After 14 years, 12 managerial appointments, three relegations and three league titles, County finally make their long-anticipated return to League One tomorrow afternoon.
Dave Challinor’s League Two Champions begin their campaign by welcoming Cambridge United at Edgeley Park, looking for a first win at this level since a 4-3 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in February 2010.
To do so, we will need to overcome a dismal recent run that has seen us lose each of our last five opening day fixtures, four of which have been at Edgeley Park. The last time we won our opening game of the campaign was back in 2018 – a 5-1 win over FC United of Manchester at Edgeley Park.
Standing in our way on Saturday is a Cambridge side managed by former County loanee and Swansea City boss Garry Monk. The Us finished 18th in League One last season and will be visiting Edgeley Park for the first time in the Football League since December 1994.
Things you need to know:
- Tickets in the Vitality Railway End are still available for this fixture, with all other stands now sold out! Click here to order yours today!
- Please note that from this season, Food & Beverage around the stadium will be operating on a cashless only basis.
- As part of our County Collective programme, we aim to make Edgeley Park a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who visits. Click here to see a full list of new initiatives that have been introduced at the ground this year!
- Don’t forget to turn up early to Edgeley Park to visit the County Courtyard, which will be opening its doors from 3.30pm! For more information on all the food and drink on offer this week, click here.
- Coming to the game on Saturday? Click here to view our Fan Information pack, containing all you need to know ahead of your visit to Edgeley Park.
- Saturday’s game will be available for overseas supporters to stream over on Stockport County Live, featuring live commentary from Jon Keighren and Sam Byrne. Audio commentary will also be available for supporters based in the UK. Click here to purchase your video and audio match passes today.
Our Opponents:
Saturday’s opponents Cambridge are heading into their fourth straight season in League One, following a surprise promotion under manager Mark Bonner back in 2021. Back then, Bonner’s unfancied side, who had finished 21st and 16th in the previous two campaigns, ended as runners up to Cheltenham Town in League Two, securing promotion on the final day of the season with a 3-0 win over Grimsby Town.
It marked a return to the third tier for the first time since 2002 for Cambridge, who went on to secure a respectable 14th place finish in their first season back.
The following year was far more complicated for the Us, who only secured survival on the final day of the season with victory over Forest Green Rovers, with two other results elsewhere going in their favour to ensure they finished one point clear of the drop zone.
A difficult start to last season, which again saw the side struggling towards the bottom end of the table, saw the Club part company with Bonner in November following a 3-0 defeat at home to Lincoln City.
Bonner, now in charge of Gillingham in League Two, departed his boyhood Club after a run of just one win in 13 league games, leaving them 18th in League One and four points above the drop zone.
Former Gillingham boss Neil Harris was chosen as his replacement, just two months after being sacked by the Gills, and the 46 year old had an instant impact at Abbey Stadium with seven points from his first three games in charge.
Harris, however, would go on to take charge of just 14 games in all competitions before leaving to re-join former club Millwall in the Championship – seeing him manage in all three divisions across the EFL last season.
Former Swansea City and Leeds United boss Garry Monk, who played four times for County on loan from Southampton in 1999, was brought in as the Club’s third permanent manager of the season, tasked with retaining their League One status.
A run of just two wins from his first ten games in charge, both of which were secured over Easter weekend, meant that the Club once again went into the final day of the season needing a result to stay up. A 0-0 draw at already relegated Port Vale was enough, securing another year of League One football in Cambridgeshire.
Despite their struggles however, they did boast the joint-best defensive record in the bottom half of the table, conceding only 61 goals in their 46 league outings. It’s at the other end of the pitch they struggled, with just 39 league goals scored all season
They have added steel to the midfield over the Summer with the addition of experienced midfielder Gary Gardner, who played under Monk during his time at Birmingham City. This will be the 32-year-old’s first time playing below the Championship.
Midfielder Korey Smith has also joined after winning promotion with Derby County last season, whilst up top forwards Shane Lavery and Ryan Loft have signed from Blackpool and Port Vale respectively.
Having struggled during his first few months in charge, Monk will be hoping for better after a full pre-season with his new side. The Us have enjoyed victories over Braintree, Ebbsfleet and West Brom over the Summer, although a much changed Cambridge side were hammered 6-0 at Colchester in their final pre-season outing.
Match Stats:
- County have lost just six of their last 46 league games at Edgeley Park since returning to the EFL. Only Wrexham picked up more points at home than the Hatters in League Two last season.
- Whilst County have struggled on opening day recently, Cambridge have a strong record, with three wins and two draws in their last five opening fixtures.
- Historically, there’s nothing to split the two sides, with both Clubs winning 11 of the 30 previous encounters. County haven’t lost to Cambridge in the Football League, however, since September 1988.
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