Stockport County F.C.#History

{{main|History of Stockport County F.C.}}

Stockport County was formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers at McLaughlin's Cafe in Heaton Norris, by a group of pupils from Stockport Sunday School.{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Stockport_County/Stockport_County.htm#background|title=Background|last=Moor|first=Dave|date=4 April 2012|website=Historical Kits|access-date=4 April 2012}}{{cite book|last1=Page|first1=Phil|title=The Four Heatons Through Time|last2=Littlechilds|first2=Ian|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|year=2013|isbn=9781445620664|location=Gloucestershire}}{{efn|The pupils were: 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.{{cite news|last=Bainbridge|first=Katherine|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/teenage-terrace-heroes-who-set-13947925|title=The teenage terrace heroes who set up a football club: Details of Stockport County founders revealed for the first time|date=20 June 2015|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=11 April 2015|publisher=M.E.N Media}}}} After playing home matches in different parks in the Stockport area for several years, Rovers moved to Green Lane in 1889. This is recognised as their first official ground.{{cite book|last=Freeman|first=Peter|title=Stockport County – From the Nursery|publisher=Peter Freeman|year=1999|isbn=978-0953755806|location=Lancaster}} The club changed its name to Stockport County in 1890, the year after Stockport became a county borough. The team played in the Lancashire League and local cup competitions until 1900, when they gained admission to the Football League Second Division.{{Cite book|last1=Freeman|first1=Peter|title=Stockport County: A Complete Record.|last2=Harnwell|first2=Richard|publisher=Breedon Books|year=1994|isbn=1-873626-72-X|location=Derby|pages=132}}

File:1910 Cheshire ordnance survey map showing Edgeley Park (cropped).jpg and surrounding area]]

Stockport left Green Lane in 1902 and moved to Edgeley Park,{{cite book|last1=Page|first1=Phil|title=Secret Stockport|last2=Littlechilds|first2=Ian|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|year=2017|isbn=9781445651378|location=Gloucestershire}} which was also home to rugby league club Stockport RFC.{{cite web|url=http://www.stockport.gov.uk/aboutstockport1/stockportcounty/aboutcounty|title=About Stockport County|website=Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213192316/http://www.stockport.gov.uk/aboutstockport1/stockportcounty/aboutcounty|archive-date=13 February 2010}} County finished in the bottom three for their first four seasons, and failed to gain re-election at the end of the 1903–04 season.{{cite web|title=First team 1903-04 – Football League : Division Two|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/190304/190304Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marucs|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=15 May 2020}} After spending one season in the Lancashire Combination,{{cite web | url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/englancacombhist.html| title= England – Lancashire Combination| work=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=11 April 2012|last=Abbink|first=Dinant|date=2 May 2007}} the club was readmitted to the Football League.{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000711/19050622/147/0005|title=In view of the election of Stockport County to the, second division of the League.|date=22 June 1905|work=Lancashire Evening Post|access-date=26 April 2020|page=5|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} In October 1908, it was confirmed that Stockport County would become a 'limited liability company'.Freeman & Harnwell, p.18{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19080914/079/0005|title=The Athletic News. Monday|date=14 September 1908|work=Athletic News|access-date=27 April 2020|location=Lancashire|page=5|via=British Newspaper Archieve|url-access=subscription}} The team remained in the Second Division for seven years until the 1912–13 season, when they again had to seek re-election.{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000206/19130527/104/0008|title=Football league|date=27 May 1913|work=Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser|access-date=27 April 2020|location=Lancashire|page=8|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19130818/094/0005|title=Athletic News – Stockport County|date=18 August 1913|work=Athletic News|access-date=26 April 2020|page=5|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} Stockport gained 22 votes and retained their Football League status.{{cite web|title=First team 1912-13 – Football League : Division Two|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/191213/191213Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=15 May 2020}}

David Ashworth was appointed as the team's first manager in 1914.{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000206/19140501/021/0003|title=Stockport County F.C. Mr. D. G. Ashworth appointed manager|date=1 May 1914|work=Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser|access-date=27 April 2020|location=Lancashire|page=3|via=British Newspaper Archieve|url-access=subscription}} After the outbreak of the First World War, competitive football was suspended. Stockport did, however, compete in the Lancashire section of the Wartime Football League, which was played from 1915–16 to 1918–19. Ashworth managed County throughout the war until the end of 1919, when he joined Liverpool.{{Cite news|date=17 December 1919|title=Yorkshire's Chance|page=2|work=Hull Daily Mail|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19191218/011/0002|url-access=subscription|access-date=13 May 2020}}

The 1920–21 campaign saw Stockport finish bottom of the Second Division; however, instead of facing re-election, they were placed in the new Third Division North.{{cite web|title=First team 1920-21 – Football League : Division Two|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/192021/192021Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=15 May 2020}} The team won their first Football League title in 1921–22, when they defeated Darlington in front of 18,500 fans at Edgeley Park.{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19220424/139/0007|title=The First Champions, Stockport Subdue Their Northern Rivals.|date=24 April 1922|work=Athletic News|access-date=27 April 2020|location=Lancashire|page=4|via=British Newspaper Archieve|url-access=subscription}} The manager Albert Williams was presented with the trophy seven days later, before the final home game against Lincoln City.{{cite news | first=Phil | last=Brennan | title=Top Hatters' Silver Salvo | location = Stockport | newspaper=Stockport Express | page = 56 | date=16 May 2012}}{{cite web|title=First team 1921–22 – Football League : Division Three (North)|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/192122/192122Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=26 April 2020}}{{efn|Lincoln were the final game opponents in each of Stockport's first three title winning seasons.Freeman &Harnwell, p.24}} The club's goalkeeper Harry Hardy was called up for the England national team in 1924,Nelson, p.11{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000986/19241201/002/0001|title=The team to meet Belgium follows|date=1 December 1924|work=Athletic News|access-date=27 April 2020|location=Lancashire|page=6|via=British Newspaper Archieve|url-access=subscription}} and kept a clean sheet in a 4–0 win against Belgium.{{cite news | first=Phil | last=Brennan | title=England Hero Harry Is One of a Kind | location = Stockport | newspaper=Stockport Express | page = 56 | date=16 May 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2013-07-14-hardy-england-cap-911894.aspx|title=Hardy England Cap back at Edgeley Park|date=14 July 2013|work=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103202815/http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2013-07-14-hardy-england-cap-911894.aspx|archive-date=3 January 2014|access-date=15 April 2020}}{{efn|Hardy was also selected for England for their 1925 tour of Australia while at Stockport. However, as these matches were classified as 'test' matches they are not recognised on international records.{{cite web | url=http://sesasport.com/?p=2069 | title= England in Australia in 1925 | publisher= Sports & Editorial Services Australia | date=24 January 2013 |last=Hay|first=Roy | access-date=11 April 2015}}}} Stockport remained in the Third Division North during the 1920s, with two consecutive second-place finishes but failed to gain promotion.{{cite web|title=First team 1928-29 – Football League : Division Three (North)|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/192829/192829Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisor|access-date=15 May 2020}}{{cite web|title=First team 1929-30 – Football League : Division Three (North)|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/192930/192930Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=15 May 2020}}

In the early 1930s, Stockport County played in a black and white home kit, and were briefly nicknamed the 'Lilywhites'.{{cite web|last=Brennan|first=Phil|date=14 August 2010|title=Our History|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/the-club/our-history/|access-date=8 September 2013|website=Stockport County Official Website}} On 23 July 1935, Edgeley Park's wooden main stand burned down, which caused damage to neighbouring houses. The fire also destroyed the club's records until 1935.{{PastScape|mnumber=890902|mname=Edgeley Park |date=29 August 2015|access-date=11 April 2020}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000513/19350724/151/0012|title=40 Homeless after fire|date=24 July 1935|work=Western Daily Press|access-date=26 April 2020|location=Bristol|page=12|via=British Newspaper Archieve|url-access=subscription}} A new main stand was built in 1936 and officially opened by Charles Sutcliffe, then president of the Football League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/the-club/edgeley-park/|title=Our home since 1902|last=Brennan|first=Phil|date=10 August 2019|website=Stockport County Official Website|language=en-GB|access-date=20 April 2020}}Freeman & Harnwell, p.36 In 1936–37, the team won the Third Division North title and promotion to the Second Division following a last-day title decider against Lincoln City which was attended by more than 27,000 fans. They finished in bottom place the following season and were relegated back to the Third Division North, remaining there until the divisions were reorganised in 1958.

