Hope you complete your return from the wilderness

[Hague Blade]

I’ve been following the results in the National North. It must be the best supported 6th tier in the world. Good luck against Nuneaton.

I follow my local team in Step 4, the seventh tier, but a fair way below Stockport - we’ve got our last home game tomorrow, against Bromsgrove Sporting. They’re averaging about a thousand this season, with a high of 1,576 (against Corby), whereas we’re lucky to get 200 in and pay our best paid player £70 a week. The muttering about budget imbalances doesn’t stop further down the leagues!

Good luck to Stockport, to Berkhamsted FC but most of all to mighty Blades.

 

[stringjunior]

I work in Marple and one of County's sponsors is a regular visitor to our place. He's turned from an almost manic depressive to quite a cheerful fella this season. But if he tells me one more time about Jim Gannon becoming a living legend I think I'm going to have to twat him.

Best wishes County Fan

 

[County Fan]

I work in Marple and one of County's sponsors is a regular visitor to our place. He's turned from an almost manic depressive to quite a cheerful fella this season. But if he tells me one more time about Jim Gannon becoming a living legend I think I'm going to have to twat him.

Best wishes County Fan

That made me laugh. You'd be surprised actually. There are plenty, despite all the success this season who don't like Jim. We hear quite a lot of muttering sitting as we do in what used to be called the Main Stand but is now more frequently referred to as the "Moan Stand". As one chap put it on our fans forum, "there are some who if we go up on Saturday will complain that Gannon didn't get us promoted enough".

However, I think we all find something to pick on don't we? I must confess that earlier in the season I would be moaning "why does he persist with (Frank) Mulhern, he's hopeless". And now you'll hear me saying at half time when its nil nil, "I think he needs to get Bell off and bring on Frank". Maybe actually most managers know a bit more than us - but it won't stop us criticising, will it? Because that's a big part of being a fan after all, and we did pay to get in, didn't we, so we have a right to our opinion.

And note, I said most. We can all name a few managers where in fact, actually, the supporters did know better!

 

[diode_blade]

 

[Cheshire Cat]

That made me laugh. You'd be surprised actually. There are plenty, despite all the success this season who don't like Jim. We hear quite a lot of muttering sitting as we do in what used to be called the Main Stand but is now more frequently referred to as the "Moan Stand". As one chap put it on our fans forum, "there are some who if we go up on Saturday will complain that Gannon didn't get us promoted enough".

However, I think we all find something to pick on don't we? I must confess that earlier in the season I would be moaning "why does he persist with (Frank) Mulhern, he's hopeless". And now you'll hear me saying at half time when its nil nil, "I think he needs to get Bell off and bring on Frank". Maybe actually most managers know a bit more than us - but it won't stop us criticising, will it? Because that's a big part of being a fan after all, and we did pay to get in, didn't we, so we have a right to our opinion.

And note, I said most. We can all name a few managers where in fact, actually, the supporters did know better!

County are now my local team too and have a lot of mates who are either life-long fans or go to every game.

I had the privilege of going ‘corporate’ at County last season and it’s one of the best days out I’ve had in years. The guy who comperes is a legend and the raffle of leftover merchandise from when County were successful was hilarious.

After the game drinks were in the bar in the main stand. I found myself chatting about the match with Gannon, Quinn and the players - where would you get that anywhere else? Really friendly, really funny and a club that has rediscovered its links with its support.

I hope they carry the momentum on to get back into the league. The facilities and support deserve it.

 

[Numpty's Dusty Ruts.]

I was prompted to post following something I read on the Ipswich fans website, taken from yours; "If you can't get excited by the prospect of being all but promoted by beating the worst team in the division, regardless of what anyone else does then I don't know when you can”, “It could be a match we’ll remember and enjoy for the rest of our lives. We need to keep our eyes on the prize.”

I'm an Ipswich fan born and bred and the year before I was born was the last Town spent in the 3rd division, so I'm somewhat gutted to say the least. But that's not the point of my post.

