Browse Sections

Interactive

Popular Sections

Weather

Partly sunny
Temp High: 5°C / 42°F
3 day forecast

News

Email Article

Submit Comments

Jim Gannon takes time out to greet the hordes of supporters.

We're going to Wembley

21/ 5/2008

HUNDREDS of County fans queued for over an hour to secure a dream ticket to Wembley for the League Two play-off final.

Hatters manager Jim Gannon took time out to greet the hordes of supporters waiting patiently in line outside Edgeley Park, while inside the ticket office were bombarded with calls from the Blue and White Army.

Meanwhile, the Express caught up with a few of the promotion-eyeing fans ahead of the final test against Rochdale...

TV’S Real Deal presenter David Dickenson is backing the Hatters all the way. He said: "Up the County! All best wishes from David the Duke Dickinson’

Tony Audenshaw - alias Bob Hope from Emmerdale - said: "County have had a thumping season and I hope everyone’s right behind them - all the tickets will go. "Go for it County."

Big County fan Tim Cocker, XFM DJ, said: "The best of luck to the squad. I’ll be there with Jim's Blue and White Army shouting till my throat gives in...an occupational hazard in my case...its only work! Its a superb effort that we're at the right end of the table with the chance of getting where we deserve to be. This could be even more amazing than the Carlisle game to avoid relegation in 2006!"

Sarah Harding, who is performing with Girls Aloud in Manchester on May 31 and June 1, said: "Well done lads, keep up the good work!"

Chelsea Norris, Stopfordian voice of the Key 103 breakfast show, said: "Be great to see Stockport back to where they really belong.We all know they’re a bigger club than League Two. "They did great in the first leg, lets hope they finish it off. Good luck to Jim Gannon and the lads."

Football fan Timmy Mallet said: "It's a great North West final with two teams who so often live in the shadow of their more famous neighbours; and the trip to Wembley is a day to treasure. It's great for the teams, the towns and the supporters! - So hats off to the hatters - Good luck Stockport!

Yvette Fielding, Most Haunted host, said: "My son is mad on football. His team’s just won a Macclesfield tournament.He’ll be waiting with baited breath - and if he is, I will be too.Best of luck."

Lee Boardman of Coronation Street, and more recently BBC drama 'Rome', said: "I'm not a fan of County but I always check their results. If they can stuff it up Rochdale it'd be brilliant."

Sam Siddall, who plays Mandy Maguire in Shameless, said: "Good on them! I hope they win, good luck to them. Stockport are the best!"

Twelve-year-old Travis Hyland, from Heaviley, has been following the Hatters since the age of three and is confident his side have what it takes to secure promotion - "I can’t wait! I’m really looking forward to seeing the new Wembley stadium, it will be my first time there, and I think County will win. Liam Dickinson is my favourite player at the moment, he scored a brilliant goal on Saturday. I think the whole day will be really good."

Davenport resident Terry Casey, has been a die-hard Stockport County fan for 55 years - "It is wonderful for the club and I think they deserve it, the players worked hard for the win on Saturday, it was more like a cup tie than a league match.I go everywhere with County, this will be my fifth time at Wembley with them and I think it will be fifth time lucky. This is a dream for Stockport, it’s our European Cup final."

Rober Currin, 27, waited for almost two hours to buy tickets for himself and friends. Robert has been impressed by the vociferous support the Stockport side enjoys.
"It will definitely be worth the wait (to buy tickets). I was here on Saturday and the atmosphere was brilliant. I’ve been to Wembley before to watch England, it is an excellent ground and it would be good to see County do well there."

Portwood-born John Holden travels from Blackpool to support the team that he was introduced to by his dad 43 years ago. And, with three generations of fans, Wembley will be a family affair.
"We’re going to win this time. In the last couple of years things have improved both on and off the pitch - everyone is full of confidence. A trip to Wembley makes up for all the wintery days watching County, it is a reward for fans’ commitment."

Deborah Beckett from Heaviley was introduced to County by her partner eight years ago and is a recent convert.
"It is a chance in a lifetime. It would be upsetting to lose to Rochdale, but I think we’ll win. The players deserve it they’ve worked hard this season, they are a young side, there have been a few dodgy games but on the whole they have played well. Fans deserve it too, the amount of people who travel to away matches is phenomenal."

Peter Matley, from Woodley, spent his 69th birthday queueing for tickets to see County at Wembley. A dedicated follower of County, Pete remembers his first ever Hatters match - a 1-0 win against Mansfield on October 14 1948.
"We’re going to win it we’re playing that well, and we’re not frightened of anyone. The support for the club is fantastic they are the best fans in League Two. Win or lose it will be a great day out for everybody."

Click here to leave your own messages of support for County ...