Stockport County v Dagenham & Redbridge

Official Matchday Programme

vs Dagenham & Redbridge Tuesday 11th May 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: Shwan Jalal 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: Liam Cash 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

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Editor: Keith Chapman Editorial Contributors: Andy Monks, David Ancell, Alice Gregory, Neil Simms, Gareth Evans, Mike Petch, Paul Dean, Olivia Hanvey, Ian Watts, Mark Heys, Luke Smith, Liam Richardson, Ian Butterworth, Brenda Williams, Ian Brown, Greg Hall, Steven Davies, Dave Wardle, Stephen Kenneth, Steve Bellis, Alex Cowdy, Chris Ridgway, Harry Barrett, Pete Attwell.

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

Hi everyone, and welcome back again to Edgeley Park for tonight’s National League fixture against Dagenham & Redbridge.

I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to Daryl McMahon and his team, as well as anyone else making the journey up from Dagenham for this game.

After a rare weekend away from match action, tonight we turn our attention to yet another big challenge against a side who, like us, come into this one on a great run of form and high on confidence. For any side to win six successive games in the National League is no mean feat, and says everything about the test that lies ahead of us in this game.

As ever though our main focus continues to be on ourselves

and what we’re doing, and I’m really proud of the form we’re in right now, not least because of the collective team spirit and effort that has gone in to making this run possible – the players deserve every credit for that.

It’s absolutely vital right now though that we continue to remain focused on the task at hand, because we have to earn the right to win the game every single time we step out on the football pitch.

The end of the season is always an exciting time, and I’m so pleased that we’ve arrived at this stage of the season still with so much to play for – even more so

now that we’re around the corner from finally being able to welcome you all back into the ground in just over ten days’ time.

Your support from afar throughout this period behind closed doors has meant so much to us, and I know that both myself and my players cannot wait to feel that support inside Edgeley Park soon. We remain totally committed to giving you a team and club you can continue to be proud of, and will do our utmost to continue that with three points tonight.

Enjoy the game.

Simon 05

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Club News Torquay fixture to be televised Our National League game against the current league leaders Torquay United at Edgeley Park has been selected to be shown live on BT Sport.

As a result, the game against our title rivals will now take place on Sunday 16th May, with kickoff at 12:15pm.

For this reason, we are unfortunately unable to live-stream this game, but audio coverage will be provided for supporters via Strawberry Radio. Further match details for this game will be announced in due course.

County’s 1967 Champions 50-year reunion

Recruiting for County Girls Academy

April 29, 1967 saw County travel to Wrexham to gain the point they needed to clinch the Fourth Division Championship.

So dominant were Jimmy Meadows’ team that memorable season, the title was won with three games still to play. Check out the full video on our YouTube channel.

Our academy is still recruiting for the Girls Programme that will start in July this year. Our academic programme allows students to develop through tailored training sessions based on their own strengths and weaknesses. Our coaches spend one-to-one time with each student to ensure they are meeting individual goals within the programme. Students will study BTEC Level 3 in Sport Coaching and Development (equivalent to three A-Levels) full-time. The units covered within the BTEC include: Sports Coaching, Nutrition, Sports Psychology and Work Experience. Visit our website to apply now.

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James Jennings County host inform Dagenham & Redbridge this evening defending an excellent 14-game unbeaten record, a run which has yielded nine clean sheets.

Popular left-sided defender James Jennings has played a major part in County’s watertight defensive unit, which now proudly boasts the best defensive record in the National League, with just 28 goals conceded in 38 league games.

County’s defensive unit will be tested tonight against a talented Dagenham & Redbridge side who have won their last six games, scoring 18 goals.

Jennings admits that County will have to be prepared to counter the visiting threat tonight, but feels that the Hatters’ recent form is proof that they have nothing to fear.

“We’ve got a good balance,” said James, who joined County

last summer after leaving Wrexham following three years at the Racecourse Ground.

“There have been spells this season where we have been leaking too many goals, and not scoring enough goals. But we have hit good form at the business-end of the season.

It’s so enjoyable to play in this team. We need to win another four games until the end of the season so we’re on track for what we set out to achieve at the start. We will not get carried away and I know it is very clichéd, but we will take each game as it comes. The games are coming thick and fast, but we’ve just got to concentrate on winning our games then see what happens. We’ve got a good mixture of experienced

players and younger lads who are all working well together.

Free-scoring County head into this evening’s crucial game on the back of an impressive 4-0 victory against Wealdstone at Edgeley Park last week, and James believes that the team have clicked over a period of time.

“It is something that has clicked over time,” he said. “We’ve put in a lot of work on the training ground at both ends of the pitch. Our strikers are in good form and we’ve worked hard on our defensive unit. It’s been a real team effort. Defensively, I’ve enjoyed playing alongside the likes of Hoges and Ash Palmer and we’ve got a good understanding going together.”

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This week County’s exciting title push should become clearer with Dagenham and league leaders Torquay due to play at Edgeley Park in a matter of days, a period which Jennings feels the squad will maintain their focus.

“We’ve got to take each game as it comes and remain focused,” said James. “We’ve got good experience throughout the group and the players know the importance of how to handle these situations. We’re in good form ourselves and we are not too far off where we want to be. The National League is a very tough league, and the quality is extremely high. Teams are capable of beating each other and with there being no relegation the teams at the bottom of the table have nothing to fear and are playing with more freedom. We’re really looking forward to welcoming the fans back into the stadium which will give us a big boost. It’s been a difficult time playing behind closed doors, but we’ve got four big games to play and we’ll be doing everything we can to pick up those wins we need.”

Left-sided defender James joined County last summer following three years in Wales where he made over 100 appearances for Wrexham. His vast amount of quality and experience has undoubtedly helped the team, having started his career in the Manchester City youth system before playing for a number of successful National League Clubs, including Cambridge United, Forest Green Rovers and a promotion-winning campaign with Mansfield Town.

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“I’m enjoying my football at the moment,” he said. “I’m playing a regular run of games, and I’ve settled to playing on the left side of three central defenders. We’ve changed between playing from four at the back to the left-hand side of a three, I’ve played there before, and it allows me to enjoy a fair amount of the ball. It’s a position I’m comfortable in and I’m enjoying playing there.”

So how has James found playing behind closed doors? “It’s not been ideal,” added James. “We miss playing in front of the fans and hopefully they will be back soon. You can’t beat the adrenaline with the fans there supporting us on, celebrating with us when we score goals.

Even when you walk out from the tunnel it’s a weird feeling. There was the game at Bromley when we had fans there but we’re looking forward to the Woking game when the fans will hopefully be allowed to return. I’m a local lad and I’ve been to watch County many times, so I know what the Club is about and what it means to play for them. I was even at the game at Wembley

Favourite TV programme?

Any series on Netflix, but it’s a bit difficult to watch anything at the moment with a twoweek old baby!

Best stadium played in: Wembley If you could buy a ticket for one sporting event what would it be: The Ryder Cup. Boyhood team: Manchester United, but I always tried to get along to watch as many County games as I could with my Dad and my brother.

Best goal scored: A free-kick against Harrogate Town last season for Wrexham.

Best game involved in: At Stamford Bridge for Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup against Chelsea.

Biggest influence on your career: My Mum and Dad. Twitter or Facebook: Twitter.

If you could offer any advice to a County fan looking to get involved in football, what would it be: To enjoy playing football for as much as you can.

with my family against Rochdale in 2008! We take a massive following away and I just can’t wait to play in front of a packed Edgeley Park!”

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of the Jennings family following the news that James’ brother and popular County striker Connor has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his upper arm.

Although it has been an extremely difficult time for Connor, James and the whole family, and everyone at the Club stands alongside them, and will always offer as much help and support as is possible.

James’ form has been incredible which is testament to his professionalism, and he says that the Jennings family have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from the football family.

He said: “Connor’s coming in every day, doing work in the gym and is still very much part of the group.

The Club have been fantastic and the messages from the fans on social media have helped us deal with this as a family. We were overwhelmed by the support and it was a lovely touch from Wrexham and our players too when they had t-shirts before the game there showing their support for Connor.”

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James said it was the “best moment of my career” when he signed for the Hatters alongside Connor, who joined County from Tranmere Rovers, with both excited at the opportunity to play for their hometown Club.

James says that it was easy to settle in at the Club, having played with or against a lot of the players such as Liam Hogan and John Rooney. “I’ve played against Hoges loads of times,” said James. “I’ve played alongside John Rooney for three clubs, Alex Reid at Wrexham, and lads such as Keano, Ben Hinchliffe, and Sam Minihan, have all been really welcoming. I had Covid at Christmas, so it was a struggle to get back fit but I’ve got my head

Name: James Jennings Position: Defender Born: Manchester Date of Birth: 2nd September 1987 Previous clubs: Macclesfield Town, Altrincham (loan), Kettering Town, Cambridge United, Mansfield Town, Forest Green Rovers, Cheltenham Town, Morecambe (loan), Wrexham (loan), Wrexham.

This season: 28 apps, 2 goals

down, worked hard, and got into the team. I feel I’m playing well, training has been really good, we trust the manager and he trusts us, so everything is positive at the moment.”

Off the pitch, James says that everything is in place for the Club to really kick on over the coming years.

“It’s incredible at the minute. The training ground, the vision and the plans by the Club, are next level.

It’s really exciting to be a part of it.”

Dagenham arrive on SK3 in tremendous form and James is under no illusions of the difficult task that awaits County this evening, and he believes every player must be at the top of his game if the Hatters are to come away with another three points.

“I’ve played against Dagenham a few times,” said James. “Paul McCallum up front is very direct, and they are on a good run of form with six wins on the bounce. No game in this league is easy. If you look at the game against Maidenhead United and for the first 45 minutes against Wealdstone, they made it difficult for us. Torquay dropped points at the weekend, so we have to take advantage and close the gap. It will probably come down to who can hold their nerve, but we will stay focused and take each game as it comes.”

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Welcome...

Dagenham & Redbridge Dagenham & Redbridge arrive at Edgeley Park today, looking for a first-ever win against County at the sixth attempt.

County have won four of our previous five meetings, with the most recent success being at Victoria Road in January thanks to goals from Richie Bennett and Alex Reid. Surprisingly, that was the first time County had scored more than once against The Daggers, with a 1-1 draw and three victories by a goal to nil accounting for our other encounters.

If ever The Daggers were to feel confident of ending County’s dominance in this fixture it must surely be tonight, for they are one the most in-form teams in the league right now, having won their last six games. Their latest victory came away to Wealdstone on Saturday and in emphatic style too, with Daryl McMahon’s men romping to a 5-0 win. It’s their best run of consecutive victories since 2003.

