Stockport County F.C.

Stockport County was formed in Heaton Norris in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers at McLaughlin's Cafe, by a group of pupils (Tom Richards aged 19, Jack Hewitt, 18, Samuel Riley, 14, William Riley (brother of Samuel), 16, Tom Machin, 16, Stan Hockenhull, 17, Ted Whittle, 15, William Ridgway, 15, Ted Simpson, 16, and Ben Kelly, 15),[3] from Stockport Sunday School who were also members of the Wycliffe Congregational Church.[4][5] Heaton Norris Rovers played their first recorded game in October 1884, a friendly at home against Stalybridge, which they lost 3–0.[6] The club adopted The Hatters as their nickname, owing to Stockport's history as the centre of the Victorian hat-making industry, a nickname that is shared with Luton Town.[2][4] Heaton Norris Rovers adopted the name Stockport County in 1890[5] and played in the Lancashire League; along with local cup competitions until 1900, when they gained admission to the Football League Second Division.[7] In 1894 Stockport qualified for the FA Cup for the first time in their history, becoming the first Lancashire Combination club to reach this stage. They were eliminated after a 1–0 defeat at Green Lane to Burton Wanderers.[8] Fred Stewart became Stockport's first manager on the club's admittance to the Football League. Stewart was previously involved in the administrative side from its inception in 1883.[9][10] Stockport's first Football League match was against Leicester Fosse which ended in a 2–2 draw.[11] In 1901, the first black professional footballer Arthur Wharton, who was 36 at the time, signed for Stockport and made six appearances before retiring from football in 1902.[12][13][14][15] Stockport left their Green Lane home in 1902 and moved to their current home, Edgeley Park.[16][5][13] At the time Edgeley Park was home to Stockport RFC until they folded a few years later.[17]

Stockport finished in the bottom three for their first four seasons, and at the end of 1903–04 they failed to gain re-election.[18] They spent one year in the Lancashire Combination (a league which they won)[19] and the Midland League. At the end of the season, they were re-admitted to the Football League after being re-elected through the Midland League.[20] In their first season back in the Football League, Stockport finished the league in 10th position.[21] During the early part of the 1908–09 season the Stockport County board issued a prospectus for the club to become a 'limited liability company' which was confirmed in October 1908.[22] Stockport remained in the Second Division of the Football League for seven years until 1912–13 when they again had to seek re-election. Stockport gained 22 votes and therefore retained their football league status.[23]

Photo of the 1913–14 Stockport County team

Thomas Evans, who was scouted in a charity match, played for the club between 1913 and 1915. During an October 1913 match against Leicester City at Filbert Street (which Stockport won 5–2), Evans was involved in crowd trouble after the final whistle in which he was kicked by a Leicester spectator.[24] Evans' time at Stockport was cut short because of World War I, where he served in the Army. He survived the war and played three further matches for Stockport before moving back to his native Isle of Man.[25] In 2018, Stockport paid tribute to 13 former players who lost their lives in the war; another former player and RAF veteran George Haigh, then 103, unveiled a plaque displayed outside the ground.[26]

An unsuccessful 1920–21 campaign saw Stockport finish bottom of the Second Division; however, instead of facing re-election, Stockport were placed in the new Third Division North.[27] They won five of the first six matches in the next season, were unbeaten from New Years Day 1921 to Easter Weekend 1922,[28] and won their first Football League title when they beat Darlington in front of 18,500 fans at Edgeley Park. Albert Williams (the then manager) was presented with the trophy seven days later before the final home game, against Lincoln City[29][30] (Lincoln were the final game opponents in each of Stockport's first three title winning seasons).[28]

Back in the Second Division, Stockport struggled and survived automatic relegation by one point.[31] The following (1923–24) season saw Ernest Barlow elected as the club chairman, a position he would hold for 30 years,[32] and Stockport goalkeeper Harry Hardy was called up to play for the England national team.[33] He kept a clean sheet in a 4–0 win against Belgium,[34][35] and is the only player to be capped at full level by England while a Stockport player.[36][37][38][39][lower-alpha 1] Hardy also became the first Stockport player to make 150 consecutive appearances.[41] Stockport County finished 13th that season.[42]

Stockport returned to the Third Division North after finishing bottom of the Second Division in 1925–26.[43] Stockport finished 6th the next season (1926–27) but received a 2-point deduction and a £100 fine for fielding an ineligible player after the registration documents for Joe Smith were not received by the Football League.[44][45]

