Their history dates back to 1883 when a club called Heaton Norris Rovers was formed by members of the Wycliffe Congregational Chapel. In 1890 they changed their name to Stockport County and the following year entered the Football Combination league. A switch was made in 1894 to the Lancashire League. They were Champions in 1899-1900 and on the back of that were elected to the Football League along with Blackpool, replacing Loughborough and Luton Town - one set of Hatters for another. Their nomadic existence that had seen them at six grounds in 19 years ended in 1902 when they settled at Edgeley Park.

Their first season in the Football League saw the Hatters survive by the skin of their teeth, the re-election going to a second vote after they had tied with Doncaster Rovers who were still seeking to enter the League for the first time. (Doncaster then got in anyway after the belated resignation of New Brighton Tower in the summer.) Stockport were up for re-election in 1902 and 1903 as well, and in 1904 at the fourth consecutive time of asking the question their good fortune ran out and they were booted out to be replaced by er..... Doncaster Rovers who themselves had failed to get re-elected the previous year.

This time they joined the Midland League, but returned to the Football League after a single season. Although they failed in the initial voting, coming second from bottom, the Football League then decided to increase Division Two to twenty clubs, held a further round of voting, and County were back in. (As an incidental, Doncaster Rovers were back out again.) They were now a stronger club, and between then and the suspension of football in 1915 for the First World War only had to apply for re-election once.

In 1920-21 they finished bottom of Division Two and as a result were placed in the Division Three North when it was formed for the 1921-22 season. They immediately won the title, and so went back up to Division Two. They bobbed around between the lower two divisions, first between Division Two and Division Three North and then between Division Three and Division Four for the next seventy years, winning one more title, the Fourth Division Championship in 1966-67.

In the 1990's after two failures in the play-offs they finally got back to the second tier as Runners-up under manager Dave Jones. It was also the season thay reached the semi-finals of the League Cup. Despite Jones immediately moving on to bigger things they survived in Division One until 2002, the appointment of Carlton Palmer proving one of the more stupid decisions any club has ever made. The slide continued after his inevitable departure and by 2005 they were back in the bottom tier and only just avoiding going out of the Football League altogether, finishing 22nd at the end of that season. Jim Gannon had been appointed in January and after just securing their survival took them to the play-offs in 2006-07, where they were unsuccessful, and then to automatic promotion in 4th in 2007-08.

In the F.A. Cup Stockport have reached the Fifth Round on three occasions, 1935, 1950 and 2001. They were also losing Finalists in the League Trophy (going under the Autoglass name at that time) in both 1992 and 1993.

County are one of four current Football League clubs whose Supporters Trust has a controlling stake, along with Brentford, Notts County and Exeter City. They have also revealed since we last played them that they are in a financial mess, teetering on the brink of a possible administration. Manager Jim Gannon is still there, despite having publicly stated that his position was "untenable" back in February when it looked like he was going to accept the vacancy at Brighton & Hove Albion, only to reject the move when it was offered. Since then Stockport's form has pretty much collapsed, with just one win and two draws in the last eight fixtures, and they look like a team playing out the season having settled for the comfort zone of mid-table obscurity.

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RECENT RESULTS

13/02/2010	Colchester United	Home	CCL1	D	2-2	3642		Ibehre 22, 77
20/02/2010	Exeter City	Away	CCL1	W	1-0	4990		Johnson 77
23/02/2010	Swindon Town	Away	CCL1	L	1-4	7063		Tansey 45
27/02/2010	Wycombe Wanderers	Home	CCL1	W	4-3	3740		Partridge 22, Donnelly 23, 60, Johnson 53
02/03/2010	Bristol Rovers	Away	CCL1	L	0-1	5322
06/03/2010	Charlton Athletic	Away	CCL1	L	0-2	16609

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name	LGE	FAC	FAT	LGC	CC	Total
Carl Baker	9	0	0	3	0	12
George Donnelly	3	0	0	0	0	3
Nicholas Bignall	2	0	0	1	0	3
Jemal Johnson	2	0	0	0	0	2
Jabo Ibehre	2	0	0	0	0	2
Greg Tansey	2	0	0	0	0	2
Michael Rose	2	0	0	0	0	2
Peter Thompson	2	0	0	0	0	2
Richie Partridge	1	0	0	0	0	1
Liam Bridcutt	0	0	0	1	0	1
Johnny Mullins	1	0	0	0	0	1
Danny Pilkington	1	0	0	0	0	1
David Poole	0	0	0	1	0	1
Michael Raynes	1	0	0	0	0	1
Oli Johnson	1	0	0	0	0	1
Own Goals	2	0	0	0	0	2

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 7768, vs Leeds United, 28/12/2009
Lowest League Attendance: 3281, vs Swindon Town, 19/01/2010
Average League Attendance: 4283

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	2		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	3		Games Without Defeat:	0
Games Without A Home Defeat:	2		Games Without An Away Defeat:	0
Games Without A Draw:	5		Games Without A Score Draw:	5
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	9		Games Without Scoring:	2
Games Without Conceding:	0		Home Results Sequence:	LLDLDW
Away Results Sequence:	DLWLLL		Overall Results Sequence:	DWLWLL

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Stockport Railway Station is situated half a mile from Edgeley Park. To get to the stadium, walk down steps from platforms and turn left (opposite direction to the booking office and the Main Entrance which take you out on the wrong side of the tracks). Exit the station and head up Station Road, cross the main road at 'The Blue Bell' and continue up the hill towards the roundabout. Take the A5464 (Mercian Way) and turn left into Caroline Street for the stadium.

