MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 0 - 1 Colwyn Bay

Kristian Dennis - likely to miss Saturday's game with a hamstring injury

By Chris Larkin

A deflated County team left the pitch with just a single measly point to show from their first four games as a Conference North side after Colwyn Bay stole a win with less than 15 minutes to go in front of a dejected 2,500 crowd at Edgeley Park.

Colwyn Bay, featuring former County youth prospects,Cameron Darkwah and Paul Ennis, were out of the block immediately as they won a free-kick and then a corner within the first two minutes, making it abundantly clear they weren't going to be a soft touch.

County did grow into the game as the match went on. Verma had a chance that was well tipped over by the Welsh visitors goalkeeper before Rhys Turner had a quickfire shot well parried by the keeper.

County did continue to push for the first goal but it certainly wasn't all one way traffic as both teams exchanged chances in a real end-to-end game.

Just before half-time County came painfully close to getting the opening goal as some great build up play from the impressive Verma, pumped an inviting cross for Iain Howard who had his effort cleared off the line.

Unfortunately for County no-one in a blue shirt was quick enough to stab home the loose ball as the effort was cleared by the Welshmen and the score stayed level going into the half time break.

County replaced the injured Kristian Dennis with Phil Jevons at the start of the second half and the Hatters looked to carry on the momentum from the first 45 minutes with an immediate attack down the left. Turner linked up well with the hugely impressive new fan favourite, Adriano Moke, who forced the visiting goalkeeper into a wonder stop to deny the tricky winger.

County had another wonderful chance shortly afterwards as Aman Verma did excellently to reach the ball with a diving header that thumped off the post.

Colwyn Bay did have their chances in the half with Smyth firing across Ormson's goal, unlucky not to score himself.

Then a couple of really good saves were required of Ian Ormson who is looking to earn the trust of the fans again and went a long way to doing that with two smart stops.

Ian Craney came on to replace Jamie Hand and while County were in the ascendancy, the visitors were certainly not lying back and taking it.

County had another golden opportunity from a Verma header, this time though he hit the other post, with the 'keeper well beaten.

It immediately got worse as Colwyn Bay went down the other end, and though Ormson saved the initial shot, the ball only reached substitute Matthews, who confidently backheeled the ball into the net to give Colwyn a somewhat undeserved lead with only 13 minutes remaining.

County's overall performance was much improved from the dire showing at Altrincham, but still wasn't anywhere near good enough to win the game.



The question now is how long can the board afford to wait before giving Ian Bogie additional funds to bring in new faces?




Not much longer, surely?

County Line-up: Ormson, Jacobs, O'Halloran, Fagbola, Charnock, Verma, Moke, Hand (Craney), Howard (Windsor), Turner, Dennis (Jevons).

Attendance: 2,561 (74 Away Fans)

MATCH REPORT: Workington 1 - 1 COUNTY

Iain Howard notched his debut County goal

By Chris Larkin

County's first away game of the season offered a half of despair followed by 45 minutes of hope as they recorded a 1-1 draw with hosts Workington.

Despite a rotten performance in the opening game of the season on Saturday, young keeper Ian Ormson held onto his place. But towering defender James Tunnicliffe, who also suffered from a jittery display against Boston, wasn't so fortunate and was dropped as County went to a conventional 4-4-2 formation.

County started the game brightly, in a surreal atmosphere that felt more like a pre-season game than a league match.

A few corners and half chances fell to County but, after the bluster of the first few minutes, Workington really settled down and looked the more likely to score.

County just couldn't keep the ball and the passing was atrocious. A free kick just outside the area proved County's undoing on 12 minutes as a mixture of poor defending and a great header saw Kyle May score from the free-kick.

Even after the goal, Workington looked more likely to add to their tally. But County and a newly confident Ian Ormson weathered the storm and kept the score 1-0 till the break. Towards the end of the half the Hatters had a couple of half shouts for a penalty and a couple of decent chances, the best falling to Kristian Dennis, who's quick thinking and quick turn and shot forced the on-loan Newcastle goalie into a great point blank save.

Ian Bogie obviously had strong words for the players at half-time as they came out looking like a completely new team.

Only two minutes into the half County were level. Despite initially looking like the chance had gone, Iain Howard managed to level the scores after some good work before he slotted the ball in at the post.

After that, it really was all County till the final whistle. Cheered on by the brave 200 or so travelling fans, County looked to take the lead. Unfortunately, Workington's players had other ideas, happy to play the game out for a point.

Rhys Turner came on for Jevons after 15 minutes of the second half as Bogie looked to capitalise on Workington's 'defend everything' set-up. And Turner;s energy was immediately effective, setting up Craney for a long range effort that went just over the bar.

Fagbola went some way to making up for his below-par performance during Saturday's game by cleaning up following a bit of sloppy play from County's midfield as Workington looked to catch County on the break on a rare foray out of their own half.

Bogie made his second substitution of the night about 10 minutes from time with the introduction of Adriano Moke, replacing goalscorer Iain Howard.

Moke's trickery was a massive plus for the attacking team - he looked skilful, fast and a real pain for the Workington defence, winning a few corners and dangerous free-kicks.

But, despite Moke's threat, County couldn't quite get that winning goal and had to settle for a single point when three were there for the taking.

Perhaps Saturday's humiliation and Bogie's half time words have resonated with the new Hatters team - providing the rocket they all needed to realise that this is a long way from a park league.