Stockport closed out the 1920s in the Third Division North. In 1927–28 they finished third.[46] Smith was Stockport's and the division's leading goalscorer, contributing 38 of Stockport's 89 goals.[46][47] Stockport then twice finished second. In 1928–29,[48] they amassed 62 points, scored over 100 goals, averaged 10,000 fans for the first time, and won nine of their last 11 matches, but it was not been enough to win the league.[49] Stockport also finished second in 1929–30[50] with an even better record than in the previous season, finishing four points behind the champions Port Vale despite beating them 2–1 away on Christmas Day and 4–2 on Boxing Day, 1929.[49] Frank Newton was Stockport's and the division's leading goalscorer, with 36 of Stockport's 106 goals,[50][51] and he equalled a club record for goals scored in a match, with five against Nelson on 21 September 1929.[52][53]

From the start of the 1930s, Stockport County played in a home strip of white and black and were nicknamed the 'Lilywhites'.[11] In the 1933–34 season they scored 115 goals; a 13–0 home win over Halifax Town on 6 January 1934[17] included a Joe Hill hat-trick and four goals from Percy Downes.[13] This record victory still stands as a Football League record;[54] held jointly with Newcastle United who beat Newport County by the same score in 1946.[55] During that season, Alf Lythgoe scored a club record 46 goals for Stockport,[56][54][57][58] and Stockport's 2–1 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the second round of the FA Cup was shown on television.[56] Stockport finished third in this season.[59]

In 1935, shortly after mid-day on 23 July, the wooden main stand at Edgeley Park burned down, also destroying the club's records up to 1935.[60][61] The current Main Stand, was built in 1936 and officially opened by Charles Sutcliffe, then President of the Football League.[16][62] In 1936–37 County won the Third Division North, gaining 60 points and 23 wins;[63] the season included a ten-game unbeaten run that included seven victories before a last-day title decider against Lincoln City attended by over 27,000 fans.[64] The following season, however, Stockport finished bottom of the Second Division and were relegated to the Third Division North after only earning 31 points.[65]

During the 1939–40 season, Stockport played only two matches (losing both and being bottom of the league) before war was declared; the Football League was then suspended and did not resume until the end of World War II.[66] Regional league competitions were set up; the FA Cup was also suspended and replaced with the Football League War Cup.[67] In the first war league (1940–41), Stockport finished in 35th place overall in the Northern Regional League after playing 29 games. League standings were calculated by goal average over the course of games played, with some teams playing more than others.[68][69] Harry Catterick made 122 guest appearances for Stockport in wartime competitions scoring 98 goals.[70]

In 1945–46, there was no English league football but the FA Cup competition was resumed. Stockport was eliminated from the 1945–46 FA Cup in the first round after a 3–2 aggregate loss to Rochdale.[71] Also in 1945–46 Stockport hosted Doncaster Rovers in a League Three North Cup match, reputed to be the longest professional football match, lasting 203 minutes. The first meeting had finished 2–2, so a replay was needed, and with no extra time provisions, the game would continue until somebody scored. However, apart from a disallowed goal, neither side scored and the game was eventually ended due to bad light. Stockport then lost the second replay 4–0.[72][73][74] In the first post-war league season (1946–47), Stockport finished fourth in the Third Division North with 24 wins and 50 points.[75]

Chart of yearly table positions of Stockport County in the English football league system

The 1950s brought little league success, but were notable for goal-scoring by Jack Connor, whose 140 goals in five seasons are still a club record. These included 13 hat-tricks (three of which were consecutive – one against Crewe Alexandra and two against Chester), two instances of four goals in a match (against Workington and Carlisle United), and two of five goals in a match (against Bradford Park Avenue and Tranmere Rovers).[76][77] In 1951 Alec Herd made an appearance alongside his son David Herd in a 2–0 win against Hartlepool United on 5 May 1951,[78] becoming the first father and son to play on the same pitch at the same time in a professional match.[79][80] When the regional Third Divisions were to be combined into national Third and Fourth Divisions after the 1957–58 campaign, Stockport finished in the top half of the Third Division North and so were placed in the following season's national Third Division.[81][82] Stockport spent one season at this level before the club was relegated.[83] Stockport played in the first League Cup competition in 1960–61, beating Carlisle United in the first round,[11] but the club was eliminated in the second round after a 3–0 defeat against Manchester City.[84][85]

