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Tributes paid to former chairman

9/ 4/2008

TRIBUTES have been pouring in for Stockport County’s popular former chairman Freddie Pye - the man who "breathed life into the club" when it was on the brink of relegation from the Football League.

Freddie, 80, a passionate Hatters fan and still honourary president, sadly died last Tuesday (April 1) following a long battle with illness.

He became joint chairman at County in 1976 and had sole control between 1978-80 before frustration at the lack of support from the rest of the board for his forward thinking ideas saw him take a similar position at Wigan Athletic.

But he will always be fondly remembered on the Edgeley Park terraces as his stewardship saw County resurgent with ex-England international Mike Summerbee as player manager.

Before Freddie (pictured) took over, the club had spent much of the 1970s finishing at the bottom of the then Division 4 and needing re-election to avoid falling into non-league obscurity.

Des Hinks, County’s media manager, was a teenage fan who had written to the club suggesting ways to improve when Freddie invited him to watch a match from the directors box.

He said: "Without doubt, there was a resurgence under Freddie. The club always had potential but he whipped up enthusiasm and helped realise it. He breathed life into the club. He was a working class boy from Stockport and had working class values. He was rough and ready but he loved County.  Freddie was very generous and a real character. If he saw kids with County scarves, he would give them a lift in his Rolls Royce that had a registration PYE 1."

Freddie, who also managed Altrincham and played non-league football, made his fortune out of the scrap metal business. One of his most important decisions was bringing Eric Webster to the club, who would go on to become manager in the early 1980s.

And he also will be remembered for many kind gestures, such as one incident after a dismal 3-0 defeat by Brentford. He climbed onto the supporters bus, apologised and offered everyone free transport to the next game.

Norman Beverley, current chairman, said: "It is a really sad time for Stockport County, Freddie was a smashing bloke who will be very fondly remembered and sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family."

Historian and County fan Marcus Heap added: "He had charisma about him and certainly made Stockport a better club."