Now County Are The Ones Rising As BT Sport Join The Party

There’s only one thing worse than being talked about, and that’s not being talked about at all.

Word on many a lip is that his side may actually do quite well this year.

There are a number of reasons why. History, for one. Both theirs and that of those who have come from the National League North and prospered.

Support, too. County boast crowds to put some clubs in League One to shame. They always have done, even in the dark days of mid-table finishes in the sixth tier.

In the early 2000s, Stockport were outplaying Manchester City in league matches. They were better, they just wanted it more.

You don’t need to tell anyone at Edgeley Park how the beautiful game of football can change within the blink of an eye.

Now, after being away since 2013, this blue moon is rising again.

We spent some time with iconic manager Gannon as they get ready to showcase their renaissance to the world.

“Is it a good thing people are talking about Stockport County again? There’s only one answer to that one,” he told us ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s big kick-off - a home game with Maidenhead United in front of the BT Sport cameras.

“It’s down to other people if they want to talk us up, or predict we might not do so well. I’ll leave them to it. But we're in minds again and in their thoughts. Fantastic.

“My ambition for the season is quite simple really. I just want us to be a credit to the club and I want Stockport County to be a credit to the National League.

“My family are County fans, so trust me I know about what the supporters want here! They’ll be there on Saturday, right behind the team.

“I can see why some may think we might do alright. Look at the National League North in years gone by. Salford City, up already. AFC Fylde - nearly there last year and FA Trophy winners. Harrogate Town, a fabulous first season.

“They are the flag bearers. We would love to be put in that list and spoken about in the same way however remember there are other examples, teams who maybe found it tougher going - the likes of Chester, Guiseley, Hyde and so on.

“We don’t have the finances of some of the clubs who have gone up, but it’s about how we - Stockport County - become successful at this level.

“It is very demanding in this division. We need to change and grow as a club and we need to keep building. We want to have a solid season and I want us to have belief in ourselves.”

County have the honour of opening things up on BT Sport but Gannon knows those expecting his side to blaze an early trail will have to be patient.

He added: “Of course we’re looking to start well, but we need to remember we’ve gone from mainly a part-time league to one which is pretty much full-time with the exception of a number of clubs.

“This league has grown so much in the past three years, but our whole culture has changed - going in as champions should help confidence and give us the inner belief that we won’t look out of place.

“We rose to the challenge put to us last year and I have no doubts at all that we can again.

“This is a good group, and they deserve to be playing at the next level. I think Stockport County will add to the National League and I also think being in the National League will help us as a club.”

But achievement often brings its own issues.

Free-scoring fans’ favourite Matty Warburton earned a move to League Two Northampton Town, while Scott Duxbury joins AFC Fylde’s quest for the EFL.

While losing your top scorer could do unrecoverable damage to some, this is par for the course for Gannon and his club.

“It’s a by-product of success,” he claimed. “Every year we seem to lose a couple - I’ve got to say it’s not something I’m uncomfortable with. You learn to deal with it.

“Because we do the same work and bring players in of the same value, we know by now how to cope with losing them.

“We feel we have put together a very solid team who hopefully will show everyone on Saturday that this old club is getting back on the right path.”

PICTURES: MIKE PETCH PHOTOGRAPHY