COUNTY REPORT 2024-25
A look back at our work and impact over the last 12 months
Our mission has always been to use the power of football to inspire, engage, and create positive change across the Stockport community.
The importance of Community
As owner of Stockport County, I am incredibly proud of the work delivered by our Community Trust.
Football is so much more than a game, it is a powerful force for bringing people together, breaking down barriers, and creating opportunities that change lives. Over the past year, the Trust has shown exactly what that means in practice, delivering programmes that support health, education, inclusion, and wellbeing across our community.
Seeing the impact of these initiatives, whether it’s inspiring young people through our school programmes, supporting families through our Kits By County campaign or helping individuals feel connected, reminds me why this club is so special.
Mark Stott, Owner of Stockport County Football Club
The dedication of the Trust team, our partners, Trustees and volunteers is truly remarkable, and I want to thank everyone who has played a part in making this possible.
Looking ahead, my commitment is clear, to ensure Stockport County continues to lead the way in using football as a force for good, to keep building innovative and impactful programmes and to keep using Stockport County to make a difference.
Welcome to our annual Report
Alison Warwood, CEO, Stockport County Community Trust
It is with immense pride that I introduce The County Report, Stockport County Community Trust’s impact report for 2025. Our vision has always been to harness the power of football and more specifically Stockport County to create lasting, positive change and this report demonstrates just how far we’ve come in achieving that goal over the last 12 months.
From increasing the number of participants we have been able to reach from just over 7,000 in 2024 to over 10,000 in 2025, we believe that we have been able to make a meaningful and lasting impact on people within Stockport from the ages of 5 to 89, our youngest and oldest participants.
We have seen a growth in the programmes we deliver across our three key departments: health & wellbeing, education & employability
and inclusivity & participation, new initiatives that have been driven by a commitment to inclusion and community need.
This growth is also borne out through the increase in social value and social return on investment the Trust has been able to demonstrate. This helps to quantify the social benefit created by our programmes and investment in the Trust, of £1:£6. This means for every pound spend delivering our programmes we generate an equivalent benefit of £6 in social value.
From delivering programmes that improve health and wellbeing to inspiring young people through education and sport, every initiative has been delivered through a commitment to inclusion, opportunity, and community spirit. These achievements would
not be possible without a huge amount of support and we would like to thank everyone at Stockport County Football Club, the hugely dedicated Trust staff, our passionate Trustees and to all our partners and funders.
Looking ahead, the next 12 months present an exciting opportunity to build on this momentum. We will continue to innovate, expand our reach, and deepen our impact, ensuring that Stockport County remains a force for good in our community.
Alison Warwood, CEO, Stockport County Community Trust
Health & Wellbeing
At Stockport County Community Trust, our health and wellbeing programmes aim to support physical fitness, mental health, and social connection for people of all ages.
From walking football and fitness sessions to mental health workshops and inclusive activities, we create safe, welcoming spaces where individuals can thrive. Combining the power of sport with expert guidance, we help our community to lead healthier and happier lives, tackling isolation and building a stronger, more active Stockport.
The Community Trust’s Health and Wellbeing programmes generated £1 million in social value for the benefit of people in Stockport.
“Making these connections helps you realise that you’re not alone…”
Simon was diagnosed with Parkinson’s as he approached the age of 60 and retirement, when he visited the GP after realising something wasn’t right.
“I was knocked for six when a diagnosis was confirmed. I had Parkinson’s, a disease with no cure.
Physically, I’m so unpredictable, but the worst Parkinson’s symptom for me is the anxiety it brings, everything in my life causes me panic and worry and I sometimes dread being with people because I feel so self-conscious.
The Community Trust’s Parkinson’s programme is phenomenal. It’s given me such a boost. At first, I was quite cautious about participating in the walking football session but I can’t believe how much I enjoy
it, and the positive effect it has on me, The physical and emotional impact is amazing. I scored five goals last week and was joking to my team-mates that I’ll soon be getting a call up from the Parkinson’s England football team…!
The weekly Parkinson’s wellbeing session at Edgeley Park has made such a difference to my life, too. It gives me the motivation to get out of the house and socialise, and exercise, and has brought me together with an amazing group of people with Parkinson’s who all support and understand each other. Making these connections helps you realise that you’re not alone, which can be a great comfort since Parkinson’s is an incredibly isolating condition.
Simon Cook, Parkinson’s Football Programme
A look at our programmes
90 Minute Club Parkinson’s Programme Wednesday Wellbeing
The Trust launched its new programme aimed at people with dementia and their carers, using the power of the football club and the importance of reminiscing and sporting memories.
Over 120 participants have benefited from the programme since its launch in April 2025.
