12 3

D 5 7 6 7 7 5 7 9 8 11 5 4 7 3 6 6 5 6 5 5 5 4 1

Total L F 4 44 7 36 6 46 8 38 7 37 7 30 8 42 7 33 8 43 8 31 12 42 10 38 12 33 10 36 8 36 11 26 11 28 11 29 13 34 15 26 14 31 18 20 11 12

A 22 25 25 27 22 19 32 26 34 27 43 36 37 27 35 34 31 29 52 41 51 61 35

GD 22 11 21 11 15 11 10 7 9 4 -1 2 -4 9 1 -8 -3 0 -18 -15 -20 -41 -23

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

Cup

Goals

League Starts

Josh Barnes Nyal Bell Richie Bennett Louis Britton Harry Cardwell Will Collar Ryan Croasdale Alex Curran Sam Dalby 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 Elliot Newby Adam Owen Ash Palmer Alex Reid John Rooney Nathan Shaw Macauley Southam-Hales Finley Stanyer Jamie Stott Jack Stretton Adam Thomas Tom Walker Jordan Williams Own goals Total

D 3 3 3 4 5 2 3 5 5 5 1 1 3 1 2 4 1 5 2 2 4 2 1

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

Player Roll-Call

W 9 9 6 7 5 7 5 6 5 3 7 6 4 7 5 4 6 5 6 4 3 2 3

Starts

Promotion

P 25 28 26 28 26 24 26 26 26 28 28 25 29 24 24 26 25 25 26 26 25 25 15

Biggest Win

Goals

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

Subs

# 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 21 8 4 2 1 5 0 0 1 2 1 1 3 3 0 1 20 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 30 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 20 4 3 2 10 5 1 1 24 3 1 5 19 3 2 1 22 3 1 5 21 9 0 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 3 3 1 29 4 14 4 28 1 16 1 0 0 0 0 12 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 8 11 1 1 6 0 1 0 8 12 0 1 0 - 51 34

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

Most Goals

Highest Attendance Lowest Attendance Top Goalscorer

Pts 53 49 48 46 43 41 40 39 38 38 38 37 37 36 36 33 32 30 29 23 23 13 10

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

Form Last 6 Matches W W D W W W D W D D D L W L D D W D W W L D W L W L D D L W W D W W W W D L L D D W L W D D L D D D W W L L W D L W W W L L W D L W L W W L D L D L W L L W D W D L D L L W L W D L L W L W L D L D W L D D L L L L L L L D D L L W 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) 16 = 12 Goals + 4 Penalties

Substitute Jack Stretton scored 10 minutes into his debut against Solihull Moors

# 1 3 23

National League Fair Play Team Dover Athletic 21 Stockport County 30 Yeovil Town 79

3 2 3

Pts 114 140 346

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 Monday 15th March 2021

61

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To sponsor a player, please contact Olivia Hanvey on 0161 266 2700 or olivia.hanvey@stockportcounty.com Liam

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63

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 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 TBA Dagenham & Redbridge

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

-

4 4 4 3

Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Barnes Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe

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

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

-

5 3 4 4 6 6 4

Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe

Minihan Southam-Hales Southam-Hales Southam-Hales Southam-Hales Minihan Minihan

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

Maynard ² Croasdale Maynard Maynard ³ Minihan Croasdale Croasdale

Keane Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer

Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan

Kitching ¹ Williams ¹ Williams Collar ² Collar ³ Walker ¹ Walker ²

A A H A H H

NL NL NL NL NL NL

0-1 5-0

-

4 4

Hinchliffe Hinchliffe

Minihan Minihan

Jennings J Jennings J

Croasdale Maynard

Palmer ³ Keane

Hogan Hogan

Walker ² Walker 1

A H A H H A A

NL NL NL NL NL NL NL

A H A H H A H

NL 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

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

Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney ³

Croasdale Bennett Bennett Keane Bennett ² Dalby Dalby ¹

Jennings C Jennings C Walker ² Walker ¹ Gilmour Gilmour Gilmour

Reid ³ Reid 1 ² Reid ¹ Reid Reid Reid ² Reid 1

Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes

Palmer ² Jennings J ² Stott Jennings J Jennings J ¹ Keane Keane ³

Stott Maynard Collar ¹ Williams ³ Williams ³ Collar ² Collar ²

Williams ¹ Minihan ¹ Minihan ² Minihan ² Maynard Maynard Cardwell ¹

Bennett ³ Thomas Keane Bennett ¹ Dalby ² Bennett ¹ Newby

Newby Rooney 2 ²

Dalby ¹ Cardwell 1 ¹

Collar Croasdale

Reid Reid ³

Barnes Barnes

Keane ² Newby ²

Maynard Collar

Cardwell ¹ Stretton 1 ¹

Bennett ³ Bennett ³

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 133 days at the head of the National League table Torquay United lost their grip on top spot last Tuesday night, slumping to third after more positive results for Sutton United and Hartlepool.

Torquay’s form has deserted them at a key time in the season, with just three wins in their last eleven games.

They slipped to a damaging 1-0 defeat to Hartlepool at home ten days ago and, with their midweek game postponed last week, could only watch as Hartlepool added a further point to their tally, with insatiable Sutton securing another victory to extend their remarkable run of form.