By Air

Manchester Airport is around five miles away.

By Bus

Everything - town centre, railway station, stadium - is located closely enough that it's unlikely you'll need bus services, but if you do the Nos. 11, 368, 369 and 371 pass closest to Edgeley Park.

By Taxi

A selection of Stockport taxi companies can be found here.

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Local Pubs :

Robinson's dominates in Stockport, 79 of their more than 400 pubs being in the town and immediate surrounding area. The brewery is in the Hillgate area of Stockport, was started up in 1838, and is still owned by the founding family. They remain focused mainly on real ales, but have added a couple of kegs - Smooth and Dark Smooth - to their range. If tempted by Old Tom, treat cautiously: at 8.5% it can have an er, interesting impact.

Arden Arms: Greater Manchester's Regional Pub of the Year 2008-09. Opening is 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. seven days a week. Carries a full range of Robinson's beers: Hatters, Unicorn, Double Hop, Old Tom and their seasonals as and when. Food is available 12.00 noon - 2.30 p.m. weekdays, 12.00 noon - 4.00 p.m. at weekends (cash or cheque only, no cards). Children welcome. Smoking allowed in the pub's courtyard so no need of the street. Towards the northern end of the town centre close to the market, about 20 minutes walk from the stadium. Arden Arms, 23, Millgate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 2LX. Tel: 0161 4802185. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Within sight of the stadium © Hugh Gleave Armoury: Less than five minutes walk from Edgeley Park. Very much a traditional blokes boozer. This outlet is really big on darts, hosting several leagues. There's an enclosed rear beer garden so smokers needn't resort to the street. The single bar servery dispenses traditional cask ales and the usual range of keg to all three areas of the pub. Robinson's Hatters, Unicorn and Old Tom are the real ales. Opening is 10.30 a.m. - 12.00 midnight Monday to Thursday, 10.30 a.m. - 2.00 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11.00 a.m - 12.00 midnight Sunday. Food is not normally served but often some basic bar fare is made available when County or Sale Sharks are at home. Much frequented by home fans but no problems for visiting supporters. Armoury, 31, Shaw Heath, Stockport, Cheshire, SK3 8BD. Tel: 0161 4773711. Map: Click Here.

Bakers Vaults: As the address suggests, a hostelry by the market. Music is this pub's speciality, with live sessions from many different styles every evening Tuesday to Saturday, and a Northern Soul DJ on Sunday night. Real ale is Robinson's Hatters and Unicorn plus seasonals as available. Food weekday lunchtimes. Opening is: 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 midnight Monday to Thursday; 11.00 a.m. - 1.30 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 5.00 p.m. - 12.00 midnight on Sunday. Twenty minutes walk from the ground. Bakers Vaults, Market Place, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1EU. Tel: 0161 4777312. Map: Click Here.

Blossoms: Another Robinson's pub, 15 minutes walk south-east of the stadium on the A6. Traditional male orientated boozer. Real ales are Hatters, Unicorn and Old Tom (the last served by gravity). A central bar services four rooms. Food available weekday lunchtimes. Has its own small car park across the road. Beer garden at the back so smokers can avoid the street. Opening is a slightly complex: 12.00 noon - 3.00 p.m. amd 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 12.00 noon - 3.00 p.m. amd 5.00 p.m. - 11.30 p.m. Friday; 12.00 - 11.30 p.m. Saturday; 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Blossoms, 2, Buxton Road, Heaviley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK2 6NU. Tel: 0161 4772397. Map: Click Here.

Calverts Court: Wetherspoon in the centre of town. A little under twenty minutes walk to the ground. Food served all day. Opening is 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 midnight Sunday to Thursday, 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Calverts Court, 13, St Petersgate, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1EB. Tel: 0161 4746750. Map: Click Here.

