‘You really get the feeling that not just the club, but the whole town is on the up” said lifelong Stockport County fan David Warringdon, who encapsulated the feeling of so many of the club’s joyous supporters as they revelled in their second promotion in three seasons.
David, 65, was one of the over 10,000 packed into Edgeley Park to see The Hatters beat Morecambe 2-0 to secure a return to League 1 for the first time since 2010.
In the 14 years since they have seen three relegations, numerous managers, regional football in the sixth tier, humiliating defeats, and two promotions, Well, make that three.
READ MORE: Stockport County promoted to League One after win over Morecambe
As soon as the final whistle sounded, despite pleas beforehand for them to remain in the stands, there was an understandable outpouring of jubilation with fans pouring onto the Edgeley Park turf.
The players that didn’t make it down the tunnel were mobbed as choruses of ‘County’s going up’ and ‘EIEIEIO, Up the football league we go’ rang around the famous old ground. There were tears of joy as family members and mates hugged and took selfies.
Stewards eventually managed to clear the playing surface to the players could come back out for a lap honour. They sprayed champagne behind hoardings that read ‘Promoted 2024’ before walking around the ground saluting the fans.
But by that point, many had already danced their out of the exits and through the terraced streets of Edgeley. On Castle Street, the area’s high street, the pubs were thronged whilst dozens more raided the Co-op and nearby off-licences and stood drinking, singing, and dancing in the street.
Then the heavens opened, but it didn’t dampen the party one jot. Fans sprayed beer in the pouring rain as they belted out the club’s anthem ‘The Scarf My Father Wore’ – about a much-loved scarf being passed down through generations of Hatters fans.
Others let off blue smoke bombs before an impromptu firework display. There were also chants of ‘Champions again, ole, ole, ole’ – a sign that attention has already turned to going up as champions.
A win against Notts County at Meadow Lane on Tuesday will see to that and set up another party at next Saturday’s clash with Accrington back at Edgeley Park.
“It’s hard to put into words really. It’s just unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable” said 18 year-old Dylan Warburton from Romiley. “An amazing feeling. And we’ve not even won the league yet! It will be mental when we do that!”
“But the atmosphere was just top drawer today. The players were brilliant, they controlled the whole game. It hasn’t really sunk in yet that we’re gonna be in League 1. There’s going to be some massive games next year.”
County, whose upturn in fortunes has coincided with their takeover by local businessman Mark Stott in 2020, returned to the Football League in 2022. And they narrowly missed out on back-to-back promotions going down on penalties to Carlisle United after a 1-1 draw at Wembley last May.
Ian McGarvie, 43, from Bridgehall was at the game with seven year-old son James. “It was just amazing. We couldn’t be prouder. The atmosphere was unbelievable. We got on the pitch at the end and we got pictures with Rico Richards and Paddy Madden.
“Everyone was just so happy, it was great to see. Bring on Accrington now!”
With swathes of redevelopment underway, it has been voted one of the country’s most up-and-coming towns. Its arts and hospitality offerings have even seen it dubbed the ‘New Berlin’ in some quarters.
And County’s rise up the divisions is adding to, if not fuelling, the feelgood factor around the place, according to Ian. “It’s obviously great for the club and the fans, but for the town as well. For all the local pubs, shops businesses. Days like this you see the massive footfall. It’s great.”
David, from Offerton said: “The whole family are County fans. It’s a big family thing for us and we’ll definitely be celebrating tonight. I’m delighted that we’ve got over the line. It was a strange feeling as we knew it was coming, it was just a case of when.
“But to do it today in front of our home fans was just fantastic. There’s been some dark days along the way. It was horrendous when we were playing in the National League North and the like. But to be out of it and right back up the league is just tremendous.
“It’s great for the town as well. You really feel that not just the club but the whole town is on the up.When Mark Stott took over and he said he wanted to get us to the Championship, we thought it was tongue-in-cheek and a pipe dream. But we’re on target.
“Also, you look around Stockport now and all the kids are wearing County shirts. When I was a lad we were in Division 4 and were constantly fighting for re-election, in those days it was all City and United shirts. But it shows the next generation are coming through.”
Stockport County CEO, Jonathan Vaughan said: “It’s been an incredibly competitive season. To secure automatic promotion with three games to spare is a brilliant achievement for the club, and is testament to the hard work of Dave, Simon, the players and everyone else behind the scenes.
“Promotion was always the aim this season after coming so close at Wembley last year, I’d
like to take the opportunity to again thank the fans for their support, home and away, all season long. Our success on the pitch will always be reliant on growth off it, and to see record breaking crowds at Edgeley Park every week, just highlights what an exciting time it is to be a Stockport County fan.
“We will all celebrate tonight, but focus quickly switches to finishing the season as Champions.”
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
