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THE Stockport Schoolboys joint winners of the FA Trophy - the junior version of the FA Cup - in 1948
Time to honour a long forgotten victory
Alex Scapens and Matt Crompton30/ 1/2008
ONE of the proudest moments from Stockport’s sporting history - but one that had been forgotten for years - will finally be remembered as footballing heroes grace Edgeley Park once again.
Stockport Schoolboys (pictured) were declared joint winners of the FA Trophy - the junior version of the FA Cup - in 1948 after drawing 3-3 over two legs with their mighty Liverpool counterparts.
It is the only time the town’s footballers have won a national title but until avid County fan and sport historian Marcus Heap decided this was worthy of celebrating the achievement had been consigned to the history books.
He has organised a special 60th anniversary event to take place at Edgeley Park during the Hatters’ home game with League Two rivals Darlington on April 8.
Surviving members of both teams - now aged 75 - will be reunited for the first time in six decades to enjoy a slap up meal, watch the game and parade on the pitch with the trophy they shared.
Marcus, 41, said: "Stockport Boys’ achievement was the equivalent of Stockport County winning the FA Cup. For a town the size of Stockport it was fantastic and it’s an important part of our football history.
"I thought it was wrong everyone seemed to have forgotten these lads’ achievement for the town, there was no celebration or mention of it when it was the 50th anniversary."
A 0-0 draw in the first leg was watched by more than 24,000 at Edgeley Park, while the 3-3 return fixture was seen by an amazing 40,000 at Anfield - a record for a schoolboy match in England. Around 4,000 had travelled from Stockport.
Although Liverpool were favourites, our lads had the country’s top rising star Bryan ‘the boy’ Brennan, who scored an amazing 32 goals en-route to the final and well over 100 during the 1947-48 season.
The England Schoolboy captain was among the goal scorers in the final, slotting home along with Johnny Miller and future County star Keith Goalen.
Another player of note in the Stockport side was Geoff Whitefoot, who went on to play for Manchester United.
But star man Brennan faded, making only four league appearances for County before disappearing,
Marcus, who grew up in Stockport but now lives in Winchester, said: "After the war English football had its biggest crowds as people wanted to get back to normal and enjoy themselves.
"But people also wanted to see Brennan as he had a massive reputation. No one had seen him because there was no TV but everyone had heard of him."
Of the seven surviving members of the Stockport side six will attend the 60th anniversary event, with the three Liverpool players Marcus has tracked down also visiting. Bryan Brennan will be among them.
Although Marcus has organised other small commemorative events, this is the first major one. An amazing coincidence means Greg Tansey, grandson of then Liverpool schoolboy Gerry Tansey, plays in midfield for County and could star against Darlington.
Des Hinks, from Stockport County, said: "We are delighted to have the boys back. It was a big day in the history of Edgeley Park and the town."
Most recent 2 of 3 user comments
There's a reason this match had been forgotten for years!
30/01/2008 at 16:22
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15/02/2008 at 01:57