Everyone at Stockport County were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former player John Jeffers at the age of 52. It is reported that he passed away following a long illness.
John is fondly remembered at Edgeley Park as one of the finest wingers to play for the club.
He was born in Liverpool and was a prodigiously talented schoolboys footballer, naturally gifted and possessing tremendous skills on the ball. He representing Liverpool Boys before progressing to play 7 times for England Schoolboys during the 1984 season. It was no surprise that he was signed by Liverpool FC in 1986.
He failed to make a first team appearance at Anfield due mainly to the presence of John Barnes and he left to join Port Vale, initially on loan in 1988. With his darting runs down the left wing and the ability to thrill the Vale Park faithful, he soon became a firm favourite amongst the Vale supporters.
During eight seasons with Vale he made 219 appearances and won two promotions. He was in the Vale squad that defeated County at Wembley in 1993. Towards the end of his time at Vale he suffered a number of injuries and in January 1995 he moved on loan to Shrewsbury where he made five appearances for The Shrews.
He arrived at Edgeley Park in August 1995. Following a number of appearances for the reserve side, he made his full debut (SCAN 1037) on 18th Nov 1995, when he came on as a substitute against Swindon Town. He made an immediate impact delivering a pin point cross that was headed in by Ian Helliwell. He became an almost ever present for the rest of that season during which he played in both FA Cup games against the holders Everton. His debut goal is fondly remembered by all of those present on Boxing Day 1995, when on a frost bound pitch, Jeffers scored a wonderful individual goal, scoring at the Cheadle End against Carlisle United.
His place in the hearts of County fans was firmly cemented during the following season, which is widely regarded as the greatest in County’s illustrious history. Jeffers played in all of the initial games of the 1996-97 season, with his spectacular goal at Bristol Rovers being remembered as the first league goal of the campaign. Whilst this only secured a draw, this was significant as this gave County only their second point in what was a poor start to the season.
He played in all of the initial League Cup games and also the pivotal 3-2 victory at home to Plymouth Argyle – the game that is now seen as the critical game that ignited this special season. In all he appeared in 48 games during that season, including the memorable games against Sheffield United, West Ham United, Southampton and Middlesbrough.
With County playing a remarkable 67 games that season, he will always be remembered for coming off the bench to secure the only goal against promotion rivals Watford, during a pulsating game at Edgeley Park in April 1997. Receiving the ball on the half turn, he pirouetted past a Watford defender before drilling the ball past the Watford keeper into the Cheadle End goal. Those who were there will never forget this special moment, nor the incredible save by Paul Jones that secured the crucial three points that helped County to promotion to the second tier of English football for the first time on sixty years.
His career at Edgeley Park sadly came to an end in Aug 1997 when injury ended his professional career, after which he briefly played for Hednesford Town before retiring. He later ran a number of used car businesses in Wallasey.
Whilst his time at Edgeley Park was restricted to the end of his career and only lasted less than two years, he will always be remembered for the significant contribution he made to a glorious period in our history. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this very sad time.