Their recent wins have powered them up the table, rising from 17th to 11th, and they now sit just five points off the last play-off place with four games to go. It makes tonight’s game a must-win match for both teams, as we both look to strengthen our promotion credentials.

Half of The Daggers’ 16 victories this season have been away from their Victoria Road home, with the 14

Nickname: The Daggers Founded: 1992 Stadium: The Chigwell Construction Stadium Capacity: 6,078 Address: Victoria Road, Dagenham, Essex Postcode: RM10 7XL Distance from Edgeley Park: 218.2 miles (3 hours 57 minutes) Current league position: 11th

most notable being a 1-0 win at league-leaders Torquay United back in December.

Striker Paul McCallum was the match-winner in that particular game and he’s been a reliable source of goals all season long, bagging twice more on Saturday to take his tally to 13 in 33 games. Forward Angelo Balanta was also on the scoresheet at Wealdstone, notching his 11th of the campaign in the first minute of the game.

Between them McCallum and Balanta have scored 12 goals in the last six games (seven and five being their respective tallies).

It’s quality like this that inspired many to tip The Daggers to be key players in the promotion push ahead of the season, despite a 17th-place finish in the last campaign. Much of that optimism was also based around manager McMahon’s record for improving teams, with the Irishman entering the season with a record of winning half of his DID YOU 200 games since moving into KNOW? management. He joined The Dagenham & Redbridge Daggers in January of last year. were a Footba ll League side for nine co nsecutive The signing of striker McCallum seasons betw een 2007 from Solihull Moors in the and 2016. summer was also expected to alleviate a struggle for goals, which dogged The Daggers all of last season.

Indeed, just bottom-placed Chorley scored fewer goals in the class of ‘19-20.

The Gaffer: Daryl McMahon Daryl McMahon was appointed as the successor to Peter Taylor on 3rd January last year, after leaving Macclesfield Town. McMahon had previously won promotion from the National League South and had reached the National League PlayOffs with Ebbsfleet United before a short spell at Macclesfield, who were plagued by financial issues.

McMahon’s first league victory came against Notts County, which was followed by an upturn in form that saw the Daggers climb up the table and reach the final of the Essex Senior Cup. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the season was suspended on the 20th March.

Regrettably for The Daggers they were one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league until recently, which hindered any chance of upward momentum, though they have averaged three goals per game in their last six fixtures, keeping four clean sheets in that time too, so everything seems to have clicked perfectly of late!

There is undoubted talent within the ranks. McCallum was the National League’s top goalscorer just two seasons ago and is in the prime of his career at the age of 27, Balanta has played as high as The Championship, and has averaged a goal every four games at National League level since 2017, and fellow wide man Myles Weston played 327 games in the Football League, representing England at every level from Under-16s to Under-19s.

With the season’s end looming large The Daggers have finally achieved consistency in their results of late to give themselves an outside chance of reaching the play-offs. If they are to do so then they will need a first-ever win here at Edgeley Park tonight.

Stand by for a captivating contest, with both teams desperate for all three points.

Paul McCallum 15

The Players ÁNGELO BALANTA (b:Jul 1990 s:Oct 2018) Loaned to Wycombe Wanderers, Milton Keynes Dons and Yeovil by his first club Queens Park Rangers, this forward moved on to Bristol Rovers. Next stop was Carlisle United before two years with Boreham Wood.

MITCH BRUNDLE (b:Nov 1994 s:Jun 2019) Midfielder who can also play at full-back, who started with Yeovil Town then moved to Bristol City. They loaned him to Cheltenham Town before he signed for Braintree Town. He has since had a loan stint at Hemel Hempstead Town and permanent spells with Gateshead and Dover Athletic.

KENNY CLARK (b:Aug 1988 s:Nov 2018) A former Daggers youth player who has returned to the Club. He joined Thurrock after his first spell before moving on to Chelmsford City. His next step up was to Dartford and he went on to play for Ebbsfleet United before returning home. The central defender has since been loaned to Heybridge Swifts.

ADRIAN CLIFTON (b:Dec 1988 s:Sep 2020) Attack-minded player who joined from Bromley.

Began his footballing journey at Arsenal, Norwich City and West Ham United. His early senior clubs were Romford, Waltham Forest, East Thurrock United and Maidenhead United. Two spells with Havant & Waterlooville followed either side of Staines Town. A second spell with Maidenhead preceded the switch to the Ravens.

LUKE CROLL (b:Jan 1995 s:Jul 2019) Former Crystal Palace youngster who was loaned by them to Harrow Borough, Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City. The central defender joined Exeter permanently in July 2017 and signed for the Daggers after being released by them.

SAM DEERING (b:Feb 1991 s:Nov 2019) First club Oxford United loaned this midfielder to Newport County and Barnet. He then joined the permanent players at the Bees before moving on to Cheltenham, Whitehawk, Ebbsfleet and most recently Billericay ANDREW ELEFTHERIOU (b:Nov 1997 s:Jul 2019) Right-back who started with Watford, making the first team. In 2018 he was on loan with Norwegian side Sandefjord and last season he had a similar spell with Braintree.

LIAM GORDON (b:May 1999 s:Dec 2020) Home-grown player who became a regular in 201819. The left-back was loaned out earlier in his career to Whitehawk and Hendon Town. Moved to Bolton Wanderers in the close season but now back on loan.

ELLIOT JOHNSON (b:Aug 1994 s:Aug 2020) Player making his first move ten years after coming through the academy at Barnet. The left-back’s first team debut came back in 2012.

JOEY JONES (b:Apr 1994 s:Nov 2020) Leicester City product who moved to Yeovil. Next, the central defender who can also play in midfield joined Woking after a loan deal. He continued with Eastleigh and joined Dagenham from Salford City.

ELLIOTT JUSTHAM (b:Jul 1990 s:Jun 2016) Goalkeeper who started with Waltham Forest, before continuing with Leyton, Redbridge, Harlow Town, Brentwood Town and East Thurrock. His most recent move was into the EFL with Luton Town.

SAIDOU KHAN (b:Dec 1995 s:Mar 2021) Signed on loan from Maidstone United after their season ended, the central midfielder lists Dulwich Hamlet, Carshalton Athletic, Kingstonian, Chipstead, and Tooting & Mitcham United on his CV.

Elliott Justham

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PAUL MCCALLUM (b:Jul 1993 s:Aug 2020) Signed for Solihull Moors after a high-scoring season at Eastleigh. He began at Dulwich Hamlet where he was spotted by West Ham. They sent the striker on

loan to Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon, Aldershot Town, Torquay United, Heart of Midlothian and Portsmouth.

After being released he was with Leyton Orient and then Lowestoft Town. Moved on from the Moors after a loan spell with Barnet.

DARREN MCQUEEN (b:May 1995 s:Aug 2020) Forward signed from Dartford. Started with the Tottenham Hotspur academy before joining Ipswich Town. His career then progressed with Maldon & Tiptree, Ebbsfleet and Sutton United.

HARRY PHIPPS (b:Oct 1998 s:Aug 2018) Midfielder who is out for the season with injury. He signed after his release by Maidstone.

DEAN RANCE (b:May 1991 s:Aug 2020) An Ebbsfleet player for five years. The midfield man started with Gillingham, with loan spells at Maidstone United, Bishop’s Stortford and Dover. Spending a season at the latter after a permanent move, he joined Dagenham from Aldershot.

CALLUM REYNOLDS (b:Nov 1989 s:Aug 2020) Began with Rushden and Diamonds, and moved to the Portsmouth Academy. They loaned him out to Luton and Basingstoke Town, the latter being made permanent. Next he switched to Tamworth, and from there a loan deal at Boreham Wood turned into a four-year spell. The central defender then joined Barnet from Aldershot.

MATT ROBINSON (b:Jun 1994 s:Jul 2016) Initially a Leicester academy player before joining Luton. Whilst on their books the midfield man has played for Kidderminster Harriers, Grimsby Town and Woking all on loan.

MO SAGAF (b:Nov 1997 s:Jan 2021) Central midfielder who joined after leaving Carlisle. He was spotted at Waltham Forest by Ipswich but did not stay there long. After leaving Portman Road he moved on via Barking and Braintree before returning to the EFL with the Cumbrians. Earlier clubs were Ryan FC, North Greenford United, Ternana Berretti of Italy and Leatherhead.

GEORGE SAUNDERS (s:Jul 2020) Joined after two seasons with AFC Hornchurch.

The winger began at Kelvedon Hatch in the Essex Olympian League before earning a switch to his most recent previous club.

TOM SMITH (b:Feb 1998 s:Feb 2021) Loan man who started with the youth systems at Bristol City and Swindon Town. He made the first team at the latter and was also loaned to Waterford and more than once to Bath City. The midfielder returned

Callum Reynolds

to current parent club Bath via another loan spell, this time from Cheltenham Town.

JOSH STRIZOVIC (b:Apr 2000 s:May 2019) Keeper who came through the youth sides at Braintree and was loaned to Waltham Forest before joining Burnham Ramblers. He was then picked up by Billericay before linking up with Maidstone. Has also spent time on loan at Basildon United.

MAURO VILHETE (b:May 1993 s:Mar 2021) Midfield graduate from the Barnet youth team in 2010.

He has had loan spells at Hendon and Boreham Wood. Joined after moving on to Wingate & Finchley.

MYLES WESTON (b:Mar 1988 s:Feb 2020) Winger who joined from Wycombe, having started with Arsenal and Charlton. He spent two seasons with Notts County, before stints with Brentford, Gillingham and Southend United.

SCOTT WILSON (b:Jan 1993 s:Oct 2020) Started with Bristol City, being loaned out to Gloucester City, Cinderford Town and Yate Town. The forward moved on to Bath City, and progressed to Westonsuper-Mare via Gloucester. He then joined Eastleigh, Macclesfield Town and Notts County after a loan spell.

WILL WRIGHT (b:Jun 1997 s:Jun 2019) Central or right-sided defender who signed permanently after a loan stint the previous season. He progressed to the Football League from lower levels, after starting as a youngster with Luton, he figured for Biggleswade United and Hitchin Town with a loan spell at Bedford Town. He then played for Colchester United.

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

SANDIE SHAW, MBE. So, what’s the connection?

Sandra Goodrich, as she began life 74 years ago, is a Dagenham girl through and through. Born the only child to a father who served in the army and a mother who worked across in central Lon-don at then-famous department store, Gamages, she attended the Robert Clack Technical School, before remaining in town for a six-week spell of working as a punch-card operator at the local Ford factory.

Nearly half a century later, she was to sing the title-track for ‘Made in Dagenham’, a film about the factory’s strike of 1968 by female machinists whose success led directly to the Equal Pay Act. A year before their walkout, one-time colleague Sandra, as barefoot pop princess Sandie Shaw, had become the first UK winner of the Eurovision Song Contest with a song (more of which anon) that, globally, remains one of the biggest-selling singles ever by a British female artist. And, at the time, she hated it.

