| First Visit: | Saturday 12th October 1963 |
| Competition: | Football League Division 4 – (Tier 4) |
| Result: | Stockport County 2 – 2 Aldershot |
| Attendance: | 5,947 |
| County Line-up | Graham Beighton; Trevor Porteous; Ean Cuthbert; John Wylie; Colin Parry; Graham Ricketts; Derrick Ward; John Evans; Hughie Ryden; Mike Davock; Peter Bircumshaw |
| Scorers: | John Evans (2 inc 1 pen) |
| Manager: | Trevor Porteous |
| Visits: | 1,107 |
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57 YEARS; 1,107 GAMES AND A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES
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The Programme from my very first visit to Edgeley Park. A bright October afternoon; stood on the cinder and sleepers at the Railway End. I was entranced. It was a while before I was permitted to make the journey from Gorton by myself but it has been an integral part of my life ever since
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THE INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
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It was around 1 o’clock on the afternoon of Saturday 12th October 1963. I was with a friend who lived up the street from me in Kingsdale Road, Gorton. I’ve no idea what we were doing, but his father came out, and asked us whether we wanted to go to a football match that afternoon at Stockport. I knew little about the Hatters then but my interest in football was burgeoning. By that time my Dad had already taken me to Hillsborough; Old Trafford and of course the local teams at Stalybridge and Hyde. There may have been others as well. I was more than keen, but parental permission had to be sought. It was, and duly obtained. It was a defining moment in my life.
Stockport was about a 10 minute drive by car from where we lived. It was a place I’d been to countless times with my Mum. The No. 17 bus from Gorton Road, Reddish, a 200 yard walk from our house. It weaved its way through Reddish, past Houldsworth Square, and thence onwards to Lancashire Hill. We always decamped at the end of Princes Street, near to the old Tiviot Dale Station. Princes Street was then the main shopping area. Covering of the Mersey, and the building of the Merseyway precinct, was still in the future, (it was built in 1965), so the shopping trips were centred around the old style of retail.
I had never ventured beyond the centre of Stockport so the car ride that afternoon up Wellington Road was unknown territory. I’ve no idea where my friend’s Dad parked up, but remember making our way down what I now know is Worrall Street, and espied the entrance to the ground. A glance up to the right and my attention was captured by the facade on Hardcastle Road. Stockport County AFC – it is still there of course, (picture above).
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Entry was gained through the turnstiles at the end of Worrall Street. They would have been as in this picture which was taken some 7 years later on the day “10 bob” football was introduced. (Picture from Stockport County – A Complete Record).
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A programme was purchased, (the photo above is of the actual one from that afternoon). It still has pride of place in my collection of many thousands. We climbed the steps and found ourselves on the Railway End. It was from where I watched my first game at Edgeley Park, The vista that unfolded entranced me. It was the first time I had seen a game, with a decent crowd, (5,947 that day), from ‘close-up’. Yes I’d been to Hillsborough and OT but football watched there was from a distance. This was the game in the raw where the proximity of the action meant that I felt a part of it. And not only on the field, but also the feeling of being in a crowd. It was a completely new and compelling experience.
The ground in 1963 was, in form, no different than today. The same Main Stand structure; the open Railway End; and cover on the Pop Side and at the Cheadle End. But three of those areas have completely changed. The conversion of EP to an all seated arena, (a move infinitely for the worse in my opinion), leaves it looking far different. Here’ a series of photos of how things were 57 years ago.
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The Edgeley Park I first visited
The Railway End, (left); Main Stand (bottom); Cheadle End (right), and the Pop Side, (top). At that time the Pop Side extended backwards under a small barrel roofed which covered just bare earth; cinders and railway sleepers. It was a pretty dark and gloomy place to watch from. The rear section was taken down in 1979.
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The Railway End
Wooden sleepers and cinders providing the footing. On the right the scoreboard, much more ornate in those days, but the basic structure still in use as an advertising hoarding. The kiosk at the rear may well have been for refreshments then, but was used by the Supporters Club in the 1980’s and run by Dot Stanway.
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The Main Stand
The seating was flip down wooden seats on concrete terracing. In front a standing paddock, with access to the far end under a small tunnel above which was a gangway (†) for the players to enter the pitch
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† – Des Hinks has kindly reminded me that it wasn’t a tunnel, but rather a ‘drawbridge’ raised and lowered to allow the players access and egress from the pitch. Quite possibly a unique feature at a league ground?!
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The Cheadle End
On my first visit this was covered standing, and held 3,000. It was converted to seating in 1967, (after which this photo was taken), and provided my vantage point throughout the early 1980’s
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I was entranced. None of the grandeur of Hillsborough – I don’t think there will be much dissension from that. But a place with atmosphere. It helped that the game was a good one, (to my nine year old eyes at least). A 2-2- draw against Aldershot.
