Meet the team

After what seemed like an eternity it all came to a head on Saturday when the news that we all had been waiting for was released, the new manager of Stockport County was officially announced via COWS (County`s Official Web Site).

Now I didn`t know much about our new manager only that his name rang a bell for some reason?

So I have done a bit of research and put together some information about our new boss and the team he has brought with him to (hopefully) lead us to success in the 2015/16.

So let`s start with the man himself – Neil Young.

Neil Young is a Canadian singer / songwriter?.no wait – wrong Neil Young, that`s where I knew the name from!!

Now with that very poor joke aside let`s get down to business.

OUR Neil Young started his football career playing in the youth team for Tranmere Rovers before playing senior football for Conwy United and then the “bloods” Droylsden.

He had to retire at the young age of 24 due to an ongoing shoulder injury which forced his playing career to come to a premature finish, this led him into management.

In 2008 he took over the manager`s job at Colwyn Bay with Gary Jones as his assistant.

In his first full season he took Colywn Bay to 4th in the league only loosing out in the play offs.

In his 2nd season in charge he again finished 4th and in an almost replica turn of events lost out on promotion again in the play offs.

Neil and Gary took the short journey to (the newly formed) Chester FC in 2010 and he took the managers role yet again.

He and Gary spent 4 years in total at Chester and in that time they won 3 league titles back to back taking them on a rise from the Northern Premier League (North League) to the Conference premier.

An amazing achievement to say the least.

When he won the Conference North with Chester he also broke several league records along the way, this included the most points (107) most goals (103) fewest defeats (3) and a record of staying unbeaten for 30 games!

He also won the Cheshire Cup and numerous managers of the month awards.

His total record to date is 262 games managed and only loosing 54.

Gary Jones – who takes up the assistant manager`s role, is by Neil`s own description his “best friend”. Having worked together throughout both careers this seems a partnership that works and brings success.

Gary is an ex professional striker who spent most of the 90`s playing at Tranmere Rovers, he had a brief spell at Nottingham Forest before going back to Tranmere then hanging up his boots after having played for Grimsby in 2008.

Mike Flynn (yes THE Mike Flynn) has now been given a coaching role in Neil’s new-look backroom team.

I`m not going to waste time explaining who Flynny is – if you don`t know who he is, I`m going to presume you must have stumbled on this page by mistake.

We also have Carl Garner, a former Fleetwood Town non-league Scout who joins us as Head of Recruitment alongside Alex Hay who takes up Flynnys old role on the Scouting team.

Not to forget Alan Lord who as our Director of Football will now take charge of the newly reformed reserve team.

These are exciting new times for everyone involved at County at the moment and I`m more than happy with the board`s decision at bringing Neil and his team in.

I for one would like to welcome Neil, Gary, Carl and Alex to Stockport County Football Club wishing them (and us) much success in the up and coming season.

Animo Et Fide

Steve Davies

—————————-

[Sorry no photo of Neil yet – PA Images do not cover lower league football as well as we would like. See COWS for a picture! ]