Saturday, 8^th August 2026.

Matchday: Stockport County v Doncaster Rovers, League Cup 1^st Round.

Much as I was looking forward to the match, I’d much rather it was a league game and the League Cup was in its traditional place on a Tuesday night. Having half the ground empty wouldn’t seem so desolate at night as it does on a summer’s afternoon.

Thanks to legendary Ford reliability, our car is still awaiting parts from Germany after four weeks, so it was a taxi to the ground again. Not the cheapest way to get there but at least it saves any mither about a parking space. As we were about to enter the ground Gavin Bailey came across to say hello, which was nice.

The new disabled toilet hasn’t been plumbed in yet, which is a shame, but its presence at least shows willing. Also showing willing but not actually doing anything useful were the catch nets behind the practice goals. As I’ve mentioned before, they aren’t wide or high enough and don’t cover the main goals at all. While I was sat in my seat, three shots from the goalkeeping department flew into the stand. I’m not sure if anyone was hurt or not.

My column for the Supporters’ Co-op was in its usual place in the programme:

If you would like to see the answers to the questions we asked the club, the QR code in the image will take you to the minutes of the meeting.

I was surprised to see that my lineup prediction was 100% correct:

The game followed the general pattern of the pre-season jobs against Oldham and Preston; all County’s players, including the ‘keeper, look very comfortable on the ball and playing out from the back is the norm. We tend to overdo it a bit for my liking and we have a habit of turning back when we get near the penalty area. It’s as though we lose confidence just when we should be going for the kill. We had loads of shots, many more than Rovers, but not very threatening on the whole. We coped pretty well with the press, but Doncaster’s goal came from a needlessly-conceded corner. To illustrate my earlier point, our immediate response came from Kyle Wootton, who got on the end of a sweeping move to guide the ball home.

Despite having the majority of the play we were unable to get ahead. The substitutes who were introduced from the hour mark all did well but seeing Ollie Norwood go off, especially with the possibility of penalties looming, was a worry.

We couldn’t watch the inevitable penalties because I, like an idiot, had prebooked our taxi assuming the game would be over by five o’clock. I had to use Flashscore to follow the shootout from the end of Caroline Street but it was fairly obvious what was going on from the crowd noise.

So that’s us out of the Carabao for another season. It’s a pity it doesn’t get treated with more respect these days, some of our greatest nights have been in the League Cup and to see it dismissed as a mere stepping stone between pre-season and the league campaign and played out in front of a half-empty stadium is a great shame.

Today’s tune is a reminder of more successful days in the League Cup; The Royal Guardsmen with “Snoopy v The Red Baron”:

Sunday, 9th August 2026.

County’s highlights, with commentary by John Keighren, are available now:

The TSBW Match Review was back tonight in its new live format. The panel for this first show of the season was Jimmy Harmer, Dan Culverwell, Dave Whitehouse and Steve Bardsley. Here’s the executive summary:

• The team: As per the pre-season games but with Whatmuff in goal. Five players were making their competitive debut, we looked secure at the back but Wood and Glover will perhaps a game or two to adjust properly. Some say that Bate and Norwood can’t play together but the combination looked pretty decent. Diamond and Fiorini both looked as though they’d had a weight lifted off their shoulders.
• Tactics: The most noticeable changes from last season were the use of inverted wingbacks (i.e. left footed players on the right, and vice versa) and much less lumping the ball forward to Kyle Wootton. The football was generally entertaining, if it tended to fall a bit flat when it got to the business end. We had plenty of shots but apart from Norwood’s two, they were easily defended or off target.
• The result, good, bad or indifferent?: A draw at full time would be a point in a league game, so not the worst outcome, but the penalties put a gloomier slant on it. Their ‘keeper, on loan from Stoke, was a major factor in the win and we won’t be up against someone of his quality every week.
• The goals:
  • Theirs: It was Alfie May, of course it was, who scored from the third corner in close succession. A scruffy goal perhaps, but they don’t deduct any points for lack of artistic merit.
  • Ours: We eschewed the patient build up for once and a more sweeping move allowed Kyle Wootton to turn and fire home from close range. I’d like to see a bit more of that urgency at Plymouth, please.
• Ref watch: He let a lot go, that seems to be this season’s “forgotten by the end of August” PGMOL fad, but he let too much go at times including, possibly, a penalty when Gordon was tripped in the box.