Our Parkinson’s Programme offers tailored physical activity and social support, helping participants improve mobility, confidence, and wellbeing while fostering a strong sense of community through the power of football.
93% of participants said they feel happier since coming to the sessions.
Held weekly at Edgeley Park, these sessions provide a warm, welcoming and safe space (along with a cuppa) for vulnerable members of the local community who often suffer from social isolation.
Over 130 participants have attended in the last month with a total attendance rate of 99% for each participant.
Healthy Hatters Vitality KickStart Match day awareness
Healthy Hatters promotes physical activity and mental wellbeing through inclusive sessions, helping participants build confidence, improve fitness, and connect socially creating healthier lifestyles across our community through the power of football.
62 participants have participated in physical activity sessions across 2025 at both our Heaton’s and Reddish sessions.
Over 20 participants managed to complete their first ever 5K run through the 10 week programme, supported by Vitality designed for people who wanted to improve their fitness.
73% of participants have now increased their levels of physical activity since the end of the programme.
The Trust has used the profile of match days at SCFC’s home at Edgeley Park to provide vital awareness around cancer prevention and early diagnosis and screening to the Club’s fans.
Five match day cancer awareness initiatives delivered to thousands of fans at Edgeley Park in 2025, including follow up information days.
Pictured: Barrie Clayton (left), Vicky Myers (central) & Eddie Owen (right) - Head of Health & Wellbeing
Health & Wellbeing case study
Since the 90 Minute Club was launched, Barrie has attended every session at Edgeley Park. Being a lifelong Stockport County fan, Barrie has played an essential role by showcasing his ‘encyclopedic knowledge’ of the history of the football club.
Barrie is a dedicated season ticket holder at the Club and although living with challenges around his mobility, he benefits greatly from the sporting reminiscence sessions.
It’s clear to see the value Barrie has gained from being part of the 90 Minute Club sessions, engaging with guest speakers and supporting others to be part of discussions and improving his own confidence at the same time.
The Trust was so impressed with Barrie’s progression and commitment that it arranged a shirt presentation for him, supported by actor and Stockport resident Vicky Myers. Barrie is also a committed Coronation Street Fan, making it a brilliant occasion.
Barrie Clayton, 90 Minute Club Participant
Kits By County
In September 2024, Stockport County Football Club in partnership with Stockport County Community Trust proudly launched Kits By County, an initiative designed to ensure every child has access to a PE kit in school, regardless of financial circumstances. The campaign was an overwhelming success, distributing over 3,000 kits to local schools and families across Stockport.
By removing barriers to participation, we have also helped improve fitness and a love of sport and physical activity whilst also boosting confidence, inclusion and a sense of belonging among young children in the town.
14 Supporting Club campaigns
“The commitment Stockport County have shown to ensuring no one gets left behind in PE, irrespective of background, is amazing and will ultimately improve life chances.
We are proud to be associated with such an inclusive club who has put community at its heart. Your high profile endorsement of PE will really highlight how important it is for children to be physically active.”
Christine Meekley, Headteacher, Cheadle Heath Primary School
Grassroots Fund Christmas campaign
The Stockport County Grassroots Fund, administered by the Community Trust is dedicated to supporting local football clubs to help ensure grassroots football in Stockport can grow and thrive.
During the 2024/25 season, The Grassroots Fund provided grants to Stockport based teams totalling £25K. The funding was used to provide equipment, coach education and to reduce membership fees for those living in deprived areas helping to strengthen the foundations of the game at every level.
All successful grant recipients also had the chance to take part in a weekend’s Festival of Grassroots Football which took place on the pitch at Edgeley Park at the end of the season.
On behalf of Stockport County, the Community Trust leads on the Club’s County Christmas Giving campaign.
The events held across December with the support of the County players aim to Give Food (through a community lunch at Edgeley Park and providing food for the homeless), Giving Gifts (asking players and staff to buy 100 gifts for local children in conjunction with the Merseyway Giving Tree), and Give Warmth (asking fans to donate old coats, hats and scarves which are then given to the homeless).
A year in pictures...
...Another incredible year!
March – County player, Nick Powell helps celebrate World Book Day
June – Stockport County Community Trust and Vernon Bear attended Stockport’s Pride celebrations.
April – Trust staff took part in the 54321 Walk helping to raise funds for Kits By County
July – The first County Sleepout took place at Edgeley Park helping to raise vital funds for Stockport’s homeless charity, The Wellspring.
May – VE Day celebrations took place for schools at Edgeley Park
August – Record number of children took part in the Kellogg’s County Camps
Education, schools & employability programmes
Our education, schools and employability programmes use the power of football to inspire learning and personal development. Working with schools across Stockport, we deliver engaging sessions that promote educational attainment, aspirations, physical activity and key life skills.