During the 1939–40 season, Stockport played only two matches before the Second World War started; the Football League was suspended and did not resume until 1946.{{cite web|title=First team 1939-40 – Football League : Division Three (North)|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/193940/193940Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=15 May 2020}} Regional league competitions were set up; the FA Cup was also suspended and was replaced with the Football League War Cup.{{cite news | url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/01/football-league-war-cup.html| title= Keep Calm, Carry on and Play Soccer: The Football League War Cup | date=15 January 2015 | access-date=28 August 2015|last=Becker|first=Matt|location=Georgia,USA|work=Paste Magazine}} In March 1946, Stockport hosted Doncaster Rovers in a League Three North Cup match which lasted 203 minutes, and is considered the longest professional football game.{{cite news |last1=Burnton |first1=Simon |title=When extra time had no end: how one match lasted 3hrs and 23mins |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/29/extra-time-no-end-worlds-longest-match-stockport-doncaster |access-date=21 April 2020 |work=Guardian |date=29 March 2018}}{{Cite news|last=Evans|first=Gareth|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/stockport-express/20170118/page/65|title=Longest day in Hatters history|date=18 January 2017|work=Stockport Express|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|page=65|via=Press Reader|url-access=subscription}}

The regional Third Divisions were combined into the national Third and Fourth Divisions after the 1957–58 campaign. County were founder member of the new Third Division, but were relegated after one season.Freeman & Harnwell, pp. 46-47{{cite web|title=First team 1958-59 – Football League Three|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/195859/195859Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=15 May 2020}} During the 1964–65 season, Stockport chairman Vic Bernard re-introduced the royal blue strip, and hired former Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann as the club's general manager to improve its image.{{Cite book|last=Clay|first=Caterine|title=Trautmann's Journey: From Hitler Youth to FA Cup Legend|publisher=Yellow Jersey Press|year=2011|isbn=9781446468784|location=London|pages=309|chapter=Trautmann Journey}} Bernard and Trautmann decided to move matches to Friday evenings in an attempt to increase revenue.{{cite book|last=Rowlands|first=Adam|title=Trautmann The Biography|publisher=DB Publishing|year=2012|isbn=978-1780911199|location=Nottingham}} Trautmann resigned from his position in 1966.{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19670520/143/0013|title=Bert Trautmann, the former Manchester City goalkeeper, who later joined Stockport is to return to his native Germany|date=20 May 1967|work=Coventry Evening Telegraph|access-date=27 April 2020|location=Warwickshire|page=13|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} County returned to the Third Division by winning the Fourth Division in 1966–67.{{cite web|title=First team 1966-67 – Football League : Division Four|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/196667/196667Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=15 May 2020}}

The club was relegated back to the Fourth Division at the end of the 1969–70 campaign, and remained in the fourth tier until 1991. Eric Webster managed Stockport on five separate occasions, four of which were as caretaker manager during the 1980s, having first joined the club in 1974 as youth coach.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/eric-webster-rip-2921055.aspx|title=Eric Webster RIP|last=Brennan|first=Phil|date=25 January 2016|website=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194048/http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/eric-webster-rip-2921055.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=2020-04-24}}Freeman & Harnwell, pp. 83–84 Following the introduction of automatic promotion and relegation between the Football League and the Football Conference at the start of the 1986–87 season, Stockport faced the prospect of non-League football, with just six points from 13 games. However, Colin Murphy was brought in for his second spell as manager, and Stockport gained 45 points from their final 31 games to remain in the division, although Murphy left shortly after the season.{{Efn|From the 1981–82 season a three points for a win system was adopted|name=|group=}}

File:The Railway End of Edgeley Park, Stockport, during a match in 1994.jpg at Edgeley Park in 1994.|alt= Photograph from the Cheadle End at Edgeley Park of a match taking place in 1994.]] Danny Bergara was appointed manager in March 1989, and gained automatic promotion to the Third Division in 1990–91.{{cite web|title=First team 1990-91 – Football League : Division Four|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/199091/199091Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=15 May 2020}} In the 1992 Associate Members' Cup Final, Bergara became the first South American to lead an English team at Wembley; Stoke City defeated County 1–0.Freeman & Harnwell, p. 64 He led Stockport to Wembley on three further occasions, once more in the 1993 Football League Trophy Final and twice in the play-offs, but lost all.Freeman & Harnwell, pp. 64–71 In March 1995, Bergara was sacked after an altercation with then chairman Brendan Elwood,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/stockport-sack-bergara-1613775.html|title=Stockport sack Bergara|date=1 April 1995|work=The Independent|access-date=15 April 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705215049/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/stockport-sack-bergara-1613775.html|archive-date=5 July 2015|publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Ltd|location=London}}{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/6917615.stm|title=Stockport hero Danny Bergara dies|date=26 July 2007|access-date=24 April 2020|publisher=BBC Sport}} and was succeeded by Dave Jones.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2995736/Dave-Jones-factfile.html|title=Dave Jones factfile|date=3 January 2001|work=The Telegraph|access-date=15 February 2015|publisher=Telegraph Media Group Limited|location=London}} That same year saw the opening of the new all-seated Cheadle End stand, whose capacity was just over 5,000. The 1996–97 season proved to be the most successful in the club's history: Stockport finished second in the Second Division and reached the semi-finals of the League Cup, in which they eliminated three Premiership teams before losing 2–1 against Middlesbrough over two legs.{{cite web|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|title=First team 1996-97 – Football League : Division Two|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/199697/199697Fdetails.html|access-date=15 May 2020|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001715/19970313/267/0020|title=Middlesbrough 0 Stockport 1|date=13 March 1997|work=Irish Independent|access-date=27 April 2020|location=Dublin|page=20|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription}} Dave Jones left for Southampton in 1997 and Gary Megson took over as manager. County finished eighth in the First Division in his first season, only two places off the play-offs—the club's best ever league placing.{{cite web|title=First team 1997-98 – Football League : Division One|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/199798/199798Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=15 May 2020}}

With Stockport bottom of the First Division in October 2001, a home defeat against Millwall saw manager Andy Kilner sacked.{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=Andy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/oct/30/newsstory.sport1|title=Struggling Stockport fire Kilner by unilateral consent|date=30 October 2001|work=The Guardian|access-date=30 August 2015|location=London}} Former England international Carlton Palmer was appointed in November 2001,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/nov/06/newsstory.sport10|title=Palmer named as Stockport boss| date=6 November 2001|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 February 2015|location=London}}{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=William|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/3016276/Stockport-gamble-on-outspoken-Palmer.html|title=Stockport gamble on outspoken Palmer|date=6 November 2001|work=The Telegraph|access-date=9 August 2015|publisher=Telegraph Media Group Limited|location=London}} but he failed to save the club from relegation to the third tier that season.{{Cite web|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/200102/200102Fdetails.html|title=First team 2001–02 – Football League : Division One|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=24 April 2020}} Palmer was unable to build a team capable of returning to the First Division the next season.{{Cite web|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/200203/200203Fdetails.html|title=First team 2002–03 – Nationwide Football League : Division Two|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=24 April 2020}} 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 established,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/2996279.stm|title=Sharks to merge with Stockport|date=2 May 2003|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=15 February 2015}} which combined ownership of Stockport County, Sale Sharks and the Edgeley Park stadium.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}File:Stockport County FC League Performance.svg from 1900 to the present{{Cite web|last=Rundle|first=Richard|title=Stockport County|url=http://fchd.info/STOCKPCO.HTM|website=Football Club History Database}}|alt= A chart of Stockport County's previous final league positional which also shows the English Football League structure over the years.]]

In 2005, after reportedly losing £4 million in operating costs,{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2005/11/22/221105_sale_stockport_feature.shtml|title=No more cash for Sharks and County|date=22 November 2005|access-date=24 April 2020|publisher=BBC News}} Kennedy handed ownership of the club to the Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative.{{Cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/county-trust-deal-is-held-up-1074548|title=County Trust deal is held up|date=4 July 2005|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=24 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.clubsincrisis.com/Club_Detail.asp?Key=89|title=Clubs in Crisis – Stockport County|date=8 July 2005|website=Clubs in Crisis|publisher=Stockport County Supporters Trust|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607223516/http://www.clubsincrisis.com/Club_Detail.asp?Key=89|archive-date=2007-06-07|access-date=2020-04-18}} Former County player Jim Gannon was appointed manager, initially as caretaker manager.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/4620446.stm|title=Gannon unveiled as Stockport boss|date=17 January 2006|access-date=9 August 2015|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/county-gannon-gets-reward-1016937|title=County: Gannon gets reward|date=18 January 2006|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=22 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media}} He led the club to safety in 2005–06,{{Cite web|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/200506/200506Fdetails.html|title=First team 2005–06 – Coca-Cola Football League : Two|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=24 April 2020}} and sustained a promotion challenge the next season but eventually missed out on the League Two play-offs on goal difference.{{Cite web|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/200607/200607Fdetails.html|title=First team 2006–07 – Coca-Cola Football League : Two|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=24 April 2020}} The team continued their success during the 2007–08 season and reached the play-offs in which they faced Rochdale in the Final at Wembley. Stockport came from behind to win the game and earn promotion to League One.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7416601.stm|title=Stockport 3–2 Rochdale|date=26 May 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 June 2009|last=Fletcher|first=Paul}}{{cite news|last=Leach|first=Conrad|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/rochdale-2-stockport-county-3-dickinson-strike-sends-stockport-into-raptures-834625.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/rochdale-2-stockport-county-3-dickinson-strike-sends-stockport-into-raptures-834625.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Dickinson strike sends Stockport into raptures|date=27 May 2008|work=The Independent, 27 May 2008|access-date=4 May 2010|publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Ltd|location=London}}