It also provides a little more hope that the team can go and beat near neighbours Altrincham in the derby game this coming Saturday.

County Line-up: Ian Ormson, Kyle Jacobs, Stephen O'Halloran, Jordan Fagbola, Kieran Charnock, Jamie Hand, Anan Verma, Ian Craney, Iain Howard (Adriano Moke), Phil Jevons (Rhys Turner), Kris Dennis.

Unused Subs: Lewis King, James Tunnicliffe, Brandon Windsor.

Attendance: 563

MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 1 - 4 Boston Utd

Dennis - notched his first League goal

By Chris Larkin

County came down to earth with a huge thud as they were given a wake-up call by Boston United who welcomed them to the Skrill North with a 4-1 thumping at Edgeley Park today.

Remember when you were a kid, the anticipation on Christmas Eve, the excitement and joy at getting the toy you REALLY wanted?

Well in the familiar surroundings of a rain soaked Edgeley Park, it was more akin to the feeling of being excited on Christmas Eve and then waking up to realise that your present is actually a kick in the bollocks - it wasn't a good feeling.

The opening day of the season always brings hope and excitement, that this year is the year, that this player is going to be a star, that it can't possibly get any worse.

Well for the opening few minutes you could be forgiven for thinking things may turn around, we were playing some decent stuff and looked like we could do something going forward, the fans were also playing their part with a fair amount of noise coming from the 3,317 people inside Edgeley Park.

That all ended in the eighth minute when young Ian Ormson failed to claim the ball in what should have been a straightforward bit of goalkeeping and Scott Garner capitalised on the mistake to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Chin on the floor.

County didn't let the set back affect them too much and were soon back on the attack. In fact only 10 minutes later, the referee judged that a cross from Kyle Jacobs was handled by a Boston player and awarded County a penalty, which Kristian Dennis diuly dispatched to score his first league goal for County.

Things were pretty even until half-time, Boston having a couple of good chances at the end of the half, one requiring an outstanding last ditch tackle from Fagbola to take away an excellent goal-scoring opportunity.

The expectant Cheadle End hoped they could help suck the ball into the back of the net once the second half kicked off but, it was Boston who did all the pressing. With just 10 minutes of the second half played, an excellent weighted through-ball found Marc Newsham who comfortable slotted under Ormson to put the Pilgrims 2-1 up.

Barely 2 minutes later and it was 3-1. Spencer Weir-Daley saw Ormson hesitate and backtrack, then took his opportunity and swiftly doubled his side's lead.

Edgeley Park has rarely been so hushed in disbelief.

Ormson may have been hanging his head in shame but the defence will also have a lot to answer for after a gift of a goal.

In a bid to get back into the game, Ian Bogie took off Kieran Charnock (already the recipient of a yellow card which may have swayed Bogie's decision) for the attacking flair of Rhys Turner and in search of a bit of creativity in a County team which had run out of ideas.

With 25 minutes left, the visitors put the game out of reach after yet another goalkeeping error from the calamitous Ormson, who failed to hold onto the initial shot and placed the ball nicely in the path of on-rushing United player, Ricky Miller.

Three goals in just nine minutes had wiped out any hopes County had of realistically getting anything from the game.

Bogie played the only card he had left and shortly after the goal brough on Adriano Moke for Ian Craney.

To County's credit they didn't give in and at least battled a little bit more. The change in tactics from the inexplicable 3-5-2 the team had begun the match with made a big difference too - most of the Cheadle End clearly thought the experiment of playing three centre backs and two wing backs had been attempted and written off as a dead-loss in the pre-season but, mysteriously, Ian Bogie had other ideas.

The cries of exasperation could be heard echoing around the entire ground. Let's hope Bogie realises that playing 3-5-2 with this squad is a three-point gift for any half decent opposition team playing a traditional 4-4-2.

County did go close once the changes had been made -  Dennis saw a fantastic effort from a free-kick thump off the post and in the closing minutes Turner came close with a towering header only to be denied by a great piece of goalkeeping from Timms in the Boston goal - but it was all too little too late.

There was one final bit of excitement as Charley Sanders was sent off for elbowing James Tunnicliffe just seconds after coming on the pitch.

A bad day at the office for County and Ian Ormson in particular.

Despite the catastrophe on the pitch the attendance of 3,317 was a fabulous effort from the County faithful. And on a note of hope for those amazing Royal blue fans -  Kidderminster Harriers didn't win any of their opening five games last season and ended up only missing out on the Conference title by goal difference. There is still 41 games to go - but performances will have to improve substantially if County hope to progress.

Ian Ormson, Kyle Jacobs, Stephen O'Halloran, James Tunnicliffe, Jordan Fagbola, Kieran Charnock (Rhys Turner 59), Jamie Hand, Ian Craney (Adriano Moke 69), Aman Verma, Phil Jevons (Iain Howard 78), Kris Dennis.

Unused Subs: Lewis King, Brandon Windsor

THE HOPE THAT KILLS YOU

Never again...surely?

By Nicholas Lee

Well, here we have it.

Only a matter of hours until the start of the season. Probably the most critical season in the history of our fine club.

I'm pretty sure I said the same thing this time last year. With good reason too.

We had a club legend as manager, seemingly being able to depend on the support of Spencer Fearn and John Fitzpatrick behind the scenes.