From curriculum and teaching support to employability programmes, we aim to create positive experiences that help participants achieve their potential both in and out of the classroom and help improve confidence and personal goals.
Around 7500 children in Stockport took part in an activity in their school organised by Stockport County Community Trust.
The skills and confidence Euan gained directly paved the way for his next major achievements.
Euan’s journey is a powerful demonstration of how combining sports development with dedicated mentorship can drive significant personal and professional growth. Euan worked closely with Stockport County Community Trust coach, Toby, developing not only his footballing talent but, more importantly, a crucial set of life-long skills.
Through his commitment to the programme, Euan has achieved marked improvements in confidence, teamwork and resilience, both in and out of school.
The programme has also inspired a major personal transformation for Euan. He embraced a healthier, more active lifestyle, resulting in a remarkable loss of almost two
stone in body weight. This commitment has extended beyond the pitch, establishing him as a far more active person outside of school and creating sustainable, positive habits.
The skills and confidence Euan gained directly paved the way for his next major achievements. Bolstered by his newfound self-assurance, Euan sought out and successfully completed a challenging summer skills programme. Most recently, Euan’s discipline and enhanced interpersonal skills helped him successfully earn a full-time apprenticeship, something that would have been way out of reach prior to the Stockport County programme. Euan, Local high school student
A look at our programmes
Together Schools
The Together Schools Programme supported by our key partner, Together Money delivers free educational workshops and football sessions to all primary and secondary schools across Stockport. The sessions promote mental health & wellbeing, e-safety, literacy and numeracy at primary school, and leadership, confidence, resilience and aspirations at secondary school.
In the 2024/25 academic year the Together Schools Programme engaged 5,600 young people.
This Calls For a Hero Premier league Primary Stars
To help encourage creativity and literacy skills, as part of the Together Schools Programme the Community Trust ran its second competition for secondary school pupils across Stockport, with the theme ‘This Calls For A Hero’. This culminated in the publication of a compilation of short stories and poetry.
Over 200 Year 8 students from high schools across Stockport took part in this year’s literacy competition.
Primary Stars is a national education programme, supported by the Premier League Charitable Fund which uses football-themed activities to support primary school pupils. Sessions support literacy, numeracy, and PSHE (such as Black History Month) while supporting teachers in their teaching of PE.
The Trust’s Premier League Primary Stars programme worked with 675 pupils and 12 teachers in the last 12 months.
Get Into Football
Get Into Football is an eight-week employability course for unemployed adults, offering practical workshops, mentoring, and insight into careers within the football industry. The sessions aim to boost skills, confidence, and pathways into work through weekly sessions based out of Edgeley Park.
Over 30 adults across Stockport have received support to gain new skills and confidence around their employability to seek a new job.
Edgeley Mosaic Map Supporting PE lessons
The Edgeley Mosaic Map project is a community art trail featuring 17 mosaics spelling ‘Stockport County FC’ across Edgeley, created through local workshops supported by GRIT Studios and The Writing Squad to celebrate creativity, heritage and civic pride.
Since its launch in April 2025, over 1,000 people have picked up a copy of the Edgeley Mosaic Trail map.
The PE Programme provides high-quality curriculum PE lessons in primary schools during teachers’ planning, preparation, and assessment time, delivered by qualified coaches to enhance physical education and promote active lifestyles for pupils.
Over 300 children per week are taught PE through Stockport County Community Trust.
As part of the Together Schools Programme, Stockport County Community Trust offers free coaching to primary school girls as part of an after-school club with the aim of increasing participation in the girls’ game.
At the start of the programme at St Thomas’ School, only two of the girls were already playing with grassroots clubs, while the rest were new to organised football. However, from the very first session their energy, willingness to learn, and support for one another was brilliant.
Each week every student showed noticeable development. Their technical skills improved each session, specifically growing in confidence with their dribbling and their understanding of the game and playing together as a team. The best part was how much fun they were having though as all the sessions were full of energy.
The impact stretched beyond the school. Several girls enjoyed the club so much that they wanted to continue playing outside of school and join a local team. Trust coaches provided information about local girls’ grassroots teams, and many students showed real excitement about joining a club for the first time. The school are also now hoping to set up their own girls’ team for the first time.
Developing girls’ football at St Thomas’ School Education, schools & employability case study
Inclusion & Participation programmes
The Inclusion and Participation department at Stockport County Community Trust is committed to making football accessible for everyone.
In 2025, the team supported over 3,000 people, creating safe, welcoming spaces that encourage participation and promote equality and belonging. The work delivers measurable impact including improving physical and mental wellbeing, reducing isolation, and strengthening community connections.
By championing inclusion and participation and removing barriers, the department continues to transform lives and ensure football remains a powerful force for positive change across Stockport.