Rebellious, then? Let’s ‘Take Five’…

1. From Dagenham to Platinum Having started to sing in East London dance halls as a 15-year-old, and, by way of second prize in a local talent contest, earned a slot at a charity contest in the city, the teenage Sandra was spotted

by Adam Faith - a relatively recent teen idol himself - who recommended her to his manager, the ‘Queen Bee of Show Business’, Eve Taylor. At 17, with a contract at Pye Records and a stage name arranged by Taylor, Sandie hit the top of the singles charts with ‘(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me’ - and proceeded to rack up another 18

Nearly half a century later, she was to sing the title-track for ‘Made in Dagenham’, a film about the factory’s strike of 1968 by female machinists 16 Top 50 hits during the 1960s. Through her fashion, she defined the look of the decade, and when alternating between attendance at anti-war demonstrations and parties in London’s Ad Lib nightclub, she epitomised much of its spirit. And then, of course, there were the songs - delivered in a melodic, velvety voice about dating (‘Long Live Love’), yearning (‘I’ll Stop at Nothing’), being cheated on (‘Message Understood’), getting stood up (‘Girl Don’t Come’), and wanting to break up (‘Nothing Comes Easy’). I was born too late, alas - but chances are that many of you old (and, of course, lucky) enough back in the day would have had your mid-‘60s love lives soundtracked by Sandie Shaw.

2. The Eurovision thing And so to 1967 - when, with her record sales declining, Sandie’s music was heading, on Taylor’s advice, towards cabaret. She entered Eurovision

singing ‘Puppet on a String’, endeared herself to millions across the continent with a trademark barefoot performance, won the Contest for Britain by a whopping margin (with more than double the points of the runner-up), and went on to achieve worldwide sales for the single in excess of four million. Her dislike of the song ahead of performing in Vienna is well documented - although more recent years have seen a mellowing towards it, with Sandie declaring herself proud of her Eurovision past. The cuckoo-clock tune with which she triumphed has been her mobile ringtone - and, in celebration of turning 60 during 2007, she released on her website a reworked version entitled ‘Puppet’s Got a Brand New String’! A decade later, she was honoured with an MBE - which was so long overdue that Prince Charles, on presenting her with the award in early 2018, exclaimed: “Why? Why has it taken so long for you to get here?”.

When interviewed afterwards and asked if she had seen SuRie’s track ‘Storm’ chosen on television earlier during the week to represent the UK at that year’s Eurovision, Sandie replied that she was watching ‘Silent Witness’ instead. Poor SuRie was to have her performance in Lisbon disrupted by a stage invader and finish third from last. All a far cry, alas, from the ’67 glories.

3. Her ‘dark ages’ Or the 1970s, as they were more commonly known.

Musically speaking, these were fallow times for Sandie, who effectively retired from the business following the expiry of her Pye contract in 1972. Not that she was unproductive in other areas of work and life, mind, as she co-wrote a rock musical, acted on stage, published children’s books, waited on tables at a London restaurant, and discovered Buddhism. But, as a new decade followed, there was, it seemed, ‘Always Something There to Remind’ others of her singing…

4. Her musical rebirth Those two self-proclaimed ‘incurable Sandie Shaw fans’ from The Smiths - Morrissey and Johnny Marr - are most famously associated with her comeback in the 1980s. But it was actually (and no doubt to Morrissey’s ire, in particular) Heaven 17 associateproject The British Electric Foundation who first lured her back to recording, courtesy of an invitation to contribute her take on Sixties classic ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ to the ‘Music of Quality and Distinction’ covers-album in 1981. Interpretations of more contemporary acts followed, as Sandie’s

‘Hand in Glove’ version charted with The Smiths as her backing band, before she won acclaim by covering the likes of Lloyd Cole (‘Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?’), Patti Smith (‘Frederick’) and The Waterboys (‘A Girl Called Johnny’), as well as selfpenning tributes to Morrissey (‘Steven (You Don’t Eat Meat)’) and Marr (‘Go Johnny Go!’), and gaining a new generation of fans on three university tours.

5. Once a diva…

So much were The Smiths in Sandie’s thrall that the band took off their shoes when performing ‘Hand in Glove’ with her on Top Of The Pops during 1984 - and frontman Morrissey was content merely to twirl away in the background, while she took centre stage, sporting a pair of fabulous stilettos and writhing, leather-clad, on the studio floor. It all seemed to work, as the song went top 30 - although imagine how crestfallen and uncharacteristically lost for words the temporarily-displaced vocals man must have been to be told, matter-of-factly, by his heroine with three solo Number Ones to her name that “Twenty-seven in the charts might be great for you, but it’s not good enough for me.” Ouch! But, still… a Charmingly Wonderful Woman.

Rebellious Jukebox Rating:…

‘Puppe-TEN a String’!

19

FC HALIFAX TOWN

0

STOCKPORT COUNTY

1

-

Madden 44’

Saturday 1st May | Vanarama National League | The Shay

Relentless County battled to a 1-0 win at play-off hopefuls FC Halifax Town at the beginning of the month.

The prolific Paddy Madden lashed an unstoppable half-volley superbly into the roof of the net on the stroke of half-time to move County into the top three of the National League.

20

21

Harry Barrett reflects on the Northern Section Over 100,000 thronged Manchester streets to welcome the Cup winners on May Day 1934. Sadly, it was not in anticipation of County meeting Darlington in the newly instituted Third Division North Cup Final, but to witness Manchester City’s homecoming after their Wembley victory over Portsmouth. Old Trafford housed a more modest 4,640 as Stockport and Darlo engaged in a sevengoal thriller, not settled until the very last minute.

Two goals to the good at half-time, County were pegged back but led 3-2 with four minutes remaining.

The Hatters had comfortably completed a league double over the County Durham club, but the Quakers exacted revenge, scoring twice in those last 240 seconds.

Twelve months later County did get their hands on the trophy, beating Walsall 2-0 at Maine Road thanks to Bill McNaughton and a goal Bill McNaughton possibly credited to Jabez Foulkes, though some say it was an own goal. The competition had been introduced to help struggling clubs with additional turnstile income and lasted six seasons. By 1937 enthusiasm had waned and the format adjusted so that clubs who had reached the FA Cup Third Round were excluded. Suspended in 1939 the competition was resurrected in the 1945/46 transitional season.

With the post-war attendance boom, even Northern Section clubs were breaking even, and the last winners were Rotherham who beat Chester in 1946 over two legs. Other winners 22

were Chester themselves in 35/36 and 36/37, Southport (37/38) and Bradford City (38/39) Rotherham’s success over two games attracted 24,650 paying spectators. An earlier first round, three-game saga between Doncaster and Stockport, was watched by just under 40,000 before Donny emerged victorious.

Unfortunately, those crowd levels were the exception. Just 150 bothered to turn up at Vale Park in February 1937 to see County’s second round 0-4 defeat by Port Vale. Gates of less than 1000 were all too frequent. When Walsall contested that 1935 Final, their two home wins over Lincoln and Chesterfield failed to attract five figures.

Then, as now with the modern equivalent, clubs invariably fielded weakened sides.

For Arthur Banner, a young Doncaster full-back, three games in 1938 triggered a successful career, albeit away from his Yorkshire home.

The teenager, unable to make a Rovers league team that finished runners-up, debuted in the first round and caught the eye of West Ham. He moved to Upton Park, later captained Leyton Orient, and in 1958 as manager, guided Ilford to the FA Amateur Cup Final.

The following October, Accrington’s Peel Park staged a six-goal thriller, with Jack Connor of this parish netting a brace in the 3-3 draw. A future England goalie Reg Matthews, was the last line of defence when the South won 2-1 at Coventry in October 1956.

While no game matched the Southern Section Cup-tie between Exeter and Crystal Palace for goals, 11-6 in the Grecians’ favour, New Brighton did their best on a couple of occasions. The Rakers shipped eleven at Wrexham in January 1934, despite the ref blowing for half-time with 15 minutes remaining. Needless to say he was reminded of his error. Three years later nine were conceded at Chester. But there was some joy for New Brighton in 38/39 when they reached the semis, only to be beaten in a replay by losing finalists Accrington

With Finney on the right wing and Bill Holden scoring, the North secured their only victory in the series in April 1957, by the odd goal in three at Edgeley. Six months later four goals were shared at Selhurst Park, where CPR’s Ron Springett, another future England keeper, denied Bill Holden on a couple of occasions.

While the Northern Section Cup was short lived, associate members both Northern and Southern, were always keen to extend their influence. Though regularly rebuffed for additional promotion places, they saw great opportunities with the advent of floodlighting in the 1950s to boost their standing in the Football League.

Consequently, six matches were played under lights between representative teams from the two regions. The first, in March 1955 at Elm Park, Reading, ended in a 2-0 win for the South, where County regulars Frank Clempson and Ken Finney, turned out for the North.

Ken Finney

March 1958 saw Carlisle stage the last fixture in the sequence, a 2-0 win for the South, with local Cumbrian hero, Ivor Broadis, making his fourth representative appearance for the North. Broadis was the oldest surviving English international until his death in April 2019, aged 96. He had two spells at Brunton Park, the first as player/ manager which concluded in 1949, when he arranged his own transfer to Sunderland. A selfless piece of altruistic business on his part with Carlisle pocketing £18,000 The advent of Division Four ended those representative games, which all attracted five-figure gates, some being televised.

Those matches also gave several stalwarts of the lower leagues momentary recognition on a national stage. More of them next time and a look at FA Cup exploits of the Northern Section.

23

Official Partners of The National League

County Ladies Great weekend for our junior teams and thank you to our coaches No games for any of our three senior teams last weekend so it was left to the Juniors to keep the County flag flying, which they did in grand style.

All our junior teams, except the Under-16s, were in League action.

Up to the Under-11s, the Leagues are non-competitive, so no results or tables are published, but all three of our younger teams had great games and played some fantastic football.

It’s a great credit to the Managers and Coaches of these teams to see how much the girls have progressed this season, despite the interruptions due to Covid.

Our Under-12s, Under-13s, and Under-14s have all won their respective fixtures. The Under-14s clinched a dramatic 5-4 victory in the closing minutes.

Highlight of the weekend was a 4-0 victory for the Under-16s

Manager Paul Cocks and the Under-16s Hatters team

Hatters and their Coaching Team of Paul Cocks and Josh Green. Results haven’t always gone their way this season and they have been unlucky to fall victim to the odd late goal, so it was really good to see the hard work that coaches and players have put in coming together to produce a convincing victory.

Congratulations to all the team.

Following that, now seems an appropriate time to say a huge thank you to all our coaches.