In April 2009, Stockport County was placed into administration due to a loan to a creditor of around £300,000, and a tax debt of £250,000 to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/8027353.stm|title=Stockport go into administration|date=30 April 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 June 2009}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/30/stockport-county-administration-football|title=Stockport enter administration after failing to pay creditors|date=30 April 2009|work=The Guardian|publisher = Guardian News & Media Limited|access-date=8 September 2013|location=London}} Two months later, County's administrator, Leonard Curtis, announced terms had been agreed with the Melrose Consortium—headed by ex-Manchester City player Jim Melrose—for the sale of the club.{{cite news|last=Gripper|first=Ann|url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/football-spy/league-one/Stockport-set-to-be-rescued-by-sale-to-Melrose-consortium-article86757.html|title=Stockport set to be rescued by sale to Melrose consortium|date=12 June 2009|work=Mirror|access-date=8 September 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607050529/http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/football-spy/league-one/Stockport-set-to-be-rescued-by-sale-to-Melrose-consortium-article86757.html|archive-date=7 June 2012|publisher=Trinity Mirror}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/8098042.stm|title=Deal agreed for Stockport buy-out|date=12 June 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 June 2009}} In July, administrators agreed to a company voluntary arrangement with the previous shareholders and creditors.{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10419~1712966,00.html|title=Official Statement|date=3 July 2009|website=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305224109/http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10419~1712966,00.html|archive-date=5 March 2012|access-date=19 September 2009}} The Melrose Consortium bid was rejected by the Football League, however, in March 2010.{{Cite news|date=28 April 2010|title=A year to forget for County|work=Manchester Evening News|publisher=M.E.N Media|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/a-year-to-forget-for-county-888348|access-date=28 May 2020}} A new consortium, the 2015 Group, was given exclusivity to work towards a takeover of the club.{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/second-group-in-bid-for-stockport-886524|title=Second group in bid for Stockport|date=12 January 2013|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=30 August 2015|publisher=M.E.N Media}}

The purchase of Stockport County by the 2015 Group was approved by the Football League in May 2010, with the takeover announced in June.{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stockport-takeover-boost-889686|title=Stockport takeover boost|last1=Dawson|first1=Rob|date=15 May 2010|website=Manchester Evening News|publisher=M.E.N Media|access-date=24 April 2020}} Before the start of the 2010–11 season, the new owners pledged to "rebuild the club from top to bottom",{{cite news|last=Dawson|first=Rob|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/sport/football/stockport_county/s/1263090_nightmare_ends_with_the_dawn_of_new_era|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130422042521/http://menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/sport/football/stockport_county/s/1263090_nightmare_ends_with_the_dawn_of_new_era|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2013|title=Nightmare ends with the dawn of new era|date=23 June 2010|work=Stockport Express|access-date=23 March 2012|publisher=M.E.N Media}} and appointed Paul Simpson as manager.{{Cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/simpson-named-stockport-boss-893900|title=Simpson named Stockport boss|last=Dawson|first=Rob|date=2010-07-14|website=Manchester Evening News|publisher=M.E.N Media|access-date=2020-04-18}}{{cite news|date=12 July 2010|title=Paul Simpson named Stockport County Manager|publisher=BBC Sport|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/8754631.stm|access-date=5 April 2011}} He was sacked after only six months in charge,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/9338129.stm|title=Stockport dismiss manager Simpson|date=4 January 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=24 April 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stockport-sack-simpson-850892|title=Stockport sack Simpson|date=5 January 2011|website=Manchester Evening News|publisher=M.E.N Media|access-date=24 April 2020}} and Ray Mathias was brought in as interim manager.{{cite news|last1=Dawson|first1=Rob|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ray-mathias-takes-over-in-hatters-855937|title=Ray Mathias takes over in Hatters' job switch|date=10 March 2011|access-date=24 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|website=Manchester Evening News}} Despite an upturn in results, County were relegated to the Football Conference for the first time in their history.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/DivisionalLeagueTable/0,,10794~201026,00.html|title=League Two Table 2010–11|publisher=The Football League|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012010808/http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/DivisionalLeagueTable/0%2C%2C10794~201026%2C00.html|archive-date=12 October 2013|access-date=11 September 2013}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13174427|title=Crewe 2–0 Stockport |access-date=30 August 2015 |date=30 April 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}

File:Forestgreen hamann 120811-001.jpg

After relegation, a Liverpool-based businessman tried, and ultimately failed, to buy the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14929259 |title=Tony Evans resigns directorship of Stockport County |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 July 2011 |access-date=8 September 2013}} Dietmar Hamann, who had no prior managerial experience, was named manager in July 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14033079 |title=Dietmar Hamann takes over as Stockport County boss |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 July 2011 |access-date=8 September 2013}} He won only three of nineteen matches before resigning, after his position had been undermined by a fans' meeting in November.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15620388.stm |title = Dietmar Hamann resigns as Stockport County manager|access-date=7 November 2011|date=7 November 2011|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{Cite book|last=Hamann|first=Dietmar|title=The Didi Man|publisher=Hachette UK|year=2012|isbn=9780755362820}} The fans called for Gannon to be re-appointed as manager.{{Cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jim-gannon-poised-as-dietmar-hamann-875298|title=Jim Gannon poised as Dietmar Hamann quits County|last=Dawson|first=Rob|date=8 November 2011|website=Manchester Evening News|publisher=M.E.N Media|access-date=18 April 2020}}{{Cite journal|last=Summers|first=Jamie|title=Stockport County Jim Gannon|journal=The Non-League Magazine|publisher=Media Publishing and Design Ltd.|volume=6|pages=50}} He was reinstated, steered Stockport away from the relegation zone and finished 16th.{{cite web | url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/stockport-county/2011-2012/table| title=Stockport County 2011–2012 : English Conference Premier Table| work=Statto | access-date=9 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703014808/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/stockport-county/2011-2012/table |archive-date=3 July 2015 }}

The club regained sole tenancy of their Edgeley Park stadium for the first time in nine years in 2012, after Sale Sharks relocated to Salford City Reds' new ground.{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Ben|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/stockport_county/s/1490299_its-business-as-usual-for-county-as-sale-move-out?all_comments=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505114928/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/stockport_county/s/1490299_its-business-as-usual-for-county-as-sale-move-out?all_comments=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=It's business as usual for County as Sale move out|date=4 April 2012|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=4 April 2012|publisher=M.E.N Media}}{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17461665| title=Sale Sharks confirm groundshare with Salford City Reds| publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=29 August 2015|date=4 April 2012}} In January 2013, former fcbusiness magazine editor, 30-year-old Ryan McKnight was named as the chief executive officer at County.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21025602 |title=Stockport County: Ryan McKnight named chief executive | publisher= BBC Sport |date=15 January 2013|access-date= 8 September 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://fcbusiness.co.uk/news/article/newsitem=2207/title=stockport+county+appoint+former+fcbusiness+editor+as+ceo|title=Stockport County Appoint Former fcbusiness Editor as CEO|last=Gourley|first=Aaron|date=15 January 2013|work=fcbusiness|publisher=Baltic Publications Ltd.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310122158/https://fcbusiness.co.uk/news/article/newsitem=2207/title=stockport+county+appoint+former+fcbusiness+editor+as+ceo|archive-date=10 March 2016|access-date=15 January 2013}} Gannon was subsequently dismissed for a second time.{{cite news|title=Stockport County: Jim Gannon sacked after 14 months in charge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21037493 | publisher= BBC Sport |access-date=8 September 2013 |date=16 January 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.league-clubs.co.uk/stockport-county-relieve-gannon-of-duties/|title=Stockport County Relieve Gannon of Duties|date=16 January 2016|work=Leagueclubs.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704170235/http://www.league-clubs.co.uk/stockport-county-relieve-gannon-of-duties/|archive-date=4 July 2015|access-date=16 January 2016}} Stockport employed two further managers in three months, and were relegated to the Conference North on the final day of the 2012–13 season.{{cite news|title= Kidderminster 4 – 0 Stockport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22133379 | publisher= BBC Sport |access-date= 8 September 2013 |date=20 April 2013}} The club announced it was to lose its full-time status, and proceeded with a part-time model.{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stockport-county-go-part-time-3158168|title=Stockport County go part time|date=26 April 2013|website=Manchester Evening News|publisher=M.E.N Media|access-date=7 April 2020}} McKnight announced his resignation in April 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2014-04-08-club-statement-ryan-mcknight-1476144.aspx|title=Club Statement: Ryan McKnight|last=Brennan|first=Phil|date=8 April 2014|work=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110741/http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2014-04-08-club-statement-ryan-mcknight-1476144.aspx|archive-date=24 September 2015|access-date=12 April 2020}}