Over 3,000 participants took part in an activity organised by the Inclusion and Participation team at Stockport County Community Trust, generating over £3 million in social value.
“Hand on heart I can’t thank the team enough for everything they’ve done”
Stockport County Community Trust began delivering the Premier League Kicks programme in September 2024. One beneficiary of the programme is 15-year-old Josh, who attends the Community Trust’s Premier League Kicks football session at a local secondary school.
Josh’s mother, Rebecca recently reached out the Trust to express her gratitude to the coaches who helped Josh when he began struggling with his emotions and behaviour on the pitch.
“The Community Trust has helped my son in so many ways. They’ve spent a lot of time with him, they’ve given him some great advice and they seem to really understand his passion for the game.
Josh, Premier League Kicks
The old Josh would moan and shout if something went wrong on the pitch but now, he acts calmly and is able to control his emotions. His attitude has improved so much.
“There have been other knock-on effects, too. I no longer get any negative feedback about Josh; his grades have gone up at school and he is a pleasure to be around at home.”
A look at our programmes
Kicks Disability Armed Forces Programmes
Funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund, Kicks sessions which are delivered across Stockport use the power of football and sport to inspire young people aged 10-18 to reach their potential and develop life skills.
Over 400 young people engaged in our Kicks football sessions across 10 sites in Stockport.
Our disability programmes, both for adults and juniors, support individuals with diverse needs to enjoy football in an inclusive environment. Sessions focus on developing skills and building confidence, creating meaningful opportunities for all.
The Trust has worked with over 100 disabled people across the programme during the last 12 months.
Stockport County’s Community Trust’s Armed Forces programme offers a welcoming space and a variety of sporting and leisure programmes for former service personnel. Sessions enable participants of all ages to reconnect, stay active, and build friendships.
There has been a 32% increase in the number of Veterans accessing our provision in 2025.
Walking Football County Camps Holiday Activity & FooD Fund
The Trust’s Walking Football programme offers inclusive, low-impact sessions for older adults, promoting fitness, friendship, and wellbeing. It helps participants stay active, build confidence, and enjoy football in a supportive community environment.
100% of participants said Walking Football is something they look forward to attending and would recommend the sessions to a friend.
Stockport County’s County Camps give young people the chance to enjoy a range of footballing activities during school holidays. Focused on fun and skill-building, the County Camps supported by Kellogg’s, encourage teamwork, confidence, and a love for the game in a safe setting.
In partnership with Kellogg’s we doubled the number of free places on our Camps to 480 during the summer.
The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme provides fun, active sessions for children during school breaks, combining sport, learning, and healthy meals. It supports physical wellbeing, confidence, and social skills in a safe, engaging environment.
Over the summer holidays we provided 1,600 free healthy lunches to young people.
Inclusion & Participation case study
I have been attending the sessions for two years now. When I first started, I was very low on confidence and very anxious, but I was made to feel very welcome by all the players and coaches, and it felt like I belonged and I made lots of great friends who are all similar to me.
Feeling the sense of belonging means everything to me as I’ve always felt like an outsider in any other team but here is very inclusive, regardless of your disability.
I have grown so much in confidence and I really enjoy representing the club at our tournaments. I was also really proud to represent the club against the England Amputee Team
I have become more social and I often hang out with some of my friends I’ve made at the club outside of football too! Having everyone there to always support me makes me feel good. Coming to the sessions every week is a highlight of my week and I can’t wait to see all my friends and play football in an environment where I feel accepted.
It has really made a massive difference to my life and I feel really happy and so much more confident now!
Harrison Worsley, Adult Pan Disability Football
Matchday activities
On match days at Edgeley Park, Stockport County Community Trust delivers a range of initiatives to engage fans and promote wellbeing.
Activities include health awareness campaigns such as County Tackles Cancer, and partnerships with local health providers including ‘Stockport Council’s Public Health Team.
The Trust also uses match days to showcase projects and provide memorable experiences for groups and individuals including the popular Flag Bearers programme, supported by the Co-Op Supporters Group which provides junior teams with the opportunity to welcome both sets of players onto the pitch.
The Trust also co-ordinates the match day bucket collections which in the 24/25 season raised £20,000 for charities working in Stockport.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity of doing a bucket collection at the Stockport County match. Everyone made us feel so welcome and went out of their way to help us which made it even more enjoyable for all the volunteers.
The money raised for the charity is amazing and will make a real difference to our work in training hearing dogs to transform deaf people’s lives”.
Volunteer fundraiser for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf
Thank you
Stockport County Community Trust would like to thank all our funders, sponsors and supporters without whose support the impact Stockport County Community Trust makes would not be possible.