Sutton reached the summit after a late Harry Beautyman goal ensured a 2-1 win over Yeovil, which they backed up with a 1-0 win at King’s Lynn on Saturday their sixth victory in seven and 16th in 25 games. What a job manager Matt Gray has done at the London club!

Endlessly underestimated by pundits and fans alike all season, Sutton have been amongst the promotion candidates throughout, though surrounded by ex-Football League clubs in the table it’s only in recent weeks that the measure of Sutton’s success has started to gain attention.

The U’s are one of only a small number of part-time teams in the National League, so to be leading the way at this stage in this season of all seasons, with all the complexities of players trying to remain covid clear whilst having two jobs, is remarkable.

Sutton also have three games in hand on second-placed Hartlepool and one on Torquay, offering them the incredible opportunity of opening a 13 point gap at the top as things stand and presuming the wins keep coming!

66

Hartlepool meanwhile earned a useful point at Altrincham last Tuesday, drawing one-all at Moss Lane - a result all the more impressive considering Pools played 66 minutes with ten men after Lewis Cass was sent off. Frustratingly for Hartlepool a similar situation occurred on Saturday, this time taking on Eastleigh with ten men for 44 minutes after defender Timi Odusina dismissed for two yellow cards. Again they picked up a point, drawing 0-0.

After years of ultimately unfulfilling seasons Pools are in with their best chance of promotion in 14 years, with a return to the Football League a more tangible prospect than ever before.

Likewise, excitement is building amongst Wrexham’s long-suffering support, with their club also in fine form. The Red Dragons, who have competed at this level since 2008, picked up their 12th win of the season on Tuesday last week, beating Barnet by two goals to nil, and followed it up with win number thirteen on Saturday when two second-half goals nudged them past Weymouth. Wrexham are well placed in fourth, three points off second and two behind Torquay.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that results have improved markedly since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney invested in the Welsh club, with all the positivity their takeover brought. The players also have the lure of a lucrative player bonus pot to inspire their efforts.

Those playing a part in any win will earn £200, with a draw being worth £50 each. There is also a £250,000 kitty to share should a long-awaited promotion be secured.

Elsewhere, James Shan was clearing his desk at Solihull after County’s 5-0 win there last Tuesday night.

Shan had been Moors’ manager for just over a year, overseeing 12 wins in his 32 games in charge. Former manager Mark Yates has since returned to Moors, joining on a shortterm contract until the end of the season. Yates is currently the boss at Southern Premier Central Division side Stourbridge, though with their league suspended Yates has been allowed to rejoin his old club, who he previously managed for eight months between 2017 and 2018. Moors sit in 17th position, eight points off the final play-off place.

Greater things were expected at Solihull this season and their poor form continued away to upwardly mobile Halifax on Saturday, losing 1-0 at The Shay. Halifax also beat Notts County last Tuesday.

That defeat for Notts increased the pressure on their manager Neal Ardley, who admitted after that game that the management and playing staff at Meadow Lane are “underperforming” at the moment. Mind you, it’s not long since Halifax boss Pete Wild was being criticised by his fans after a spell of poor form! Such is life as a manager, I suppose...

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Stockport County 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Ben Hinchliffe Sam Minihan James Jennings Liam Hogan Ash Palmer Lois Maynard Adam Thomas John Rooney Richie Bennett Connor Jennings Jordan Williams The Blue & White Army Mark Kitching Jamie Stott Jordan Keane Macauley Southam-Hales Ryan Croasdale Alex Reid Nyal Bell Joshua Barnes Harvey Gilmour Finley Stanyer Jack Hopkins Adam Owen Sam Dalby Jack Hinchy Will Collar Tom Walker Harry Cardwell Elliot Newby Jack Stretton Nathan Shaw Paddy Madden

Barnet FC [1357] [1359] [1397] [1395] [1372] [1394] [1373] [1400] [1396] [1339] [1404] [1398] [1380] [1370] [1401] [1402] [1399] [1367] [1407]

[1408] [1405] [1406] [1388] [1409] [1410] [1411]

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35 37 38 40

Scott Loach Dwight Pascal Jack Connors Tyrone Duffus Matt Preston James Dunne Alexander McQueen Eliot Richards Alfie Pavey Michael Petrasso JJ Hooper James Callan Muhammadu Faal Themis Kafalas Harry Taylor Ben Richards-Everton Wes Fonguck Xander McBurnie Josh Walker Aymen Azaze Ben Fox Jerome Binnom-Williams Ephron Mason-Clark Courtney Baker-Richardson Myles Judd Lee Vaughan Ben Nugent Jack Tompkins Antonis Vasiliou Loic Hernandez Richard Taylor Liam Daly Anthony Wordsworth

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

Tonight’s other Vanarama National League fixtures (7:45pm unless stated)

Chesterfield V Sutton United (7pm) FC Halifax Town v Aldershot Town (7pm) King’s Lynn Town v Hartlepool United (7pm) Wrexham v Eastleigh (7pm) Boreham Wood v Notts County Dagenham & Redbridge v Weymouth Maidenhead United v Torquay United Woking v Altrincham Yeovil Town v Bromley

Match Officials Referee Matthew Dicicco Assistant Referee 1 Daniel Jarvis Assistant Referee 2 Alan Hull Fourth Official William Davis

Next At Edgeley Park

Eastleigh Tuesday 23rd March 2021 Kick-off: 7.00pm Vanarama National League

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