For the record the line up was Graham Beighton; Trevor Porteous; Ean Cuthbert; John Wylie; Colin Parry; Graham Ricketts; Derek Ward; John Evans; Hughie Ryden; Mike Davock; and Peter Bircumshaw. No subs in those days, and Evans scored twice, (one a penalty).
The record books tell me that it was a game of some interest. The result left County 5th and Aldershot 2nd. Not that I paid much attention to that at the time. I had been captivated, and would be returning to EP 1,107 times for competitive 1st team games, (plus a myriad of friendlies; reserve and youth team games), by March 2020. Added to that have been 850 away trips. To reiterate, Saturday 12th October 1963 was a defining moment in my life.
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THE CHANGING FACE OF EDGELEY PARK – 1960’S
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The ground set-up remained largely unchanged other than the installation of seating in the Cheadle End. Other than the stanchions the stand was a completely wooden structure, and onto the existing 6 steps of terracing simple bench seats were bolted.
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Cheadle End
Seating was installed in 1967. This photo is from some years later, (the fencing is the giveaway), but it shows how it would have looked. Throughout the early 1980’s Steve Painter and myself always sat on the back row at the far end of this photo
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THE CHANGING FACE OF EDGELEY PARK – 1970’S
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On my first visit the Pop Side, (or to give it the official name, the Barlow Stand), was comprised of two covers. At the rear the original cover, a barrel roof style, and at the front the sloping roof extension which had been added in 1956. The original cover at the rear was taken down in 1979, the area fenced off and converted to a 5-a-side training facility.
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The Pop Side after the barrel roof stand was taken down. The gap at the back created a tunnel effect and on a wintry evening, (Friday night football in those days!), it could be a chilly and breezy experience!
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There is an interesting video available on You Tube on the Football Ground Guide channel. It suggests that it was filmed in 1979, but the end clip includes the team running out, amongst whom is Dean Emerson. He didn’t play until early 1982. Whatever the case, the images of the ground are certainly as it was in 1979. You can view it here.
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THE CHANGING FACE OF EDGELEY PARK – 1980’S
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The 1980’s saw significant changes on the ground. The Safety of Sports Grounds Act saw the demise of the Cheadle End. It was demolished in 1985, (and together with the work at the Railway End – see below), meant that the ground could not be used at the start of the 1985/86 season. We had played the first 6 games of the season away from home and it was mid-September, when Hereford visited that we saw action at EP.
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The Cheadle End under demolition
(Photo from Stockport County – A Complete Record)
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The replacement Cheadle End under construction
It used the same ‘footprint’ but left 7 rows of uncovered terracing, and a wide pathway at the front
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Almost contemporaneously the Railway End saw an improvement. The old wooden sleepers and cinders were concreted over, and a wide path at the bottom was created. The work took a long time and it was well into 1986 that it was completed. In the interim an initial phase was undertaken, and visitors were confined to a section which covered perhaps a third of the width. When completed it gave a tighter, more enclosed feel to the ground.
The Paddock in front of the Main Stand was closed, and eventually filled in, with the provision of 3 rows of seating, which given the lack of slope, provided a pretty poor view.
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THE CHANGING FACE OF EDGELEY PARK – 1990’S
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The 1990’s saw a huge change at EP. The first improvement took place on the Pop Side in 1993. The roof of the stand was retained, but with a re-profiling of the terrace, and the installation of seats, the ground now had two seated stands, making seating available for around 4,000 in total. The rear of the stand was also developed, filling in the gap; providing refreshment points and facilities. It certainly gave a far more enclosed feel. I was never a fan of the Pop Side as it had been amended – the stanchions which impeded the view could be avoided when standing, now left a potentially restricted view on those days when a decent crowd turned up. But it’s certainly the spot from which some of the fervent County fans like to watch.
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The Pop Side – converted to seating, (around 2,400 seats), and the rear enclosed.
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The next, and defining development came in 1995. The Cheadle End open terracing had only been in place for 10 years, but it disappeared. The Elwood administration quite properly recognised that an expensive asset which was only used for no more than 30 days a year had to generate a more consistent revenue stream. Equally, with the team moving forward on the field the capacity of the ground was no more than 6,000 and that needed addressing. Any meaningful development had to be concentrated at the Cheadle End of the ground. Hemmed in at the Railway End; little room behind the Pop Side, and no chance of creating a large stand on the Hardcastle Road side, (without compulsory purchase of the houses or impinging on the right to light) the only aree was the Cheadle End.
Behind that lay a wood yard and the area which had seen the development of the Jacobean Night Club provided a footprint on which a new stand could be constructed. The land was purchased and construction started in 1994. The terrace continued to be used, (mainly for visitors), as the new stand arose behind it, and as the season unfolded the sheer size of the thing became more apparent week by week.