Everyone at SCLFC is a volunteer from First-Team Manager all the way through to the Under-9s.

2020/2021 has been a difficult season for everyone and trying to maintain some continuity for young players has been particularly difficult.

Our coaches have done fantastic work, with online fitness and skills sessions, challenges and games, to keep players engaged and focused all through the Club. We are deeply indebted to their energy and enthusiasm for keeping things going while ‘on pitch’ football activity was suspended.

The Development Coaching Team in match action

Thank you all!

For anyone interested in joining the club to play or train with any of our teams contact details are on our website, stockportcountylfc.com or follow the link from the SCFC site.

Follow us on Twitter @SCLadiesFC or Instagram @stockportcountylfc.

25

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The Mad Hatter’s Quiz with Paul Dean

TRIVIA

WHO AM I?

1. Which team did the Daggers’ manager Daryl McMahon manage between 20152018?

2. Which team was the Daggers’ record sale Dwight Gayle sold to for £700,000 in 2013?

3. Which Spanish team did Pep Guardiola sign for in 2001?

4. Which Stockport-born coach took charge of a Premier League fixture between Chelsea and Sunderland in 2015?

5. Who replaced Bertie Mee as Arsenal Manager in 1976?

I began my career at Newport County and signed for the Hatters in 1986. I went on to make 51 appearances for Stockport.

6. For which club did Dominic Calvert-Lewin begin his professional career?

7. From which club did the Hatters sign Ash Palmer from?

8. Where did James Jennings start his career?

I T T O L E C N A I D I U F R Q F P B A

W P C S E Q A R L L C S P Y H K W T J P

S T P T F C V L E Y R O Y U Q L G N Y B

P E M I H W S F T T O L J R Z R F G X O

L C M V L H Z V Y A D B Q C R K F V F R

F V R H A T C M B S Z Z E N U S W H L I

B B A N I E P A U M G U G A M D V D C E

F N K H M U A A P N L G H H J J Y M R B

F L B D O W P H P E O J F O R P E Z A K

Y V O Y U X W X Z O L Z E J C G L V T R

U Q B Z R P S A I H F L V M V A W E V A

K V P M I K M C O R N B O M B P E K U P

N W A Y N F K I J N R R I A L E O I X L

L M I A H H G I O K X C F Z G R B S F M

Z F S Q O P B L Z T H U B D M Y S D E T

Y U L I G O K U M E D K G Z Q Q T Z B J

S U E Z A G A L L O V K O H N N N H L G

H D Y M I M Y S X F K V W C Y B S U E L

E R N S T H A P P E L J N X I L K X N F

Answers:

Y B S U B T T A M J B P C F M R H N R T

Who Am I? Neil Bailey

ANCELOTTI BILL SHANKLY BOB PAISLEY CAPELLO ERNST HAPPEL HITZFELD JOHAN CRUYFF LIPPI MATT BUSBY MICHELS MOURINHO MUNOZ ZAGALLO

Trivia 1: Ebbsfleet United 2: Peterborough United 3: Brescia 4: Steve Holland 5: Terry Neill 6: Sheffield United 7: Guiseley 8: Macclesfield Town

WORDSEARCH

27

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

Terrace Talk Dagenham & Redbridge make the trip to Edgeley Park tonight for this re-arranged National League clash which was originally due to take place back in March.

County could go fifteen games unbeaten with a successful result against Daryl McMahon’s team and the weekend break owing to the National League expunging Dover Athletic’s season for failing to fulfil fixtures during the pandemic.

The break has given the players a chance to recharge the batteries in readiness for the visit of the Daggers.

Dagenham themselves made it six wins from six at the weekend owing to a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Wealdstone. Like County, they have been scoring for fun of late and since early April have gained maximum points against each of their opponents.

Last time out here at Edgeley Park ironically it was Wealdstone who were defeated 4-0 owing to goals from Ryan Croasdale, John Rooney and an Alex Reid double so to use the old cliché this evening really is the league’s form match.

Hopefully, the game can live up to its pre-match billing and bring about a goalfest.

Dagenham are still within sight of the Play-Offs and likewise The Hatters are looking to pip Torquay United to the post for the title and such is the form

County put four past Wealdstone last time out at Edgeley Park

that both clubs are in this is potentially a great match in the offing.

The upcoming Torquay game will be televised live such is its importance to the final outcome of the 2020-21 campaign but it could be said that this one against Dagenham would also attract much interest given what is at stake.

is why we love football and are involved in the game and with the potential of fans being allowed back into the stadiums this month it should whet the appetite for next season.

In the Premier League and EFL there are already matters being decided at both the top and bottom end of the table, much of it still not a foregone conclusion and likewise at this level things are going extremely close to the wire.

County have remained on course and consistent all season, it has been a strong effort throughout and hopefully the club can be rewarded with a return to the EFL, hopefully to be seen by the Hatters faithful who are eager to get back to Edgeley Park, not least to see some of last season’s squad, welcome the new additions to the squad and indeed the new manager and owners.

Excitement, nerves, desperation, maybe all three even and more besides, this

Dagenham will present the toughest of tests but it’s a challenge County can embrace.

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Steve Bellis Hailstones, Cardboard Cut-outs and Hearses!

Well, I never thought I would be sat outside under a blanket in The Spinners’ beer garden being pounded by hailstones cheering on Notts County with real passion but that’s how life is at the minute.

Our incredible recent form has put us in with a real chance of being able to claim top spot but to do that we need a few favours from elsewhere.

The other County did us proud and I cheered their 94th-minute penalty winner with genuine gusto (quite what the Sutton captain was thinking diving in at that stage of the game is beyond me).

We nearly missed the second half as the hailstones got into the back of the telly and it went off.

Prior to the demolition of Wealdstone we faced two tough away fixtures, the long trek to King’s Lynn and the rather more local jaunt to the Shay.

Thanks to the generosity of the King’s Lynn Chairman we were able to drag a couple of guests along at the last minute.

We took Bolton legend and County leg end Paul Jones along with our Boardroom doorman Stuart Guest AKA Cheggers.

Having these two in the back is always amusing. Our other companion (our Head of Football Admin) Alex Cowdy and myself were musing about King’s Lynn and Yeovil being the only remaining games requiring an overnight stop.

Fortunately one of Bollington’s more technical chaps, Nick, was with us and with a couple of tactical thumps to various parts of the TV and a quick unplugging the picture came back on. We were delighted and Nick looked very pleased with himself (although I suspect his dog Samson actually has more technical knowledge).

There were a couple more results to smile about at the weekend too but we must concentrate on just winning our games.

30

We’ll be back in pubs next week... unless Glum and Glummer find a reason to stop us

Cheggers chipped in with: “Well they are both in the same area.” Alex and I were just about to check on his geographical knowledge when Jonesy added: “Yeah... Surrey”.

We should have known better than to rely on Cheggers’ geography, after all this was the same guy who warned us about the A90 being closed as we set off home from a London game.

(The A90 connects Edinburgh with Fraserburgh).

We were more concerned about Jonesy’s ‘Surrey’ comment.

It turns out he only heard us mention Yeovil but thought we had said ‘The Oval’. Journeys can seem much longer with these two in tow.

Cheggers was also surprised to see Lois Maynard at the ground. He said: “Oh look, Lois is back!” We had to politely tell him that he had been back from international duty for over a month.

As for the game, it was quickly clear that we had too much for the home side and raced into an early lead through Paddy Madden.

The second soon arrived and it was Gash (the defending wasn’t great either).

A quick brace from Harry and we went in for our half-time brew with a handsome and deserved lead.

We took our foot off the gas a bit in the second half and despite the fact that there was nowhere we could get a celebratory drink we went to our beds with grins on our heads.

Jonesy spent the journey back the next morning looking for hills in Lincolnshire... he was about as successful as Donald Trump was at getting the Mexicans to pay for his wall.

There were no guests allowed at the Shay where we anticipated a tough game and were proved right.

Prince Andrew’s choice of funeral vehicle, perhaps?

They take the Covid rules very seriously at Halifax, even the cardboard cut-out fans were socially distanced.

The game was decided by a typical piece of Paddy Madden brilliance. It proves the old adage that you get what you pay for.

That win allied to the victory over Wealdstone has put us right in the mix in terms of gaining a topthree finish and even a faint hope of top spot.

The media have certainly woken up to our challenge, moving next weekend’s match against Torquay to the Sunday so those watching the FA Cup final don’t miss our game.

Before that however we have a very difficult clash this evening against a very much in-form Dagenham side. It’s at times like these that our supporters would have made a huge difference but c’est la vie.

That win allied to the victory over Wealdstone has put us right in the mix in terms of gaining a top-three finish and even a faint hope of top spot

We will clearly need to be at our very best to continue our own incredible run this evening but we have the talent, spirit and personnel to secure all three points.

We remain extremely hopeful that our home match against Woking on the 22nd will see the return of supporters to EP. This is assuming that Professor Whitty and Mr Van Tam (aka Glum and Glummer) don’t find reasons to delay this much needed step back towards normality.

These have been tough times, highlighted by the low-key funeral of Prince Phillip. I remain really impressed that he organised his own transport for his funeral, an extended old Land Rover that he helped design.

Speaking of funeral vehicles it’s always baffled me why hearses go so slowly. It’s not like the person in the box is going to mind if it takes a corner a bit quickly. I think I’d prefer my hearse to be done for speeding just to make it more interesting.

Anyway, back to tonight. Good luck to Simon, Dave, Mark and the lads. And to our friends from Dagenham, have a very safe journey home.

31

County Heaven Sandbach Hatter writes: Good evening, everyone, and welcome to tonight’s visitors, Dagenham & Redbridge.

Far be it from me to hold a grudge, but when we played the ‘Daggers’ at Victoria Road back in February 2020, the fixture just so happened to fall on my 40th birthday, and Liam McAlinden’s last-minute strike appeared to have given me the additional gift of three valuable points, only for Kandi to level things up a minute later – and there was nothing particularly sweet about that! Still, the repeat fixture a few months ago went some way to making up for it.

As we are nearing the end of the season, County Heaven stalwart, Lennie, has created his ‘Final Countdown’, featuring those teams currently in (and striving for) the top spot and play-off places, so that our members can keep fully updated on the remaining fixtures and various ‘run-ins’. It’s a really useful way of keeping an eye on County’s main competition for promotion, so pop over to County Heaven and check it out.

Elsewhere, our technical advisor, Gazz, has singlehandedly revived a trio of threads which had been quiet for a while – ‘Bar Jokes’, ‘County Classic Highlights’ (with a very interesting video about County legend Big Kev) and ‘Irrational and Rational Likes’ – all worth a look, and our thanks to Gazz for reminding us!