A mixed first half of the season showed potential. Indeed, it was widely thought that a couple more signings could have helped propel the club towards the play-off places.

Fast forward to January 15th, and a lacklustre 3-1 reverse at home to Mansfield. Gannon's tenure came to a premature end amid the wind and rain in SK3.

Over the following months, we found salt being rubbed into our wounds by a man who was, and continues to be, Ryan McKnight - the Rodney Trotter of the Black Country.

This chap, installed only hours before Gannon's sacking, seemingly did everything in his power to exacerbate our many problems. Darije Kalezic. Adnan Cirak. Javan Vidal. Paul Marshall. That Schofield fella whose first name escapes me.

I'm starting to feel a bit woozy just recalling such luminaries. In fact, I don't want to continue talking about last season, as it only leads to me seeing spots, accompanied by that bilious feeling that can only come from someone you love kicking you repeatedly in the gentleman parts.

That's not to say I've forgiven our 'esteemed leader' Mr McKnight. Even promotion this season wouldn't absolve what I consider to be his many failings.

Promotion back to the Football League would go some way, but we'd still be left with the memory of that year we lost as our faceless shareholders stayed silent and allowed Mr McKnight to play Football Manager.

For me, last season was like one of those rickety bridges in Indiana Jones. As soon as you get halfway across, the bloody thing starts shaking and the alligators start snapping.


But I have hope for this season. In fact, it's not even hope. It's a feeling that we MUST get it right this season.

If we don't win promotion, we may as well lock the gates and turn out the lights.

On the face of it, Messrs Bogie, Lord and Mitchell look to have built a decent team. We've said that before, and, talent-wise, we were right.

However, while the side of 12 months ago possessed the ability, it was the application that was lacking. As for the attitude....Two words.

Jon Nolan. *Shudders* #Bantz indeed.

Fast forward a few months and there seems to be a new toughness about the squad. We finally have players who've been there and done that. We seem to have the ability to play the officials.

Last season we struggled to play the ball, never mind persuade a referee one way or the other. Case in point: At the Cheadle Heath Nomads friendly, Kyle Jacobs was having a running battle with their number 11 during the first half.

After the Nomads player had made yet another futile appeal to the referee, Kyle gave the poor lad a cheeky shove and tripped him up. Sneaky? Yes. Against the rules? Most definitely. A welcome antidote to last season's set of ambivalent tossers? To quote Alan Partridge, abso-bloody-exactly.


If you factor in Jacobs, along with the likes of Charnock, Hand and Craney, we finally have a number of players who have the knowledge and experience to talk our promising youngsters through games.

The new lad Verma looks promising, if only for the opportunity for a chant based round 'Informer' by 90s hippity-hoppers Snow.

As for the strikeforce, one hopes Kristian Dennis keeps up the form that's seen him hit double figures in pre-season.

In goal, Ian Ormson and Lewis King are looking neck-and-neck for the number 1 jersey. Jordan Fagbola seems to be continuing the form he displayed in the latter stages of the abortion that was last season.

Hell's teeth, even James Tunnicliffe has started to look like something approaching a professional footballer. Even though he's now a semi-professional footballer. Mad.

While all this makes good copy, there's always the nagging feeling that more turmoil is just the other side of that rickety bridge. If it is, I don't feel I'll have the energy to tackle it head-on.

At the end of the day, we've been burnt so many times before that it's hard to hope.

After all, it's the hope that kills you.

Animo et Fide.

FREAKY FRIDAY

What would Danny do?

By Jamie Summers

And so another season is upon us.

Once again the denizens of Stockport County will be brought together for the spectacle of another campaign.

The Holy Grail is the Conference North title. The leader of the pack is Ian Bogie, the kingmakers are Alan Lord and Terry Mitchell and the pilgrims (Boston united pun quite possibly intended) are set to descend on the Mecca that is Edgeley Park.


Oddly, this is the second time in a week that I've written an article with a title relating to an early 2000s film. Somehow though, it seems quite apt. The Friday before the first game, the 'Season Eve,' is the occasion when the anticipation start to build and the excitement bubbles away for the journey which is about to begin.

The purpose of a lens is to bring light into focus. It takes the seven different colours of the spectrum and channels them into a single strand of bright white light. In many ways, I guess that 'Season Eve' could be considered a lens; one which brings the different strands of pre-season together and binds them into a single strand of footballing expectation.

The 'Freaky Friday' tag might well be appropriate for that experience which only seems to develop prior to the first matchday of the season.

Many times over the last few seasons, I've felt a degree of optimism and hope before a season starts, only to have that hope mercilessly crushed as we've walked down the road towards another relegation. Eventually it becomes easy to no longer hold out any hope and only be pessimistic about what has become of us and where we are - but that's self-defeating really, isn't it?

The optimism I feel going into this season is different to what it has been in the last few years. In spite of everything to have happened here since the turn of the year, I can't help but feel cautiously optimistic about the team and what could happen.

Of course, we're at an entirely new level and it really is do-or-die time now. But for the first time in years we seem to have a well-balanced squad and a sense of belief about us.

That optimism has to be tempered. I don't think we're going to walk through this league to the title, but we are in with a shot. The prospect of winning more games than we lose for the first time since we were last promoted in 2008 is a brilliant tonic. Being seriously considered by our opponents as a team with a genuine chance of success is a feeling that we've become used to not experiencing.

