Jim Gannon offers his thoughts on County’s pre-season schedule

Jim Gannon offers his thoughts on our pre-season schedule as further fixtures are announced.

  • Saturday 6 July – Cheadle Heath Nomads – 3:00pm – A
  • Tuesday 9 July – Stockport Town – 7:45pm – A
  • Saturday 13 July – Curzon Ashton – 3:00pm – A
  • Saturday 20 July – Guiseley – 3:00pm – A
  • Tuesday 23 July – Altrincham – 7:45pm – A
  • Saturday 27 July – TBC – 3:00pm – TBC

Manager Jim Gannon said: “As has become customary I am delighted to start the pre-season games as guests of our football partners Cheadle Heath Nomads FC and Stockport Town FC.

“These are good introductory games for both the players and fans. The Nomads are celebrating their 100th anniversary and in the last few seasons have made great progress with their facilities and their first team’s introduction into the Hallmark Security (North West Counties League). 

“We then play Stockport Town FC, where we will undoubtedly face a good number of our previous academy players, who have been brilliantly introduced into competitive men’s football under the guidance of Alan Lord and the staff at Town. Our relationship was a great success with the use of loans and dual registrations allowing both clubs to support each other with the sharing of young developing players.

“We then enter the major part of pre-season. The intensity of training and demands of games is expected to increase. With us unable to use Edgeley Park to host higher-level clubs we are grateful to Curzon Ashton FC, Gusieley FC and Altrincham FC inviting us to their respective grounds for increasingly competitive challenge matches over those two weeks. I felt it important to play at least National North level teams during this period. 

“It is likely that we may introduce one or two further games where possible should the squad size increase and the demands for players’ game time become greater. And like last season we may mix players with Stockport Town FC for one game to play a development game, bringing the range of our academy players together under the umbrella of Stockport County U21 development squad. 

“Our final week’s preparation we trust will include a challenge match with Macclesfield Town FC on the final Saturday before the big kick off. We are waiting for the venue of this game to be confirmed, as both clubs would like the game to be hosted at Edgeley Park, should that be possible and the pitch ready for action. It will provide our final test in what is a real chance to measure ourselves against a recently promoted National Team that is currently competing in the League. We are all mindful that is the next step we wish to take as a club.”

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Keep Up To Date With All The Latest News And Special Offers...

Your email address will not be shared with any 3rd parties




    Newsletter Signup