Post by hatter_in_macc on Aug 11, 2015 22:42:34 GMT
... was me - together with a shot of my County Heaven avatar - after I spoke to FCUM Review ahead of tonight's match:
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FROM THE OTHER SIDE
1. Tell us a bit about Stockport the town and why you like it.
Stockport the town, and home of County’s ‘Hatters’, has a rich industrial heritage - based in particular on cotton and, of course, hat-making. The town’s most iconic features - mill buildings, the market and railway viaduct… and, dare I add, Edgeley Park - hail from its bygone age, although, these days, the feature that many visitors will notice first is the glass pyramid by the M60! Stockport the conurbation, meanwhile, comprises a mix of urban and more leafy villages.
The people exude good humour and friendliness. You don’t have to take my word for it, either: Stockport regularly features at the top end of national surveys identifying the happiest places to live in the country; and Frankie Vaughan once released a song about the town - entitled… erm, Stockport - in which he paid tribute to the warm welcome he received here.
I have to say, at the time of writing, that Stockport has a Metropolitan Borough Council of which we Hatters are rather quite fond - following its recent purchase of Edgeley Park to secure the ground’s future.
Oh, and, most of all, my three kids were born here. And there’s no more special reason to like a town than that!
2. Tell us how you think you will do this season and what your expectations are for the new season.
Well, I write this a few days ahead of our first competitive fixture with an almost entirely brand-new squad, so it is difficult to predict. And, following the recent years of turbulence for the Club, these are probably hopes rather than expectations…
I do, however, like what I have seen of the team in our friendlies, and Neil Young is a Manager who knows just what it takes to succeed in this League. I shall say that we will push on from last term and make the play-offs (or better, if possible, please!).
3. Which away trips are you looking forward to?
Tonight’s, for starters! And another new local derby in the Autumn, at Curzon Ashton.
A little further afield - or, rather, a-Fylde! - we have our trip close to the Lancashire seaside handily scheduled for August Bank Holiday Monday. And, a lot further afield, Lowestoft should provide hardier Hatters with another good endurance test… especially given that we have to schlep across there during November this time around!
4. Which of your players should we be keeping an eye on today?
We have the League’s best ‘keeper in Danny Hurst - who is the one senior player to have been retained from last season.
Of the new arrivals, a good few take the eye: Jordan Thorniley, on a year-long Youth Loan from Everton, looks to be a classy central defender; Glenn Rule, formerly of Airbus UK, is a dominant force in midfield; and, further upfield, County’s Sierra Leonean international, Abs Baggie, has the skill and pace to trouble opposing defences.
5. What will you and your supporters class as a decent season?
I think, in fairness, it depends on who you ask! But what most would find hard to take is a failure to continue building on the modest progress that we have made each year since dropping down to this level.
Having secured a top-half finish last season, that logically points to a play-off place as being ‘decent’. And going up by that route would be ‘very decent’! Wouldn’t say no to a nice - or, if you will, ‘decent’ - FA Cup or Trophy run, either - albeit not at the expense of promotion.
6. What is your high point as a Stockport County fan to date?
The first obvious one that springs to mind is winning at Wembley in the 2008 League Two Play-off Final, although, on reflection, the over-riding sense with which I floated on air away from London that afternoon was one of relief - having previously seen County lose four times at the (old) national stadium.
So, my own high point is, instead, claiming a top-flight scalp with a 2-1 FA Cup victory over QPR in 1994. Big Kevin Francis and - with a volley worthy of the Premiership - Andy Preece scored our goals, and the game enjoyed top billing on Match of the Day. Heady times!
7. Who are Stockport County’s main rivals and why?
Are you offering, then?! Geographically, you will certainly be in the frame this season yourselves, along with Curzon Ashton and Stalybridge.
Seriously, though, we don’t tend to have rivals on a permanent basis. Just as well, really, when the three candidates that have put themselves forward from time to time over the last twenty years or so - Burnley, Stoke and the former residents of Maine Road - were all last term playing in the top flight, some five steps above us.
That said, on a personal level, and as a Macclesfield resident, I hold out hope that County will very soon be leapfrogging the Silkmen, so that I can once again walk around my neighbourhood with my head held high!