Now, then. Speaking of knives (our opponents’ nickname is the Daggers, remember?), here’s a chap who gives the impression of being a cut above, but he rarely has a clue(do) - knife to see you again, Maccy!

Hatter in Macc writes: I’ll have you know I’m actually quite cleaver, Sandy. Arf. But, cutting to the chase, here we are back playing in SK3 for the second successive game this month to date - and hopefully refreshed for having been excused our originally-scheduled schlep-and-seveneighths down to Dover three days ago!

This evening’s match is also our second in a row against London guests - following the visit of Wealdstone, from the North-West of the capital, on the Early May Bank Holiday Monday. Scoring four here in the second half against the ‘Stones’, to chalk up the same number of consecutive County victories, was a good enough fillip - although our visitors tonight, from East London, then went one better by going nap at Wealdstone’s Grosvenor Vale ground, and two better by making it half a dozen wins on the bounce, over the weekend.

So, a tough match in prospect against the National League’s form horses - but perhaps history may work in our favour. In two encounters thus far against Dagenham & Redbridge at Edgeley Park (including, in 2007, what was the Daggers’ first-ever Football League fixture), we have enjoyed nothing but singlegoal triumphs. The continuation of that particular sequence, and completion of a hat-trick 14 seasons in the making, would obviously be most welcome and all the more so at this stage of a critical run-in.

Let’s just hope that past head-to-head records, and any expectations that may go with them, don’t turn out to be double-edged swords…

Keep well and stay sharp, fellow Hatters.

Animo et Fide. www.countyheaven.com

32

Opposition View We caught up with a Dagenham & Redbridge fan ahead of this afternoon’s game.

How do you assess your season so far?

It’s been a strange season. Not being allowed into grounds for the majority, but being back for a couple of games was strange, and it’s not quite the same watching the Daggers via a stream! In terms of league placement we’ve underachieved this season, but the consistency of our performances of late have been brilliant, so hopefully things are starting to gel and we’ll keep climbing the table, and take that momentum into next season.

Which games have stood out for you this season and why?

Our win at home to Bromley in mid-February seems to have been the point where our performances really improved.

We haven’t had any huge wins in the league, but it’s from that point that we’ve been playing consistently well.

Who are your all-time favourite Dagenham players?

Angelo Balanta is a wizard behind the striker, and really knows where the goal is. Paul Benson also has a soft spot in all Daggers fans’ hearts.

Which Dagenham players are the ‘ones to watch’ on Tuesday?

Angelo Balanta and Paul McCallum have both found their form recently after both having

Angelo Balanta is a wizard behind the striker

injury and fitness troubles.

Both have been back on the scoresheet, and there aren’t many better in their positions in this division.

What are your thoughts on Stockport County?

Stockport are a good team, and are up in those play-off positions where the Daggers fans want to

Hopefully we’ll keep climbing the table, and take that momentum into next season

be. It seems like a well-run club with a solid manager, and hopefully that will mean we have a good game this evening.

What are your hopes for the rest of the season?

The play-off places aren’t mathematically beyond us, so the ultimate hope is to sneak in at the end of the season off the back of a good run of results. But realistically it would just be nice to see these good performances continue more consistently, and see where that leaves us come the end of the campaign.

What is your prediction for the game?

I can see a score-draw on the cards, but either team has the capabilities to win the game. With my Daggers hat on I’ll predict a close 2-1 Dagenham win.

33

The County Years

1922

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

Opening game It was Cup action for County on Monday 2nd January 1922. The team had already drawn twice with Wigan Borough in the Second Round of the Lancashire FA Senior Cup and the fellow Third North side returned to Edgeley Park for a decisive second replay. Ernie Gault gave The Homesters the lead in the first half and that was sufficient.

Then 12 days later the first League game of what was to be a promotion year saw Stalybridge Celtic make their only Football League visit.

There were 12,000 in the ground to see County repeat their 4-0 victory in the away game a couple of weeks earlier. Our goalscorers were Albert Waterall, Gilbert Steele, and Joe O’Kane with two.

County: Harry Hardy, Billy Richardson, Arthur Layton, Albert Walmsley, Westby Heath, Albert Waterall, Harry Crossthwaite, Ernie Gault, Gilbert Steele, Joe O’Kane, Charlie Jones.

just three games he played for us and no future clubs have yet been traced.

Summer business Aside from West the men who would not join their colleagues in Division Two after promotion were Jimmy Walsh (who joined Liverpool), Eddie Brooks (Bohemians), with the others staying in Division III (N) - namely, Steele (joined Crewe Alex), Arthur Rosbotham (Southport), Gault (New Brighton) and O’Kane (Stalybridge).

First debutant A player with a name familiar to recent followers of County first The new men were full-back appeared in a Hatters senior Jimmey MacKechnie (Exeter team line-up on 8th March.

City), centre-half Frank Knowles Doug Humphrey George West (SCAN 259) (Ashington) plus forwards Harry was selected for the game at Cousins, Jack Wilson (both Wrexham from where we returned Durham City), Alf Dolphin (Darlington), Doug with a point. The forward was signed after nine Humphrey (Bradford PA), George Purcell (Victory years with Cardiff City but that debut was one of WMC), and Tommy Green (Accrington S).

34

Billy Richardson

Last debutant Bobby Morrison had been signed from home-town team Hyde in December the previous year and finally broke into the first team for the visit of Manchester United on 23rd December. It was a memorable day for him and many of the 17,000 crowd as our neighbours were beaten 1-0.

The left-half played 30 League games over the next three seasons before switching to New Brighton.

Closing game County end the year as Bury’s puddings County: Hardy, Richardson, Joe Reid, Waterall, Billy Cockburn, Morrison, Joe Kearslake, Wilf Woodcock, Green, Wilson, Humphrey.

Albert Waterall

Wilf Woodcock

Three games later we made the short trip to Bury but the form dipped as County suffered a 2-0 defeat. David Robbie gave the home side the lead in the first half and Ralph Burkinshaw clinched the points with five minutes left. The Hatters were unable to get past their future keeper, and namesake of our full-back in this game, Billy Richardson.

Best run 14 games unbeaten plus last game of 1921 (14th January to 8th April) W10 D4 The man in charge In February with the Hatters lying second and seven games unbeaten the club announced that Robert McLachlan had been asked to resign after three years in charge.

The former amateur reserve player at the club was replaced by Albert Williams another ex-Hatter in Albert Williams. Williams had been the team’s trainer and took over on 12th April as Manager and Secretary. He was to keep the role until November 1924 when he returned to his old role.

Most appearances in calendar year Harry Hardy 43 (ever present), Billy Richardson 39, Albert Waterall 38

And finally...

Accounts showed the loss for the year ending May 13 1922 was £555 4s 6d. Wages took up £842 10s, signing-on fees £70, and transfer fees £400. Receipts from first-team matches were £11,761 8s 8d and reserve/third-team were £1813 5s. There was still an entertainment tax in those days which gave the tax man more than £2,500.

Most goals in calendar year Tom Green 14, Wilf Woodcock 13, Joe O’Kane 7

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

Worst run 4 games lost (25th November to 16th December)

35

STOCKPORT COUNTY

4

WEALDSTONE

0

Croasdale 53’, Reid 55’, 86’, Rooney 90’

-

Monday 3rd May | Vanarama National League | Edgeley Park

County kicked off a series of four successive matches at Edgeley Park during the campaign’s final scheduled month by notching up a fourth win and clean sheet running, with a fourgoal victory over first-time visitors Wealdstone.

Second-half goals from Ryan Croasdale and John Rooney, sandwiching an Alex Reid brace, also saw them nudge up one National League place to third.

36

37

Sam Byrne Despite the 4-0 win over Wealdstone last Monday, it’s still felt like an absolute age since we were last here at Edgeley Park - it’s funny what a Saturday off can do!

A rare weekend devoid of any County action was still an eventful one in the footballing world, however, with a huge televised clash on Saturday evening which had title implications at stake apparently, Chelsea also played Man City at the same time.

I’m of course referring to Bromley’s visit to Torquay, with Andy Woodman’s side doing what they did at Edgeley Park last month and producing a battling away performance to take a point from the league leaders and allow County the slightest of chances to take advantage.

But, whilst this Sunday’s televised clash with the Gulls at Edgeley Park now looks a huge one, Simon Rusk and company will know that it will only be huge if County get the job done tonight against a tricky Dagenham side.

Six wins in a row at any level is no mean feat

Whilst this Sunday’s televised clash with the Gulls at Edgeley Park now looks a huge one, Simon Rusk and company will know that it will only be huge if County get the job done tonight against a tricky Dagenham side 38

The Daggers are in the midst of a six-game winning run and have given themselves a fighting chance at snatching a National League play-off spot - and, whilst some have suggested that those wins have “only” come against lesser opposition, Rusk and his side will also know that that isn’t really the case.

As we have found out over the last few months, any and all opposition at this level are capable of providing a tough day’s work. County fans will know that even sides who’ve eventually been comfortably beaten have had good spells in games and looked capable of threatening a Hatters defence which is currently the best in the division.

Liam Hogan led Salford to promotion in 2019

To add to that, six wins in a row at any level is no mean feat.

Despite talk from some quarters of a number of National League sides ‘throwing in the towel’ after the decision to remove relegation this season, no other side has gone on to win six in a row other than Dagenham. It’s an achievement which saw Rusk rightly acknowledge tonight’s game as an “incredibly tough one”.

One element that I don’t see County struggling with, however, is that of the pressure of this promotion race.

Speak to any County fan in any beer garden across the town, and inevitably you start to discuss how it would be ‘very County’ to slip up once an opportunity has presented itself.

Now this isn’t me saying that County will breeze to four wins out of four with no questions asked, or that we’ll storm to a title win with ease, but I do think that, as County fans, we’ve become used to that feeling over the years of slipping up at the last - but you take a good look at this squad, and you see a group of players who are serial winners at this level.

I saw some pictures of Salford’s 2019 play-off final success on Twitter this week, with the likes of Liam Hogan and Lois Maynard front and centre.

John Rooney made the headlines for reaching 20 goals this week, a feat he also achieved in becoming National League Player of the Season for 2020 champions Barrow. Paddy Madden has seen and done it all in the EFL. There may well be wins, losses and draws in these final four fixtures - and of course there have been disappointing days this year with the likes of Eastleigh, Weymouth and Maidenhead - but it’s a refreshing feeling as a County fan to see a dressing room full of players who won’t be overawed by the task at hand when it gets to this horrible squeaky-bum time of the campaign.

If we aren’t watching Liam Hogan lift the National League title in just over two weeks’ time, you feel confident that it won’t be down to this group of County players not being able to hold their nerve.

Mainly because a lot of them have been there and done it before, and know what is required.

This fourteen-game unbeaten run is a real credit not just to those players but to the work of Simon Rusk.

