Today is an exciting time for non-league clubs who are
playing in the F.A.Cup 4th Round Qualifying round. Their reward if
they win is a chance to play a Football League club in the first round proper.
I am off to Stockport to see two old league club play a local Derby; County v
Chester City. Chester, known as the Magpies, have had their league status problems also but presently sit mid table
in the Vanarama Conference.
Stockport County was established in 1883 as Heaton Norris
Rovers, in 1890 the name was changed to Stockport County to reflect the town
gaining County Borough status. After winning the Lancashire League in 1900, the
County gained admittance to the Football League. Joining the League meant the
club soon outgrew their ground in Heaton Norris and, in 1902, they moved south
of the River Mersey to Edgeley Park, then home of Stockport RLFC. County have
played there ever since.
Hatmaking was an established industry in north Cheshire
& south-east Lancashire by the 16th century. By the late 19th century
Stockport had become a national centre for the trade, and by 1900 County's
nickname of 'The Hatters' had became synonymous with the club. (Luton also have
this nickname-see previous blog)
The club stayed in the 4th Division doldrums until the turn
of the 90s, when Uruguayan manager Danny Bergara turned the Hatters into
regular top-of-the-table challengers.
Promotion came in 1991, and was followed by four visits to
Wembley in two years - twice in playoff finals, twice in the Football League
Trophy. Unfortunately County lost on each occasion.
County consolidated in the First Division until relegation
to Division 2 in 2002. What followed was a largely downward spiral back to the
bottom of the League.
In 2009/10 administration took its toll, and County finished
on a new record low of 25 points and were relegated back to the bottom
flight. In the summer of 2010 the club
was taken out of administration by a group of local business people, ensuring
the club’s survival. However, fortunes took a downturn on the pitch and the
Hatters finished bottom of League Two, meaning that they would compete outside the
Football League for the first time since 1905.
During 2011, Liverpool-based businessman Tony Evans headed
up a consortium of new investors in the club, who appointed former German
international Dietmar Hamann as manager. However, following the consortium’s
failure to take charge, Hamann’s squad struggled in the league and in November
he was replaced by former manager Jim Gannon. The size of the task ahead of
Gannon was even bigger than the one in 2006, and the team initially continued
to struggle but found resurgent form in Spring. Safety was secured with a 1-1 draw at home to
Braintree, allowing the Hatters to enjoy a peaceful summer for the first time
in four years.
However, that stability didn't last long and in 2012-13 more
financial issues off the pitch restricted the squad on it and eventually saw
Stockport County relegated to the Conference North, meaning the Hatters would
be playing regional football for the first time since 1905.
Another juicy derby today is groundless Gloucester City v eco-warriors Forest
Green Rovers, whilst Aldershot Town and Torquay revive memories of past league
matches.
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