Stockport County – Underdogs Of The Highest Order
The Underdog Story
Stockport County has been one of the best underdog stories of the past couple of years. The Hatters struggled to even exist at one point in the last decade, but now the Greater Manchester club is in a stable condition and aiming high.
Mark Stott, Stockport County’s owner has put in an incredible amount of work to keep the club not only functional but also extremely competitive. So what exactly has been the story of Stockport County in the last few years you ask? Well, let’s dive in. Â
Rising from the Non-League After a Decade’s Absence
After getting relegated to the Conference League in 2011, Stockport County languished in the lower divisions for around a decade until Mark Stott, a local businessman, took over the club and revamped the whole club from top to bottom for the better.
Under Jim Gannon’s stewardship, Stockport County even managed to lift the FA Trophy in 2019.
After Mark Stott’s arrival, the club finally managed to make the right strides in the league. With the appointment of David Challinor, the Hatters started the 2021-2022 season on fire and at the end of it managed to get promoted to the Football League. Stockport won the National League title to gain promotion to League Two.
It was the first time in 10 years Stockport County were going to ply their trade in an EFL division.
Mark Stott: The Architect of Revival
Stockport County’s recent rise would not have happened but for Mark Stott. A local businessman from the Greater Manchester area, Mark purchased Stockport County for an undisclosed fee in January 2020. Shortly after purchasing the club, Stott wiped the debts of the club and promised to make the club a full-time football club.
Mark Stott hired Dave Challinor in the November of 2021. Under his guidance, Stockport got promoted to League Two and out of the National League after a decade. Stott invested in the squad and it almost paid dividends again as Stockport almost made it back-to-back promotions.
Currently, Stockport County is one of the best-run clubs in the entire EFL division and that credit alone goes to Mark Stott who made a promise to the Hatters fans and then kept his word. Stockport County is in safe hands – both on the field and off it.
Proving Mettle in the EFL
Following the promotion, Stockport County did not stop being competitive. They weren’t just happy being back in the Football League.
Under Challinor, the Hatters made it to the 3rd round of the FA Cup before getting eliminated by Walsall, and in the League Cup, Stockport almost caused an upset as they took Leicester City to the penalties in round two before getting eliminated.
But, it was in the league where Stockport County surprised everyone. The Hatters finished the season with 22 wins. Their first season back in EFL and Stockport finished 4th in League Two. They missed out on automatic promotion by just 4 points in the end.
Nonetheless, Stockport County had made the play-offs and even defeated Salford City in the play-offs on penalties. In the play-off final against Carlisle United, Stockport’s luck ran out. Despite drawing the game in normal time and then in extra time, Carlisle defeated Stockport in the penalty shoot-out.
Stockport County almost achieved what only a handful of teams achieved in EFL divisions – back-to-back promotions. Challinor and his men reached Wembley in their first season back in the EFL division. It’s just a start.
Striving for Consistency: The Second Season Syndrome
At the time of writing, Stockport County has just thrashed one of the fancied teams in League Two Wrexham 5-0 at Edgeley Park. Last year Stockport County had the 2nd best defensive record in League Two having conceded only 37 goals, bettered only by Champions Leyton Orient who conceded 34 goals. Stockport was also the fourth-best attacking team in League Two last year having scored 65 goals.
This year, the 2023-24 season, Stockport County is currently wobbling a bit in comparison to last year. Stockport are currently 9th in League Two and neither do they have the best attacking or defensive statistics in the league.
Stockport County might be going through the second-season syndrome as they have won only four fixtures, lost three, and drawn two of their 9 games. Last year their goal difference was a healthy +28, currently Stockport’s goal difference stands at only +5.
Of course, the season is long and chances are Stockport will eventually make a run at one of the top spots in League Two. Not to mention, they have the squad to achieve the target. Given their current position, it is impressive how the club has risen from the depths of despair to the joy of playing again in the EFL. Stockport County are on a dream run and their dream run will likely continue.