I came to Uni in Manchester and adopted Stockport County as my second team. I stayed working in Manchester and supporting County and my daughter has been brought up to support her local team, not the money bags sides up the road. And as a family we've become very passionate about our little, "proper football team"

In recent years we have fallen, my how we've fallen. We are now in division 6 in effect and have been there 5 years. And of course you guys have known relative wilderness too - even down to the fourth at one point. You adapt, don't you? I've found myself saying things like "0-0 away at North Ferriby, that's not a bad result". Where IS North Ferriby?

So I couldn't help posting to wish you luck in the future (even if it will likely be at the expense of my home town team). And the reason? Before Easter County were in pole position to go up as champions (only one automatic place). But we lost to Chorley and they have a way better goal difference, so that seemed to be it. But then on Monday as we are watching County winning 2-0 at home (in front of 6,000 - yes 6,000 in division 6!) news comes through that Chorley have conceded a winner in the 94th minute. We're back in front (like you and Leeds). The whole ground rose as one - I've never seen anything like it.

But we both have one game left. Ours is against Nuneaton Borough. All we have to do is beat the worst team in the division tomorrow...…

As one of my fellow County fans said to me, "If you can't get excited by the prospect of being promoted by beating the worst team in the division, regardless of what Chorley do then I don't know when you can”. And like the person who posted on your site, we think it could be a match we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.

Good luck in the Prem next season. And please could you get a Woodward and Dearden type combo together to stuff Norwich 7-0, just like you did to Town in the 70s!

Cheers mate, a great post. No problems with County and recall you winning at Bramall Lane on a freezing night 15 or 20 years ago when we were both in the second tier. It's great that you chose County rather than the more obvious choices. Good luck and I really hope you do it!!

 

[RammyBlade]

I was also there for the 7-0 victory over Ipswich. Strange game in that Ipswich weren't that bad, it was just that everything we hit seemed to go in.

Thanks for the good wishes, and I hope that both Town and County recover their stature in the near future. In Towns case I wish them all the very best after tomorrow!

Yes remember the 7-0 and then typical United we went to Palace the week after and lost 5-1 !!!

 

[Blade99]

I was prompted to post following something I read on the Ipswich fans website, taken from yours; "If you can't get excited by the prospect of being all but promoted by beating the worst team in the division, regardless of what anyone else does then I don't know when you can”, “It could be a match we’ll remember and enjoy for the rest of our lives. We need to keep our eyes on the prize.”

I'm an Ipswich fan born and bred and the year before I was born was the last Town spent in the 3rd division, so I'm somewhat gutted to say the least. But that's not the point of my post.

I came to Uni in Manchester and adopted Stockport County as my second team. I stayed working in Manchester and supporting County and my daughter has been brought up to support her local team, not the money bags sides up the road. And as a family we've become very passionate about our little, "proper football team"

In recent years we have fallen, my how we've fallen. We are now in division 6 in effect and have been there 5 years. And of course you guys have known relative wilderness too - even down to the fourth at one point. You adapt, don't you? I've found myself saying things like "0-0 away at North Ferriby, that's not a bad result". Where IS North Ferriby?

So I couldn't help posting to wish you luck in the future (even if it will likely be at the expense of my home town team). And the reason? Before Easter County were in pole position to go up as champions (only one automatic place). But we lost to Chorley and they have a way better goal difference, so that seemed to be it. But then on Monday as we are watching County winning 2-0 at home (in front of 6,000 - yes 6,000 in division 6!) news comes through that Chorley have conceded a winner in the 94th minute. We're back in front (like you and Leeds). The whole ground rose as one - I've never seen anything like it.

But we both have one game left. Ours is against Nuneaton Borough. All we have to do is beat the worst team in the division tomorrow...…

As one of my fellow County fans said to me, "If you can't get excited by the prospect of being promoted by beating the worst team in the division, regardless of what Chorley do then I don't know when you can”. And like the person who posted on your site, we think it could be a match we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.

Good luck in the Prem next season. And please could you get a Woodward and Dearden type combo together to stuff Norwich 7-0, just like you did to Town in the 70s!

Wow, reading this was a bit of a surprise / shock - to say the least. Tried to read it to my wife Sarah but the tears came so she had to read it herself!!