In the 1964–65 FA Cup, Stockport were drawn against reigning Football League champions Liverpool at Anfield. Stockport, then bottom of the Fourth Division, gained a shock 1–1 draw at Anfield after taking the lead through Len White.[86] Stockport had enough chances to have won,[87] but lost the replay 2–0.[88][89] Despite Stockport's ability to match the 1964–65 European Cup semi-finalist they finished bottom of the Fourth Division and survived re-election in the 1964–65 season. After finishing bottom of the league with 27 points, the club was re-elected by gaining 45 votes.[90] Also during the 1964–65 season, then Stockport chairman Vic Bernard re-introduced the royal blue strip (still used today)[11] and hired Bert Trautmann as the club's general manager to improve the club's image.[91] Trautmann and Bernard decided to move matches to Friday evenings in an attempt to improve revenue.[92] Trautmann's native German connections helped in arranging a friendly at the end of 1964-65 season with FSV Frankfurt which Stockport lost 3-1.[93] During the following pre-season Stockport toured Germany where they played three friendlies in five days, against VfL Bochum, SC Opel Rüsselsheim and FSV Frankfurt.[94][95] Trautmann resigned from his position in 1966,[92][91] shortly after a friendly with SV Hamburg in May 1966 at Edgeley Park, which ended in a 5–1 defeat; Len White scored Stockport's only goal.[95] Two seasons later Stockport returned to the Third Division by winning the Fourth Division in 1966–67 after gaining 64 points.[96]

After the club was relegated in 1969–70, the 1970s and 1980s were times of mediocrity and struggles against relegation. Stockport did have a famous victory in October 1972, eliminating West Ham United from the League Cup, helped by goalkeeper Alan Ogley.[97][98] Ogley's save was voted Stockport's 'Save of the century' in 2002.[99] Stockport were eliminated in the next round against Norwich City.[100][98] George Best made three appearances for Stockport in 1975, all home matches, scoring two goals.[13][101][102][103][104] In February 1984 Stockport competed in the Associate Members' Cup (a competition that then Stockport chairman Dragan Lukic helped create), playing Crewe Alexandra. The match finished 2–2 after extra time and was decided in Stockport's first penalty shoot-out, which they lost 3–0.[105] Eric Webster managed Stockport on five separate occasions; four of which were as caretaker manager during the 1980s, having first joined in 1974 to look after the youth set up.[106][107] Webster signed Micky Quinn from Wigan Athletic on a free transfer and also received £2,000 from Wigan for the transfer.[108][109] After 16 years service with the club Webster was awarded a testimonial match against Manchester City in August 1990.[108] Following the introduction of automatic promotion and relegation between the Football League and the Conference in 1986–87, Stockport faced a real prospect of non-League football, with just six points from 13 games (and elimination from the FA Cup by Caernarfon Town).[110] However, Colin Murphy was brought in for his second spell as manager and Stockport gained 45 points from their final 31 games to survive, although Murphy left shortly after the end of the season.[2]

Danny Bergara was appointed as manager in March 1989, quickly transforming the team, and automatic promotion was gained in 1990–91.[111] Bergara became the first South American to lead an English team out at Wembley in 1992.[112] Bergara would lead Stockport to Wembley on three other occasions. Twice in the Football League Trophy and twice in the Play-Offs, losing on all four occasions.[113] In 1994, they lost 2–1 in the Play-Off final to Burnley at Wembley,[114] Stockport finishing with nine men after Michael Wallace was sent off for spitting at Ted McMinn and Chris Beaumont, who had scored one of Stockport's goals was also dismissed.[115][116][117][118][119]

In March 1995 Bergara was sacked after an altercation with then-chairman Brendan Elwood,[120][121] and Dave Jones was appointed manager in April.[122] A new all-seater, Cheadle End, holding just over 5,000 in capacity, was opened at the start of the 1995–96 season.[16] In an otherwise unremarkable season, the club reached the third round of the FA Cup, where they faced holders Everton. Stockport drew 2–2 with Everton at Goodison Park,[123] and ten days later over 11,000 gathered for the replay at Edgeley Park with Everton scoring late to win 3–2.[124]

The 1996–97 campaign proved to be the most successful in the club's history. They finished second in the Second Division[125] and reached the semi-final of the League Cup, knocking out three Premiership teams (Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and West Ham United) on the way before losing to Middlesbrough 2–1 over two legs. Stockport lost the first leg 2–0 at Edgeley Park but won the second leg 1–0 with a goal from Sean Connelly.[126][127][128] Before the start of the 1997–98 season, Dave Jones left for Southampton. Gary Megson left Blackpool to take over as manager and in his first season Stockport finished eighth, just two places off the playoffs – the club's best ever league placing.[129]

However, the following 1998–99 season saw Stockport finish 16th, winning just three of their final 14 matches. A 5–0 defeat at relegated Oxford United on the final day signalled the end of Megson's time at Edgeley Park.[130] The club decided to promote from within. Andy Kilner, who was coaching in the clubs Centre of Excellence at the time, was put in charge as first team Manager.[131][132] He started with a 2–1 defeat of Manchester City at Maine Road,[133] and on Boxing Day the club were sixth, holding a playoff spot.[134]