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Neil Young was named as Stockport's new manager in 2015, after he had previous successes in the division with Chester,{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/neil-young-named-new-manager-of-stockport-county-2459326.aspx|title=Neil Young named new manager of Stockport County|last=Evans|first=Gareth|date=16 May 2015|work=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110818/http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/neil-young-named-new-manager-of-stockport-county-2459326.aspx|archive-date=24 September 2015|access-date=12 April 2020}}{{Cite news|last=Collins|first=Ben|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/stockport-express/20150520/page/84|title=New Hatters chief ready for County challenge|date=20 May 2015|work=Stockport Express|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|page=84|via=Press Reader|url-access=subscription}} but departed in January 2016.{{Cite news|last=Green|first=Jim|url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chester-fc-neil-young-resigns-10725399|title=Chester FC: Neil Young resigns as Stockport County manager|date=13 January 2016|work=Cheshire Live|access-date=24 April 2020|publisher=Trinity Mirror}} County once again turned to Gannon, who returned for a third stint.{{cite news|last1=Byrne|first1=Sam|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/jim-gannon-returns-stockport-county-10754650|title=Jim Gannon returns to Stockport County for third stint as manager|date=18 January 2016|access-date=24 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|website=Manchester Evening News}} He stabilised the club on the pitch and finished around the play-offs places for the next two seasons.{{cite web | url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/archive5398-match-info/tables?table_id=d-26693| title= National League North Table 2016/17 |publisher= National League |access-date= 7 April 2020 |date= 24 April 2017 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/archive6517-match-info/tables?table_id=d-35404| title= National League North Table 2017/18 |publisher= National League |access-date= 7 April 2020 |date= 24 April 2018 }} In 2017, a local search was carried out to locate descendants of the club's founders.{{Cite news|date=2 August 2017|title=Can you help trace the descendants of the county founders?|page=10|work=Stockport Express|publisher=M.E.N Media|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/stockport-express/20170802/page/10|url-access=subscription|access-date=26 April 2020|via=Press Reader}} In 2018–19, Stockport reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy and won the Conference North, their first league title in 52 years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48080276|title=National League North: Stockport beat Nuneaton 3–0 to secure title and promotion|date=27 April 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 April 2020|language=en-gb}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/we-are-champions/|title=We Are Champions!|last=Richardson|first=Liam|date=28 April 2019|website=Stockport County Official Website|access-date=7 April 2020}}

Local businessman Mark Stott purchased County for an undisclosed fee in January 2020, and cleared its debts; Stott pledged to return the club to full-time football, to reach the Football League and to find a new training ground.{{Cite news|last=Abbit|first=Beth|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/stockport-county-fc-sold-businessman-17582352|title=Stockport County FC sold to businessman Mark Stott who was born and raised in the town|date=16 January 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=22 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media}}{{Cite news|last=Byrne|first=Sam|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/manchester-evening-news/20200124/page/78|title=New Hatters boss wants to take club to another level|date=24 January 2020|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|page=78|via=Press Reader|url-access=subscription}} Managed by Dave Challinor (appointed in November 2021),{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59142518 |title=Dave Challinor takes over as Stockport County manager after Hartlepool United exit |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 November 2021 |access-date=31 October 2022}}{{cite news |title=Dave Challinor Returns To County As Manager |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/dave-challinor-returns-to-county-as-manager/ |publisher=Stockport County FC |date=2 November 2021 |access-date=2 November 2021}} County topped the National League in 2021–22, securing promotion back to the EFL after an 11-year absence.{{cite news |title=Stockport County 2–0 FC Halifax Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61368286 |access-date=16 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2022}}

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In their first season back in League Two, 2022–23, Stockport finished 4th and reached the play-off final, losing to Carlisle United 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw at Wembley.{{cite news |title=Carlisle United 1–1 Stockport County |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65661750 |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2023}} The following season, 2023–24, Stockport secured automatic promotion to League One and were later crowned as champions with two games remaining.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/stockport-county-promoted-league-one-28990793|title=Stockport County promoted to League One after win over Morecambe|first=Chris|last=Slater|work=Manchester Evening News|date=13 April 2024|access-date=13 April 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67966495 |title=Stockport thrash Notts County to claim title |website=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2024 |access-date=16 April 2024}} They reached the League One play-offs in the following season but lost on penalties in the semi-final to Leyton Orient.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clyr2vm7djyt |title=Stockport County 1–1 Leyton Orient (1–4 pens) |first=Ben |last=Ashton |website=BBC Sport |date=14 May 2025 |access-date=15 May 2025}}

Stockport County's traditional kit colours are blue and white, although they have played in other colours throughout their history.{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Stockport_County/Stockport_County.htm#KitHistory|title=Kit History|last=Moor|first=Dave|date=8 September 2013|publisher=historicalkits.co.uk|access-date=8 September 2013}} Stockport's original colours were possibly red and white, although other sources suggest they wore blue and white during their early years. From the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s, County played in white jerseys and black shorts. No set pattern has been established for the use of blue and white as the team's main colours. They have played at various times in a white jersey with a blue band and blue shorts, and a blue jersey with white pin stripes and white shorts. The club experimented for a short time with an Argentina-style kit, light blue and white stripes with black shorts, after the 1978 World Cup. This was abandoned after the outbreak of the Falklands War, and it returned to blue and white striped tops with blue shorts in the early 1980s. Stockport marked their 125th anniversary during 2008 by bringing in a third kit—a gold colour with black trim.{{cite web | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/2007-2008/league-two.html#stockport| title=Coca Cola League Two 2007 – 2008 | work=Historical Kits | access-date=9 September 2013|last=Moor|first=Dave|date=9 September 2013}} It retired 'undefeated' at the end of the year, having been worn for 13 victories and four draws.{{cite journal |last=Smeadley |first=Simon |date=16 September 2008|title=Express Lines – Magic Gold |journal=Stockport County Match Programme Vs. Northampton Town |page=21 |location= Stockport}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10419~1472811,00.html|title=Gold Shirt Auction|date=2 December 2008|website=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723102456/http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10419~1472811,00.html|archive-date=23 July 2011|access-date=24 April 2020}}

The club former crest, which was used from 1991 until 2010 when the club exited administration, was based on the arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport. It was altered in 2006 to resemble the town's arms more closely, including the Latin motto Animo et Fide, which loosely translated means "With Courage and Faith".{{cite web|url=http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/towns/stockport3.html|title=Stockport – Explanation of the Arms of Stockport|last=Moss|first=John|date=28 April 2009|website=Manchester 2002|publisher=Papillon Graphics AD 2013 Manchester|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122022349/http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/towns/stockport3.html|archive-date=22 November 2015|access-date=29 August 2015}} The blue shield is taken from the coat of arms of the de Stokeport family, from whom Stockport derives its name. The twin-towered castle above the shield is Stockport Castle, which stood until 1775.{{PastScape|mnumber=1085399|mname=Stockport Castle|date=29 August 2015|access-date=2020-04-24}}

After takeover of the club by the 2015 Group in 2010, a new crest was adopted. It was still based on the Stockport coat of arms, though the Latin motto was removed, along with a patch of green at the base of the badge; the flag of Cheshire, featuring a sword and three wheatsheaves, replaced the golden lozenges and crosslets in the shield. The medals hanging from the lion's rampant (which represented Cheshire and Lancashire, owing to Stockport's location astride the River Mersey which forms the historic border between the two counties) were removed. It also saw the return of a football on the shield. This change was made in part because as of the 2010–11 season, Stockport County was sponsored by the town's Metropolitan Borough Council.{{cite web | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/2010-2011/league-two.html| title=Npower League Two 2010 – 2011| work=Historical Kits | access-date=9 September 2013|last=Moor|first=Dave|date=9 September 2013}} The crest was further altered in 2011 to re-include the town's motto. The new version added two white ribbons—one at the top, with Animo et Fide, and one at the bottom with Stockport County F.C.. In addition, the football was again removed from the shield. Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative used the blue on white cross from the 1978 badge as the main identifier in their company logo.