I’ve only given you the bullet points, there’s much more detailed discussion in the pod itself here:

It seems Owen Dodgson was in the home dugout, in civvies, at the Mansfield v Sheffield United cup tie this afternoon and it looks likely that he’s heading that way on loan. He seems to be generally well regarded as a player everywhere except County and, if the rumours are true, we’ve paid a lot of money for him. If he can get some games under his belt at another club it might do him and County some good.

I usually try to make the day’s tune relevant but this is just a belter I wanted to share. It revolves around the wake of an Irishman who made his way in America, it’s “The Body Of An American” by The Pogues:

Monday, 10^th August 2026.

It’s rumoured that County have agreed terms with Leicester to sign young defender Tom Wilson-Brown on a permanent deal. He’s a 6’-4” left-footed centre half, which sounds worryingly like an Ethan Pye replacement but no doubt all will be revealed in due course.

County’s marketers had a bit of a ‘mare today. Some fans, including me, received an email inviting them to the launch of the third kit in the VITA bar at EP tomorrow night. The offer included a free shirt, eats and drinks so well worth having if that’s your bag. The problem was in the wording of the email, it wasn’t clear what the selection criteria were but it later transpired that it was for season ticket holders for at least four years who were also My County members. Unfortunately this upset long-standing fans who weren’t members and even some who fit the criteria but weren’t invited.

Mark Stott, unlike some club owners I could mention, doesn’t give many interviews but when he does they always come across as open, frank and truthful. This latest, with Jon Keighren, is well worth watching in full but here’s a flavour of what he had to say:

• Why Jimmy McNulty?: He’s an ex-player, he had Rochdale playing attractive football and they always kept pushing to the very end. A bright young manager with a definite style and very clear on the type and identity of the players he wants to sign.
• The end of an era: With Simon Wilson wanting to move on and Dave Challinor looking for a new challenge, the end of last season seemed like a natural break. None of the success the club has enjoyed since Mark took over would have happened without the two of them.
• Rene Meulensteen: Knows the club through his son Joppe, who’s been involved with Mark from the Box Football days. Rene had day-to-day involvement with the first team at United in their most successful era and was instrumental in Christiano Ronaldo’s development. His plan is to plot a Golden Thread through the entire club from the academy to the first team, ensuring they all play the game the right way and maintain a pathway so students know they can get to the top if they have the talent to do so.
• Finance: The plan that Simon presented to Mark as a potential oner was to reach the Championship in seven years at a cost of £25M. With a year to go, he’s now £50M deep but that includes the academy, the infrastructure around Edgeley Park, the Community Trust and everything else. On top of that, the average loss in League 1 has risen from £1M to £9M a year since the start of the seven-year plan. This rises to £25M in the Championship so none of it is close to sustainable.
• The new plan: A new five-year plan is in preparation now and the academy is fundamental to it. Bringing our own players through will both reduce recruitment costs and bring money in through player sales when the time is right and their value is at its peak.
• Edgeley Park:
  • Bergara Stand: The roof needs to be replaced and adding 600 extra seats will cost around £5.5M with the necessary alterations such as moving the Police Control Office.
  • Railway End: The planned redevelopment would cost around £25M so it will require time and patience to get to that stage.
• Recruitment: Data plays a bigger part than ever but once potential targets are identified, Jonathan Smith scouts them in the old-fashioned way. He will produce a list of three to four options, the manager will decide which he likes and the negotiations proceed form there.
• Academy: Achieving Cat 2 is vital to attracting the best talent and it will enable the teams to play a better class of opposition which will improve standards even further.
• County Women: Now properly funded and led by the powerhouse that is Tracey Neville, with full support from Gavin Bailey. The structure stretches right up from the U8s up to the first team and there are as many girls playing at Stockport Sports Village as there are boys. The aim is to progress from the fourth tier to the second, WSL2.
• Community Trust: Local impact was always a factor in buying the club and Mark is justifiably proud of the impact being made at Junior School level and with projects like Kits By County.
• Sports Education: They have 275 scholars this year and hope to reach one thousand by 2030 with the backing of a large local university.
• The playoffs: Getting to them twice without going up was “bloody annoying” but he hopes we’ll be around them again this season.