8. What do you love most about watching football at this level and how does it differ from what you have been used to?
I have to say that I do enjoy the friendly welcome and relaxed atmosphere at most grounds. Club officials are very much more approachable - indeed, they are often staffing the turnstiles and bidding visiting fans farewell at the gates! - and it is refreshing to watch matches without feeling that there is an air of greed and other trappings all around.
As for the football, it would be too simplistic to say that it’s all about graft and solidity. Granted, players are generally allowed less time to settle on the ball, and they do ideally need to be as robust as possible - but there is plenty of skill and creativity on offer, too. Moreover, this League is a highly competitive one, with not a great deal to choose between the majority of teams.
9. Tell us about your involvement (if any) with the club?
I co-write articles for the programme, and am also a member of its editorial team. Additionally, since the beginning of last season, I have been a part of County’s media team - tweeting live match-updates on @scfcmedia, and writing match reports for the Club website.
10. What are your thoughts on FC United? The club, the team and the fans?
Running a democratic, members-owned club successfully is no mean feat, and I have been truly impressed with the way in which you have managed this. Liking your community and green credentials as well!
The team is clearly going from strength to strength on the pitch, and those of your fans that I have met - most recently, a couple of Summers ago, when FC United visited County in pre-season - are, without doubt, the most genuine type of football supporters, who feel passionately about the club that they have helped to create. They make a lot of noise, for good measure - and their revival of old chants makes for tremendous fun.
More recently, we Hatters have been bowled over by offers received from FC United supporters to act as stewards for our Half-Marathon in and around Stockport on 6th September. It is a fabulous gesture of help and support from one group of fans to another. Hats off to you - and thanks!
11. Will your club be bringing many fans to FC with you to the match?
Not always an easy question to answer with accuracy - but, on this occasion, it’s a cinch. All 500 of County’s tickets were sold within an hour, and I don’t have to stick my neck out in predicting that each and every one of the takers will be turning up!
12. Give us a prediction for the result today?
It promises to be a grand occasion, as the first competitive match-proper at Broadhurst Park. I would be content with a share of the spoils, and will guess at one goal apiece.
*****************************************************************************************************
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
1. Tell us a bit about Stockport the town and why you like it.
Stockport the town, and home of County’s ‘Hatters’, has a rich industrial heritage - based in particular on cotton and, of course, hat-making. The town’s most iconic features - mill buildings, the market and railway viaduct… and, dare I add, Edgeley Park - hail from its bygone age, although, these days, the feature that many visitors will notice first is the glass pyramid by the M60! Stockport the conurbation, meanwhile, comprises a mix of urban and more leafy villages.
The people exude good humour and friendliness. You don’t have to take my word for it, either: Stockport regularly features at the top end of national surveys identifying the happiest places to live in the country; and Frankie Vaughan once released a song about the town - entitled… erm, Stockport - in which he paid tribute to the warm welcome he received here.
I have to say, at the time of writing, that Stockport has a Metropolitan Borough Council of which we Hatters are rather quite fond - following its recent purchase of Edgeley Park to secure the ground’s future.
Oh, and, most of all, my three kids were born here. And there’s no more special reason to like a town than that!
2. Tell us how you think you will do this season and what your expectations are for the new season.
Well, I write this a few days ahead of our first competitive fixture with an almost entirely brand-new squad, so it is difficult to predict. And, following the recent years of turbulence for the Club, these are probably hopes rather than expectations…
I do, however, like what I have seen of the team in our friendlies, and Neil Young is a Manager who knows just what it takes to succeed in this League. I shall say that we will push on from last term and make the play-offs (or better, if possible, please!).
3. Which away trips are you looking forward to?
Tonight’s, for starters! And another new local derby in the Autumn, at Curzon Ashton.
A little further afield - or, rather, a-Fylde! - we have our trip close to the Lancashire seaside handily scheduled for August Bank Holiday Monday. And, a lot further afield, Lowestoft should provide hardier Hatters with another good endurance test… especially given that we have to schlep across there during November this time around!