Ian Bogie has impressed me since he came into the club. He's spent the summer urging caution and restraint; he hasn't seemed able to stress enough just how difficult the season is going to be for us. Given his experience of winning promotion from this tier, we should respect his warnings. However this morning, he also issued a statement to County fans where he pledged to help bring success back to Stockport County.

Some people have understandably argued that it is just words, the type of rallying call that we should come to expect from the manager before the season gets underway regardless of the circumstances.

Yet there was one line in Mr Bogie's statement that stood out for me. "As County's manager, it's my job to halt the decline and play my part in giving you a team to be proud of. That starts now, and the buck stops with me."

By stating that the buck stops with him, Bogie has potentially set himself up for a large fall. That alone suggests to me that he has confidence in where we are. Couple that with his messages of restraint, and the picture is a bit clearer. It certainly won't be the stroll in the park that some people think it will be, but we are in with a chance.

I'm a huge fan of print and a few days ago I was flicking through a collection of programmes from the last 20 years or so. Reading the programme notes of managers with the benefit of hindsight is always really interesting. For me, a few quotes from a certain ex-manager from Uruguay brilliantly sum up the midset that we should be carrying into this campaign.

In November 1994, we faced Scarborough FC in a Football League Trophy match. Danny was communicating his message after a barren spell of five successive defeats without scoring a goal. He wrote: "I suppose it is fair to say that we are experiencing, apart from the disappointments at Wembley, the worst time since I joined the club. It is absolutely imperative and it is our number one priority that everyone at the club stick together through thick and thin as we all know, everyone will find it comfortable and worthwhile to be part of the 'thick'; call it success, call it good times, but it is not as easy to give a hand when we experience the thin or the bad times".

The message there is obvious, and it will apply just as much this season as it did in 1994.

We have to strive for success, and if we win the Conference North then it will be an enjoyable experience.

But there will inevitably be times this season where things go a bit pear-shaped. We will have the token loss against the side that we've never heard of with less money than us, and we'll go on a bad run of form when we don't win for a few games. But in those tougher times we've got to focus on the end-goal of winning promotion and not let adversity cause us to lose too much faith.

Tied in with that is another sound-bite from Danny, which he wrote shortly before his dismissal in March 1995:

"In my country we say 'after the thunder there is the calm". 

Another simple but effective message from one of the greatest managers in this club's history perhaps helps us to square where we are and put our position into perspective.

In all of the last five seasons we've had a say in relegation scraps. It's been a turbulent time to be a County fan, but eventually we will turn the ship around. If we strip things down, take it back to basics and focus on the task in hand then this season can be the first step back towards where we were a few years ago.

On that note, I finish this piece with one last quote from Danny, written in September 1993 ahead of a clash with the Dingles:

"It's like I always say, Directors direct, supporters support, players play and I manage with the help of my staff." 

Such a simple, short message demonstrates that everyone involved in Stockport County has a part to play in the season. Every group of people mentioned is one component of a greater system which has to run efficiently if we're to get that promotion we crave.

Of course, it's really anyone's guess as to how this season goes.

We could walk the division after all. On the other hand, a poor start will shatter a lot of the optimism which County fans have at the moment. We could just miss out, or even struggle to adapt to life in the sixth tier. But at the very least, let's try to enjoy ourselves this season.

After all - if there is one man whose words can be used as inspiration for a successful season, then it is Danny Bergara.

MEET THE TEAM

Home Kit

Away Kit

Third Kit

THE PLAYERS

CHRIS LARKIN INTRODUCES OUR PLAYING STAFF

Ian Ormson

Place of Birth: Runcorn, England

Date of Birth: 16th May, 1994

It is easy to forget that Ian is still a teenager, graduating from the academy and first appearing on the bench for County under Paul Simpson way back in 2010. It wasn't until October 2011 that he finally got his first start for County, away at Southport in the FA Cup. Despite losing the game 1-0 to an early goal, Ormson performed admirably and soon after Jim Gannon's arrival and Glennon's departure, he announced himself with a string of impressive performances in the league. Though he endured a few shaky moments last season he is getting better with age and, despite interest from London giants, Tottenham Hotspur, the youngster decided to stay at County and fight for his place. To his credit, though he was kept out of the team by loanee Richard O'Donnell towards the back end of last season, he didn't let his head drop and is confident of reclaiming that No 1 jersey this time out.

Clubs: Stockport County

Lewis King

Place of Birth: Derby, England

Date of Birth: 8th May, 1993

Initially a loan signing from Sunderland in early 2012, Lewis made his debut in a 4-0 home win over Bath City that season. His impressive performances in a County shirt last term saw him rewarded by Jim Gannon with a contract at the club. A solid start last season was ended just before Christmas however, a setback that would rule 'Kingy' out of the running for the rest of the season. Ian Bogie showed faith in the young stopper, who vowed to make his comeback in a County shirt following his lengthy lay-off, and offered him a contract at the club for this coming season. Lewis will be looking to make up for lost time this term and will be hoping for a good run of games.

Clubs: Derby County, Sunderland, Stockport County

 Kyle Jacobs

Place of Birth: Manchester, England

Date of Birth: 18th October, 1986

One of Ian Bogie's first signings of the Summer, Kyle joined County from Mancunian upstarts, FC United on a free transfer. Though he is a right-back by trade, Jacobs has shown fantastic energy and commitment going forward as well as at the back in pre-season games. Jacobs spent time in the Football League with Macclesfield Town and Mansfield Town before playing in the League of Wales. And though he is now plying his trade in the second tier of non-league, it is clear from his fully-committed pre-season performances that he shares Ian Bogie's ambition to regain a place in the Conference National with County at the first time of asking.

