From Luke's departure to Barnsley 3-3, to Andy Welsh to Chris Turner's Appointment, COUNTY 4 LIFE have been reporting on Stockport County since taking to your PCs in November.
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TURNER IN TRIBUTE TO TRAVELLING COUNTY FANS AT BARNSLEY
New County boss Chris Turner said he isn't going to get carried away after gaining his first point of his new tenure on Tuesday, despite hailing County's travelling Blue Army.
Goals from Feeney, Barlow and Lambert hauled County back from the brink after Barnsley had raced into a 3-0 lead just after the break.
Turner said, "We are in a desperate situation as far as clawing the points back. I'll try my utmost to bring players in to strengthen this team. Sometimes results like this can be a springboard. I don't think I've seen a comeback like that for a long time, but give credit to the team for the way they came back from 3-0 down."
"This result is for all the people who came over from Stockport and kept the team going in the second half."
The quote will go a long way to winning over those fans who were sceptical about the appointment of Turner. County travel to fellow strugglers Torquay on Saturday hoping to gain a morale boosting three points on the South Coast.
Lillis Axed As Cheshire Sport Review ALL Edgeley Park Staff
After losing out to Chris Turner in the hunt to be new Stockport boss, Mark Lillis has ultimately been made redundant.
Lillis' cull was part of Cheshire Sport's role in reviewing all their staff and decided the role of assistant manager was no longer needed.
County managing director Kevan Taylor praised Lillis, saying "Since Mark joined last season he has shown great passion and commitment to his task. He stepped into the role of Caretaker Manager for six games and performed very creditably in difficult circumstances. I am sure that he will get back into football very soon as the game needs characters like Mark."
Lillis, who has previously coached Northern Ireland, as well as managed Derby County and Halifax Town was inevitably going to face the axe after Turner hinted he might bring in former colleague Colin West, stating he only wants to work with people he knows.
County 4 Life would like to show their sincere thanks to Mark Lillis who has tried with all his might to steady the sinking ship, and as Kevan Taylor said, he's a character that football needs.
New County boss Chris Turner has admitted that his initial aim to get a few players to EP on loan will fall short of his desired amount.
Turner took over the Edgeley Park reigns on Monday but has been banging his head against a brick wall trying to add new faces to his County squad, but the former Sheffield Wednesday boss admits it is not an ideal time to be trying to persuade clubs to let players leave on a temporary basis.
He exclaimed "We haven't got large numbers and we need to strengthen. I've only been here a few days but I have made a lot of phone calls.It's a bad time of year because everyone has got four games in quick succession. Clubs pick up injuries and this is when people utilise their squads to the full."
Turner will be without Jim Goodwin for the visit of Brizzol Cettee through suspension.
Out of favour County midfielder Owen Morrison has signed an 18-month contract at League One rivals Bratfud after a successful loan period.
Northern Ireland Under 21 International Morrison, whose former clubs are the Sheffield duo, is Colin Todd's first purchase after coming out of administration, and has an option to extend the deal.
Todd said on the deal 'We initially signed him on loan, but felt we'd better sign him up as he's a great talent!"
Morrison has already won over the Valley Parade fans, and it was he who hit the winning goal that won the West Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield at the weekend, the win placing Bradford back into the play-off places.
Morrison had never been a regular at County, umpteen places on the bench and a series of injuries had forced the winger out but has been a revelation at Bradford, but only time will tell whether his long term future lies at the club.
Ever since County 4 Life hit your PC screens on 10th November 2004, we have been truly shocked by its response, and now, after little over a month, as you can see by scrolling down to the very bottom of this first page, we are closing in on a landmark 1,000 hits.
Although we are never going to compete with the artistic 'County Lads' web site, nor are we going to be as popular as the superb Marions Site, but what we strongly believe that County 4 Life has been one of the most popular web site designated to Stockport County Football Club, and is without any doubt, more informative and up-to-date than COWS (Who isn't known for its 'up-to-date-ness' - Doncaster match report appeared on Tuesday!!!) and other County based web sites.
This season so far has been a topsy-turby affair; the on-off Luke Beckett transfer saga, Cheshire Sport, Sammy Mac - should he stay or should he go?, Andy Welsh and Sunderland. Through the highs of winning Huddersfield, to the lows of losing to Swansea and what seems every other club in League One and right up to the appointment of Chris Turner, County 4 Life have been there to report it for County fans all over the world.