4. Which of your players should we be keeping an eye on today?
We have the League’s best ‘keeper in Danny Hurst - who is the one senior player to have been retained from last season.
Of the new arrivals, a good few take the eye: Jordan Thorniley, on a year-long Youth Loan from Everton, looks to be a classy central defender; Glenn Rule, formerly of Airbus UK, is a dominant force in midfield; and, further upfield, County’s Sierra Leonean international, Abs Baggie, has the skill and pace to trouble opposing defences.
5. What will you and your supporters class as a decent season?
I think, in fairness, it depends on who you ask! But what most would find hard to take is a failure to continue building on the modest progress that we have made each year since dropping down to this level.
Having secured a top-half finish last season, that logically points to a play-off place as being ‘decent’. And going up by that route would be ‘very decent’! Wouldn’t say no to a nice - or, if you will, ‘decent’ - FA Cup or Trophy run, either - albeit not at the expense of promotion.
6. What is your high point as a Stockport County fan to date?
The first obvious one that springs to mind is winning at Wembley in the 2008 League Two Play-off Final, although, on reflection, the over-riding sense with which I floated on air away from London that afternoon was one of relief - having previously seen County lose four times at the (old) national stadium.
So, my own high point is, instead, claiming a top-flight scalp with a 2-1 FA Cup victory over QPR in 1994. Big Kevin Francis and - with a volley worthy of the Premiership - Andy Preece scored our goals, and the game enjoyed top billing on Match of the Day. Heady times!
7. Who are Stockport County’s main rivals and why?
Are you offering, then?! Geographically, you will certainly be in the frame this season yourselves, along with Curzon Ashton and Stalybridge.
Seriously, though, we don’t tend to have rivals on a permanent basis. Just as well, really, when the three candidates that have put themselves forward from time to time over the last twenty years or so - Burnley, Stoke and the former residents of Maine Road - were all last term playing in the top flight, some five steps above us.
That said, on a personal level, and as a Macclesfield resident, I hold out hope that County will very soon be leapfrogging the Silkmen, so that I can once again walk around my neighbourhood with my head held high!
8. What do you love most about watching football at this level and how does it differ from what you have been used to?
I have to say that I do enjoy the friendly welcome and relaxed atmosphere at most grounds. Club officials are very much more approachable - indeed, they are often staffing the turnstiles and bidding visiting fans farewell at the gates! - and it is refreshing to watch matches without feeling that there is an air of greed and other trappings all around.
As for the football, it would be too simplistic to say that it’s all about graft and solidity. Granted, players are generally allowed less time to settle on the ball, and they do ideally need to be as robust as possible - but there is plenty of skill and creativity on offer, too. Moreover, this League is a highly competitive one, with not a great deal to choose between the majority of teams.
9. Tell us about your involvement (if any) with the club?
I co-write articles for the programme, and am also a member of its editorial team. Additionally, since the beginning of last season, I have been a part of County’s media team - tweeting live match-updates on @scfcmedia, and writing match reports for the Club website.
10. What are your thoughts on FC United? The club, the team and the fans?
Running a democratic, members-owned club successfully is no mean feat, and I have been truly impressed with the way in which you have managed this. Liking your community and green credentials as well!
The team is clearly going from strength to strength on the pitch, and those of your fans that I have met - most recently, a couple of Summers ago, when FC United visited County in pre-season - are, without doubt, the most genuine type of football supporters, who feel passionately about the club that they have helped to create. They make a lot of noise, for good measure - and their revival of old chants makes for tremendous fun.
More recently, we Hatters have been bowled over by offers received from FC United supporters to act as stewards for our Half-Marathon in and around Stockport on 6th September. It is a fabulous gesture of help and support from one group of fans to another. Hats off to you - and thanks!
11. Will your club be bringing many fans to FC with you to the match?
Not always an easy question to answer with accuracy - but, on this occasion, it’s a cinch. All 500 of County’s tickets were sold within an hour, and I don’t have to stick my neck out in predicting that each and every one of the takers will be turning up!
12. Give us a prediction for the result today?
It promises to be a grand occasion, as the first competitive match-proper at Broadhurst Park. I would be content with a share of the spoils, and will guess at one goal apiece.
