SUMMARY

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Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Ave Att:
23	10	6	7	5,459

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This issue was for the Chester game on 9th April 2007. We won, (2-0). The victory came after a winless streak of 6 games which followed the “Nine in a Row”, which is referred to below.

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NEW FACES ……. THEN “NINE IN A ROW”

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The latter part of the 2006/07 season provided a huge relief to the long suffering supporters who had watched 5 and half years of desperate fare. Following the Club became more of a pleasure than the sense of duty which had pervaded trips up and down the motorways for far too long.

On Boxing Day, we had a sighting of a new signing from non-League. It was an inspired acquisition from Atherton Collieries, hardly the sort of Club that one would expect a ‘future star to be born’. He scored against Notts County, and then on New Years Day 2007 got two in what was a disappointing start to the year as we lost at Shrewsbury, on what was our last ever visit to Gay Meadow. The player in question is of course Anthony Pilkington, (below). He went on to play a vital role over the next couple of years, before a big money move to Huddersfield.

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We featured in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup for the second successive year. A huge away following braved constant rain at Vicarage Road, and despite an early lead, provided by David Poole, we went down pretty comprehensively. Poole had been on loan from Yeovil earlier in the campaign, and then signed permanently, purportedly for £10,000. The game proved to be the last stand for keeper James Spencer. He had a nightmare and it proved to be the end of his County career. Despite only being 21 he had turned out well over 100 times for County since his debut 5 years earlier, co–incidentally also against Watford.

But on the league front things were outstanding. Gannon brought in Wayne Hennessey, (below), from Wolves on loan. It’s difficult to believe that any player has had a more staggering start to his league career. Just under 20 when he made his debut against Boston, each and every one of his first nine games not only ended in victory, but a clean sheet was achieved as well. It was the famous “Nine in a Row” which rewrote the record books. Extended highlights of each of those games at home are linked below, and for the away games on the Away Games: 2007 page. But for a quick summary check out “Stockport County – The Unbeatables”.

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The 27 points we picked up in that run put us into 6th place. Adding more firepower up front was Anthony Elding who joined the Hatters from Boston, and promptly scored against the Pilgrims in his first game. he was on target a further six times in that run and finished with 11 in 20 games that season. A great acquisition and evidence of yet another player who Gannon could get the best out of. He was only with County for just over a year, before moving on to Leeds, but still managed to make time to sit with the travelling faithful at Gigg Lane a matter of days after leaving EP.

Adam Proudlock was also making an impact, and the addition of Dom Blizzard in early February certainly bolstered the midfield. On loan from Watford, he played 7 games, but returned on a permanent basis in time for the 2007/08 season.

It could have been ten in a row had the Bristol Rovers game at the Memorial Stadium on 24th February not been postponed at even later than the 11th hour. It was a controversial decision to say the least, (more on which on the post on the Memorial Ground), and salt was rubbed into the wounds when we went back there a month later and lost with Rickie Lambert showing himself up to some tune. Four days after that came a staggering result. A defence that had been so secure lined up against a Rochdale team far nearer the bottom than the top. 17 minutes into the game we were 4 down, and despite pulling 2 back, it was 7-2 at the end. Almost a once in a lifetime game.

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Rob Clare; Dom Blizzard; Anthony Pilkington; Gareth Owen; Wayne Hennessey; Anthony Elding; Ashley Williams; Michael Rose; Jason Taylor; Adam Proudlock & Adam Griffin. (Also played, but not pictured: Stephen Gleeson; David Poole; Tes Bramble; Damian Allen; Liam Dickinson & Tony Dinning)

A quick look at all the goals in the ‘Nine in a Row’ – courtesy of Chris Eaton

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Sadly it presaged a real fall away in form. A win against Chester on Easter Monday was the sole 3 pointer in 10 games. It meant that trip to the Darlington Arena on the last day was made with our fate really in others hands. We strolled to a 5-0 win and knew that bettering Bristol Rovers result or hoping that Lincoln and Shrewsbury lost would deliver promotion. The latter two avoided defeat, so the interest centred on Bristol.

They were also in the North East, at Hartlepool, and with 4 minutes left it was all square, and we were set for a play-off spot. Rumours were sweeping the away end, but sadly it was the Darlo fans who had double joy. Hated rivals Hartlepool had conceded a late penalty, Lambert had converted and they mocked us for our failure and the Monkey Hangers loss. A truly disappointing afternoon, but in reality the turn around over the previous 12 months had been more than transforming.

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DANNY BERGARA RIP

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The “Man from Uruguay” had been absolutely instrumental in turning the Club around in the early 1990’s. Ignore the circumstances surrounding his departure. A promotion, (the first in 24 years); 4 Wembley appearances; 3 play-off campaigns; and the introduction of players still revered to this day at Edgeley Park leave long lasting memories. All County fans had so much to be grateful for. He sadly passed away on 25th July 2007.

