Stockport County Vs Notts County

Matchday 28 marked a venture to Greater Manchester, where we witnessed a clash between Stockport County and Notts County at Edgeley Park—a historic team predating our beloved Liverpool FC. Facing the challenges of festive travel, I opted for a strategic 10-mile drive to Wolverhampton, parking near the station and boarding a CrossCountry Train directly to Stockport. Despite concerns about weather-induced train disruptions, the journey, taking just over an hour, proved more efficient than double the time by car. The train, surprisingly not packed, maintained a festive spirit, thanks to the Train Manager sporting a flashing Christmas jumper.

Arriving in Stockport, a brief 10-minute walk, guided by Google Maps, led us to the stadium. Despite the wet and windy weather, our spirits remained undampened. Along the way, we acquired a scarf (£10) and captured several photos en route to our stand.

Ticket scanning posed a hiccup on my phone, but fortunately, printed copies resolved the issue. We navigated narrow turnstiles inside the ground, visited the toilets, and explored the junior zone. Liam enthusiastically took a shot at a target, his speed clocked at 34MPH. A Hot Chocolate and a Bovril, reasonably priced at £2.50 each, fortified us against the chilly weather.

Proceeding to our seats in the family stand, adjacent to the away fans, struck me as unusual. This configuration raised concerns about potential chanting between opposing fans, considering the presence of young children in the family stand. Liam, unable to sit, stood on his seat throughout the game.

To my surprise and delight, Liam joined in with the home fans’ singing and chanting, creating an unexpectedly vibrant atmosphere. Even fellow fans acknowledged his participation, extending an invitation for him to return.

The atmosphere peaked with Liam initiating crowd sing-alongs on five occasions, adding to the overall enjoyment. Before the game, I had the pleasure of meeting Daniel, a fellow groundhopper who had assisted with tickets for Brentford and Chelsea. Coincidentally, he was seated just three rows away in the same stand.

At halftime, I treated Daniel to a drink as a token of gratitude. Unfortunately, the long queue caused us to miss the opening 15 minutes of the second half, including a disallowed goal for Notts County, likely for offside.

With an eye on train schedules for the journey home, we left at the 90th minute to catch the last train back to Wolverhampton. Despite missing Notts County’s late goal in the 93rd minute, Stockport secured a 2-1 victory, aligning with my fourth correct result prediction, much to Liam’s delight.

The return journey on the train was delightful, with Train Manager Ben going above and beyond to ensure my son’s comfort—a sincere thank you to Ben for his exemplary professionalism.

The 20-minute car ride home contrasted favourably with the 40-minute journey to the station.

Five Facts About Stockport County:

• Stockport County was founded in 1883, making it one of the oldest football clubs in England.
• The team’s home ground, Edgeley Park, has been its base since 1902.
• Stockport County enjoyed success in the 1990s, reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup in the 1996-97 season.
• The club has a loyal fanbase known for their passionate support, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere at matches.
• Stockport County has experienced fluctuations in league standings, including spells in higher divisions and moments of success in lower tiers.