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Stockport County can take one step closer to the Football League when they host Hartlepool United in the play-off semi-final.
After finishing third in the National League, the Hatters are potentially two matches away from promotion to League Two and ending their 10-year absence.
First, they must overcome Hartlepool United at Edgeley Park on Sunday, before the winner will take on either Torquay United or Notts County in the play-off final at Ashton Gate next weekend.
A decade of difficulty and despair for County began with administration and concluded with an exit from the Football League- ending a stay of 106 years.
It is hard to believe a club that finished eighth in the Championship 23 years ago could fall so quickly, but that is exactly what happened to Stockport County.
Off the pitch issues took control and with instability in ownership came back-to-back relegations to Non-League, the departures of key players and managers, no ownership of a stadium or training facility and the selling of the club for £1.
Three relegations in four seasons took the club from League Two to the National League North where they stayed for six seasons.
However, under the new ownership of local businessman, Mark Stott who bought the club in January 2020, County have found stability both on and more importantly off the pitch.
The club have moved into a new Championship grade training ground facility, and backing in transfer windows has led to a number of high-name signings who have improved the squad.
As the darkened clouds that sat for so long above Edgeley Park begin to clear, things are now starting to brighten for the club.
County lifted their first league title in 52 years when they were crowned Champions of the National League North two seasons ago, and their fortunes on the pitch look to be growing.
A successful FA Cup run this season was ended by Premier League side, West Ham United at Edgeley Park in the third round of the competition.
An 83rd minute Craig Dawson header separated the sides, but for County fans, after years of hurt, they had regained recognition, belief and a feeling of playing the big boys where they had once been.
Now under the reigns of former Brighton under-23’s Head Coach, Simon Rusk, Stockport look set for success with a strong squad.
Golden Glove winner Ben Hinchliffe has been vital between the sticks for the Hatters this season, and the attacking additions have been a huge success.
Alex Reid and National League Player of the Season, John Rooney have scored 48% of County’s league goals this season, as the side also have a big name in Paddy Madden in their ranks.
The once-capped Republic of Ireland international signed from League One side Fleetwood Town in March and has already scored seven league goals. However, an ankle injury sidelined the striker for the final three games of the season, but a return on Sunday is likely.
Stockport are unbeaten in 18 matches, and at home, they are without defeat in 14- although, eight of those games have ended in draws.
For only the second time in 15 months, fans will be in attendance inside Edgeley Park. A few thousand Hatters will be hoping to see their side reach the play-off final, however, defeating Hartlepool won’t be a simple task.
United took one step closer to ending their four-year Football League absence with victory over Bromley in their quarter-final clash last weekend. A 3-2 win set up their trip to Stockport and Pool will be confident of continuing their unbeaten run against County this season.
Hartlepool defeated the Hatters 4-0 at Victoria Park before a 1-1 draw was played out at Edgeley Park in March, and in the table, Pool only finished a point behind Stockport.
The North-East outfit, managed by Dave Challinor, ended the season in mixed form. A 16-game unbeaten run ended with back-to-back defeats, however, a response has been seen since.
United have won three of their last four games and forward Rhys Oates- who scored twice and assisted the other against Bromley- is flying in front of goal.
The former Morecambe player, who finished as United’s top scorer in the National League, has scored eight in his last 10 games, and his striker’s instinct is perfect for the visitors’ free-flowing attacking football.
Gary Liddle’s experience at the back could be vital in keeping County quiet in front of goal. The veteran centre-back will be hoping his defensive partner, Lewis Cass can make a return from injury in time.
The young defender suffered a hamstring injury in training last week, although Sunday may turn out to be too soon for Cass to feature.
On Sunday, two historic, Football League clubs go head-to-head in the North-West as they share the same hope of progressing to the play-off final in Bristol.
For the Stockport supporters in attendance, they will be confident their team will move a step closer to achieving their main goal: gaining promotion back to the Football League.
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