1996–97 Stockport County F.C. season

The 1996-97 season proved to be possibly the most memorable in Stockport County's history. The season began in a forgettable fashion however, recording two draws and four defeats in the first six league matches. A 2nd round League Cup tie against Sheffield United proved to be a catalyst, and Stockport won with a 7–3 aggregate win, including a 5–2 victory at Bramall Lane. Although Stockport reached the northern final of the Auto Windscreens Shield, losing 2–0 on aggregate to Carlisle and just missing out on a visit to Wembley, it was the League Cup which provided the major highlights of the season, with four victories over top-flight opposition. The club, in its third colours for the first and only time in the season, recorded a 1–0 win away at Blackburn Rovers in the 3rd round, due to a colour clash with both the home and away kits. This win was followed by a 4th round 1–1 draw away to West Ham and a 2–1 victory in the replay at Edgeley Park, a quarter final 2–2 draw against Southampton at Edgeley Park followed by a 2–1 victory in the replay at The Dell, and then a semi-final meeting with Middlesbrough. Although County lost the first leg at Edgeley Park 2–0, they won 1–0 at the Riverside Stadium, failing to convert several chances to equalise on aggregate.[1]

After a disappointing start, Stockport also enjoyed a great league campaign, eventually securing promotion from Division Two with a 1–0 victory at Chesterfield in the penultimate match of the season. Had Stockport failed to win the game they would have faced a deciding match away at promotion rivals Luton Town on the final day of the season. As it turned out, County travelled to Kenilworth Road with a chance to win the title, but a 1–1 draw meant that local rivals Bury finished top of the table with Stockport finishing second.[1]

Stockport County's score comes first[2]

[3] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  WAL Neil Edwards — GK  WAL Paul Jones — GK  ENG Lea Jones — DF  ENG Matthew Bound — DF  ENG Sean Connelly — DF  ENG Jeff Eckhardt — DF  ENG Mike Flynn — DF  ENG Jim Gannon — DF  WAL Damon Searle — DF  ENG Lee Todd — MF  SCO Tom Bennett — MF  POR Luís Cavaco — MF  ENG Kevin Cooper (on loan from Derby County) — MF  ENG Gordon Cowans

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  ENG Tony Dinning — MF  IRL Kieron Durkan — MF  ENG John Jeffers — MF  ENG Chris Marsden — MF  ENG Lee Marshall — MF  CAN Martin Nash — MF  ENG Paul Ware — FW  ENG Brett Angell — FW  ENG Alun Armstrong — FW  LCA Ken Charlery — FW  POR Kiko — FW  ENG Richard Landon — FW  ENG Adie Mike — FW  ENG Andy Mutch