WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?
Stockport County, also known as The Hatters. Founded 1883 (as Heaton Norris Rovers), renamed in 1890.
HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?
The Hatters reached the National League Play-Offs last season, finishing 3rd with 77 points. They hosted eventual winners Hartlepool in the Semi-Final, losing 1-0 to a 76th minute Rhys Oates goal.
HOW DID SHOTS GET ON AGAINST THEM LAST SEASON?
The two sides shared the points at Edgeley Park last season, in 0-0 draw back in February, with Mitch Walker saving a late John Rooney penalty. Two months later, with County on a long unbeaten run and charging towards the play-offs, they took all three points at the EBB Stadium, thanks to goals from Jack Stretton and Ash Palmer. In October 2021, Mark Molesley’s Aldershot Town lost 1-0 at Edgeley Park with Paddy Madden scoring County’s winner.
WHO’S THEIR GAFFER?:
Former Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County and Bury defender Dave Challinor took charge of Stockport County on 2nd November 2021, following the departure of Simon Rusk . Challinor ended his playing career and started his managerial experience at Colwyn Bay, whom he guided to Runners-Up spot in the Northern Premier League in his first season at the helm, eventually gaining promotion to what was the Conference North via the Play-Offs. In November 2011, he was announced as the new manager of AFC Fylde, who at that time, played in the Northern Premier League Division 1 North. His impact was instant, gaining promotion (as Champions) in his first season and then guiding The Coasters to NPL Play-Offs the following season. They lost on that occasion, but gained promotion to the Conference North twelve months later.
Challinor then steered Fylde to Play-Off victory and up to the National League, where they finished once again in a Play-Off position, losing to Boreham Wood at the first stage. Challinor left Mill Farm half way through the 2019-20 season, but was soon snapped up by Hartlepool, where his arrival saw an upturn in their results and a strong finish. The following season, he led Pools to the National League Play-Off Final where they eventually prevailed on penalties against Torquay United. Challinor had guided Hartlepool through the first three months in League Two and left them in a mid-table position when the call came from Edgeley Park.
COUNTY PLAYING SQUAD:
Challinor has taken over a strong playing squad, many of whom were at Edgeley Park last season, including; Ben Hinchcliffe, Macauley Southam-Hales, Liam Hogan, Ryan Croasdale, Paddy Madden (top scorer with 12 goals this season) and Connor Jennings.
In pre-season, Rusk brought eleven new faces into his playing squad. Scott Quigley dropped down from EFL side Barrow and 23-year-old Ollie Crankshaw has been superb, with 8 goals to his name to date and former Bolton Skipper Anthony Sarsevic also signed. Challinor has largely worked with the squad already available to him, but has brought in former Yeovil and Scunthorpe Winger Myles Hyppolyte and goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond on a short term loan from Fulham.
ANY EX-SHOTS?
No.
WHO’S GOT THE WHISTLE?
Saturday’s referee is Thomas Parsons. This season, to date, he has taken charge of 11 National League matches, showing 38 Yellow Cards and 4 Red Cards. He refereed Aldershot Town’s match at Borehamw Wood this season.
HOW TO GET TICKETS:
Kick-off is at 5:20pm for Mark Molesley’s team as we would like to remind both home and away supporters of our ticketing/match-day protocols HERE.
Our Ticket Office will be opening slightly later on the day of the game from 1.30pm for home supporters who would like to purchase on the day of the game, (we advise fans planning on buying tickets on the day to arrive earlier). We further encourage supporters to pre-book their tickets via our upgraded Flowte ticket website HERE to avoid queues on the day.
With our Flowte ticket website, supporters can pick their exact seats and have their tickets emailed to them which can be scanned off a smart phone or printed off before the day of the game.
We will NOT be accepting payment at the turnstiles but for supporters who decide to attend closer to the game, they will be able to purchase their tickets via the Club Shop/Ticket Office in person through cash, card or contactless payment.
Following this, please use the scanners on the turnstiles to enter through to the ground once they’ve collected their ticket.
Turnstiles will open at 3:50pm.
We would also like to take the time to remind supporters of our new pricing structure going forward.
With updated Concession categories and in replacement of our Under 11s Go Free scheme, we have now introduced a new Family Ticket as shown in the full pricing list below:
- Adult – £20
- Concession (Disabled + Carer, Senior (over 65) – £16
- Junior (17 & under) – £7
- Family Ticket (2 Adults, up to 3 Juniors) – £45
- Family Ticket (2 Concession, up to 3 Juniors) – £40
Away Supporters
• Tickets for away fans will not be available on the turnstiles on the day of the game, they must be purchased via our website.
• All Stockport County Supporters will enter the ground via the Redan Hill entrance. This game is segregated.
• Disabled/Carers should be booked in advance via our ticket office, but if they arrive on the day those people need to purchase their ticket from the ticket office. We have limited wheelchair spaces, so we advise supporters are advised to reserve them prior to the game.
• Any planned Supporter Coach travel needs to be advised to Aldershot Town in advance so that coach parking can be organised and planned.
• For this fixture, away supporters will be seated in the Away Seating in the South Stand and the Covered Terrace.
• There will be catering units available on the day of the game.
- Tickets can be scanned off smart phones.
WHERE TO FOLLOW THE MATCH:
There will be ‘Live’ BBC Radio Surrey Sport Online commentary of the match with Rob Worrall and Guest Summariser Emily Liles. There will also be Social Media coverage on Instagram & Twitter (@OfficialShots) with team news, updates and post-match coverage throughout the afternoon.