After their win over Manchester City, the team then went a club-record 19 games without a victory, eventually finishing the 1999–2000 season 17th, winning two of the final three matches to stave off relegation.[135] The 2000–01 season saw them again narrowly avoid relegation, finishing 19th overall.[136] The 2001–02 season turned out to be the club's worst ever season at the time. With Stockport already bottom of the league, a 4–0 home defeat to Millwall saw manager Kilner sacked.[137] Former England international Carlton Palmer was appointed in November 2001[138][139][140] but he failed to save Stockport from relegation in 2001–02[141] or to build a team capable of challenging for a return the next season.[142]

The summer of 2003 saw an ownership change. Elwood sold the club to Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy in a move that would see Sale play their home games at Edgeley Park. A new company, Cheshire Sport, was created,[143] combining ownership of Stockport County, Sale Sharks and the Edgeley Park stadium. After a poor start to the 2003–04 season, Palmer was sacked after home defeats to Hartlepool United and Blackpool in the space of a week. John Hollins, director of football under Palmer, became caretaker manager,[144][145] before former Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy was appointed boss.[146] After further relegation worries, an 11-match unbeaten run saw the club again climb to safety at the end of the season.[147] McIlroy continued as manager in the 2004–05 season, but poor results led to his sacking and the appointment of Chris Turner one year later.[148] Another relegation followed,[149] and Turner resigned after one year in charge following a 6–0 defeat to local rivals Macclesfield Town that left County five points adrift of safety and facing a third relegation in four years.[150]

In 2005–06, Stockport changed owners again. After reportedly losing £4m,[151] Cheshire Sports chairman Brian Kennedy handed ownership of the club to the Supporters Trust, which aimed to rescue the club from revenue loss, eventually break even and turn Stockport County into a community-based football club,[152] after a short delay.[153]

Former player Jim Gannon was placed in charge, initially as caretaker-manager.[154][155] He led the club to safety in 2005–06,[156] and County sustained a promotion challenge the next season, eventually missing out on the League Two playoffs on goal difference.[157] The club also set a new Football League record on 3 March 2007 when they beat Swindon Town 3–0, recording nine consecutive wins without conceding a goal.[11][158][159]

The next season, Stockport County continued their success, despite losing an FA Cup first round replay away to non-League Staines Town on penalties.[160][161] In early 2008 Stockport equalled a league record of eight consecutive away victories,[162] and, approaching the end of the season, they had an outside chance of automatic promotion, but missed out, finishing in fourth place.[163] However, after beating Wycombe Wanderers 2–1 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final,[164] Stockport played Rochdale at Wembley in the final, coming from behind to secure a 3–2 victory and earn promotion to League One for the next season.[118][165][166][114]

Stockport County players Anthony Pilkington, Carl Baker, Stephen Gleeson and Tommy Rowe in December 2008

During the 2008–09 season, Stockport were in the League One play off places at Christmas[167], but their form dipped during the final months of the season; with two wins in their final ten games, which saw them slip to mid-table.[168] Gannon was approached by Brighton & Hove Albion and the approach was accepted by Stockport,[169] but after talks with the chairman of Brighton, Gannon rejected the job and stayed at Stockport.[170][171]

On 30 April 2009, Stockport County was placed into administration[172] following a battle to repay a loan of around £300,000 and a tax debt of £250,000 to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.[173] On 12 June 2009, the club's administrator Leonard Curtis, announced terms had been agreed with the Melrose Consortium for the sale of the club.[174] Paul Reeves, one of the joint administrators, said "Whilst a deal has been agreed, it is subject to the Melrose Consortium obtaining landlord approval. This is a positive step to safeguarding the club's future." The Melrose Consortium, consisting of "a group of businessmen with a sporting background" headed by ex Manchester City player Jim Melrose said "We look forward to developing a fruitful relationship with Sale Sharks and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council which will provide the basis for a successful future for Stockport County Football Club."[175]

On 3 July 2009 administrators agreed to a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) with previous shareholders and creditors.[176] However, Gannon took over as manager at Scottish Premier League side Motherwell, causing Stockport fans to worry that he would try to sign their young players in the forthcoming weeks.[177] Gary Ablett, former manager of Liverpool reserves, was appointed Stockport manager on 8 July 2009 following talks with the (prospective) new owners,[178] although the Melrose Consortium had still not taken over, and in fact never did take over the club. On 16 December 2009 the team's training ground was put up for sale.[179] In March 2010 it was announced that a new consortium, the '2015 Group', had been given exclusivity to work towards a takeover of the club.[180]