If you haven’t listened, please do so; it’s full of enthusiasm, detail and plans for the future.

Today’s tune, in honour of Mark Stott, is “Tend To My Bid’ness” by John Juke Logan:

Tuesday, 11^th August 2026.

The second part of TSBW’s squad pod is out now. In this section, Russ, Andy, Waggie, Jimmy and Steve go player-by-player through the rest of the current Stockport County squad and give their honest opinions. Who do they rate? Who needs to step up? Who could have a big season? Who might blossom under a new manager? Who are they still not convinced by? There’s plenty of debate, plenty of different opinions and, as always, plenty of laughs along the way.

Enjoy it here:

Two items of rumoured transfer news came to fruition today:

• Owen Dodgson: Gone on a season-long loan to Mansfield. County have a recall clause, perhaps as well given our injury woes last season. His time at County hasn’t gone too well but he’s been suffering from glandular fever and perhaps now he’s recovered, some serious playing time will allow him to regain his form.

• Tom Wilson-Brown: The young Leicester defender has signed on a permanent for an undisclosed fee. He did well at Swindon last season, by all accounts, so it’ll interesting to see how he copes with the higher division.

We haven’t played a league game yet and we’re already being jerked around by the powers that be. Our away fixture against Luton has been moved from Tuesday 1^st September to the day after because they’ve drawn Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. Booked a coach, a hotel or time off work? Never mind, that’s your hard cheese.

Today’s tune is “The Referee’s Alphabet” by Half Man Half Biscuit, because we could all do with a laugh, even this early in the season:

Wednesday, 12^th August 2026.

Despite receiving an invitation, I opted not to attend tonight’s launch of the third kit, I’m not that desperate for a shirt I’m unlikely ever to wear. Here’s how it looked:

It’s fair to say that the orange kit and the video announcing it haven’t met with universal acclaim but neither bother me particularly.

Tickets for Wigan (A) went on sale today and, at long last, we have a seat map so we can choose where to sit. I think I’ve chosen one on the end of a row with an uninhibited view but all will be revealed on the day.

County Women: The women have their first league game of the season on Sunday, at home to Chester-le-Street Town. Season tickets are now available for the games at Cheadle Town’s Park Road Stadium from https://tickets.stockportcounty.com/season-tickets

The signings have continued this week, with Meg Boydell and Hannah Fishwick from Stourbridge joining Tash Tezgel’s team.

I see Paddy Madden has rejoined one of his old teams in Ireland, Bohemians.

As mentioned here last week, there are some changes in the wind for the blog’s parent podcast this season. Tonight’s main pod was a case in point, with Waggie replacing Russ in the driving seat and Andy moving into the co-driver’s position. Tonight’s fan guest, making his hat-trick appearance, was Daniel Davies. It’s been a busy week, and the panel covered every last morsel of it:

• Doncaster (H): A decent performance, despite the ultimate result. Bate looked more like his old self, Wood, Glover and Adigun impressed but Edun struggled as an inverted wingback. Andy reckoned it’s a shit cup and he’s glad we’re out of it, which is an opinion albeit a wrong one.
• Inverted wingbacks: In a recent interview, Jimmy McNulty said that he isn’t fixated on using inverted wingbacks, prefers the term “wingers” and will return to the conventional wide positions if that’s what a particular opposition demands.
• Jimmy McNulty: The new manager speaks well, has interesting things to say and brings a breath of fresh air to everything around the club.
• Mark Stott speaks: The owner seems reinvigorated by the changes in the close season and appears to be committed to the original seven-year plan and the new five-year one currently being written. He spoke frankly about the money he’s invested so far and his enthusiasm for the academy and the sports education facilities were plain to see.
• Where will we finish this season?: In ascending order of optimism, Dan says 6^th or 7^th, Andy 5^th and Waggie 3^rd or better. I’d be happy with the playoffs.
• Owen Dodgson: His departure on loan to Mansfield was a surprise and, as we’ve learned that he only has a year left on his contract, has his signing proved an expensive failure? In mitigation, we know he’s had glandular fever, there are rumours of a fraught private life and he came with an impressive reputation, so perhaps some playing time away from EP will get him back on track.
• Ryan Rydel: He’s bulked up in his time away, he could be the archetypal new signing if he can keep fit. The fact that he seemed to be wearing a knee brace while warming up is a worry but I really hope he can play a part for us this season.
• Tom Wilson-Brown: The young 6’-4” left-sided centre half could be the ideal back-up for Ethan Pye.
• Luton (A): Our game at Kenilworth Road has been put back a day, with a number of others, to Wednesday 2^nd September for reasons associated with our opponents drawing Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. A further illustration, as if one were needed, of where the fans come in the list of priorities.
• 3^rd kit launch: To say it could have been handled better by the club is putting it mildly. The email to the invitees was poorly worded, the launch video included that Goodvibes bloke who is “Marmite” at best and some chap who was completely unknown to me but is apparently a disc jockey. The kit itself has had a mixed reception as well, so not County’s finest hour by any means.
• Plymouth (A): Will we see changes from last Saturday? Would a draw be a good result?
• Andy’s quiz: We’ve moved on from Random Shit Of The Week to a running Guest v Waggie scenario with Andy asking the questions. Dan’s lightning-quick answers to the football ground questions made him the winner for this week.