With four cup finals to come, starting tonight, let’s hope that we’re still talking about an unbeaten run come the end of the month.

If we are, we may just be watching these players lift a trophy as we do so.

Enjoy the game!

39

Physio

Luke Smith Good evening everyone.

This week’s injuries consist of firstly Will Collar who has had a slight hamstring issue which we expect won’t keep him out for very long. He has been fantastic in the gym and is looking very strong.

We expect Will to be back on the grass soon with a view to returning to first-team training next week.

Furthermore, we have Mark Kitching whose back issue

is still ongoing. We currently have no timeline on his return.

However, we have a specialist who is currently being consulted regarding the next stage of his return to play.

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

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

Finally, Connor is keeping as fit as can be with different sessions ranging from finishing drills with the keepers to gymbased work to maintain his strength and power.

Treatment

Enjoy the game, Luke

Injury Assessment and Treatment £40 Sports Massage 1 Hour

£40

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41

42

SNAPPED! All smiles for Macauley Southam-Ha les during a training session at Carrington last week

43

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Supporters’ Co-operative You know when you open the window, see the daffodils out and almost taste the smells of early Spring that things will soon be getting better.

A smidgeon of that ‘early Spring elation’ hit the Stockport County Supporters’ Cooperative this week and it was nothing to do with daffodils, or anything similar. It was just that Race Director John Giles had received confirmation from the local Pandemic Response Team that the Stockport Hatters’ Half-Marathon could go ahead on Sunday 5th September this year.

This is a massive boost after many doubts had been voiced in some quarters as to the safety and viability of running this race again so soon.

But we did the sums... the research, checked with our event partners and relevant experts and decided our application would go in, and the Council`s response is handsome reward for the Supporters’ Co-operative’s courage and initiative!

The race is a great advert for the town and Stockport County who have again agreed to

allow us to use Edgeley Park as a base for the race which will once more start outside the stadium and finish in the beautiful setting of Alexandra Park.

The news will be a massive boost to runners also who have consistently made this event the North West’s premier road and trail race.

There’s more too, as C&C Healthcare were confirmed as our Senior Business Partner for the race.

Great news… and there’s even more, as with design help from Jack McNally, and artwork by local artist, Eamonn Murphy we are offering runners perhaps the best medal yet - it looks simply fantastic!

Whether you fancy helping on the day marshalling, or just plan to enjoy the spectacle, please make a note of race day 5th September in your diary, and await further details soon.

45

Updated Newsletter Asset.pdf

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07/05/2021

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COUNTY JUNIORS

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

Welcome back to our re-arranged fixture with Dagenham & Redbridge. They have made the long journey north to be our opponents tonight.

The pressure yet again is on County to get the three points. It is surprising how we are now in May and the season is drawing to a close. Recently we have played Halifax away and Wealdstone at home over the Bank Holiday weekend and we achieved two excellent results.

We should be in the play-offs at least so it is down to where the teams end up in the table. It is still possible that we could go up automatically depending on a number of results. One, of course, is here at Edgeley Park this Sunday where our visitors are Torquay United.

What a game to look forward to!

As already mentioned we have played Halifax and Wealdstone. Halifax was another great away win, they just keep on coming, then on to Bank Holiday Monday and another win with four goals. As the first half went on and the disallowed goal, I wondered whether it was going to be one of those afternoons but in the end,we didn’t need to worry. Hartlepool lost but Torquay won. So still all to play for.

That’s all for this time. Hoping for another three points tonight!

Ian Butterworth

Mascot Samuel

Age: 4 (He will be celebrating his 5th birthday tomorrow!)

Attends: Norbury Hall School.

Likes: Football, street dancing, swimming and drawing.

Favourite players: Sam Minihan and Alex Reid.

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.

WILLIAM CLARKE Inside-left who was one of those to make his senior debut in the two-legged FA Cup tie the season before League football returned. In addition to this game he figured in 11 war league matches. No other information is known about his career.

FREDDIE REDFERN Also played in that 1-2 home defeat to Rochdale. Having joined from Mossley, right-back Fred did stay with the Hatters 48

into the following season, playing 36 League games and six FA Cup matches over two years along with more than a century of wartime appearances.

His main spell after leaving the Hatters was at home-town side Hyde United.

BILLY McCULLOCH Scot Billy McCulloch ended up at County because he was posted to the area during the war, at Ringway with the RAF Parachute Regiment.

He had a lengthy career with County totalling some 338 peacetime games before moving on to Rochdale 11 years after signing. He was famously the player who scored whilst suffering concussion against Shrewsbury and was hospitalised for a time after

He had a lengthy career with County totalling some 338 peacetime games before moving on to Rochdale 11 years after signing that game, being operated on for a blood clot. In December 1960 after a fundraising campaign because Billy had been struck down with Multiple Sclerosis, the club handed over the deeds to his home plus the remaining balance to give his wife and children a secure future, with Billy dying a couple of months later.

LES COCKER Local lad Les came into the County side whilst on leave from the forces and impressed enough to go on to play 189 competitive games, scoring 48 goals. The 5’ 7” tall forward had played local football before playing further afield during the war. He moved on after some eight seasons in the side, joining Accrington Stanley where he was at one stage the only Englishman in a team of Scottish players. Les earned more fame as a trainer, being on the bench when England won the World Cup in 1966.

Player

Debut

Signed From

Billy Law

14.01.1939 Bradford (PA)

Arthur Burrows

25.03.1939 St Pauls

Jackie Arthur

08.04.1939 Everton

Harry Topping

17.04.1939 New Brighton

Harry Stock

24.04.1939 Huddersfield T

Arthur Groves

26.08.1939 Portsmouth

Len Rich

26.08.1939 Exeter C

Jack Seagrave

26.08.1939 Chesterfield

Jimmy Morris

02.09.1939 UGB (St Helens)

Les Sullivan

02.09.1939 Chesterfield

William Clarke

17.11.1945 None

Colin Gleave

17.11.1945 Junior

Eric Hyde

17.11.1945 Urmston

Jackie Johnson

17.11.1945 Junior

Oswald Lawrence

17.11.1945 Local junior team

Freddie Redfern

17.11.1945 Mossley

Ken Shaw

17.11.1945 Dukinfield

Joe Worrall

17.11.1945 Manchester City

Arthur Woodcock

24.11.1945 Manchester U

Jack Brinton

31.08.1946 Derby Co

Billy Brown

31.08.1946 Ipswich T

Ambrose Buckley

31.08.1946 Dartford

Eddie Chapman

31.08.1946 Oldham Athletic

Sam Earl

31.08.1946 Hartlepools U

Billy McCulloch

31.08.1946 Clackmannan

Jack Noble

07.09.1946 Mossley

Stan Eastham

09.09.1946 Exeter C

Vic Walker

09.09.1946 Nottingham For

Sam Weaver

16.09.1946 Chelsea

Jack Wassall

19.10.1946 Manchester U

Les Cocker

02.11.1946 Brighton & HA

Ron Staniforth

09.11.1946 Newton A

Jack Hacking

22.03.1947 Accrington S

Frank Lodge

22.03.1947 Ward Street OB

George Glaister

24.05.1947 Blackburn Rov

Jack Monks

24.05.1947 South Reddish

Albert Dainty

31.05.1947 Preston NE

Bill Jessop

31.05.1947 Preston NE

Johnny Watters

06.09.1947 Cowdenbeath

Harold Jackson

27.09.1947 Notts Co

Walter Vennard

27.09.1947 Crusaders

Tommy Barkas

08.11.1947 Rochdale

Watford

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Strawberry Radio Chris Ridgway

The end of so much is in sight. The end of not being allowed into games is in sight. The end of restrictions elsewhere in society is in sight. Dare I say it, the end of this decade-long, non-league journey is in sight.

Commentators’ curses, ‘jinxing’, whispering it all put aside - things feel different right now. No club in the country is enjoying a spell like County’s at the minute and speaking with Alex Reid on the podcast last week, it just feels like we’re ready to go up now.

When we had him on at the start of the season, he spoke about wanting to find a home at County. Speaking to him last week, he hadn’t just found a home but he was living with his best mates!

With it being the business-end of the season, business has arguably never been tighter.

Make no mistake, County are now in a three-horse race for the title. With the greatest respect to Hartlepool, it’s not happening for them.

Of the three horses in the race, it’s in the interest of balance I point out we’re currently behind the other two, however (and you’re about to realise I know nothing about horse racing or the clichés it bears) we’re approaching the final furlong potentially heading for a photo finish. If you were a rider on one of the other two horses you

ago - take it one match at a time.

They’re right to say that, but you can’t help but wonder can you?

In his piece on our podcast last week, Reidy said that looking back at the videos of our promotion from the North, it’s unreal to think that was a nonleague promotion. I genuinely can’t put into words adding the return of fans after the longest of times locked out and the return to the League into that mix.

Alex Reid was a guest on last week’s podcast

wouldn’t be sitting comfortably knowing we’re behind you.

Personally, I must have looked at the unchanged league table fifty times in between our games and those around us, working out potential outcomes, permutations and possibilities - I can’t help myself, I do it every season but this time the marbles being played for are of significantly more value. We could be about to head back to the League.

Speak to the players, the staff, the manager - they’ll say the same as they said 10 games

It’s important to remember however, before any of us (mainly me reading that back) get carried away - remember what happened before Nuneaton away and Curzon at home. When we lost to Chorley it seemed all hope was gone. Matty Warburton missing the golden chance, the celebrations in front of the County fans etcetera etcetera, we may still have to endure twists yet.

Who knows? We could be heading for another Curzon Ashton, Spennymoor moment, another Chorley moment - it’s impossible to tell. The next four games are beyond huge for County and, in case you couldn’t tell... I can’t wait!

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51

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Deadly Duos Steven Davies

Alun Armstrong & Andy Mutch Hello and welcome to today’s deadly duos. This evening we are looking back to when I first started going to County and what was the first “deadly duo” that I was able to see play live. Although they didn’t play together for overly long they certainly got the goals between them and were at different stages of their careers. I’m talking about Alun Armstrong and Andy Mutch.

During the 1995/96 season we had started with Ian Helliwell and Alun Armstrong playing up front. Ian was having a very good season and this resulted in him going to Burnley via a transfer. We ended up drafting in veteran Andy Mutch from Swindon for the remainder of the season to partner Alun up front.

Scoring his first goal against Brighton & Hove Albion, he went on to score a hat-trick in his next game against Oxford with himself and Alun partnering up well.

The season after Andy ended up assuming the role of a striker and also the super sub as he scored three times in the two legs against Chesterfield in the First Round of the League Cup, important goals against Bury and Millwall as well as match-winning goals against Southampton in the League Cup Quarter Final Replay with what was pretty much his first touch - and again with two separate goals in two separate games against Burnley, also coming off the bench to score them both. He ended up scoring 17 goals in 36 starts over the two seasons with us before he moved on to Barrow.