The purchase of Stockport County by the self-styled '2015 Group' of investors was approved by the Football League at its May 2010 meeting, with the takeover announced on 17 June 2010.[181] Following the takeover, Ablett was dismissed[182] after one of the poorest seasons in the club's history (finishing bottom of League One, with just five wins and 25 points for the entire campaign).[183] The new ownership pledged to "rebuild the club from top to bottom",[184] but the new era got off to a poor start. Former manager Jim Gannon was expected to return (having being made redundant in April 2009 by the club's administrators), but no agreement was reached, and instead Stockport appointed former Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson as manager in summer 2010.[185][186] However, Gannon's former assistant, Peter Ward – who, like Gannon also played for the club in the 1990s – did return as assistant manager.[186]

Stockport County players celebrate a goal in 2011

Simpson's reign came at a tumultuous time for County, as the club struggled with the hangover from more than 12 months in administration and relegation back to League Two. With Stockport close to the relegation zone, Simpson was sacked after only six months in charge.[187][188] However, with no proper succession plan in place, Peter Ward was appointed as interim manager, with former Wigan Athletic boss Ray Mathias brought in as assistant.[189] This arrangement lasted for only two months, as the chaotic period at the club continued; in March 2011, after only 12 games and with the club in very real danger of relegation, Mathias was asked to replace Ward as interim manager, with the latter returning to the assistant manager role.[190]

Despite an upturn in performances and results under Mathias, County fell short of their survival target; the club were relegated into the Conference National for the first time in their history, after 106 years in the Football League.[191][192]

After relegation into the Conference National, the club's extraordinary period of upheaval continued. In the summer of 2011, Mathias was appointed as permanent manager.[193] However, before the pre-season campaign got underway, he was dismissed when a Liverpool-based businessman tried – and ultimately failed[194] – to buy the club, replacing Mathias with former German international Dietmar Hamann.[195] Hamann, who had no prior managerial experience, did poorly at Stockport, and won only three of 19 matches before resigning in November 2011.[196]

To see County get relegated with such a low level of points and then see it happen the following year was incredibly disappointing considering the amount of work we had put in...For three-and-half years worth of work to be undone in two years was devastating and to see it continue this year was really difficult....

— Jim Gannon's comments on Stockport's two successive relegations[197]

The club seemed in danger of a third successive relegation, and Hamann's position had been undermined by a fans meeting after a home match in November 2011 against Hayes and Yeading United.[198] This meeting called for Jim Gannon, who had been attending Stockport's matches as a fan, to be appointed as manager;[199][198][200] eight days later, Gannon was appointed as director of football.[201][202] In Gannon's first match back at the club, the team put in a spirited performance, but lost a match 2–1 to joint-leaders Fleetwood Town, who achieved a record attendance in the fixture at their Highbury ground.[203] After overseeing an improvement in performances, Gannon managed Stockport to their first back-to-back wins in over three years – last achieved in his first stint as manager – with 1–0 victories over Wrexham[204] and Darlington.[205] Over the remainder of the 2011–12 campaign, Gannon steered Stockport away from the Conference National relegation zone, winning eight of the last 15 league games to finish 16th.[206]

The Stockport County squad, April 2012

With his playing budget severely restricted,[207] Gannon again focused on the youth development which had worked well in previous campaigns ahead of the 2012–13 season; young players such as Danny Whitehead, Danny Hattersley and Ian Ormson regularly featured in match day squads. The club regained sole tenancy of their Edgeley Park stadium for the first time in nine years from the beginning of the season, after Sale Sharks relocated to Salford City Reds' home ground.[208][209]

However, turmoil soon returned to the club. On 15 January 2013 former fcbusiness magazine editor Ryan McKnight was named as the new chief executive officer at the club, becoming the youngest CEO in UK football.[210][211] Gannon was subsequently sacked for a second time,[212][213] following the 3–1 home defeat by Mansfield Town on 16 January 2013. He was replaced by Bosnian-Swiss Darije Kalezić, who had never managed in English football previously.[214][215] The Kalezić era was as swift as it was disastrous; he was dismissed after only two months after a rapid deterioration in results, which left the club facing relegation to the Conference North.[216] Kalezić was succeeded by Ian Bogie,[217] but he was unable to halt the slide, and they were relegated on the final day after a defeat to title challengers Kidderminster Harriers – the club's third relegation in four seasons, which left them playing in the sixth tier for the first time in their history.[218]