Clubs: Macclesfield Town, Mansfield Town, Bangor City, Porthmadog, Welshpool Town, FC United, Stockport County

Stephen O'Halloran

Place of Birth: Cobh, Republic of Ireland

Date of Birth: 29th November, 1987

Former Republic of Ireland Left Back, Stephen O'Halloran was signed up by Bogie over the Summer. With spells at various Football League clubs, the Irishman clearly doesn't lack experience. Despite a series of injuries hindering his early career he regained a lot of form for Nuneaton Town last season helping them beat the drop at County's expense. He was convinced by the management team that County is the place for him and that if he shares the vision of a return to the Football League then he will fit in well at SK3.

Clubs: Aston Villa, Wycombe Wanderers, Southampton, Leeds United, Swansea City, Coventry City, Carlisle United, Nuneaton Town, Stockport County

Jordan Fagbola

Place of Birth: Manchester, England

Date of Birth: 1st December, 1993

Versatile Defender and current Young Player of the Season, Jordan Fagbola became a County favourite last season. The former Rochdale man grew in stature showing he is competent and adept at most positions and roles on the pitch and despite rumours he would go to a Football League club in the summer he made the bold decision to stay at Edgeley Park. A County legend in the making, Jordan has the kind of talent and attitude to take him further up the football pyramid and will certainly be one of our most important players this season, wherever we finish.

Clubs: Rochdale, Stockport County

Kieran Charnock

Place of Birth: Preston, England

Date of Birth: 3rd August, 1984

Former Wigan Athletic youngster, Kieran is one of the most experienced players at the club and also the captain for the upcoming season. Despite some impressive performances from him last year it wasn't enough to keep the club in the Conference Premier as his loan spell was cut short due to injury. Upon his release from Fleetwood Town over the summer he was snapped up by Ian Bogie. With plenty of experience at this level,  he is sure to be a positive influence for the younger players in the team. He'll be hugely important for our defence this year.

Clubs: Wigan Athletic, Southport, Northwich Victoria, Peterborough United, Accrington Stanley, Torquay United, Morecambe, Fleetwood Town, Macclesfield Town, Stockport County

James Tunnicliffe

Place of Birth: Manchester, England

Date of Birth: 17th January, 1989

Denton born Tunnicliffe is a product of the then famous County Youth System. He was signed by Brighton during County's spell in admin and though he started well he never really settled due to a series of niggling injuries. He went around a few different clubs on loan before signing for Wycombe. A loan spell at Crewe followed and, suffering from home sickness, he  chose to return to his old Stopfordian stomping grounds. Last season wasn't a great one for James on the pitch, however in pre-season his form has looked like it is back to it's best and we can expect a decent season out of the big defender this time around

Clubs: Stockport County, Northwich Victoria, Brighton and Hove Albion, MK Dons, Bristol Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Crewe Alexandra



Jamie Hand

Place of Birth: Uxbridge, England

Date of Birth: 7th February, 1984

Jamie Hand has a reputation of being something of a journeyman in football, enjoying spells at many different clubs. While there have been rumours of ill-discipline at his previous clubs, he has done all the right things in pre-season for County, looking strong and committed on the pitch and saying all the right things off it. Jamie certainly won't be getting pushed around in this league and fully understands the ambition of the club and it's supporters. A strong midfielder in this league is a valuable commodity and they don't come much stronger than Jamie Hand.

Clubs: Watford, Oxford United, Livingston, Peterborough United, Fisher Athletic, Northampton Town, Chester City, Lincoln City, Ebbsfleet United, Chelmsford City, Woking, Hemel Hempstead Town, Hayes and Yeading United, Luton Town, Mansfield Town, Eastleigh, Margate, Stockport County





Ian Craney

Place of Birth: Liverpool, England

Date of Birth: 21st July, 1982

The Most Senior player in the team, Ian Craney certainly doesn't lack in experience. His passing and vision is not only amongst the best in the squad, his pre-season form indicates he could be one of the best passers of the ball in County's recent history. Always able to find a man and seems permanently composed on the ball, he will certainly be important to the club through the season. Initial fears regarding his fitness have been laid to rest as he lost almost two stone in pre-season and has proven he is a 90-minute player. The management will be looking to him to lead and inspire the youngsters around him.



Clubs: Everton, Altrincham, Accrington Stanley, Swansea City, Huddersfield Town, Morecambe, Fleetwood Town, Rochdale, Telford United, Stockport County




Iain Howard

Place of Birth: Wigan, England

Date of Birth: 27th November, 1987

Pacey and skilful, the 25 year old Wiganer has an abundance of experience in non-league, being instrumental in Chester's three back to back promotions. He made more than 100 appearances for our Cheshire neighbours, scoring 35 goals in the process. Add to that spells with Ashton United and Droylsden and he has certainly paid his dues in non-league football. According to Alan Lord, he is one to watch this season and is sure to give every team we face a torrid time with his fast-paced wing-play


Clubs: Preston North End, Droylsden, Ashton United, Chester, Stockport County



Paris Bateman

Place of Birth: Crewe, England

Date of Birth: 26th December, 1993

Young Paris started his career at Crewe Alexandra before going on loan to their near neighbours Nantwich Town. Unfortunately for the young lad he didn't do quite enough for Crewe to keep him on the books but, after Ian Bogie offered him a trial over the summer, he impressed and convinced the management he merited a place in the new-look County squad.  He looked handy in pre-season, always busy on the pitch, and has a keen eye for picking out a pass.


