After the success of the Tworockdocs blogs, I've decided to take the plunge and blog about my experiences following Stockport County during the 2010/11 season.
I'm hoping that I'll be able to provide very rough (and probably biased) reports on those matches I can attend, together with a bit of reportage of what life is like as a supporter of a League 2 side. This will (hopefully) include a bit about travel, ground guides and - most importantly of all - pie reviews!
Tonight it's the eve of a new season (unless you support Norwich or Watford who are currently in action), and for many Stockport supporters, this is a season that we thought wouldn't happen. Last season was quite simply, a nightmare of epic proportions. A whole season spent in administration together with uncertainty over the very existence of the club, lead rather unsurprisingly to some very limp performances and inevitable relegation. There were very genuine fears that the last game of the season (the latest in the 19 game winless run) would be the last ever game by a Stockport County team.
But now those fears can (to some extent) be laid to rest. A new board (comprised of local businessmen), new management team and (a few) new players mean that County fans can at least look forwards to League 2 football this season. How competitive we will be remains to be seen - a much shorter pre-season (thanks to the protracted process of exiting administration and finding a new manager) means we enter the season several weeks behind other clubs. However, thanks to the hard work of new manager Paul Simpson, it looks like we may at least be able to hold our own this season. Dreams of challenging for promotion may be a bit far fetched at the moment, but I (like most other fans I suspect) would happily settle for a season of mid table obscurity.
Our first test is an away trip to Southend, who have had a traumatic 2010 of their own. Having also been relegated from League 1 last season, Southend very nearly fell victim to the tax man and even now have a couple of dark (if not entirely ominous) clouds on their horizon. Whether any of their 14 pre-contracted players get to play remains unclear, but until their transfer embargo is lifted, they may be limited to fielding untried kids - something County were forced into doing for most of last season.
My feeling right now is that both sides may settle for a draw (although given County's recent form, a draw may be celebrated like a win). Personally, I'll be happy to see a goal, hear the Blue 'n' White Army, and watch a team bedecked in Stockport colours playing professional football.
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