The club's kit was manufactured by local company Umbro, who supplied all three kits for the 2013–14 season. Stockport was Umbro's flagship partner for their relaunch in the UK.{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2013-05-09-new-kit-deal-815995.aspx|title=New Kit Deal Agreed|last=Brennan|first=Phil|date=9 May 2013|work=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103202405/http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2013-05-09-new-kit-deal-815995.aspx|archive-date=3 January 2014|access-date=13 April 2020}} From the start of the 2014–15 season, Stockport again changed their kit manufacturer, from Umbro to Spanish-based company Joma.{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stockport-county-new-kits-sponsors-7434069|title=County hope they're dressed for success|last=Browne|first=Gavin|date=26 July 2014|work=Manchester Evening News|publisher=M.E.N Media|location=Manchester|access-date=16 September 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stockport-county-robinsons-shirt-sponsorship-7395521|title=Kit deal sees County go back to the future|last=Browne|first=Gavin|date=9 July 2014|website=Manchester Evening News|publisher=M.E.N Media|access-date=22 July 2015}}

{{Main|Green Lane (Stockport)}}

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. The club played at Green Lane for its first two seasons in the Football League.{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Paul |last2=Smith |first2=Shirley |title=The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds Second Edition 1888–2005 |publisher=Yore Publications | page = 61 |isbn=0954783042|year=2005 }}

The stadium 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.stockport.gov.uk/2013/2978/8803/9020/12299/greenlaneapp?a=5441|title=Green Lane Conservation Area Character Appraisal|date=March 2006|work=Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322014057/http://www.stockport.gov.uk/2013/2978/8803/9020/12299/greenlaneapp?a=5441|archive-date=22 March 2012|access-date=12 April 2020}}

{{Main|Edgeley Park}}

By 1902, County required a larger ground and moved to Edgeley Park, then home of the rugby league club Stockport RFC. Green Lane was retained for use by the club's reserve team, although one further first team game was played at the ground in April 1903, when Edgeley Park was used by the rugby club.{{cite book|last1=Freeman|first1=Peter|title=Stockport County: A Complete History|last2=Harnwell|first2=Richard|publisher=Breedon Books|year=1994|isbn=1-873626-72-X|location=Derby}} The Green Lane site was later used for housing.

File:EP-01.jpg

In 1995, a new 5,000 all-seated Cheadle End stand was built to replace the terrace. In late 2000, chairman Brendan Elwood considered moving Stockport to Maine Road, the 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/30-Clubs/3453-man-overboard|title=Man overboard|last=Espley|first=Dave|date=February 2001|website=When Saturday Comes|publisher=Seymour|access-date=29 August 2015|issue=168}} The Manchester City Council ultimately decreed that rugby union club Sale Sharks would make better tenants.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/1054881.stm|title=Sale step closer to Maine Road|date=4 December 2000|access-date=24 April 2020|publisher=BBC Sport}} Maine Road was demolished in 2004 to make way for a housing estate, and Edgeley Park was then shared with Sale whose parent company, Cheshire Sports, owned the ground.{{cite news|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/46432.html|title=Sale to merge with Stockport|date=2 May 2003|work=ESPN|access-date=29 August 2015|publisher=ESPN Sports Media Limited}} In 2001, The Railway End, opposite the Cheadle End, was the last part of Edgeley Park to be converted to seating, and took the stadium's total capacity to 10,852.

There was another rumour that Stockport would leave its home ground in 2012. This was dismissed by chairman Peter Snape,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16726771|title=Chairman Lord Snape says County will not leave Stockport|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 January 2012|access-date=25 September 2015}} before Sale Sharks confirmed that they would be moving to Salford City Reds' new stadium. It left Stockport County as the only tenants at Edgeley Park.{{cite web|last=Brennan|first=Phil|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2012-11-27-joint-statement-sharks-scfc-512481.aspx|title=Boardroom Statement – Cheshire Sport and County agree Edgeley Park Deal|date=28 November 2012|work=Stockport County Official Website|access-date=24 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110611/https://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2012-11-27-joint-statement-sharks-scfc-512481.aspx|archive-date=24 September 2015}} In May 2012, County renamed the Main Stand "The Danny Bergara Stand" in honour of the club's former manager.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18180292 | title=Stockport County to rename stand in honour of Danny Bergara | date=23 May 2012 | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=10 September 2013}}

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council purchased the stadium in 2015, to prevent it from being demolished and redeveloped.{{cite news|last=Fitzgerald|first=Todd|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/stockport-countys-edgeley-park-ground-9492207|title=Stockport County's Edgeley Park ground 'could be bought by the council to stop it being bulldozed'|date=20 June 2015|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=9 August 2015|publisher=M.E.N Media}}{{Cite news|last=Lloyd|first=Alex|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/stockport-express/20150624/page/7|title=Stockport Council Statement|date=24 June 2015|work=Stockport Express|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N. Media|page=7|via=Press Reader|url-access=subscription}} After a plea from fans to safeguard the ground,{{cite news|last=Fitzgerald|first=Todd|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/live-stockport-countys-edgeley-park-9518038|title=Stockport County's Edgeley Park future to be decided at crunch council meeting|date=24 June 2015|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=9 August 2015|publisher=M.E.N Media}} an emergency council meeting was held, and the stadium was purchased for £2 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/manchester-evening-news/20150801/page/44|title=Stockport County sell off Edgeley Park to council|date=1 August 2015|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|page=44|via=Press Reader|url-access=subscription}}{{Cite news|last=Byrne|first=Sam|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/stockport-express/20150805/page/68|title=£2m ground deal is hatters lifeline|date=5 August 2015|work=Stockport Express|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|page=68|via=Press Reader|url-access=subscription}} It is currently leased back to the club.{{cite news|last=Fitzgerald|first=Todd|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/edgeley-park-council-buy-ground-9521860|title=Stockport council 'set to pay around £2m' to save Edgeley Park football ground from demolition|date=24 June 2015|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=9 August 2015|publisher=M.E.N Media}}{{cite news|last=Scapens|first=Alex|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/council-complete-deal-buy-stockport-9767727|title=Council complete deal to buy Stockport County's Edgeley Park|date=2 August 2015|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=9 August 2015|publisher=M.E.N Media}} In February 2022, the club agreed a 250-year lease of Edgeley Park from Stockport council.{{cite news |title=Stockport County: National League leaders agree 250-year lease of Edgeley Park ground |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60471205 |access-date=22 February 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2022}}

File:Stockport County Fans.jpg

With both Manchester United and Manchester City F.C. located around {{convert|7|mi|0}} from Edgeley Park, Stockport County has always vied with top-level clubs for local support. During the mid-1960s, the Football League introduced a minimum admission price for all clubs in the four professional tiers, attempting to boost revenue for smaller clubs. It had the opposite effect in places like Stockport, where many other league clubs were in relatively close proximity. As a result, County moved all their home games to Friday evening, which generated larger crowds and extra business in surrounding pubs and restaurants.

In 2004, the club attracted a crowd of more than 20,000 for one of its tour matches in China.{{cite news|last=Spencer|first=Richard|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/1462568/Stockport-County-scores-in-Chinas-business-league.html|title=Stockport County scores in China's business league|date=22 May 2004|work=The Telegraph|publication-place=London|access-date=9 August 2015|location=Urumqi}} Stockport were watched by 22,000 in Yingkou against their then sister side Stockport Tiger Star.{{Cite web|title=First team 2003–04 – Nationwide Football League : Division Two|url=http://gogogocounty.org/seasons/200304/200304Fdetails.html|last1=Watts|first1=Ian|last2=Heap|first2=Marcus|date=30 August 2015|website=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors|access-date=24 April 2020}}{{cite news|last=Stone|first=Simon|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34344244|title=Stockport County: 'Man City were our rivals, now it's Curzon Ashton'|date=25 September 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=25 September 2015}} It is possible this attendance was a result of County's association with their affiliate team, and Tiger Stars' name change to include 'Stockport' two years before.{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/news/s/311/311386_countys_tiger_bid_a_roaring_success.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505024815/http://menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/news/s/311/311386_countys_tiger_bid_a_roaring_success.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=County's Tiger bid a roaring success|date=17 December 2003|work=Stockport Express|access-date=15 April 2012|publisher=M.E.N Media}}{{cite web | url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=154210.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309134700/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=154210.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=9 March 2012| title=China beckons for Stockport| publisher=UEFA |access-date=9 August 2015|last=Spencer|first=Simon| date=19 March 2004}}