Clubs: Crewe Alexandra, Nantwich Town, Stockport County




Aman Verma

Place of Birth: Leicester, England

Date of Birth: 3rd January, 1987

British Indian Verma is a big addition to County's squad, with bags of experience at this level. After an impressive pre-season he is clearly a promising addition to Ian Bogie's squad. A real battler in midfield with an enviable calmness on the ball and a bit of trickery up his sleeve, he is one of those players that can frustrate the flow of an opponent's game and possesses the ability to change the entire dynamic of a match with his non-stop work in midfield.



Clubs: Bedworth United, Redditch United, Leicester City, Crewe Alexandra, Histon, Kidderminster Harriers, Darlington, Kettering Town, Mansfield Town, Floriana, Stockport County





Adriano Moké

Place of Birth: Portugal

Date of Birth: 11th January, 1990

Portuguese winger Adriano Moké is a player with plenty of experience in the Conference and can also include spells at Leeds United and Nottingham Forest on his CV. He went to Spain to play football for Jerez Industrial before joining York City in 2011 and was an integral part of their promotion and FA Trophy double winning squad in the 2011/12 season. He was allowed to go to Cambridge United on a free transfer and, following spells at Tamworth and again at Cambridge, he spent the early part of 2013 at Halifax. This hasn't stopped him looking impressive and sharp in pre-season, with his performances enough to win him a non-contract chance with County. His speed and tricks are likely to be valuable at this level and with him, Howard or Turner on the wings, is likely to add more strength to an already impressive County attack

Clubs: Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Jerez Industrial, York City, Cambridge United, Tamworth, Stockport County



Rhys Turner

Place of Birth: Preston, England

Date of Birth: 22nd July, 1995

Exciting striker Turner is a huge prospect not only for County but also for football in general. Yet another highly-rated prospect from the highly successful Myerscough College, Rhys' pace and an eye for goal mark him out as one of the most exciting players in County's new team. Despite his relative lack of experience he has already demonstrated the ability to make something out of nothing and with pace to burn, he is certainly 'one to watch' this season. He looks likely to terrorise any defenders who stand in his way this season and is sure to  get the Cheadle End on its feet with his lightning forays down the flanks


Clubs: Preston North End, Stockport County



Kristian Dennis

Place of Birth: Manchester, England

Date of Birth: 12th March, 1990

Young Striker Kristian Dennis is no stranger to goals, beginning his career with neighbours Macclesfield Town - making four appearances and scoring one goal in a game against Barnet after coming on as a substitute. He has had short spells at Ashton United, Woodley Sports and Mossley though he never really settled until he arrived at Curzon Ashton. In two hugely productive years, he amassed a total of 67 goals in 65 games, a frightening goal tally for any striker at any level. He continued his fine form into his early County career getting 12 goals in 11 pre-season matches, a statistic made all the more incredible by the fact he hasn't played the full 90 minutes in many of those games. He will be a potent threat for the Hatters this coming term and expectation has him up there as one of the leagues top scorers come May

Clubs: Macclesfield Town, Ashton United, Woodley Sports, Mossley, Curzon Ashton, Stockport County


Phil Jevons

Place of Birth: Liverpool, England

Date of Birth: 1st August, 1979

The most experienced man in the team actually splits his duties between playing for the Hatters and coaching the Under 9s at his first club, Everton. Despite not playing a huge role in pre-season he has been in and around the squad, suggesting that while he may not be a 40+ game a season player he certainly has a role to play at the club this year, not only helping the squad in a playing capacity but also passing down his many years experience to the younger players at the club. He'll bag a few this season but could prove a crucial addition at County for his experience as much as his goals

Clubs: Everton, Grimsby Town, Hull City, Yeovil Town, Bristol City, Huddersfield Town, Bury, Morecambe, Hyde, Stockport County


Brandon Windsor

Place of Birth: England

Date of Birth: 19th June, 1995 (Age 18)

Youth prospect Brandon Windsor made an instant positive impression when he made his debut away at Alfreton last season, helping County to a 3-2 win.  Though he started his career as a centre-back and has been used in a variety of positions in pre-season Brandon is, by-trade, a striker.  He hit four goals against Cheadle Heath Nomads, a feat that will no doubt give him confidence for the coming season. A good prospect and a versatile young utility player, Brandon's development will be key for County's attack this year.
 
Clubs: Stockport County, New Mills, Nantwich Town




 

A NEW HOPE

We can't help but be excited about the start of the new season this weekend.

Yes, it's the Skrill North. Yes, it's the lowest league Stockport County has ever featured in.

Yes, we're far from safe from the spectre of financial mismanagement tripping us up as we round the corner of renewed hope.

Yes, this is Stockport County; something has to go wrong, doesn't it?

But it is a new season. We have a manager we are all, every single one of us, behind 100%.

We have a new team who have shown in pre-season that they are prepared to chase a lost cause and bust a gut for this club.

This is Stockport County.

Today we have hope. A new hope.

