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The man who put pride back in County: former boss Danny Bergara.
Way to go! Is highway the future for Bergara?
Alex Scapens3/10/2007
THE renaming of Mercian Way could provide a permanent tribute to Stockport County legend Danny Bergara.
Honouring the former Hatters’ manager - who died on July 27 this year - was discussed at a full council meeting last Thursday.
And a suggestion by Councillor Colin MacAlister that Mercian Way, just outside County’s Edgeley Park stadium, could become Danny Bergara Way met with cross party approval.
Among other ideas was the renaming of a town hall chamber after Bergara, who led the Hatters out of the old Division Three and to four appearances at Wembley.
Coun MacAlister said: “He was the first foreign national to lead out an English club at Wembley. It was a golden era in the town’s and Stockport County’s history.
“In this chamber we have a tendency to give generously to people with tenuous links to this town because of sporting achievement. (But) Danny was a giant in football terms. He put Stockport on the map.
“I’ve never liked the name Mercian Way.”
A council motion to make funds available for a lasting tribute and set up a working group to decide what form it should take was unanimously passed.
Council leader Dave Goddard had watched the friendly match against Cardiff with Bergara’s widow, a few days after Danny’s death.
He said: “She is fully supportive of anything we do. When you see his widow come from Sheffield and be overwhelmed by 5,000 people (singing his name) you get an of idea what people feel.”
Danny Bergara took over at Edgeley Park in 1989. His reign lasted until 1995, by which time he had transformed the club from also-rans into a respected side.
He laid the foundations for a team that ultimately reached the League Cup semi-finals and the upper reaches of Division One.
Coun Brian Millard added: “Stockport County was a music hall joke when Danny took over. He changed all that and put pride back in the town and team.”
On our website, suggestions have included David Hill’s idea to develop the railway end and name it after Danny, or one of the stands; or a statue outside the ground. Cosmo also favours a statue outside the ground.
If you have any ideas, write in and let us know.
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7/10/2007 at 17:02
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30/10/2007 at 20:23