However, the difficulties did not stop there for County. The club announced that it was to lose its full-time status, proceeding with a part-time model.[219] The start to life in the Conference North was poor, with Stockport picking up only one draw and four defeats from their first five league matches; Bogie resigned in late August 2013, with the club second from bottom of the league.[220] Alan Lord, former assistant to both Jim Gannon and Peter Ward, was appointed manager in his place, becoming County's ninth boss in a little over three years.[221] CEO McKnight announced his resignation in April 2014, stating he would leave in early May 2014.[222] Lord managed to steady the ship for County, finishing mid-table in the 2013–14 season.[223] The following campaign, Lord then also steered the Hatters to a slightly improved mid-table position,[224] but stepped down before the end of the 2014–15 season to become Director of Football.[225][226]

In February 2015, The Stockport County board of directors issued an open statement about the future aspirations of the football club, named the 'Moving Forward' Document.[227] This document focused on four key points – stability, sustainability, stadium and success.[228][229]

The summer of 2015 saw Stockport starting their third season at National League North level. Neil Young was named as Stockport's new permanent manager after having previous successes in the same division with other clubs.[230] However, the optimism around Young's appointment soon dissipated; after failing to mount a serious promotion challenge, Young departed in January 2016 after a run of one win in 12 matches.[231] The club once again turned to Jim Gannon, who returned for a third stint as manager after a successful period at Northwich Victoria.[232][200]

Gannon guided the club to a 9th place finish at the end of the 2015–16 season.[233] and a victory in the Cheshire Senior Cup.[234] The following season (2016–17), Gannon rebuilt his squad and flirted with the playoffs, before eventually finishing eighth, just one point off securing a playoff position.[235] The club's top scorer Danny Lloyd, signed the previous summer, left at the end of the season to join County's former League One rivals, and Gannon's former club, Peterborough United.[236] The progress under Gannon continued in the 2017–18 season – the first time the same manager had been in charge for the start of two successive seasons since 2008: Stockport finished the season in fifth place and reached the playoffs only to lose 1–0 at the quarter-final stage to Chorley at Edgeley Park in front of a crowd of 6,230.[237][238] The club's top scorer, Jason Oswell, then left to join Morecambe.[239]

County Manager Jim Gannon (right) lifts the National League North trophy alongside Ash Palmer (left) & Club Captain Paul Turnbull (centre)

After coming close to promotion in the previous campaign, 2018–19 was a happier season. After a slow start, Stockport reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup, beating League Two side Yeovil Town 3–1 at Huish Park in round one,[240][241] before eventually losing to Barnet at The Hive in early December. [242][243] Stockport then went on a 23-match unbeaten run in all competitions (equalling a club record), which was ended with a 1–0 defeat away to Brackley Town[244] and also reached the FA Trophy semi-finals for the first time, losing 3–2 on aggregate to National League high-flyers AFC Fylde after two fiercely fought matches.[245][246][247] After a strong end to the campaign, Stockport found themselves in the hunt for the title. On the final day of the campaign, the Hatters won 3–0 at Nuneaton Borough to clinch their first league title in 52 years, and with it claim promotion back to the National League.[248][249][250][251] As with the previous two campaigns; top scorer for the 2018–19 season, Matty Warburton left the club at the end of the campaign after two years, joining Northampton Town.[252] However, the club started life back in national-level football for the first time in six years well; Stockport finished the decade in the National League playoff positions.[253]

With the club competing once again in the National League under Jim Gannon's guidance, in January 2020, local businessman Mark Stott purchased County for an undisclosed sum, making the club debt-free in the process; Stott pledged to return the club to full-time football, help to climb back up the Football League and find a new training ground for County.[1][254]

Heaton Norris Rovers originally played home matches at the Heaton Norris Recreation Ground, then at various locations in Stockport until settling at a park on Green Lane, Heaton Norris, in 1889. The nearby Nursery Inn served as the team's home, with players using a barn as changing rooms.[2] Green lane remained the club's home for its first two seasons in the Football League.[288]

Green Lane had one main stand that ran the length of the pitch, and a raised bank behind one of the goals. The remainder of the ground was uncovered terracing, with turnstiles located at the back of the Nursery Inn. [289]

By 1902 the club required a larger ground and moved to Edgeley Park, then home of the rugby league club Stockport, who went out of business three years later.[60] Green Lane was retained for use by the club's reserve team, and one further first team game was played at the ground on 18 April 1903 when Edgeley Park was being used by the rugby club.[290] The Green Lane site was later used for housing.[288] Stockport County have played home games at Edgeley Park since the start of the 1902–03 season, celebrating the centenary in 2002.[290]

Cheadle End, Edgeley Park, Stockport County F.C. Photo taken circa 1995.

