Established in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, in 1890 the name was changed to Stockport County to reflect the town gaining County Borough status. After winning the Lancashire League in 1900, the County gained admittance to the Football League, drawing their first match 2-2 away to Leicester Fosse (now Leicester City). After finishing in the bottom three in their first four seasons, County failed to gain re-election in 1904 and so spent a season in the Lancashire Combination; they won the League at the first time of asking and made an immediate return to the professional ranks. County have been proud Football League members ever since.

Joining the League meant the club soon outgrew their ground behind the Nursery Inn on Green Lane in Heaton Norris and, in 1902, they moved south of the River Mersey to Edgeley Park, then home of Stockport RLFC. County have played there ever since.

Hatmaking was an established industry in north Cheshire & south-east Lancashire by the 16th century. By the late 19th century Stockport had become a national centre for the trade, and by 1900 County's nickname of 'The Hatters' had became synonymous with the club

Having played in a variety of kit colours in the club's early years, usually a variation on blue & white, County switched to white shirts and black shorts from the '30s until the mid '60s. Throughout this period they were often referred to as the Lilywhites.

In 1965 flamboyant chairman Vic Bernard, as part of his GO GO GO COUNTY revolution, reintroduced the Hatters' famous royal blue strip; colours they still adopt today.

Stockport County is currently managed by Gary Ablett, who joined in July 2009. A Liverpudlian who has played more than 100 League games for both Everton and Liverpool, he also began his coaching career with both clubs - first as youth team coach for the Toffees, then Reserve Team manager at the Reds, winning the Premier Reserve League in 2008.

CONTACTING THE CLUB
There are a number of different ways to contact Stockport County -

By Post
Stockport County Football Club
Edgeley Park
Hardcastle Road
Edgeley
Stockport
Cheshire
SK3 9DD

By Telephone
The main switchboard number is 0161 286 8888.
The main fax number is 0161 429 7392.

By E-mail
stockport.county@btinternet.com