Alun Armstrong who was his partner at the time had come in via the Newcastle youth team and transferred to us ahead of the 1994/95 season. He served as a prolific striker scoring

Alun Armstrong

Andy Mutch

61 goals in 161 starts and also formed a very good partnership with Brett Angell.

Scoring on his debut on the opening day of the season against Cardiff, Alun never looked back, and when he was playing you could guarantee that the goals were not far away. During the 1996/97 partnering with both Mutch and Angell he scored six in six and later on that season scored in four consecutive games.

This earned him a £1.6 million move to Middlesbrough before moves to Huddersfield and Ipswich beckoned where he scored in both legs of a European Cup match against Italian giants Inter Milan.

Both Alun and Andy went on to manage clubs and are still involved with the game as Alun is currently managing Darlington and Andy frequently attending corporate functions with ex-club Wolves where he played for around seven years in the mid-1980s to the early ‘90s.

55

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57

Talking Football Sam Preston

Thomas Tuchel is showing the value of hiring a proper manager at Chelsea.

The Blues were ninth in the Premier League at the time of his appointment, on the back of a listless defeat against Leicester – the final game of Frank Lampard’s reign.

Faith that Lampard was the right man for the job did not extend far beyond hope.

Hope that a club legend wouldn’t tarnish his legacy with a botched managerial reign. He had the majority of fans onside because of what he’d done on the pitch.

But he didn’t have the managerial experience to fall back on when times became tough. No experience of what to do when your coaching methods aren’t quite working, or a dressing room needs to be invigorated.

Tuchel is 180 minutes away from emulating Roberto di Matteo in 2012; coming in mid-season and masterminding an FA Cup and Champions League triumph 58

Thomas Tuchel

It’s usually best for a manager to learn those lessons away from the glare of the spotlight.

Like when you’re in charge of Augsburg’s reserve side, as Tuchel was in his first managerial job. Or at Mainz.

That’s when you become a proper manager; picking up what works and what doesn’t, and how to learn from each and every setback.

Lampard just didn’t have those miles in the tank and it showed by the end of his reign.

Mikel Arteta

He deserves credit for blooding the likes of Mason Mount and Reece James but would he have done that if he didn’t take over when the club had a transfer embargo?

In truth, it’s a moot point because he probably wouldn’t have been appointed otherwise.

Tuchel has brought a clear identity to Chelsea, from day one. He focused on making them defensively solid, reverting to the three-man backline Antonio Conte used so effectively at Stamford Bridge.

He is juggling his array of forward talent effectively, with the possible exception of Tammy Abraham, who is now on the fringes.

But it’s likely that any new manager of Chelsea would have been tasked with getting more out of their marquee summer striker signing as opposed to a homegrown player about whom question marks remain as an option at the very highest level.

Tuchel is 180 minutes away from emulating Roberto di Matteo in 2012; coming in mid-season and masterminding an FA Cup and Champions League triumph.

They have now beaten Manchester City twice in the space of a month. Granted, Pep Guardiola made changes for both games, but it’s a psychological boost for Chelsea ahead of the meeting between the two sides on 29 May. Another rookie manager who is struggling but so far remains in place is Mikel Arteta.

The rebuilding job at Arsenal was always going to be a huge one and Arteta has no expertise to fall back on during the tricky times.

He is a ferociously driven leader with clear standards but without the managerial nous and tactical acumen to get results on the pitch and players on board, it’s an uphill battle.

Perhaps no other manager would perform better with this Arsenal squad, but that’s not a reason to hire an unknown quantity – or, unfortunately, to keep him in the job.

Arsenal need a manager like Tuchel, with the ability to implement a vivid tactical style from the outset, showing up the clear multitude of issues that comes with leaving a manager to learn on the job in one of the country’s most high-profile jobs.

59

The Hatters v The Daggers

Facts & Figures Head to Head

Goals scored

Previously at EP

Played (all competitions): 5

County: 6

Played (all competitions): 2

County: 4

County: 2

Draws: 1

Draws: 0

Dagenham: 0

Dagenham: 1

First competitive meeting

Last time out

Saturday 11th August 2007 League Two County 1 Dag & Red 0

Previous games Tuesday 19th January 2021 National League Dag & Red 0 County 2 Saturday 8th February 2020 National League Dag & Red 1 County 1

Dagenham: 0

Dagenham & Redbridge 0 County 2 Tuesday 19th January 2021, Vanarama National League County battled to a deserved win at Dagenham & Redbridge, with attacking duo Richie Bennett and Alex Reid firing The Hatters to a first win of 2021.

On a clearly blustery evening in East London, chances came at a premium in the first half with both sides enjoying spells of possession throughout the opening 45 minutes.

With half-time rapidly approaching, Sam Minihan almost capped a fine Hatters move as he latched onto Alex Reid’s through ball inside the area, only to misfire and see his effort flash across the face of goal as the two sides went in at the interval level in a very balanced affair.

The Hatters did have their lead just five minutes into the restart however; Rooney cleverly dropped a shoulder and fizzed an effort at goal from all of 25 yards which Justham could only parry straight to the lurking Richie Bennett, who lashed home his fourth of the campaign.

Just past the hour mark, the lively Alex Reid almost did just that as he closed down a shaky clearance from Justham only to see the ricochet roll agonisingly wide of the upright.

Reid did have his now-customary goal ten minutes later, as he linked up superbly with his strike partner Bennett to latch onto the latter’s pinpoint through ball and control superbly, before drilling a wonderful low effort past Justham for his eleventh goal of the season.

They played for both clubs Ken Charlery Deiniol Graham Neil Matthews Alex Reid 60

Hinchliffe saved superbly from close-range deep into stoppage time, and full-time was called shortly after to signal that County had earned a fully-deserved three points on the road, to move to within a goal of thirdplaced Sutton United in the National League.

County line-up (3-4-1-2): Hinchliffe; Keane, Hogan (C), Stott (Thomas, 75); Minihan, Croasdale, Maynard, Kitching; Rooney; Reid (Williams, 75), Bennett (C. Jennings, 89).

Subs not used: Barnes, Palmer.

2020-21

CHE

Statistics Home L 4 3 2 4 7 4 7 8 7 4 6 7 5 4 7 7 9 11 10 9 9 14 0

F 32 37 27 32 32 27 28 26 29 21 23 29 23 30 24 28 20 22 31 25 23 12 0

A 18 14 12 19 28 13 18 17 28 12 21 25 21 14 24 23 24 32 46 32 34 39 0

W 12 10 12 7 9 8 7 10 9 6 8 7 7 3 7 5 6 4 2 3 3 3 0

D 3 5 3 7 4 4 7 3 5 5 2 6 7 4 3 4 5 4 4 2 2 4 0

Away L 4 4 5 5 6 7 4 7 4 7 9 5 5 12 10 10 9 10 13 13 13 11 0

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

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

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

A 17 18 16 20 20 23 20 23 21 24 23 23 18 30 29 37 30 26 46 27 47 43 0

W 23 22 20 20 18 17 17 18 16 15 16 14 12 14 14 14 11 10 9 8 7 6 0

D 8 9 11 10 8 10 9 5 11 11 7 10 16 6 6 6 9 6 6 8 8 6 0

Total L F 8 64 7 63 7 64 9 59 13 60 11 55 11 52 15 52 11 56 11 41 15 47 12 57 10 46 16 46 17 49 17 52 18 40 21 41 23 44 22 36 22 40 25 31 0 0

Total

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

Subs

0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 18 9 3 2 0 4 0 0 12 3 5 1 9 5 1 2 27 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 14 3 2 1 22 5 2 2 22 3 1 5 15 2 2 1 12 1 6 3 21 3 1 5 26 11 0 3 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 2 3 2 30 7 17 4 31 1 15 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 16 8 1 1 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 1 2 3 3 1 3 10 1 1 17 1 1 1 6 10 0 1 1 - 67 44

F 32 26 37 27 28 28 24 26 27 20 24 28 23 16 25 24 20 19 13 11 17 19 0

A 35 32 28 39 48 36 38 40 49 36 44 48 39 44 53 60 54 58 92 59 81 82 0

GD 29 31 36 20 12 19 14 12 7 5 3 9 7 2 -4 -8 -14 -17 -48 -23 -41 -51 0

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 Ross Fitzsimons Harvey Gilmour Max Greenhalgh Ben Hinchliffe Jack Hinchy Liam Hogan Jack Hopkins Connor Jennings James Jennings Jordan Keane Mark Kitching Paddy Madden Lois Maynard Sam Minihan Elliot Newby Adam Owen Ash Palmer Alex Reid John Rooney Ryan Rydel Nathan Shaw Macauley Southam-Hales Finley Stanyer Jamie Stott Jack Stretton Adam Thomas Tom Walker Jordan Williams Own goals Total

D 5 4 8 3 4 6 2 2 6 6 5 4 9 2 3 2 4 2 2 6 6 2 0

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

Player Roll-Call

W 11 12 8 13 9 9 10 8 7 9 8 7 5 11 7 9 5 6 7 5 4 3 0

Starts

Promotion

P 39 38 38 39 39 38 37 38 38 37 38 36 38 36 37 37 38 37 38 38 37 37 0

2 0 21 1 12 9 33 0 3 0 0 4 0 44 0 41 0 20 23 28 19 12 24 28 6 0 33 36 36 0 1 18 0 17 2 8 17 8 -

0 0 0 3 0 0 11 4 2 5 0 0 3 5 1 5 1 2 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 4 3 2 5 2 2 3 1 5 3 2 1 1 6 3 6 1 6 14 0 3 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 2 8 21 4 2 20 4 2 0 0 1 0 0 10 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 3 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 13 0 1 1 - 81 48

Goals

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

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

Biggest Win Most Goals Highest Attendance Lowest Attendance Top Goalscorer

Pts 77 75 71 70 62 61 60 59 59 56 55 52 52 48 48 48 42 36 33 32 29 24 0

W W W D W W L L W D W W D W W W L L L L L D -

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

Relegation

National League Records Saturday 12th December 2020 Chesterfield 6-0 Barnet Tuesday 20th April 2021 Wealdstone 0-6 Maidenhead United Saturday 17th April 2021 Wealdstone 2-7 Hartlepool United Saturday 26th December 2020 Torquay United 6-1 Yeovil Town 1,323 Tuesday 15th December 2020 Weymouth 2-3 Wrexham 337 Michael Cheek (Bromley) 20 = 15 Goals + 5 Penalties Man of the Match Ryan Croasdale scored against Wealdstone