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The Cheadle End rises – a ‘goalpost’ type design. At the time it was one of the largest stands outside the Premier League. My season ticket seat is not far from where this photo was taken, so this was my view of the way in which the development progressed
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The Stand cost £1.5m, and provided 4,800 seats; concourses for refreshment facilities; conference and banqueting capacity; a ticket office and the club shop. In its time, and certainly for a Tier 3 club, (as we were when it opened), it was more than impressive, and certainly provided the scope for the Club to move onwards and upwards.
It was opened in August 1995, returning the ground to 4 sides and a capacity of 12,160, with 9.600 seats. The only standing area of the ground was now the Railway End, and that was to disappear shortly into the new millenium, (see below). Never a great fan of a ‘behind the goal’ view I have been in it, but no more than a handful of times, preferring my seat of over 30 years in the Main Stand. But it is much loved by the vociferous County support, and on days when fully occupied is an impressive sight.
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The Cheadle End fully occupied. This picture from the game against Carlisle in May 2006 when the ‘Great Escape’ was achieved. Supporters held up cards which depicted the importance of them as the “12th Man”.
(Photo courtesy of ‘County1999’ on YellowBoard)
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THE CHANGING FACE OF EDGELEY PARK – 2000’S
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The last major change to EP occurred in 2001. The Railway End terrace was converted to seating. There is some suggestion that this was required under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act or possibly a requirement of being in Division 1, (the second tier).
If this was the case then I never fully understood the reasoning. There were other clubs operating at the same level at the time who maintained standing areas, and even as late as May 2020, Brentford, (pushing for promotion to the Premier League), still had the lower part of the Family Stand as standing. Whatever the case, and with due respect to any legal requirements with regard to maintaining a stadium certificate, it was a regressive move.
It created a ground which, other than a handful of occasions in nearly 20 years, was effectively three sided. It was barely occupied for much of that time, and over the last few years has been in such poor condition that it has been effectively out of use.
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The Railway End – converted to seating in 2001. It was first used by Coventry fans in their only visit to EP in the last 82 years
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EDGELEY PARK TODAY
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Edgeley Park today – as viewed from the Railway End (photo from Wikipedia)
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Edgeley Park has remained virtually unchanged for nigh on 20 years now. It is a period which has encompassed football from the 2nd down to the 6th tier; a shared use with rugby union; changes of ownership from Elwood to Kennedy to the Council. Little has been done to the infrastructure. It is now a tired looking stadium in need of some TLC, and that despite the heroic efforts of ‘Help The Hatters’ who put countless hours, on a totally voluntary basis, to undertake repair jobs and general maintenance.
The takeover by Mark Stott in January 2020 promises that there will be changes. The aspiration of returning to the Football League is well within reach, and the move back to full-time football, and the player signings that have happened during the enforced Covid break are testimony to this. At the same time there have been suggestions that work to the ground will be undertaken and there have been whispers that a new stand will be built on the Pop Side.
Changes like this are essential. The Cheadle End is in need of renovation work, especially on the concourses, and the hospitality suites, (based on my last use of them), need complete refurbishment. The Railway End has been unloved and unused for a number of years. My own fervent wish is that that this is returned to ‘safe standing’ as has been the case at The New Meadow.
The Main Stand, (now titled the Danny Bergara Stand), has little space for development, and the facilities on that side of the ground are awful, and in urgent need of refurbishment. Nevetheless, as a season ticket holder in there for nigh on 40 years it is still from where I will continue watching. Simply the best view on the ground – there’s many who will take issue with that, but it’s all down to personal preferences.
Since starting to write this post in August 2020 there are real signs that the work to address the tired nature of EP is being undertaken. Word has it, (albeit that with no crowds allowed at present during to Covid), that significant work had been undertaken to the concourse area of the Cheadle End. Equally, from the views on the streaming service of the games thus far the Danny Bergara Stand roofing has been given a welcome facelift. These are welcome signs.
Throughout this site I have raged against the replacement of traditional grounds with faceless; soulless breeze block creations. My fervent hope is that EP will remain our home … after all it has been ‘home from home’ for me for 57 years!
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October 2020
Lovely reading about the ‘old’ days, brings back many memories.
Unfortunately, I can’t remember the 1st game I went to, I was about 4 yrs of age in 1950, and not really understanding the game at that early age, I was more interested in the steam engines in Edgeley sheds and my dad used to sit me on his shoulders for a better view.
Eventually, the football took over and I became County mad, going to games myself and going to away games as well, using either North Western or Bullocks Coaches.