All in all, a triumphant return of the main show and a great showing for Waggie in his new role on the buttons. Watch for yourself here:

Today’s tune, for all those heading for Plymouth on Saturday, is Eddie & The Hot Rods with “Hard Driving Man”:

Thursday, 13^th August 2026.

County have announced that they’re introducing an app. Hurrah, another opportunity to create a password.

Strong rumours have surfaced today that Ethan Pye is on his way to West Brom for four million quid. I’d be very sorry to see him go but it’s starting feel inevitable now. It’s a good job he signed that new contract or we’d be waving him goodbye for bugger-all.

TSBW’s Plymouth (A) Preview Podcast is out now, regular presenter Steve Bardsley talking to Sam of the Green & White Podcast. Here’s how it went:

• Last season: Plymouth had a fits-and-starts sort of season, taking ages to get going then charging up the league, only to suffer a couple of setbacks just as they looked like getting in the playoffs.
• Pre-season: They emerged unbeaten from the friendlies, including games against Torquay and Bristol City, and overcame local rivals Exeter in the Carabao Cup.
• Expectations for this season: There’s pessimism in some quarters but Sam thinks they’ve recruited well and have kept hold of Bim Pepple, so they should at least make the playoffs.
• Transfers:
  • Lorent Tolaj, who scored twenty-one goals last season, has departed for Bristol City.
  • Will Evans, a centre forward well known to County fans, has signed from Mansfield.
  • Defender Alex Mitchell, who spent last season on loan at Argyle from Charlton, has now signed on a permanent basis.
  • Alex Hartridge, a centre back has signed on a free from Burton.
  • Luca Ashby-Hammond has left Argyle to join County.
• Formation: They seem to have settled on 4-4-2, a system which Sam says is coming back into fashion.
• Predictions: Sam is expecting a 3-1 win for the home team in front of a capacity crowd.

There’s much more to be learned by watching the pod itself:

Today’s tune, to mark the introduction of County’s app, is a live  version of “Add Me” by Chumbawamba:

Friday 14^th August 2026.

Two new County pins are available now from Ric at Pennodraws. They’re both limited editions of 50, so you’ll need to be quick.

They’re available from https://www.pennodraws.com/product/jack-tiger-bowles-jimmy-mcnulty-stockport-county-pennodraws-pin

Here’s my stab at a team for tomorrow. It’s the same as last Saturday, there seems little point in changing it:

Tomorrow’s trip to Plymouth will be particularly interesting for those of us on the Fingerpost Flyer, it will be the first with our new coach company, Elite Services.

At the time of writing, there are still seats available on the Flyers to Luton and Wigan, details of how to book your place are available on the dedicated Facebook page and all other County social media spaces.

Talking of the Fingerpost Flyer, Ian Brown is running a series of articles by County Historian Ian Watts on “This Week In County History.” The second in the series covers 2007, and is well worth a look:

https://hedgegrower.blogspot.com/2026/08/this-week-in-county-history2007.html

Today’s tune is a prime bit of post-Brilleaux Dr. Feelgood with Pete Gage on vocals, “Going Out West”:

See you at Plymouth!

Animo et fide.