In 1995, a new 5,000 seat Cheadle End built to replace the terrace. This made the stand all seater as well as creating conference and banqueting facilities.[16]

In late 2000 then Stockport County chairman Brendan Elwood considered moving the club to Maine Road, the former home of rivals Manchester City. The potential move was unpopular with supporters, and protests were staged after it was suggested that the club would change its name to Man-Stock County after the move.[291] Ultimately Manchester City Council decreed that Sale Sharks would make better tenants.[292] Maine Road has since been demolished to make way for a housing estate and Edgeley Park was then shared with Sale whose parent company Cheshire Sports owned the ground.[293]

There was another rumour that Stockport would leave Edgeley Park in 2012, which was dismissed by then chairman Lord Peter Snape,[294] before Sale Sharks confirmed that they would be moving to Salford City Reds' new stadium.[208][209] This left Stockport County as the only tenants at Edgeley Park, having sole use of the pitch and various revenue-generating aspects of the stadium.[295] The Stockport County board then negotiated a 65% rent reduction in November 2012.[296] On 23 May 2012, it was announced that Stockport County would rename the Main Stand "The Danny Bergara Stand" in honour of the club's manager during a successful period in the 1990s.[297]

In the summer of 2015, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council purchased the stadium in order to prevent it from being demolished and redeveloped.[298] After a plea from fans to safeguard the stadium,[299] an emergency council meeting was held and the stadium was purchased for £2 million. It is currently leased back to the football club.[300][301]

Panoramic view of Edgeley Park. Left: Popular Side. Centre: Cheadle End. Right: Main Stand.

Help the Hatters is a group of unpaid volunteers who raise money for the club and help with the maintenance and upkeep of Edgeley Park.[325][326][327] They also helped organise the Players Fund,[328][329] a fund used to buy (or help pay the wages) of young players.[330] The Players Fund has helped in the development of Rhys Turner (who earned a move to Oldham Athletic),[331] Scott Duxbury, Bobby Lofthouse, Chris Churchman, Matthew Todd and Connor Hancock.[332] The players fund was also used to give the Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative shares in the football club.[328][333][334] Help the Hatters also transformed the clubs legends lounge into the Stockport County Museum, which was officially opened by former player George Haigh on his 102nd Birthday.[335]

Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative is the other active supporters' group.[336][337] The Supporters Co-Op also assists in running the Stockport County Appearance Number (SCAN) Scheme where every player who has played a senior professional game is recognised with a unique framed certificate and a number which show their position in the list of players to make their debut for the club.[338][339]

As of 13 April 2020[349]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Ben Hinchliffe 2 DF Sam Minihan 3 DF Dan Cowan 4 MF Paul Turnbull 5 DF Ashley Palmer 6 DF Jordan Keane 7 MF Adam Thomas 8 MF Sam Walker 9 FW Frank Mulhern 10 MF Elliot Osborne 11 DF Ben Jackson (on loan from Huddersfield Town) 13 GK Ian Ormson 14 MF Alex Curran

No. Position Player 15 MF Darren Stephenson 16 FW Nyal Bell 17 MF Connor Dimaio 18 DF Festus Arthur 19 FW Szymon Czubik 20 DF Jordan Downing 21 DF Eddie Clarke (on loan from Fleetwood Town) 23 FW Richie Bennett 24 MF Max Greenhalgh 25 FW Liam McAlinden 26 MF Danny Lloyd (on loan from Salford City) 27 MF Lois Maynard 29 DF Liam Hogan

This list contains the names of all past players/club staff that have been inducted into the Stockport County Hall of Fame.[350]

Based on win % in all competitions[353]

Name	Nat	From	To	Record
				P	W	D	L	%
Lincoln Hyde		1926	1931	221	128	35	58	57.92
Andrew Wilson		1932	1933	43	21	12	10	48.84
Dave Jones		1995	1997	117	57	32	28	48.72
Fred Westgarth		1934	1936	95	46	16	33	48.42
Andy Beattie		1949	1952	150	71	28	51	47.33
Bob Kelly		1936	1938	52	24	16	12	46.15
Jim Gannon (three spells in charge)		2006	Present	486	221	111	144	45.47
Eddie Quigley (first tenure)		1965	1966	65	28	8	29	43.08
Danny Bergara		1989	1995	319	137	83	99	42.95
Bob Marshall		1939	1949	141	60	28	53	42.55