The 2006–07 season saw the club average the fourth highest average attendance in League Two.{{cite web|url=http://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/stpc.htm|title=History of English Football|last=Efs|first=Thomas|date=17 August 2017|work=European Football Statistics|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817183329/http://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/stpc.htm|archive-date=17 August 2017|access-date=13 April 2020}} There was a further increase the following season with Stockport's away support outnumbering home supporters on a number of occasions. Stockport County had an average away attendance of over 900, the highest in the division.{{cite journal |last=Hinks |first=Des |date=17 May 2008|title=Jimmy Gannon's Blue & White Army, Stockport County Salute you |journal=Stockport County Match Programme Vs. Wycombe Wanderers |pages=54, 55 |location= Stockport}} The club set a National League North record attendance, when 4,797 people attended a home fixture with F.C. United in December 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league-north/records/2015-2016|title=National League North – Records – 2015–2016|last=Ekins|first=Gary|date=22 August 2015|website=Football Web pages|publisher=Football Web Pages Ltd 2019|access-date=13 April 2020}} This attendance was broken again three times in the following three seasons.{{Cite news|last=Patrick|first=Jack|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/stockport-express/20190306/page/17|title=Loyal County fans break crowd record|date=6 March 2019|work=Stockport Express|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|page=17|via=Press Reader|url-access=subscription}}{{Efn|The attendances for these matches were: 5,783 vs Gloucester City in 2016–17,{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league-north/records/2016-2017|title=National League North – Records – 2016–2017|last=Ekins|first=Gary|date=22 August 2015|website=Football Web pages|publisher=Football Web Pages Ltd 2019|access-date=13 April 2020}} 6,230 vs Chorley in 2017–18,{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league-north/records/2017-2018|title=National League North – Records – 2017–2018|last=Ekins|first=Gary|date=22 August 2015|website=Football Web pages|publisher=Football Web Pages Ltd 2019|access-date=13 April 2020}} and 6,311 vs Spennymoor Town in 2018–19.{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league-north/records/2018-2019|title=National League North – Records – 2018–2019|last=Ekins|first=Gary|date=22 August 2015|website=Football Web pages|publisher=Football Web Pages Ltd 2019|access-date=13 April 2020}}{{Cite news|last=Patrick|first=Jack|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/stockport-express/20190306/page/17|title=Loyal County fans break crowd record|date=6 March 2019|work=Stockport Express|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|page=17|via=Press Reader|url-access=subscription}}|name=|group=}}

The support from County fans has often been cited by managers and players,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/gannon-and-galliant-county-so-close-they-can-taste-56546|title=Gannon And Galliant County So Close They Can Taste It|last=Elliott|first=Sam|date=23 April 2019|website=National League Official Website|access-date=22 April 2020}}Perry, pp. 94–95 with the fans influence likened to having a twelfth player on the field.{{Cite news|last=Beresford|first=Chloe|date=21 May 2019|title=Why Stockport County Fans Finally Have Something To Sing About|work=The Sportsman|url=https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/why-stockport-county-fans-finally-have-something-to-sing-about|access-date=22 April 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/county-christmas-day-twelve-for-the-fans-the-twelfth-man/|title=County Christmas Day Twelve: For the Fans – the Twelfth Man!|last=Richardson|first=Liam|date=12 December 2019|website=Stockport County Official Website|access-date=22 April 2020}} Between the 2006–07 and 2009–10 seasons, the squad number 12 was allocated to the 'Blue & White Army', in reference to the fans being the team's 12th man. However, for the 2010–11 season, the number reverted to one of the players.Stockport County Official Match Programmes It was given back to the fans upon the club's return to the National League in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/squad-numbers-revealed-for-2019-20/|title=Squad numbers revealed for 2019/20|last=Richardson|first=Liam|date=19 July 2019|website=Stockport County Official Website|access-date=22 April 2020}}

Some famous Stockport County fans include darts players Tony O'Shea and Nathan Aspinall, singer-songwriter Daz Sampson, Blossoms bassist Charlie Salt, and Manchester City and England under 21 defender, Taylor Harwood-Bellis. O'Shea has written articles in the club's matchday programme and has also worn County's colours in all of his televised darts matches. Sampson became a lifelong member of the Stockport County Supporters' Trust after he released "The County Song", which paid tribute to the team's Football League record of nine consecutive wins without conceding a goal.{{cite web|last=Brennan|first=Phil|date=25 September 2007|title=Honour for Daz|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10419~1120134,00.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723102952/http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10419~1120134,00.html|archive-date=23 July 2011|access-date=5 June 2020|work=Stockport County Official Website}}

'Help the Hatters' is a group of volunteers who raise money for the club and help with the maintenance of Edgeley Park.{{cite web|url=https://helpthehatters.co.uk/|title=Help the Hatters|date=13 March 2018|publisher=Village Web Company|access-date=13 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2014-06-20-more-thanks-to-hth-1652308.aspx|title=Thank you. Again.|last=Brennan|first=Phil|date=20 June 2014|work=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111243/http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2014-06-20-more-thanks-to-hth-1652308.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=13 April 2020}} They also organised the 'Players Fund',{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2014-07-12-player-fund-1748419.aspx|title=Players' Fund Partnership|last=Brennan|first=Phil|date=12 July 2014|work=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229144928/http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2014-07-12-player-fund-1748419.aspx|archive-date=29 February 2016|access-date=13 April 2020}}{{cite news|last=Browne|first=Gavin|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stockport-county-fans-continue-help-8200687|title=Stockport County fans continue to help the Lord|date=30 November 2013|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=30 August 2015|publisher=M.E.N Media|location=Manchester}} which paid the wages of young players,{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2013-08-06-club-agree-deal-with-help-the-hatters-971802.aspx|title=Turner deal agreed|last=Brennan|first=Phil|date=6 August 2013|work=Stockport County Official Website|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311111504/http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/2013-08-06-club-agree-deal-with-help-the-hatters-971802.aspx|archive-date=11 March 2016|access-date=13 April 2020}} and gave the Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative shares in the club.{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stockport-county-players-fund-supporters-7433943 |title=County's fans can do their share|access-date=30 August 2015 |date=16 July 2014|last=Browne|first=Gavin|location=Manchester|work=Manchester Evening News}} The group transformed the club's Legends Lounge into the Stockport County Museum, which was opened by former player George Haigh on his 102nd birthday.{{cite news|last=Evans|first=Gareth|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/birthday-boy-george-haigh-launches-county-museum/|title=Birthday boy George Haigh launches County Museum|date=30 June 2017|work=Stockport County Official Website|access-date=13 April 2020}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/stockport-express/20170705/page/64|title=Legend George opens museum|date=5 July 2017|work=Stockport Express|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=M.E.N Media|page=64|via=Press Reader|url-access=subscription}}

Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative is the other active supporters' group.{{cite web|url=http://www.countysupporterscoop.co.uk/|title=Co-Op|date=30 March 2019|work=Stockport County Supporters Co-Operative|access-date=30 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.countysupporterscoop.co.uk/about-us|title=Guardian Account|date=30 March 2019|work=Stockport County Supporters Co-Operative|access-date=25 April 2020}} It runs the Stockport County Appearance Number Scheme (SCAN), where every player who has played a first-team game is recognised with a framed certificate and a number which shows their position on the list of players who made their debut for the club.{{cite web|url=http://gogogocounty.org/scan/pagei.html|title=SCAN Scheme|last=Watts|first=Ian|date=16 October 2010|work=Go Go Go County The website of Stockport County's Historical Advisors.|access-date=30 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fsf.org.uk/media/uploaded/SCAN%20Fact%20Sheet%2010-10-08%20(smaller).pdf|title=Fact Sheet on Stockport County Appearance Number Scheme|last=Heap|first=Marcus|date=16 October 2010|work=The Football Supporters' Federation|via=PDF|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924015843/http://www.fsf.org.uk/media/uploaded/SCAN%20Fact%20Sheet%2010-10-08%20(smaller).pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|access-date=13 April 2020}}

As the two nearby Manchester clubs have rarely been in the same division as Stockport, historically there has been little rivalry with either club until the 1990s, when the rivalry between County and Manchester City took form between 1997 and 2002. The two clubs spent three out of five seasons in the same division and during the 1998–99 season, Stockport were a division above City.{{cite web|url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/30-Clubs/2523-friend-or-foe|title=Friend or foe?|last=Espley|first=Dave|date=May 2003|website=When Saturday Comes|publisher=Seymour|access-date=30 August 2015|issue=195}}

The club also has significant local rivalries with Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Bury,{{cite book |last1=Williams |first1=Janet |last2=Johnson |first2=Mark |title=Football Fans Guide |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |page=209 |location=London |year=1995 |isbn=0-00-218707-8}} Crewe Alexandra, and Macclesfield. According to a survey in 2003, County supporters include more distant clubs Burnley and Stoke City among their main rivals for more historical reasons.Freeman & Harnwell, pp. 64–65,70

The club also has a fierce rivalry with Wrexham{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2019|title=Policing Non-League Wrexham V Stockport|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cUtHIGED4k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/9cUtHIGED4k| archive-date=2021-12-12|url-status=live|website=YouTube|publisher=wrexhamdotcom}}{{cbignore}} which was intensified during the 2021–22 season as both teams battled for the National League title, which Stockport won on the final day of the season beating Halifax Town FC 2–0.

