Stockport County FC: Edgley Park, Hardcastle Rd, Stockport, Cheshire, SK3 9DD, Tel: 0161 286 8888 History: Formed in 1883 from a local church, calling themselves Heaton Norris Rovers. Obviously changed their name and elected to the league in 1902, with first win against Man Utd in Division Two. Have spent most of their history in the bottom two divisions, long-serving manager Danny Begara gave them a taste of play-offs and Wembley in the early 90s and for six seasons from the late 1990s, they enjoyed a period in Division One. Record Attendance: 27,833 v Liverpool, FA Cup, 11 Feb 1950 Capacity: 10,641 Last season: 8th Honours: Div 4 champions 1966/67. Div 3N champions 1921/1922, 1936/1937. Record victory: 13-0 v Halifax T, Div3N, 6 Jan 1938 Defeat: 1-8 v Chesterfield, Div 2, 19 April 1902 Nickname: The Hatters. Colours: Blue. Manager: Jim Gannon. Chairman: Mike Baker Players in: Jim McNulty (Macclesfield), Chris Adamson (Sheff Wed), Gareth Owen (Oldham), Gary Dicker (UCD, Ireland, £40,000), Paul Tierney (Blackpool, loan) Players out: Tes Bramble (Stevenage), Ryan Crowther (Liverpool), James Spencer (Rochdale) Famous fans/players/connections: Alun Armstrong, Arthur Wharton, Brett Angell, Kevin Francis, Luke Beckett ((players), Danny Begara, Dave Jones, Sammy McIlory, Carlton Palmer (managers). Mike Yarwood (he doesn't do much of an impression of a fan). Click for Streetmap of ground

Follow the M62 onto the M60 and continue south to junction 1 (sign-posted Stockport town centre). At the roundabout turn left following signs to Cheadle A560 into Hollywood Way. Go straight on at the first set of traffic lights and turn right at the next (sign-posted Cheadle A560 / Stockport County FC) onto the A560 towards "Ye Olde Woolpack" pub. After a mile turn left (at the "Farmers Arms" pub) onto the B5465 Edgeley Road. After another mile turn right onto Dale Street at the traffic lights and take the second left into Hardcastle Road for Edgley Park. Parking can be found in the local streets or precinct parking in Castle Street. 1919 Minibus and Taxis Tel: 0161 494 1919 Metro Taxis Tel: 0161 480 2901 Blueline Private Hire Tel: 0161 483 1100 Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach 10.30am, £14.50. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

The railway station is a straightforward half mile walk from Edgeley Park. Go down the steps from any platform and turn left. Walk up Station Road, cross the main road at The Bluebell pub and continue up the hill towards the roundabout. Take the A5464 (Mercian Way) and turn left into Caroline Street for the stadium. A 15 minute walk. TRAINS TIMES (UPDATED MARCH 2008): Darlington 09.31-Doncaster (10.28) 10.42 arr 11:53. Return: 17.26-Sheffield (18.12) 18.21 arr 20.02. Saver return £44.50. Direct trains twice an hour from London Euston Sugg: 08.10-11.13, rtn: 17.49-21.20. Saver return £62.30. Direct trains twice an hour from Birmingham New Street 09.48-arr 11.13, return 17.33-18.58.Advance return £18, saver reSaver return £30.40 Direct trains twice an hour from Sheffield 10.11-10.53 Stockport; return 17.26 arr 18.12. Cheapday return £12.90.

Town centre/real ale The Crown Inn 154 Heaton Lane Real ale pub with micro-brews under the viaduct (M60) and 15 minutes walk from the ground - turn right as you head out of Station Road and it's off King Street. A friendly welcome, roaring fires, good pork pies (£1.20 each) and an excellent range of ales on our visit. Open from 12 noon. DAFTS recommended Click for map The Pineapple, 159 Heaton Lane. Just under the arches, a short step from The Crown, this small two-room pub promises Robinson's ales and a friendly welcome. Ye Olde Woolpack, 70 Brinksway. Not a bad starting point. Plenty of guest beers and good food. Open from 12pm. The Navigation, 1 Manchester Rd, Heaton Norris SK4 1TY Owned by the fairly newly-created Congleton-based Beartown Brewery - a little out of the way, to the north of the town, but worth a taxi ride. DAFTS recommended. Alternatively, The Railway, 1 Avenue Street, SK1 2BZ serves Porter's darks and porters, plus a good range of local and continental real ales. Fine lunches. It's close to The Crown. Open from 12pm. Arden Arms, 23 Millgate is a Grade II-listed and CAMRA award-winning Robinson's real ale pub close to The Railway.

Near the stadium Fantastic choice of pubs near the ground and station and in the town if you want to venture further. There are not just one but two pub guides for those a bit more choosy about their tipple. There are loads of choices on Castle Street, near the ground..here are just a couple: The Grapes 1 Castle Street A Robinson's boozer on the road from the station on the walk to the ground. Click for map Prince Albert, 107 Castle Street. Small pub but a short walk from the away entrance. Click for map

Town centre other The Spread Eagle, 31 Lower Hillgate For a real ale alternative, in town. The Robinson's brewery tap pub with Best and Hatters' mild.

There is a good chippie The Friary in Castle Street near the ground (from the station) or the other side of the station are burger and American food chains at the Grand Central complex. Mashaal Indian restaurant (0161 480 7892) 117 Princes St, Cheshire, if I remember was a cracking sit-down place in the town centre, not far from The Crown pub.

Stockport's a neat Cheshire industrial town with decent suburbs, famous for its hat-making, hence County's nickname, The Hatters. As well as the hat museum, you can also visit the Stockport air raid shelters - not a facility set up to avoid Carlton Palmer's through balls, but a recreation of life in the 1940s, set in the network of tunnels running under the town. The museum is at 61 Chestergate. Look out for live music at The Blue Cafe in Shaw Road which specialises in folk, jazz and rock, in a modern setting. Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Online map Hotels/B&Bs Stockport Express Stockport Council Surfing there... There's the Official Stockport County site, while you may choose the Rivals site Hatters Matters equivalent. Best is probably the independent County4Life site. There is also the Peels On Wheels travel club, based around The Bobby Peel pub, Gaz's unofficial site and the Stockport Trust also have a site. There is also the Hatters Hopin site, which is currently under construction. Next away match: Chesterfield (Saturday 19th April) Anything worth adding? Please e-mail us any suggestions. Back to index page No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling. © DAFTS 2008

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