I was brought up near Stockport, started supporting County in the early 60s and have been through thick and thin with them, mostly thin. I moved to London in 1975 but still supported them from afar and still saw them regularly. In 1995 we moved to Sheffield - wonderful - only an hour's drive from Stockport so got a season ticket. And what a wonderful time we had for a few years - including the 5-2 win at Bramall Lane which I thoroughly enjoyed. As County's fortunes declined and I got older, an hour's drive there and back just didn't seem worthwhile so with the odd exception I became an armchair fan - but always an avid reader of YellowBoard.

I'd always considered following one of the Sheffield teams but decided it was impossible to love 2 teams. 6 years ago we moved in Sheffield to within 10 minutes walk of Bramall Lane. A bit over 3 years ago my future son-in-law (who lives in London and supports Arsenal) bought the whole family tickets to see the Blades. And believe it or not, Sarah and I have barely missed a game since - I should mention that Sarah came with me to a couple of County matches early on (I remember standing with her at a rainy, windswept Mansfield Town where we lost 4-2 thinking she must love me!) but she soon gave up County. Anyway, she loves the community spirit which living near the ground brings, we're both Blades season ticket holders now and have absolutely loved it. It took me about a year to refer to Sheffield United as "we" and I still feel a bit guilty about doing so but it's becoming easier!

Well, I've spent the last week boring people about my 2 teams both needing to beat the bottom side in the division to win promotion and then I read your post. 15 mins now into the County game and still 0-0, 2 hours to go for the Blades kick-off - can't wait!! Wonder how I'll feel in a few hour's time. It's remarkable how similar the two sets of of fans are, always anticipating the worst - we'll see...

 

[Sheffsteel]

Wow, reading this was a bit of a surprise / shock - to say the least. Tried to read it to my wife Sarah but the tears came so she had to read it herself!!

I was brought up near Stockport, started supporting County in the early 60s and have been through thick and thin with them, mostly thin. I moved to London in 1975 but still supported them from afar and still saw them regularly. In 1995 we moved to Sheffield - wonderful - only an hour's drive from Stockport so got a season ticket. And what a wonderful time we had for a few years - including the 5-2 win at Bramall Lane which I thoroughly enjoyed. As County's fortunes declined and I got older, an hour's drive there and back just didn't seem worthwhile so with the odd exception I became an armchair fan - but always an avid reader of YellowBoard.

I'd always considered following one of the Sheffield teams but decided it was impossible to love 2 teams. 6 years ago we moved in Sheffield to within 10 minutes walk of Bramall Lane. A bit over 3 years ago my future son-in-law (who lives in London and supports Arsenal) bought the whole family tickets to see the Blades. And believe it or not, Sarah and I have barely missed a game since - I should mention that Sarah came with me to a couple of County matches early on (I remember standing with her at a rainy, windswept Mansfield Town where we lost 4-2 thinking she must love me!) but she soon gave up County. Anyway, she loves the community spirit which living near the ground brings, we're both Blades season ticket holders now and have absolutely loved it. It took me about a year to refer to Sheffield United as "we" and I still feel a bit guilty about doing so but it's becoming easier!

Well, I've spent the last week boring people about my 2 teams both needing to beat the bottom side in the division to win promotion and then I read your post. 15 mins now into the County game and still 0-0, 2 hours to go for the Blades kick-off - can't wait!! Wonder how I'll feel in a few hour's time. It's remarkable how similar the two sets of of fans are, always anticipating the worst - we'll see...

That’s a fantastic story, it shows the journey some people take to become Blades.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

I got the train last week ,( good friday )and quite a few blades got on at Stockport, in my carriage were 3 ,two young lads and a guy in a retro top

That's my contribution anyway

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Nuneaton have pretty much turned over their ground to County today.

There’s a nice touch of class in County taking their banners for the bar and all of the staff wearing County uniforms.

At 2-0 now it looks like they’re going to do it. I hope it bodes well for us.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

There are a whole raft of ex league teams adrift at that level, County, Darlington, York, Bradford PA, Southport, Hereford, Torquay, Chester, all of whom I would like to see return to the league 'cos I'm a sentimental old fool.