{{updated|8 March 2025 - Includes all registered players or those who have been listed in a First Team match day squad in the 2024/25 Season. |{{cite web|title=First Team |date=8 August 2017 |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/squad-category/first-team/ |website=Stockport County Official Website|first=Gareth|last=Evans|access-date=29 December 2017}}{{cite web |title=2024/25 Squad numbers confirmed |url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/2024-25-squad-numbers-confirmed/ |website=stockportcounty.com |publisher=Stockport County FC |date=29 July 2024 |accessdate=14 August 2024 }}}}

{{fs start}}

{{fs player|no=1|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Ben Hinchliffe}}

{{fs player|no=2|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Kyle Knoyle}}

{{fs player|no=3|nat=GAM|pos=DF|name=Ibou Touray}}

{{fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Lewis Bate|other=captain}}

{{fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Fraser Horsfall}}

{{fs player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Jack Diamond}}

{{fs player|no=8|nat=NIR|pos=MF|name=Callum Camps}}

{{fs player|no=9|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Isaac Olaofe}}

{{fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Jayden Fevrier}}

{{fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Nick Powell}}

{{fs player|no=12|nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=Macauley Southam-Hales}}

{{fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Will Collar}}

{{fs player|no=15|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Ethan Pye}}

{{fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Callum Connolly}}

{{Fs player|no=17|nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=Jay Mingi}}

{{fs player|no=19|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Kyle Wootton}}

{{fs player|no=21|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Owen Moxon}}

{{fs player|no=22|nat=ISL|pos=FW|name=Benoný Breki Andrésson}}

{{fs player|no=23|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Ryan Rydel}}

{{fs mid}}

{{fs player|no=24|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Sam Cosgrove|other=on loan from Barnsley}}

{{fs player|no=26|pos=MF|nat=NIR|name=Oliver Norwood}}

{{fs player|no=27|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Odin Bailey}}

{{fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Micah Hamilton|other=on loan from Middlesbrough}}

{{fs player|no=31|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Che Gardner}}

{{fs player|no=32|nat=IRL|pos=GK|name=Andrew Wogan}}

{{fs player|no=33|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Brad Hills|other=on loan from Norwich}}

{{fs player|no=34|pos=GK|nat=JAM|name=Corey Addai}}

{{fs player|no=40|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Bruno Cina}}

{{fs player|no=41|pos=MF|nat=SCO|name=Michee Dialundama}}

{{fs player|no=42|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Saul Gardner}}

{{fs player|no=44|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=John Williams-Lawless}}

{{fs player|no=45|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Jake Lewis}}

{{fs player|no=46|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Nathaniel Mapengu}}

{{fs player|no=53|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Harry Johnson}}

{{fs player|no=54|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Freddie Redshaw}}

{{fs player|no=55|pos=MF|nat=WAL|name=Rhys Watson}}

{{fs player|no=56|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Lee Williams}}

{{fs end}}

{{fs start}}

{{fs player|no=5|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Sam Hughes|other=at Peterborough United until End of the Season}}

{{fs player|no=18|pos=MF|nat=SCO|name=Lewis Fiorini|other=at Dundee United until End of the Season}}

{{fs player|no=29|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Jidechi Okeke|other=on loan at Rochdale until End of the Season}}

{{fs player|no=25|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=Max Metcalfe|other=on loan at Marine until End of the Season}}

{{fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Ethan Mann|other=on loan at Buxton until End of the Season}}

{{fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Cody Johnson|other=on loan at Kings Lynn Town until End of the Season}}

{{fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Ashton Mee|other=on loan at South Shields until End of the Season}}

{{fs end}}

{{See also|Category:Stockport County F.C. players}}

This list contains the names of all past players/club staff who have been inducted into the Stockport County Hall of Fame.{{cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/the-club/hall-of-fame/|title=Hall of Fame|last=Evans|first=Gareth|date=15 May 2015|website=Stockport County Official Website|access-date=25 April 2020}}

{{Columns-list|colwidth=15em|style=width: 600px; |

• {{flagicon|England}} Andy Thorpe
• {{flagicon|Scotland}} Bobby Murray
• {{flagicon|England}} Mike Flynn
• {{flagicon|England}} John Rutter
• {{flagicon|Ireland}} Jim Gannon
• {{flagicon|England}} Jack Connor
• {{flagicon|England}} Alf Lythgoe
• {{flagicon|St. Kitts & Nevis}} Kevin Francis
• {{flagicon|England}} Sean Connelly
• {{flagicon|England}} Brett Angell
• {{flagicon|England}} Brendan Elwood
• {{flagicon|England}} Trevor Porteous
• {{flagicon|England}} Alan Ogley
• {{flagicon|England}} Jim Fryatt
• {{flagicon|England}} Bill Atkins
• {{flagicon|England}} Bill Williams
• {{flagicon|Scotland}} James Stevenson
• {{flagicon|England}} Billy Bocking
• {{flagicon|England}} Joe Butler
• {{flagicon|England}} Johnny Price
• {{flagicon| Uruguay}} Danny Bergara
• {{flagicon|England}} Harry Hardy
• {{flagicon|England}} Dave Jones
• {{flagicon|England}} Micky Quinn
• {{flagicon|England}} Tommy Sword
• {{flagicon|England}} Len White
• {{flagicon|England}} Rodger Wylde
• {{flagicon|England}} Lee Todd
• {{flagicon|England}} Eric Webster}}

Fourteen players have earned full international caps while registered with Stockport County. Harry Hardy was the first Stockport player to win an international cap, in 1924, and remains the only Stockport-registered player to have played for England.

Source:{{cite web|last=Richardson|first=Liam|date=16 January 2020|title=Stockport County FC, which currently competes in the Vanarama National League, are pleased to confirm the sale of the Club to local businessman, Mark Stott.|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/club-statement-2/|access-date=9 April 2020|website=Stockport County Official Website}}{{cite web|title=Stockport County Contacts|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/the-club/contacts/|access-date=31 July 2018|website=Stockport County Official Website}}

Source:

Source:

{{Main|List of Stockport County F.C. managers}}

Based on win percentage in all competitions{{cite web|url=http://www.managerstats.co.uk/clubs/stockport-county/|title=Stockport County Manager History and Statistics|last=Archer|first=David|website=Manager Stats|publisher=Better Media Ltd.|access-date=9 August 2015}}

^{Current manager in bold. Statistics only include full-time managers (interim or caretaker managers are excluded). Stats correct as of 19 April 2025.}

Source:{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Gareth|date=11 April 2020|title=Records|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/the-club/honours-and-records/|access-date=25 April 2020|work=Stockport County Official Website}}

League

• Third Division North / Second Division (level 3)
• Champions: 1921–22, 1936–37
• Runners-up: 1928–29, 1929–30, 1996–97
• Fourth Division / League Two (level 4)
• Champions: 1966–67, 2023–24
• Runners-up: 1990–91
• Play-off winners: 2008
• National League (level 5)
• Champions: 2021–22
• National League North (level 6)
• Champions: 2018–19
• Lancashire League
• Champions: 1899–1900
• Lancashire Combination
• Champions: 1904–05

Cup

• Associate Members' Cup / Football League Trophy
• Runners-up: 1991–92, 1992–93
• Third Division North Challenge Cup
• Winners: 1934–35
• Manchester Senior Cup
• Winners: 1897–98, 1898–99, 1914–15, 1922–23
• Cheshire Premier Cup
• Winners: 1969–70, 1970–71, 2010–11
• Cheshire Senior Cup
• Winners: 1905–06, 1946–47, 1948–49, 1965–66, 2015–16, 2021–22
• 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

• Highest league finish: 8th, 1997–98 Football League First Division (2nd tier)
• Lowest league finish: 14th, 2013–14 Football Conference North (6th tier)
• Biggest home league win: 13–0 versus Halifax Town, 6 January 1934, also a Football League record{{cite news |date=8 January 1934 |title=Football League Matches: Arsenal Only Draw, Record Scoring by Stockport |page=3 |work=The Manchester Guardian}}
• Biggest away league win: 7–1 versus Bradford City, 18 September 1965{{cite web |title=Stockport County : Records |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/stockport-county/records |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703003713/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/stockport-county/records |archive-date=3 July 2015 |access-date=9 August 2015 |work=Statto}}
• Biggest home league defeat: 0–6, most recently versus Huddersfield Town 24 April 2010
• Biggest away league defeat: 0–9, versus Everton Reserves, 9 December 1893
• FA Cup best run: 5th round 1934–35, 1949–50, 2000–01
• Biggest home FA Cup win: 7–0 versus Wrexham, 4 December 1893
• League Cup best performance: Semi-final 1996–97
• FA Trophy best run: Semi-finals 2018–19, 2021–22
• Consecutive wins: 12, 2023–24{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67542831 | title=Dave Challinor: Stockport County boss unfazed by failure to beat League Two win record| publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 November 2023| access-date=8 February 2024}}{{cite news | url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/fixtures-results/newport-county-v-county-2/| title=Newport County 2 -1 Stockport County Match report | publisher=Stockport County FC |date=27 November 2023| access-date=8 February 2024}}{{cite news | url=https://twitter.com/LiamR_SCFC26/status/1723740232380534827/photo/1| title=EFL records for consecutive wins.| publisher=X |date=12 November 2023|last=Richardson|first=Liam| access-date=8 February 2024}}{{efn|Excluded from this number are two wins in cup competitions (one in the EFL trophy and one in the FA Cup).}}