# 1 2 22

National League Fair Play Team Stockport County 44 Boreham Wood 53 Yeovil Town 102

2 0 3

Pts 196 212 438

*Dover Athletic’s results for this season have been expunged for failing to meet fixture obligations, the player roll-call still includes our 3-0 win statistics against them Cut off dates for number of yellow cards in league matches only, cups are different: 5 = Following 23 fixtures, 10 = Following 37 fixtures, 15/20 = End of the season Automatic league suspension starts next match after an offence, automatic cup suspension starts next match after an offence in the same competition Yellow cards are specific to each competition, red cards apply across all competitions All details up to date as of Sunday 9th May 2021

61

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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 Tue 11 Dagenham & Redbridge Sun 16 Torquay United Sat 22 Woking Sat 29 Yeovil Town

64

Comp Score A H H A A H H H

Att Pos

NL NL NL NL NL FAC4Q NL NL

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

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

Minihan Minihan Minihan Minihan Minihan ³ Minihan Minihan Minihan

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

Maynard Maynard Maynard Maynard 1 Maynard Maynard Croasdale Maynard

Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Keane Palmer 1

Hogan Stott Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan 1 Hogan Hogan

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

H FAC4Q A FAC1 H FAC2

4-0 2-1 3-2

-

Keane Keane Keane

Stott Stott Stott

Croasdale Croasdale ² Croasdale ¹

Palmer Palmer Palmer 1

Hogan Hogan Hogan

Thomas Kitching Kitching ³

A A A H A A H

NL NL NL FAT3 NL NL NL

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

Thomas Minihan Minihan Keane Minihan Minihan Southam-Hales ¹

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

Maynard Maynard Maynard Croasdale Croasdale Maynard Maynard

Keane Keane Palmer Palmer Palmer Keane Keane 1

Hogan Hogan Hogan Stott Hogan Hogan Hogan

Kitching ³ Williams ¹ Kitching ¹ Kitching Kitching Kitching Kitching

H H H A H A

NL FAC3 FAT4 NL NL NL

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

-

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

-

4 4 5 4 4 4

Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe

Minihan Minihan Minihan Minihan Minihan Minihan ³

Jennings J Jennings J Jennings J Jennings J 1 Jennings J Jennings J

Croasdale Maynard Maynard Maynard ³ Croasdale Croasdale

Palmer ³ Keane Keane Keane Palmer Palmer

Hogan Hogan Hogan 1 Hogan Keane Keane

Walker ² Walker 1 Walker ² Stretton ² Walker ² Shaw ¹

A H A H H A A

NL NL NL NL NL NL NL

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

-

4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe Hinchliffe

Minihan Southam-Hales Southam-Hales Southam-Hales ² Southam-Hales Southam-Hales Minihan

Jennings J Jennings J Jennings J Jennings J Jennings J Jennings J Jennings J

Croasdale Croasdale Croasdale Croasdale Croasdale Croasdale ² Croasdale

Palmer 1 Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer Palmer 1 Palmer

Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan ¹

Walker ³ Walker ² Walker Walker Walker ¹ Walker Walker ²

A H H H H A

NL NL NL NL NL NL

1-0 4-0

-

4 3

Hinchliffe Hinchliffe

Southam-Hales Minihan

Jennings J Jennings J ³

Croasdale Croasdale 1

Palmer Palmer

Hogan Hogan

Walker ³ Walker ¹

-

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 Jennings C 1 4 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 Rooney 1 ² Gilmour Gilmour Gilmour

Williams ³ Thomas ³ Thomas ¹ ³ Hogan 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 Rooney Palmer Stott Stott

Williams ² Southam-Hales ² Hogan 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 Newby ³ Newby ¹ Newby ¹ Newby

Dalby ¹ Croasdale Croasdale Madden Madden ³ Madden 1

Collar Cardwell 1 ¹ Cardwell ¹ Croasdale Cardwell 1 Collar

Reid Reid ³ Reid Reid Collar 1 Reid ²

Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes Barnes

Keane ² Newby ² Shaw Walker ² Shaw ² Walker

Maynard Collar Collar ² Collar Stretton Stretton ³

Cardwell ¹ Stretton 1 ¹ Stretton 1 ³ Southam-Hales ¹ Southam-Hales ³ Southam-Hales ¹

Bennett ³ Bennett ³ Madden ¹ Bennett ³ Reid 1 ¹ Cardwell ²

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

Madden Madden Madden ¹ Madden 2 Madden 1 Madden Madden 1

Cardwell Cardwell Cardwell ³ Cardwell ¹ Cardwell 1 Cardwell ¹ Cardwell 2 ²

Collar ² Collar ¹ Reid 2 Reid 1 ³ Reid ² Collar Newby

Fitzsimons Fitzsimons Fitzsimons Fitzsimons Fitzsimons Fitzsimons Fitzsimons

Newby Newby ¹ Newby ¹ Newby Newby ¹ Newby ³ Rydel ²

Rooney ¹ Keane Maynard ² Williams ³ Williams Maynard ² Maynard

Southam-Hales ² Minihan ² Minihan ³ Minihan ² Minihan ² Minihan Southam-Hales ¹

Reid ³ Reid Collar Collar ¹ Collar Reid 1 ¹ Reid ³

Rooney Rooney 1

Madden 1 Madden

Cardwell ² Cardwell ²

Collar ¹ Reid 2

Fitzsimons

Bennett ² Bennett ²

Maynard ¹ Maynard

Minihan ³ Southam-Hales

Reid Newby ¹

Stanyer

Hopkins

Williams ² Williams ³

Minihan Minihan ¹

Williams ³

Minihan ¹

Palmer 5 Kitching ¹

Bennett ¹ # Keane

Rydel ³

65

National League News CHE

STERFIELD FC

Well, well, well... all of a sudden it’s advantage Sutton United again in the quest to win the National League, with Matt Gray’s men now knowing that if they win their remaining four games they cannot be overtaken.

Goals from Craig Eastmond and Donovan Wilson secured a 2-0 victory over Weymouth on Saturday, a result which took on greater import when Torquay could only draw 0-0 with Bromley in the late televised fixture.

One of Sutton’s final four games takes place tonight, when beleaguered Woking visit Gander Green Lane.

Woking have just one point to show for their last ten games, so it would be a huge upset for them to reverse their woeful form this evening, and with tonight’s game being Sutton’s longheld game in hand on Torquay it’s a fantastic opportunity for The U’s to go a point clear at the top of the table.

After tonight Sutton must face Maidenhead (a), Hartlepool (h) and Barnet (a) to close the season. Of course, nothing is ever straightforward at this stage in a campaign, so four victories are by no means a given for a team whose form has been inconsistent of late, though what an opportunity for the staff at Sutton!

Perhaps Saturday was a pivotal point in the season then? Victory for Torquay would have kept promotion matters in their own hands, though they failed to score at home for just the fourth time this season, failing to find a way through a dogged Bromley defence.

Torquay return to action here at Edgeley Park this coming Sunday. What a crucial game that is going to be!

Elsewhere, fourth-placed Hartlepool’s hopes of automatic

66

promotion took a significant blow as they flopped to a 4-2 home defeat to Maidenhead United. It was their first home defeat since early December, though it was all the more galling considering Maidenhead played more than 50 minutes with ten men, extending their lead from 2-1 to 4-1 in that time before Pools grabbed a late consolation. It was also a second consecutive loss for Hartlepool, who had previously gone 16 without defeat.

One place below Pools at present are Halifax, who also seem to have lost form at a crucial time. The West Yorkshire club had lifted themselves from 13th to 5th after a run of seven wins and two draws in ten games, though a 1-0 defeat at home to Boreham Wood on Saturday was a fourth loss in eight games, leaving their play-off place in renewed jeopardy.

The Shaymen are currently on 62 points, eight points behind Hartlepool above, and are now in a heck of a scrap for the last three play-off places, involving eight sides. Six of those eight were in action at the weekend, with five – Wrexham, Notts County, Chesterfield, Dagenham and Maidenhead – all claiming maximum points to perfectly pile on the pressure.

Indeed, all won convincingly too and all away from home, with Wrexham winning 3-0 down in Yeovil, Notts County winning 4-1 at Barnet, Chesterfield doing the exact same at Woking, Dagenham smashing five

past Wealdstone and Maidenhead claiming that impressive triumph at Hartlepool.

Many might rule out 12th-placed Maidenhead from the mix, trailing the last play-off place by eight points as it stands, though Alan Devonshire’s outfit have two games in hand. If they win those, then they’re very much in the equation!

For now it’s Notts County that occupy that final play-off place, and what a relief that must be for their supporters too after four defeats in five during April had seemed to derail their promotion prospects. The jury may still be out for many on new manager Ian Burchnall, who has just four wins from 13 games to his credit so far, though crucially they’ve won the last two, elevating themselves back into the play-off picture.

It’s sure to be a fascinating run-in, though one sideshow that needs addressing urgently is an appeal from Southend United and Grimsby Town against their relegation from League Two. Both clubs claim relegation is unfair given that there is no demotion from the National League this season, with Southend chairman Ron Martin suggesting it is “fundamentally against the pyramid system” to allow promotion from the National League but not relegation.

Could this be the latest twist in this rollercoaster of a season? Here’s hoping it’s a claim that is immediately quashed...

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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 Joshua Barnes Harvey Gilmour Finley Stanyer Jack Hopkins Adam Owen Ross Fitzsimons Jack Hinchy Will Collar Tom Walker Harry Cardwell Elliot Newby Ryan Rydel Paddy Madden

Dagenham & Redbridge [1357] [1359] [1397] [1395] [1372] [1394] [1373] [1400] [1396] [1339] [1404] [1398] [1380] [1370] [1401] [1402] [1399] [1407]

[1405] [1406]

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27

Elliot Justham Callum Reynolds Elliott Johnson Dean Rance Luke Croll Kenny Clark Sam Deering Mitch Brundle Paul McCallum Angelo Balanta Myles Weston Matt Robinson Josh Strizovic George Saunders Andrew Eleftheriou Harry Phipps Darren McQueen Mo Sagaf Tom Smith Will Wright Adrian Clifton Mauro Vilhete Saidou Khan Scott Wilson Joey Jones Liam Gordon

[1388] [1409]

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

Aldershot Town v Yeovil Town (7pm) Solihull Moors v Weymouth (7pm) Chesterfield v King’s Lynn Town Maidenhead United v Notts County Wealdstone v Bromley Sutton United v Woking (8pm)

Match Officials Referee Martin Woods Assistant Referee 1 Adam Burgess Assistant Referee 2 Steve Durnall Fourth Official Alexander Kelly

Next At Edgeley Park

Torquay United Sunday 16th May 2021 Kick-off: 12.15pm Vanarama National League

[1410] [1414] [1412]

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

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