MATCH REPORT: Skelmersdale Utd 0 - 2 COUNTY

By Hatter-in-Macc

County wrapped up their pre-season preparations, with their second Saturday away-win on the bounce - courtesy of a brace from...oh, go on, guess!

The West Lancashire College Stadium was this afternoon hosting one of our warm-up games for the third time in three years. I missed out on the six-goal extravaganza of a draw twelve months ago, but did go along to witness the 2010 fixture.

Not one to be forgotten, either: it had featured an extraordinarily unique collector's item that was a Barry Conlon goal! His cheeky, lightly-struck chip for a penalty could have gone embarrassingly wrong (as was to be the case with pretty much everything Baz did in a County shirt thereafter), although, amazingly, it worked as well for him that day at Skem as it had for Maradona on the world stage.

Halcyon days...well, kinda.

What I had not remembered quite so well from my previous visit was how to find the ground. Hidden within a mini-forest around the once New Town's Green Belt, and lacking either tall floodlights or signposts to guide the unfamiliar traveller, it presents a challenge akin to fighting one's way through to a jungle clearing.

Or perhaps I just need to concede defeat once more to modern times and get a Sat-Nav...

With this being the last chance for our regular players to enjoy some match action before the season-proper, today's line-up and bench was unsurprisingly dominated by them - with Moke the sole remaining trialist:

Ormson, Jacobs, O'Halloran, Hand, Fagbola, Charnock (Captain), Moke, Verma, Dennis, Craney, Howard.

Subs: King (not used), Tunnicliffe (for Howard), Turner (for Moke), Windsor (for Dennis).

Today's hosts enjoyed a much more successful 2012/13 campaign than County - although that certainly isn't to damn Skem with faint praise! They finished up as Champions of the Evo-Stick First Division North - on a much tighter budget than many of their opponents at that level - and will this season be competing at just one level below the Conference North, alongside Nantwich and FC United, a couple of the sides who County met in earlier friendlies this Summer.

This, then, promised to be another decent test of a game for County, and Skem's young side looked to have lively pace a-plenty as the hosts made the early running. What their forwards didn't appear to have on, however, were shooting boots, and Ormson was rarely troubled in the opening exchanges.

County, meanwhile, were not looking particularly uncomfortable. With Craney executing his now-trademark precision passes, as well as Howard and Moke showing some nice touches on their respective left and right flanks, the fifty or so representatives of The Twelfth Man were feeling increasingly optimistic about the chances of a decent counter-attack. And, inside the first half-hour and a busy penalty-area, Dennis produced a smart swivel and shot to put County one up and continue his own astonishing pre-season goalscoring record.



Half-time: Skelmersdale 0, County 1.

When the match resumed, Skem were intent on giving it another go up front and testing the County defence. Charnock, Fagbola and, following his introduction soon after the break, Tunnicliffe each stood impressively firm, however - and, again, for all the hosts' pressure, Ormson was not called upon to take any significant action.

With around twenty minutes to go, Moke was replaced - without it being entirely clear whether he might have done enough in his pair of trial-appearances to impress sufficiently - and, almost immediately afterwards, Dennis, again from close range, tapped in to make it two for County. He seems to be able to score goals of any description - spectacular volleys, rocket shots, delicate lobs and instinctive strikes within the box - and is surely going to be a key player in SK3 this term. Let us pray that he hasn't peaked too soon! Although, personally, I doubt that - he is an absolute natural.

The game was drifting towards its close, with both clubs' thoughts soon to focus on their league campaigns a week hence, when Skem - having had a couple of earlier second-half penalty shouts waved away - were awarded a spot-kick. While no-one would have begrudged the hosts a consolation goal for their spirited efforts, Ormson had other ideas, as he dived the right way to push the penalty out for a corner.

Full-time: Skelmersdale 0, County 2.

So, there ended the pre-season. Not that results of friendlies mean very much, but County can be well pleased with the way that a practically new squad has been gelling over the course of the last ten matches.

For the record, six of these fixtures have been won and four lost. Twelve goals were conceded, and twenty-three scored...although we do rather have the Cheadle Heath Nomads game to thank for boosting the difference in our favour!

With the Hors d'oeuvre now out of the way, we're now in for the Skrill.  Enjoy the feast to follow!

MATCH REPORT: COUNTY 1 - 2 Bolton Wanderers

By Chris Larkin

County fans got a pleasant surprise when they learned that the game against Bolton, initially billed as a development squad, was actually a run out for the first team.

County started off with an 11 featuring King, Jacobs, Charnock, Tunnicliffe, O'Halloran, Coppin, Verma, Hand, Craney, Howard and Dennis and showed early initiative, going for goal twice in the first minute, continued to press with Bolton getting very little of the ball at all.

Until the 15th minute, when the Trotters scored, completely against the run of play, to put them 1-0 up. The lead wouldn't even last 5 minutes, however, as a well struck effort from the ever-improving Ian Craney was only palmed out as far as Kristian Dennis who slid in to get a much deserved equaliser for County.

The game evened out following the leveller but the next goal still looking like coming from County as they showed a bit more bravery and determination going forward with trialists Coppin and Verma both looking very impressive in midfield.

But it was Bolton who regained the lead following a brilliant run from Chris Lester, jinking between County players before coolly slotting just beyond King in the County goal to make it 2-1  just before half-time.

The Second half began with Fagbola coming on for Jacobs, and Andy Carroll lookalike, Lama, a South American trialist, replacing Iain Howard.