• Consecutive away wins: 9, 2021–22{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/7305219.stm | title=Stockport boss has a young vision| publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 March 2008|last=Oliver|first=Pete| access-date=8 September 2013}}
• Consecutive wins without conceding a goal: 9, 2006–07, also a Football League record{{cite news|last=Tomas|first=Jason|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport/story/0,,2026082,00.html|title=Leeds deeper in gloom as Nicholls says he wants away|date=4 March 2007|work=The Observer|access-date=15 April 2012|location=London}}
• Consecutive defeats: 12, 2009–10
• Consecutive games scored in: 30, 2007–08
• Consecutive League games scored in: 26, 2007–08
• Highest attendance: 27,833 versus Liverpool, FA Cup fifth round, 11 February 1950
• Highest league attendance: 27,304 versus Lincoln City, Third Division North, 1 May 1937Freeman & Harnwell p. 169
• Highest attendance (all-seated): 10,592 versus Leyton Orient, League One play-off semi-final, 14 May 2025{{cite web |url=https://x.com/StockportCounty/status/1923302556719051169|title= A sight to behold, Wednesday night's incredible attendance of 10,592 is a new club-record for an all-seater Edgeley ParK |access-date=16 March 2025 |date=16 March 2025|location=Stockport|work=Stockport County, Official X account}}
• Lowest attendance: 812 versus Barrow, FA Trophy, 19 November 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/fa-trophy-replay-stockport-county-6323773 |title=FA Trophy replay: Stockport County 2 Barrow 3|access-date=16 September 2014 |date=20 November 2013|last=Browne|first=Gavin|location=Manchester|work=Manchester Evening News}}
• Longest match: Three hours and 23 minutes versus Doncaster Rovers, League Three North Cup, 30 March 1946
• Lowest number of paying spectators: 13 versus Leicester City (at Old Trafford), Second Division, 7 May 1921, also a Football League record{{efn|It is estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 people attended the match; Manchester United and Derby County had played immediately beforehand, and some spectators for that match had stayed on to watch the Stockport match for free. However, only 13 people paid at the gate to watch the Stockport match alone.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/unlucky-for-the-county-13-1620399.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/unlucky-for-the-county-13-1620399.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Unlucky for the County 13|date=21 May 1995|work=The Independent|access-date=26 April 2020|publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Limited}}|name=|group=}}

• Most goals (season): 46, Alf Lythgoe, 1933–34Nelson, p.25
• Most goals (career): 132, Jack Connor (1951–1956)Nelson, p.29
• Most appearances (career): 555, Andy Thorpe (1978–1986, 1988–1992)Nelson, p.61
• Most international appearances (caps): 9, Jarkko Wiss, Finland (2000–2002)Nelson, p.117
• Youngest player: Paul Turnbull, aged 16 years and 97 days versus Wrexham, 30 April 2005
• Oldest player: Alec Herd, aged 40 years and 47 days versus Crewe Alexandra, 25 December 1951
• Most consecutive clean sheets: 9, Wayne Hennessey, 2006–07

Stockport County won nine league matches in succession without conceding a goal from January to March 2007 under manager Jim Gannon, a Football League record.{{Cite web|date=5 March 2007|title=The best club in England?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2007/03/05/050307_stockport_feature.shtml|access-date=19 May 2020|publisher=BBC News}} Wayne Hennessey, then on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, kept a clean sheet in his first nine games in professional football. Hennessey received the League Two Player of the Month award in March.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/6417015.stm |title=Hennessey's heroics secure award |access-date=15 April 2012 |date=4 March 2007 |publisher=BBC Sport}} The other players involved 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.{{cite web|title=Stockport County Datafile|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fxPedcqk5r0Ks_LCvN62YNaagn9rGNKPmdh8kBQsq9k/edit#gid=0|date=30 May 2015|publisher=Google Documents|format=Spreadsheet|access-date=30 August 2015}}

{{Notelist}}

General

• For Stockport County season by season records, 1891–1994 see:

{{cite book|title=Stockport County: A Complete Record|last2=Harnwell|first2=Richard|publisher=Breedon Books|first1=Peter|last1=Freeman|year=1994|isbn=1-873626-72-X|location=Derby|pages=124–228}}

• For Stockport County attendance figures, 1925–1994 see:

{{cite book|title=Stockport County: A Complete Record|last2=Harnwell|first2=Richard|publisher=Breedon Books|first1=Peter|last1=Freeman|year=1994|isbn=1-873626-72-X|location=Derby|page=236}}

Specific

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite book |title=Vintage Port : Tribute to Stockport County's Triumphant 1996-97 Season |first1=Trevor |last1=Baxter |year=1997 |publisher= Interleaf Productions Ltd|isbn=978-1987807059}}
• {{cite book |title=The Man from Uruguay: Danny Bergara – A Footballing Journey |first1=Phil |last1=Brennan |year=2013 |publisher= Rose-Martin Publications|isbn=978-0992785321}}
• {{cite book |title=Champions!: Stockport County's Title Triumphs – and the people behind them |first1=Phil |last1=Brennan |year=2021 |publisher= Phil Brennan|isbn=979-8592614354}}
• {{cite book |title=Stockport County FC – 106 Years of Football League History |first1=Phil |last1=Brennan |year=2021 |publisher= Victor Publishing|isbn=979-8710157244}}
• {{cite book |title=When Friday Night was County Night: Stockport Footballing Memories |first1=Barry |last1=Cheetham|year=2000 |publisher=Sigma Press |isbn=978-1850587194}}
• {{cite book |title=Saturday Night and Thursday Morning: Year in the Life of a Lower Division Football Fan |first1=Dave |last1=Espley |year=1997 |publisher= JCA Publishing|isbn=978-0953183302}}
• {{cite book |title=Stockport County – From the Nursery |first=Peter |last=Freeman |year=1999 |publisher=Peter Freeman |isbn=0-9537558-0-0}}
• {{cite book |title=Stockport County Encyclopaedia and History Update |first=Peter |last=Freeman |year=2000 |publisher=Yore Publications|isbn= 978-1874427636}}
• {{cite book |title=Stockport County: A Complete Record |first1=Peter |last1=Freeman|first2=Richard |last2=Harnwell |year=1994 |publisher=Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd |isbn=1-873626-72-X}}
• {{cite book |title=A Pictorial History of Stockport County 1883–2006 |first1=Richard |last1=Harnwell|first2=Phil |last2=Brennan |year=2006 |publisher=Yore Publications|isbn=978-0955788918}}
• {{cite book |title=A Pictorial History of Stockport County 1883–2011 (The Continuing Story) |first1=Richard |last1=Harnwell|first2=Phil |last2=Brennan |year=2011 |publisher=Yore Publications|isbn=978-0956984869}}
• {{cite book |title=Stockport County Football Club: An A–Z |first1=Dean |last1=Hayes|year=1998|publisher=Sigma Press |isbn=9781850586418}}
• {{cite book |title=On the Edge: The Official Story of Dave Jones |first1=David |last1=Jones |year=1997 |publisher=Paper Plane Publishing Ltd. |isbn=978-1871872255}}
• {{cite book |title=A Record of British Wartime Football |first=Brian |last=McColl |year=1999|publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-291-84089-6}}
• {{cite book |title=Legends of Stockport County FC |first=Guy |last=Nelson |year=2008 |publisher=At Heart Ltd.|isbn= 978-1845471958}}
• {{cite book |title=Stockport County 100: The Teams First Season in the Football League 1900–1901 |first1=Carol Ann |last1=Perry|year=2000 |publisher=Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council |isbn=978-0905164748}}
• {{cite book |title=The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds Second Edition 1888–2005 |first1=Paul |last1=Smith|first2=Shirley |last2=Smith |year=2005 |publisher=Yore Publications|isbn=978-0954783044}}
• {{cite book |title=Football Fan's Guide |first1=Janet |last1=Williams|first2=Mark |last2=Johnson |year=1995 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |isbn=978-0002187077}}

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Stockport_County/Stockport_County.htm List of historical Stockport County kits]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070426213631/http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/towns/stockport3.html Details of the crest of Stockport]}} (archived 26 April 2007)

{{Stockport County F.C.}}

{{Stockport County F.C. managers}}

{{EFL League Two}}

{{EFL League One}}

{{Football in Greater Manchester}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Football clubs in England

Category:Football clubs in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport

Category:Association football clubs established in 1883

Category:1883 establishments in England

Category:The Combination

Category:Lancashire League (football)

Category:English Football League clubs

Category:Midland Football League (1889)

Category:National League (English football) clubs

Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom