County Supporters' Co-operative Official Thread

Your Foodbank Donations This Saturday Please!

We will be taking food & toiletry donations in support of Chelwood Foodbank Plus on the Grassy Knoll next to the Cheadle End turnstiles prior to the Wrexham game this Saturday 1pm and 2.45.

A reminder, we are looking for full fat UHT milk, jam, tea bags, coffee, pasta, curry sauce, basmati rice and spaghetti, biscuits, crisps, chickpeas, dried lentils, sugar, tinned fruit and cordial and bleach, tin foil, washing powder, mouthwash and hair conditioner.

Your support really will make a difference, see you Saturday- thank you!

Stockport County Supporters Cooperative

Statue Lights Switch On !

Stockport County Club President, Steve Bellis will be switching on the lights for the Danny Bergara statue at 7pm before the Forest Green Rovers match.

Please join us outside the Club shop at 7pm. Simon and Ellen Bergara will be in attendance.

Statue by Hannah Stewart Sculpture. Lighting by Armadillo Lighting.

That's fantastic, mate!

2018-19 National League North Champions Celebration.

On 28 April 2019 goals by Matty Warburton, Adam Thomas and Ash Palmer secured County`s first title in 52 years at Nuneaton.
Wednesday 18 October 2023 saw Matty and Ash along with Paul Turnbull, Sam Walker, Darren Stephenson, Sam Minihan and Dan Cowan back together with the Title Winning County Manager of Jim Gannon and Dave Conlon to celebrate that marvellous achievement.
The occasion was enough to attract Sam Walker to travel 150 miles from Kings Lynn to respond to the call from the Supporters Cooperative and be with his great friends and former team mates again.

The venue was `The Loft ` @stockportgin and the event was presented for the Cooperative by Nick of @countypodcastthescarfbergarawore & Ben countyshirts.

Here`s last night photos….

photos.app.goo.gl/d4dhD2asDpmM9nEB8

New Bag Policy.

To attempt to help County Supporters better understand the new policy and raise our valid concerns about it we approached the Club just after mid-day today.

We received a reply just over 3 hours ago and a summary version of same and a complete copy of our original email are available here.

It by no means solves anything but we will look to maintain contact with the Club going forward making them aware of the issues as they become known to us.

Stockport County Supporters Cooperative


Copy of SCSC email sent 13.32 27 October 2023:-


Tom.

I hope you are well!

The Supporters Cooperative Board have asked me to write to you regarding the new `bag policy`.

We are concerned about the new bag policy that has been introduced at such short notice and without prior consultation. The board are disappointed that the matter was not flagged up on Monday when at our meeting in the Alexandra.

As a board we fully understand the need for diligent inspection of all bags brought into Edgeley Park on match days, but the new system places too great a limit on bag size to be either practical for or equitable to County supporters.

There has been considerable concern raised on message boards and social media particularly from families with young children, who have to carry a large number of items to ensure that their children are warm, have food and drink and are entertained.

For families with babies, we feel this policy would prevent parents from attending games, as they would need to bring sterilised bottles, nappies, change of clothing, toys, etc and this is not practical if they cannot bring a large bag.

Many County supporters travel large distances to get to home games, families with children who have particular medical issues, providing certification to support their condition would create a lot of logistic issues and we think this is impractical to implement. It could also cause a lot of negative publicity if fans with medical conditions are turned away, which we don’t want to see.

When the weather gets colder and wetter, matters will only be more negatively impacted by the new system.

Many supporters may not have learned yet of what is what in respect of bag policy thus it would be appreciated if some further clarification could be provided as to what the situation will be if supporters turn up with regular sized bags, there being no bag drop available. Can the club consider making a bag drop available?

We did indicate on Monday that we were willing to act as a `sounding board` giving you a valuable insight into the view of County Supporters on ideas you were thinking of introducing, this offer still stands and we would be happy to meet with you to discuss this particular matter further.

The Co-op do need to provide supporters with a reply, and we have made this commitment, in response to the concerns raised on social media.

Regards
Ian Brown
Stockport County Supporters Cooperative


The response to the Supporters Cooperative by Mr Tom Mahon, Chief Operating Officer for Stockport County.

The response is in summarised for to conform with Mr Mahon`s request.:-


Mr Mahon thanked the Supporters Cooperative for raising the issue starting off by saying that the new bag policy is about making Edgeley Park a safe, accessible and affordable matchday experience for supporters.
Regarding our point on not sharing with us, Mr Mahon stated that the bag policy wasn’t confirmed when we met on Monday but at a monthly management meeting on Wednesday following. With the next game in such close proximity there wasn’t time to put it out to consultation and also give supporters the time to adjust their plans accordingly.
The bag size decision was based on research across various other football clubs and stadia, and the A4 approach is broadly assumed as the standard.
Notwithstanding the above the club will adopt a common-sense approach for the next two games and beyond. Whilst some supporters will have to make some amendments to their previous matchday routine, the Club won’t be turning away supporters who have items required to feed, clothe, or change infants, and no fan with medical issues will be turned away.
In addition, Club staff will be briefed to have a common-sense approach at the upcoming two fixtures. The Club will then review and explore amendments to the policy or operation if they are required.
Mr Mahon indicated that the above follows on from a number of increased safety measures that have been introduced to Edgeley Park this season including traffic bollards at the Cheadle End, the text line service, new Supporter Liaison Officers and the Club will continue to assess and review their policies throughout the season, not just around safety but all elements of fan experience.
Mr Mahon indicated that the Club were willing to use the Co-operative as a sounding board on how the supporters feel and will seek to engage with us going forward.
In conclusion Mr Mahon re-iterated that the bag policy decision was based solely on safety considerations not commercial gain- extra stewarding and equipment is required which adds to operating costs but the implementation will make the Club more able to meet the upcoming requirements around Martyn’s Law that will apply to all stadia .
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News for County Fans-Stockport County Players Association Event-Later Today!

In London?
News just in confirming that the County Players Association are hosting an event at The Mulberry Bush Pub, 89 Upper Ground, London , SE19PP from 7pm until 9.30 tonight ( doors from 6.30)

Mike Flynn, Keith East and Jim Carstairs are special guests and would be delighted if as many County supporters as possible could join them tonight- entry is free!

Bucket Collection Supporting the Wellspring – This Saturday- 16 December Prior to County v Sutton Game.

Our team of volunteer collectors will be seeking cash donations in support of Stockport homeless & their magnificent charity The Wellspring.
You can donate from 1.15pm until close to kick off time either from our team on the Grassy Knoll next to the Cheadle End turnstiles or in other spots around EP.
No cash with you – you can donate either via QR code ( on collecting box)or via our card reader!
Your support really makes a difference – thank you!

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Down to 9 when we need 12!

Understandable late withdrawals mean that we are 3 collectors short of an effective team for Saturday`s important effort to aid Stockport`s homeless people.
Can you help us collect, then please email hedgegrower@gmail.com

Thank you for your support!

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