Best range of beers in Stockport - recommended. © Hugh Gleave Crown Inn: Fifteen minutes walk due north of Edgeley Park up by the M6 and right under the railway viaduct. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008. At last, something that isn't Robinson's. The regular house ales are Copper Dragon's Golden Pippin and one from the Pictish Brewery stable. These are supplemented by a dozen or more ever changing guests, mostly from small or micro breweries from all across the country. Usually has two genuine ciders on. For keg drinkers there's Krombacher, Carling, Guinness and Stowford Press Cider. The continental Liefmans Kriek, a cherry based beer, is also stocked. Food is served Monday to Friday between 12.00 noon and 6.00 p.m. and is of the '.....and chips' pub fare style. Folk music every Tuesday, and a couple of other nights of the week other genres feature. Opening is 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 12.00 noon to 10.30 p.m. Sunday. A beer garden means smokers don't have to resort to the street. Crown Inn, 154, Heaton Lane, Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 1AR. Tel: 0161 4805850. Email: admin@thecrowninn.uk.com. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Olde Woolpack: You're likely to see this pub if coming in towards the stadium off the motorway. A little under twenty minutes walk from the ground. Has its own parking and is disabled friendly. Food served lunchtimes, with a carvery at weekends. Two lounges and a dedicated dining area surround the single bar. Smoking area available for those who dislike being herded out onto the street itself. Real ales are a changing selection of guests mostly sourced from local breweries. Opening is 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Olde Woolpack, 70, Brinksway, Stockport, Cheshire, SK3 0BY. Tel: 0161 4760688. Map: Click Here.

Pack Horse: Another outlet up by the market, twenty minutes from the ground. Child friendly, food at lunchtimes, smoking area on site. Copper Dragon Bitter and Tetley are the real ales. Open 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Pack Horse, 2, Market Place, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1EW. Tel: 0161 4805686. Map: Click Here.

The food is an absolute bargain. Friendly and welcoming pub - recommended. © Hugh Gleave Pineapple: Just along from the Crown Inn (above), and so also around 15 minutes walk from Edgeley Park. A single bar serving the lounge and public sides, and there is an enclosed beer garden to the rear so no smoking on the street required. Games room with a pool table and darts. Food served lunchtimes - unpretentious but good fare at incredibly low prices. Beer is Robinson's again, with Hatters, Unicorn and Cumbria Way (contract brewed for Hartley's by Robinson's but available here) the real ales, plus the option of a seasonal if the brewery has one on the go. Opening times are 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Friendly and welcoming. Pineapple, 159, Heaton Lane, Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 1AQ. Tel: 0161 4803221. Map: Click Here.

The place for Rossendale beers © Hugh Gleave The Railway: Possibly a little far away at about 25 minutes walk from the stadium, but is included for those who like to hunt down new beers as one of the three pubs owned by Pennine Ales (The Rossendale Brewery), and the only place in the town you can guarantee to find their ales. The full range of Floral Dance, Hameldon Bitter, Railway Sleeper, Rossendale Ale, Pitch Porter and Sunshine, plus any seasonals as available, is stocked. Three guests are added at weekends and there's also a real cider on permanently. Home made food is served Monday to Saturday lunchtimes. On-site smoking area. Opening times are 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 12.00 noon - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. The Railway, 1, Avenue Street, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 2BZ. Tel: 0161 4296062. Map: Click Here.

Three Shires: By the main shopping centre and 20 minutes walk from Edgeley Park. Officially still calls itself a wine bar but increasingly has turned to beer, with four ever changing real ales from small and micro breweries stocked. Few beer outlets in the town do evening food. This is one, with a wide selection of freshly prepared dishes available throughout the day. Opening times are: 11.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 11.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; 12.00 noon - 9.00 p.m. Sunday. Three Shires, 30-32, Great Underbank, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1NB. Tel: 0161 4774579. Map: Click Here.

Believe it or not, but we think this is how this pub is MEANT to look. © Hugh Gleave Ye Olde Vic: We're usually automatically sniffy about the "Ye Olde..." approach as it generally signifies plastic beams and fake horse brasses and is as old as the latest revamp. However this one is eccentrically genuine, if overly dedicated to the egg-chasers. Stocked are Carling, Coors Fine Light, Grolsh, Guinness, Worthington Creamflow, Stowford Press and Westons Vintage Cider (hand pump) along with five rotating guest real ales. Just 8 minutes walk from the stadium it only opens in the evenings and almost acts as an unofficial clubhouse for Sale Sharks, with the landlord putting up an outside bar in the marquee/beer garden to ease the congestion inside the small single room hostelry when the rugby side is at home. No food. Hours are: closed all day Monday; from 5.00 p.m. Tuesday - Friday; from 7.00 p.m. Saturday; 7.00 p.m. - 10.30 p.m. Sunday. Two things to note: you'll have spotted there's no closing time given for Tuesday to Saturday. This is because the pub has a flexible licence and the landlord keeps serving as long as he decides he wants to. However last entry is 10.15 p.m. He also has a strict no swearing policy - and enforces it. If you transgress again after an initial warning out you go. Ye Olde Vic, 1, Chatham Street, Edgeley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK3 9ED. Tel: 0161 4802410. Email: bar@yeoldevic.com. Website: Click Here. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Is Mr Bratherton (DNB) comprehensible? No? You have your answer.

Top-Tip :

For most Glovers this will be a new ground to tick off this season - if you didn't make it in November this is your second chance.

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