Stockport County 2001-02
Stockport, jewel in the crown of the county of Cheshire, lies a mere 7 miles south of the festering boil on the arse of England that is Manchester. Actually, that's a load of old cobblers. Since the reorganisation of local government in 1974, Stockport has been a Metropolitan Borough, within the county of Greater Manchester. But we don't like to mention that.
A question frequently asked is "why Stockport County? Stockport isn't a county" The simple answer is "sod off and get a life - what does it matter to you?" but a more accurate response would be to state that the club changed its name to coincide with the town becoming a County Borough back in 1888.
Fascinating though the subject of local government undoubtedly is, we're sure that you're more in need of information that will enhance your enjoyment of your visit to the mecca of footballing splendidness that is Edgeley Park. Okey-dokey, we'll start with how to get here.
HOW TO GET HERE
Told you. The easiest way in will be via the M60, which runs through the centre of the town. Leave at Junction 1 - the one just after the Authentic Indian Foods warehouse on your right (mmm, currrrrry!) and by the huge glass pyramid on the right, and Petsmart/Office World on the left. (NB - this is coming in from the west (which will be from the M6): reverse if coming in from the east (i.e., clockwise on the M60 from the direction of Yorkshire).
Turn right using the 4th exit (the third being back onto the motorway), through the first lights (not counting the roundabout lights) and right at the second lights, by the Woolpack. Go up the hill and take the second left - Northgate Road (the first left is a steep cobbled street). Immediately left again - still Northgate Road - and follow this road for about a mile to its end. Left at the end, through the lights and you're on Mercian Way with the ground on the right and the car parks and the pedestrianised Castle Street on your left.
This might sound a bit complicated, but it isn't, and it's well signposted in any case, so stop yer moaning.
Fair enough, you're here, so where do you leave your jalopy?
PARKING
There are council car parks off Mercian Way for about 80p (and you'll probably have a bit of a wait to get out afterwards). Otherwise it's street parking. You won't be able to park on the ground side of Mercian Way (i.e., anywhere in the streets surrounding the ground) as it's now residents only, but there's plenty of room elsewhere, so stop yer moaning.
Coaches will be parked in an old council depot behind one end of the ground, two minutes walk away.
THE CLUB
"The Friendly Football Club" is County's marketing slogan and whilst friendliness would be the last word you'd use to describe some of their activities, they do have to be commended in some areas. A number of members of County's mailing list approached the club towards the end of the season before last, suggesting a joint Marketing Committee be formed. The upshot was a massive market research campaign, carried out by fans, and acted on by the club. No smoking in all seated areas and cheaper beer in the Cheadle End are just two of the benefits. Nice.
THE GROUND
The Railway End terrace is, we're sad to say, going to have seats bolted onto it for the coming season. Yes, open seats, as at Barnsley and Swindon in the past. County have plans for a new stand behind that goal similar to the Cheadle End, but as the plans involve the construction of a huge hotel development behind the Railway End (stop laughing at the back), and there are accusations flying back and forth between County and the council over exactly who's buggering about with the purchase of the land required, the deadline for converting to all-seater has expired and the seats are going on. However, the good news for visiting fans is that the seats are reserved for home fans (lucky old home fans), with away supporters housed snugly under cover in the Vernon Stand. To get to this stand, you have to go through the car park behind the large Cheadle End stand and use the turnstiles at the far end.
Prices are £14 in the Vernon and the Cheadle, although we're not yet sure what they are for the new terrace seats. You'd have to be a bit daft to use them, though, even as a neutral as the discount (if there is one at all) will only be a quid or so. If you like a behind the goal view, go in the Cheadle End. The Main Stand (also known as the Hardcastle Road Stand, or Stockport Express Stand - the one on the main road) will cost you £16. Kiddies are a fiver anywhere.
