We hear of fans’ inspiring stories, generosity and acts of kindness within the community and we want to help give them the recognition they deserve.
Our next County Hero is Steve Cunningham, who has given people a real sense of belonging and ownership through his not for profit organisation, ACE.
Lockdown has been an incredibly difficult time for many people with the usual support networks not available, especially for some of the more disadvantaged people in the community.
However, thanks to the incredible efforts of Stockport County fan Steve Cunningham, the community of Adswood and Bridgehall have been well served during the pandemic.
Steve is better known as Scouse, as he explained:
“The truth is that it’s because I’m so good at football I just use one name, like the Brazilians… no, I know you don’t believe that, the real truth is because of my Dad is a Scouser and a staunch Liverpool fan.
“He moved here when he met my Mum and with his Scouse accent and heritage, that’s how he was known. I was always little Scouse until I grew to 6ft plus and the “little” was dropped. I’ve played in football teams for years and people haven’t known my real name!”
Scouse, who has always focused on doing what he can for his local community, played a key role assisting the club in the healthy living presentations in schools created by Steve Bellis in the 1990’s. He assisted Andy Powell and Stuart Guest, even getting his wife Deb to don the Vernon Bear costume in times of need.
He recalls: “It was an honour to be able to play a role in the scheme that has played such a huge part in generating the fan base that County has today. I have been watching County since I was about 5 when my Dad took me along to Edgeley Park.
“Then I suppose my colours were truly nailed to the mast around 1983/84 when a group of mates would make our own way over on a Friday night and jump in via the old Alvin Morris Yard, or stand on the floodlights to watch the match (am I allowed to say that?) If I owe any entrance fees then it was only about 50p to get in back then!”
Inspired by the community work undertaken by the club in schools, Scouse set about developing his own programmes, and just as the first lockdown was breaking created ACE (Active Communities Experiences). ACE is aimed at tackling mental health issues and obesity mainly in lower socio-economic areas and making exercise and activity affordable for all.
The list of achievements during lockdown is breathtaking, and includes:
- Organising local competitions at Easter
- Organising local competitions around VE Day
- Organising ‘keepy Uppy’, running and activity competitions to keep people active.
- Organising Facebook concerts encouraging people to join in and dance in their own gardens
- Football sessions for 8 hours a day with over 100 young people participating
- Staging a 3v3 tournament for adults (when the rule of six applied)
- Providing fresh fruit and vegetable baskets to over 80 local families in need
- Making a sizeable donation to Bridgehall Primary school so that every child could receive a present at Christmas
- Creating a Christmas float to drive around Adswood at Christmas delivering over 500 selection boxes to children in the area
All this, and taking Vernon Bear into Stepping Hill Hospital on Christmas Day to distribute gifts to the children.
Scouse explained “We have tried to do anything to lift the spirits really and while a lot of the above cost money it was worth it watching the smiles, dancing and delight of the kids when they saw Vernon or the Christmas float approaching.
“We have since been able to link up with many local clubs and organisations to help with our provision and are well on our way to be able to provide a pathway into sport on a regular basis whilst taking away the financial barrier that restricts most families.
“We have provided fresh fruit and veg baskets to those most in need and gave away over 80 boxes in total to local families, again with the help of others. We gave Bridge Hall School a sizeable donation so that every pupil could receive a present at Christmas, we sent a Christmas Float around Adswood dishing out over 500 selection boxes to young people.
“There was a great moment where a County fan with disabilities came running out of his house to see Vernon bear and in his excitement nearly knocked his head off.”
Scouse and his team are now preparing for a reopening and hope to provide around 45 local children with free Easter holiday provision of activity and a healthy meal throughout the period.
To find out more about ACE, and to possibly get involved, visit their Facebook page by clicking here.
Scouse’s love of County is obvious, and he struggles to refine his list of highlights watching the club but insists that watching County hold Liverpool to a goalless draw twice (over 90 minutes) in 1984, going to Wembley five times and finally winning there in 2008, some fantastic cup wins and then the recent Championship win at Nuneaton are all up there.
When asked what makes County special, Scouse explained “It’s us, it’s all of us. We’re just County aren’t we. No matter what we do or go through you’re always proud to say you’re a County fan.
“I think from those early days I was hooked, Blue and White Argentina tops, being a ball boy and getting changed in the gym behind the stand. It was always a part of us growing up. We could go to County and we’d be looked after, one of the older fellas from Adswood would see us and make sure we got home after games. It’s a family, it’s ingrained in us that we look after each other.”
Scouse has lived within Adswood and Bridge Hall his whole life, and says he has seen people come and go with their promises. He wanted to create something more sustainable and give people a real sense of belonging and ownership. By creating ACE he is certainly delivering on his promises and for us at Stockport County, Scouse is a real County Hero, and we are proud to have him as one of our fans.
Macauley Southam-Hales records a personalised message for Steve;