^{*Current manager in bold}

^{*Stats correct as of 11 April 2020}

• Football League Second Division/Football League One – Tier 3
  • Runners Up: 1996–97
  • Playoff Runners Up: 1991–92, 1993–94
• Football League Third Division North
  • Champions: 1921–22, 1936–37
  • Runners Up: 1928–29, 1929–30
• Football League Fourth Division/Football League Two – Tier 4
  • Champions: 1966–67
  • Runners Up: 1990–91
  • Play-Off Winners: 2007–08
• Division Three (North) Challenge Cup
  • Winners: 1934–35
• Football League Trophy
  • Runners Up: 1991–92, 1992–93

• National League North – Tier 6
  • Champions: 2018–19
• Lancashire League
  • Champions: 1899–1900
• Lancashire Combination
  • Champions: 1904–05
• Manchester Senior Cup
  • Winners: 1897–98, 1898–99, 1914–15, 1922–23
• 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
• Cheshire Senior Cup
  • Winners: 1905–06, 1946–47, 1948–49, 1965–66, 2015–16

• Biggest home win: 13–0 vs. Halifax Town, 6 January 1934, also a Football League record[54][308][354]
• Biggest home defeat: 0–6, twice, most recently 24 April 2010 vs. Huddersfield Town[54][308]
• Biggest away win: 7–1 at Bradford City, 18 September 1965[54][158][308]
• Biggest away defeat: 0–9, vs. Everton Reserves, 9 December 1893[54]
• Consecutive wins: 9, 2006–07[54][158][308]
• Consecutive away wins: 8, 2007–08[308][355]
• Consecutive wins without conceding a goal: 9, 2006–07, also a Football League record[308][355][356]
• Consecutive defeats: 12, 2009–10[308]
• Consecutive games scored in: 30, 2007–08[308]
• Consecutive League games scored in: 26, 2007–08[308]
• Highest attendance: 27,833 vs. Liverpool, FA Cup Fifth Round, 11 February 1950[54][308]
• Highest league attendance: 27,304 vs. Lincoln City, Third Division North, 1 May 1937[54][357]
• Highest attendance (all-seated): 10,273 vs. Leeds United, 28 December 2008[308]
• Lowest attendance: 812 vs. Barrow, 19 November 2013[358]
• Longest match: 3 hours 23 minutes vs. Doncaster Rovers, 30 March 1946, also a world record[72]
• Lowest number of paying spectators: 13 vs. Leicester City (at Old Trafford, 7 May 1921) also a Football League record.[lower-alpha 2]

• Most goals (season): 46 League by Alf Lythgoe, 1933–34[54][360]
• Most goals (career): 132 by Jack Connor (1951–1956)[54][361]
• Fastest League Goal (Starting XI): 13 seconds, Dominic Blizzard vs. Hereford United 31 January 2009[54]
• Fastest League Goal (Substitute): 21 seconds, Bohan Dixon vs. Salford City 6 January 2018[54]
• Most appearances (career): 555 Andy Thorpe (1978–1986, 1988–1992)[54][362]
• Most international appearances (caps) – 9 Jarkko Wiss, Finland (2000–2002)[54][363]
• Youngest player: Paul Turnbull, aged 16 years 97 days v Wrexham, 30 April 2005[54]
• Oldest player: Alec Herd, aged 47 years 40 days vs. Crewe Alexandra, 25 December 1951[54]
• Most consecutive clean sheets: 9 by Wayne Hennessey, 2006–07, coinciding with league record for consecutive wins[356]

As of season 2019–20[364]

• Seasons spent at Level 1 of the football league system: 0
• Seasons spent at Level 2 of the football league system: 26
• Seasons spent at Level 3 of the football league system: 40
• Seasons spent at Level 4 of the football league system: 33
• Seasons spent at Level 5 of the football league system: 3
• Seasons spent at Level 6 of the football league system: 6

Stockport County hold the record for the best sequence of results in the Football League, winning nine matches in succession without conceding a goal.[13] This record ran from January to March 2007, when manager Jim Gannon led the club to the best form shown by a football club in Football League history.[11][158] This final match in this sequence was a 3–0 home win against Swindon Town.[365]

Wayne Hennessey, then on loan to Stockport from Wolves, kept all the clean sheets in his first nine games in professional football.[356] He made his footballing debut against Boston United where Stockport won 2–0. During this time, Hennessey received the League Two Player of the Month Award,[366] The other players involved in matches during the record-breaking run were: Robert Clare, Michael Rose, Ashley Williams, Gareth Owen, Stephen Gleeson, Jason Taylor, Adam Griffin, David Poole, Damien Allen, Anthony Pilkington, Tony Dinning, Dominic Blizzard, Liam Dickinson, Adam Proudlock, Tes Bramble and Anthony Elding.[364]