FAGS
Smoking is banned in all seated areas of the ground, although at the time of writing, we're not sure of that applies to the new Railway End (if you're in there, fag smoke is probably the least of your worries). If you want a ciggy, and can't wait a maximum of 45 minutes, you've got problems. Health advice aside, you'll have to go to one of the concourses to light up. We believe the club are looking at installing some artificial bikesheds for that authentic "back at school" experience
CULTURALLY SPEAKING
Stockport is a town that's immensely proud of its heritage. If that's the kind of thing that floats your boat, why not arrive early and have a look around? There's lots to see and do (we didn't appear on Wish You Were Here for nothing, you know!). Walk down into the Town Centre and ask for the Tourist Information Centre on Chestergate (opposite the Co-op), and they'll direct you to the Air Raid Shelters (genuine WWII shelters carved out of the sandstone on which the town centre stands), or the hatting museum. Stockport was the centre of the British hatting industry, and the club's nickname, The Hatters, derives from this. Remember, Stockport County, not Luton, are The Hatters. We were formed first. And we made manly hats - deerstalkers, bowlers, trilbies and the like - not those poncey straw boater cobblers. Ahem. The Central Library also has a well-appointed Local Heritage area, which stocks copies of the County fanzine, "The Tea Party" Local Heritage, eh?
Now all this might sound slightly sad to people for whom culture is what grows on top of three week old cheese, so lets move rapidly on to...
BOOZE
We've said it before and we'll say it again - you simply won't find a better ground in the country for pubs. Stockport is home to the Robinson's brewery (also club sponsors) and you won't go far wrong with a pint in a Robbies house. Do me a favour, though. Go to the town/station end of Castle Street (the far end from the way you came in on the above route), by the roundabout. Look down Castle Street - there are no fewer than 7, yes 7, pubs on that quarter mile. Turn through 180 degrees and look over to your right. See the Armoury (Robbies pub)? Next to it is the Vaux (Vaux, unsurprisingly). About 500 yards down that street, on the right, is the Florist (Robbies). Finally, look down the hill to your left. See the Wilson's pub (steer clear!)? That's one of four pubs on the corners of that block of housing (the one further down the hill - The Victoria - is worth a visit). Now name me another ground with 14 pubs within - literally - 5 minutes. And I haven't mentioned the ones within 10 minutes. The Woolpack, for example (see the directions) is a real ale house worth stopping off at if you're a beer monster, as is the CAMRA award-winning Crown, tucked in under the railway viaduct (but parking's a sod).
Back on Castle Street, we'd advise you to steer clear of the Sir Robert Peel. if it's gong to go off, it'll be here. It's home to the County choir, who spend the hour before kick off singing their full repertoire of songs (and there are a lot of them - they even released a CD last year. Honestly). They take it all very seriously - it's gone off in past seasons when away fans have extracted the urine. This pub - and I think one or two others on Castle Street - bar away fans for high profile games.
The Royal Oak, at the far end of Castle Street from the roundabout, will give you a nice welcome. Nice cheap pint of Holts as well.
Inside the ground, the only booze currently available is in the Cheadle End, so away fans will not be able to get a drink. Think on.
NOSH
Castle Street has two or three chippies, a couple of cafes and kebab houses and a pizza shop. You can't go wrong. The Friary, near the Royal Oak, is a highly recommended chippy. Food inside the ground for away fans is supposedly crap, so fill up outside.
If you come by train, or fancy a walk, or you've got kids who want McDonalds, descend from the platforms and turn left for the ground or right for Grand Central (or walk straight through the station if you're coming from the ground, obviously) - a recent development with McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Fatty Arbuckles, cinema, bowling alley, arcades, swimming pool etc, etc. For the McDonalds and Burger King, go right to the far end (the A6) - they front this road.
FANZINE
If you come early in the season, you'll catch issue 99 or issue 100 of "The Tea Party" ("one of the country's foremost fanzines" - The Independent). Issue 99 will cost a quid and issue 100 will cost two quid. Why so? Well, issue 100 is twice the usual size and will be something of a collectors' item as it's the last, sadly. The Tea Party (or TTP to its friends) is calling it a day after 10 years. Sob.
Big-gobbed sellers will be outside the ground for all home matches.
And that's it. Enjoy your journey but please - be polite, respect your hosts, and STOP TAKING ALL THREE *&%@*%& POINTS!
|
13 May 08 
Preston North End Football Club