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A pre-season game against Cardiff was the ideal way to pay tribute. Jim Gannon, (one of Bergara’s signings and a key player in his teams), and Dave Jones, (part of his management team at EP), were the respective managers of the two clubs. A guard of honour was formed as Gannon and Jones came out; walked down the pitch and laid a wreath in the Cheadle End goalmouth. It was captured on video by a fan in the Cheadle End – see it here.

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STOP; START; STOP; START

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In advance of the new season Gannon brought in two keepers, (Conrad Logan on loan from Leicester, and Chris Adamson). He supplemented midfield with Gary Dicker, still fondly remembered by County fans, full backs James Smith and Paul Tierney, together with Matty McNeil. I knew a fair bit about McNeil. He’d played a fair bit around the Tameside non-league scene, before a spell at the Moss Rose. I felt that he could play a useful role.

The season started with a win over Dagenham, who were making their FL debut. After that it was a grim period Two wins in eleven league games, added to a Carling Cup exit at Charlton, had failed to see the previous season’s improvement being continued, despite both Elding and Proudlock hitting the target regularly. After losing to Chester we stood 17th, averaging a point a game, and a long way adrift of leaders MK Dons. The next game saw us beat the leaders but it was still very much a stop start season. The highlight in the run-up to Christmas was a 6-0 thrashing of Wycombe on a rain sodden Edgeley afternoon. Proudlock scored a magnificent hat-trick, capped by a 40 yarder. He ended the year with 9 goals; added to which were 11 from Elding and 7 from Dickinson.

Interest in the FA Cup ended at the first time of asking as we went down to Staines Town in a replay televised to the nation. It was a game I didn’t get to having travelled to the scheduled match only to find it postponed not so long before kick-off. The rearranged date 72 hours later just wasn’t feasible for reasons outlined on the page about the Bescot Stadium

But it still left much to do in the second half of the season. We stood in mid table 21 points behind the Dons, but only 9 off the play-off spots. All we could hope for was that there would be the same sort of improvement as there had been 12 months previously. It was certainly the case as the Home Games: 2008 page attests!

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MAGUIRE TAKES THE MD’S ROLE

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While all this had been going on the Club had appointed a new Managing Director following the departure of Keith Agar at then end of 2006. It was Mark Maguire who had played a part in the development of Trust ownership. The post had been advertised on Maguire was on the interviewing panel, but suddenly decided to throw his hat in the ring, and surprise, surprise found himself appointed.

I reserved judgement at this point, given that he had a reasonable record in business. I ran a large business for many years and I knew what I was looking for – leadership; communication; a sense of purpose and direction, and the ability to take things forward. Superficially it looked as though he fitted the bill, but I grew uneasy as I read his regular programme columns. They were framed in the same technobabble that I recognised so well as the spiritual home, and comfort blanket, of management gurus; ie naught but bullshit. Lots of words and little meaning. And I’d also come to realise that this kind of stuff was a mask for innocent ineptitude. My alert levels were raised. Sadly as things turned out I wasn’t too wrong….

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Back to 2006 Forward to 2008 Home Games Summary Page Away Games 2007

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THE HOME GAMES I SAW THIS YEAR

Day	Date	Competition	Tier / Round	Opponents	Res	F	A	Crowd	Home Game
Sat	13/01/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Boston United	W	2	0	4,568	783
Sat	27/01/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Wycombe Wanderers	W	2	0	5,353	784
Sat	10/02/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Mansfield Town	W	1	0	5,656	785
Tue	20/02/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Walsall	W	1	0	6,005	786
Sat	03/03/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Swindon Town	W	3	0	6,594	787
Sat	17/03/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Hartlepool United	D	3	3	7,860	788
Sat	24/03/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Rochdale	L	2	7	6,679	789
Mon	09/04/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Chester City	W	2	0	5,719	790
Sat	21/04/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Milton Keynes Dons	L	1	2	5,681	791
Sat	28/04/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Bury	D	0	0	7,246	792
Sat	11/08/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Dagenham & Redbridge	W	1	0	5,577	793
Tue	14/08/07	Carling Cup	Round 1	Tranmere Rovers	W	1	0	3,499	794
Sat	25/08/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Rotherham United	D	2	2	5,764	795
Sat	08/09/07	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Shrewsbury Town	D	1	1	5,473	796
Sat	22/09/07	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Wrexham	W	2	1	5,513	797
Sat	06/10/07	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Barnet	L	2	4	4,751	798
Sat	20/10/07	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Chester City	L	1	2	5,566	799
Sat	03/11/07	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Peterborough United	L	1	2	5,042	800
Sat	10/11/07 (Highlights)	FA Cup	Round 1	Staines Town	D	1	1	3,460	801
Sat	17/11/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Hereford United	L	2	3	5,103	802
Tue	04/12/07	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Lincoln City	L	1	3	5,260	803
Sat	08/12/07 (Highlights)	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Wycombe Wanderers	W	6	0	4,477	804
Sat	22/12/07	Coca-Cola Football League – League 2	Tier 4	Grimsby Town	D	1	1	4,711	805