Like you, I have loads of memories, the double stand, the children’s section, the exit under the old wooden Cheadle End, Arthur with his Mack and wellies chasing the liner up and down and calling him all the names under the sun, the paddock in front of the Main stand, the sleepers and cinders on the Railway end, I could go on and on, and I’ve not even mentioned my favourite players yet.
I’ll save that for another time, thanks for your great stories, cheers for now,
Dave.
Dave
Many thanks for the comments. It’s bizarre that you mention Arthur and also the gate under the Cheadle End. I’ve just come off the phone after talking with another County ‘old timer’ – we got on to Arthur and his antics along the touchline. Apparently he featured in Jeff Winter’s book, after handing out some verbals one day when Winter was just starting out as a ‘liner’.
The question I was asked was whether I had any pictures of the scoreboard that used to be at the Cheadle End. That must have been before my time. Anybody out there remember it and if so are there pictures.
Once again – thanks for reading
Martin
You have captured some great memories for me as I have been coming to Edgeley Park since 1957. I have watched games from various vantage points. I have vague memories of coming as a 5 year old with a great uncle and sitting on the concrete wall at the front of the Pop Side. As a teenager for the princely sum of 1s 3d went in the old paddock in front of the main stand which wasn’t a great view being below pitch level but we
liked to hear the colourful instruction dips from the dugouts. As age is creeping up it is now the relative comfort of the Cheadle End.
I agree with you, Edgeley Park has been my football home for the last 63 years and long may it remain.
Enjoying all your articles. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Phil – appreciate the comments. I’m a callow youth compared to your own service in the cause!
That princely sum of 1s 3d – that’s just over 6p in todays money (for the younger readers!). I agree about the view from the Paddock in front of the Main Stand – I saw one of Best’s games from there .. it would probably have been better to have invested in a bit of height from the Railway End!!
Thanks for reading my musings
Hi Martin, what a fantastic read, brought back so many happy memories.
When you mention the tunnel over the paddock, it was in fact a drawbridge that was lowered to allow players access to and from the pitch. I’m pretty sure EP was the only ground with a drawbridge, that sadly disappeared when the old paddock was filled in.
Thanks Des
Nice to hear from you, and that you’ve found my scribblings of interest. I bow to your knowledge, and acknowledge my own memory lapse. As soon as I saw your comment I remembered it! I’ll amend with suitable reference to your goodself!!
Regards
Martin
Pictures bring back many memories of the 1960.s and the changes that have happened to the ground …how the crowd used to migrate from the pop side to the railway end as the game progressed and then with 10 mins to go it became an almost exodus …the cigarette smoke rising from under the pop side eaves and for a while the years where that’s where the noise came from…stood under there whilst Freddie Goodwin bagged 4 ( Leyton Orient I think )Always been a pretty magical place with memories that so far time has not erased
Checked back through the records. Freddie Goodwin did indeed get 4 against Orient in a 5-2 win on Friday 18th October 1968. Bill Atkins got the other.
Team that night was: 1 Brian Lloyd 2 Billy Haydock 3 Barry Hartle 4 Freddie Goodwin 5 Mike Milner 6 Gordon Low 7 Len Allchurch 8 Bill Atkins 9 Tony Morrin 10 Albert Harley 11 Johnny Price
Just like to add to the story about Freddie Goodwin scoring four.
We’d just sold leading goalscorer Jim Fryatt to Blackburn, and we’re all wondering who going to score for us now, and the very 1st game after Jim’s exit. Freddie pops up and scores 4.
Also playing was my all time favourite player, Len Allchurch.
My dad says he grew up with Arthur in Adswood.
It’d be nice if there was a tribute to him on the pop side.Something like a photo of him berating the linesman.Even better a figure on rails chasing the linesman. Blimey he was an experience.
Not wrong about him being a character!!
There was a piece about him in an edition of The Tea Party. If I recall correctly a suggestion that the exit between the Pop Side and Railway End should be named the Arthur Memorial Gate. I’ll have a look to see whether I can find it.
Found the piece in TTP 26, (Sept 93). It was a tribute to Arthur, largely authored by Jack Oldham, and followed on from some memories of him from Dave Moore who commented earlier on this post.
I’ve put a picture of the page on the post on TTP 26. It’s here
My father (Stan Coldrick) took me to Edgeley Park in 1967 prior to us emigrating to Australia. As a nine year old I was quite upset that my Hatters lost (to a team with vertical red and white stripes – possibly the Sheffield Wednesday 5-3 loss). I have followed the Hatters diligently and hope to get to England and Edgeley Park when COVID settles down. Could be a bit of a record between consecutive visits to Edgeley Park.
My dad also called Arthur used to run the “tunnel” he retired a few years ago now after 59 years. one of his jobs was to raise and lower the drawbridge for the players. for his service he was made a life president and we still go to every home match.