None of the first half flow was left in the dressing room as County came out attacking from the off, with the players unafraid to shoot, finishing the game with 21 shots, 10 of which worked the Goalkeeper. Lama looked impressive at first with some good passing and movement, however when Bateman and Turner replaced Coppin and Craney, he seemed a little lost and his passing abilities seemed to leave the pitch with Coppin.

County went in search of an equaliser but in the end couldn't quite find that elusive goal but still recorded  a solid performance against a good Bolton side with a number of Youth Internatonals in their ranks.

I'd be surprised if Verma or Coppin didn't get another crack at Cheadle Heath Nomads on Wednesday.

Many thanks to Hatter in Macc for being my official statistician again.

MATCH REPORT: FC Halifax Town 1 - 3 COUNTY

By Hatter in Macc

County walked away from their latest pre-season encounter with another win under the belt and the growing feeling that a real team is starting to develop.

County's pre-season journey today took a slight detour from the North West, venturing across the Pennines into West Yorkshire on a gloriously sun-drenched afternoon - the like of which I don't often expect to see when visiting Halifax.

This said, I was appalled to realise that it was, in fact, over twenty years since I had last set foot in The Shay to watch County. The ground, which now, on the approach-signs, gets to be called a Stadium, has undergone quite an impressive transformation in the meantime, too.

Gone is the slag heap that used to double up as an away end, and neat, covered stands - both seated and standing - now feature on all four sides.

The action on the pitch is brought closer to us, in the absence of the old speedway track. Halifax are an outfit back on the up.

And don't we Hatters know it?! Having recently swapped places with the Shaymen, following County's relegation and our hosts' success in the Conference North Play-offs, we found ourselves this afternoon with a fixture that was a mirror image of the friendly a year ago, as Jimmy Gannon's Blue and White Army prepared itself for what it hoped might turn out to be at least a top-half Conference Premier finish.

Our lower-level opponents disposed of us with some ease last Summer (which should have been a sign of what was to follow...) - and, twelve months further on, newly-promoted Halifax were coming to the end of an impressive build-up to life back in the Non-league Big Time. 

This promised to be a stern test, all right.

County took to the field, in front of a hundred-plus Twelfth Man representatives and to the theme of Hawaii Five-0 (nope...me neither), with the following line-up:

Ormson, Jacobs, O'Halloran, Fagbola, Tunnicliffe, Charnock (Captain), Hand, Turner, Craney, Jevons, Dennis.

With Matty Glennon (who received a generous reception from the away contingent) in goal for the hosts, Keith Briggs starting the game, and both Paul Marshall and Sean Williams on the bench, the match certainly had a feel of County Past v Present about it. Another interesting twist was provided by Tunnicliffe playing in front of the back four. Had that goal on Tuesday night gone to his head?! We would see...

Our defence was slightly the busier one in the early exchanges, which saw O'Halloran clear a goal-bound ball with an acrobatic clearance and, shortly afterwards, Halifax hit the back of the net...only to be ruled offside.

Not to say, however, that County - playing in their 'home' kit while the Shaymen opted for a snazzy red and black ensemble - were being overrun.

In fact, we were looking increasingly comfortable on the ball. And when, on 20 minutes, Dennis converted a Jacobs cross with a sensational volley to put County one up, it wasn't against the run of play.

Seven goals for Dennis in the friendlies, then - and pretty much every one of them has had the hint of spectacular about it.

Half-time: Halifax 0, County 1.

The Shaymen, no doubt with a few choice managerial words ringing in their ears, were sent out early for the second half.

Marshall and Williams were now among their number, while Briggsy was taking a rest. For County, two new faces - in Coppin (remember this name for future reference) and Verma - replaced Charnock and Turner.

Later in the half, Hand and Jevons were to give way for Bateman and Windsor. 

Within five minutes of the re-start, that man Dennis was at it again to put County two in front. 

A toe-poke from close to the goal-line? A lucky deflection off his backside? Nah...this man just doesn't seem to be interested in run-of-the-mill goals.

Number two for him today, and his eighth so far for County, was a scorcher of a shot from fifteen yards out.

Utterly unstoppable - and one that Glennon was wise not to get in the way of.

Halifax were by no means finished, and strove to push forward, forcing the increasingly impressive Ormson to make a couple of excellent, fingertip saves, before a cross from Marshall (didn't 'cha just know that a former County player wouldn't be able to resist coming back to haunt us?) was headed in by Roberts to reduce the arrears with fifteen minutes to go.

What threatened to be a rather tense closing chapter in the game, however, soon turned out to be anything but. The diminutive Kayde Coppin, who had shown some nice touches, and gone on a few good runs, since his introduction,  took everyone by surprise, ten minutes from time, when he unleashed a screamer to leave Glennon with no chance and restore County's two-goal advantage.

Full-time: Halifax 1, County 3.

A most impressive performance by a team, which, since half-time at Ramsbottom just under a fortnight ago, has been getting better with every game. Dennis will take many of the plaudits for his eye-catching goals today - and deservedly so - but there were many other plus-points. Ormson looks confident, the defence is a solid unit, Craney lasted the full ninety minutes (and had us in awe with his pin-point-perfect passes), and I am starting to warm to Tunni again! Dare I say, that I have begun to feel just a teeny bit excited about our prospects for next term, too?

Grateful thanks to my trusty apprentice camera-man, Macc Junior, for taking the matchday pics.