We, at County 4 Life would like to express our thanks and gratitude for all your support and of course for making County 4 Life what it is today.
We will vouch to continue the updated information from within the club, and of course I sincerely hope you will continue to keep checking back and get us closer to the next huge step, which is 2,000 hits.
Chris Turner has been names as the new Stockport County manager.
Amongst all the speculation and what seemed needless delays surrounding Cheshire Sports' announcement, the former Hartlepool United and Sheffield Wednesday boss will be officially presented to the Edgeley Park crowd today, although his first game in charge will be the home Boxing Day clash with Bristol City.
Turner said that survival in this division is a real possibility and saw the challenge as one 'he has accepted'.
But although County fans will be breathing a little easier now the man has finally been named, but in all honesty, was it the right choice? Yesterday County 4 Life reported that a deal to bring in former Barnsley chief Gudjon Thordarson was ready to be thrashed out, only to hear yesterday evening that Turner had got the job. In fact their has been so many names thrown in to the melting pot, with fans favourite being Dave Jones' return, but after weeks of speculation and frustration, Cheshire Sport feel they have their man.
We at County 4 Life wish Chris Turner all the best and hope he keeps this club up!
England legend Paul Gascoigne's managerial dream with County is over, according to Cheshire Sport.
The Club's owners have drafted a shortlist and are conducting interviews for the vacent manager's job at County, and after Danny Wilson being unveiled as the new boss at Milton Keynes Dons, this leaves the door open for Dave Jones to become County's new boss.
There does, however seem to be a question mark over whether County's Messiah has actually applied for the job.
Meanwhile, County fans are still awaiting the verdict from the club over a new manager, after Sammy Mac left by 'mutual consent' (ie Sacked) nearly a month ago.
The 'believed' shortlist contains Chris Turner, Andy Preece, current caretaker boss Mark Lillis and fans' favourite Dave Jones.
The Search has started to find County's new manager, with several names in the melting pot.
Fans' favourite is the return of the hugely successful Dave Jones, who has been hailed as County's most successful boss, taking County into the old Division One in 1997, but a few other names have been banded about through the media and of course through the County grapevine.
Although surely down the pecking order, County legend Brett Angell has put his hat into the ring, stating 'I started her as a player and want to start as a manager her' as well as old strike pal Andy Mutch, who resigned from his role as Assistant Manager at Morecambe recently.
Other managers in the frame are Harry Redknapp, Jim Smith and former Preston and Scotland boss Craig Brown, but County are keeping very firm-lipped over the alledged short list that was compiled last week.
County 4 Life would love to see the return of Dave Jones to EP, but I feel even Superman wouldn't save County from relegation now.
Sammy McIlroy has ended his tenure at County 'mutually' after 13 months.
After days of rumours, claims and counter-claims, Sammy decided to leave County, with the club rock bottom of League One, and eight points from safety.
Sammy took over from Carlton Palmer in October 2003 with the club odds on favourites for relegation, and suceeded in steadying the sinking ship.
After an unforgettable 11-match unbeaten run towards the end of last season Sammy was hailed as a 'messiah' with County fans, but it seemed to hold no weight with Cheshire Sport. Sammy, on leaving Edgeley Park said "I'm sad to be leaving Stockport County, I've done by best to try to turn this club around...I'd like to thank the fans who have been very supportive."
Sammy, in his defence never stood a chance against Cheshire Sport Chief Executive Niels DeVos, who, it seemed was gunning for blood for a while. But just two league wins this season, coupled with some awful signings, have made Sammy a sitting duck for a while.
We at County4Life wish Sammy all the best for the future, whether it be in football or not.
Winger Andy Welsh has completed his much awaited move from County to Sunderland after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical with the Championship club.
The 20-year-old, has fallen out-of-favour recently with Manager Sammy Mac with his last appearance coming as an unused substitute in the FA Cup First Round game against Huddersfield. Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy took the chance to bring the player to the Stadium of Light on trial last week has been impressed enough to offer him a contract. If Welsh passes a medical, County will receive £15,000 upfront with a further £20,000 based on appearances, and this, as well as a 15% sell-on clause. Looks a good deal for County, especially as Welsh could have joined Blackburn pre-season with Souness continuing his snoop around the player ever since, but the move to Sunderland is a real chance for WElsh to gain first team experience.
Welsh will be the second player to leave County for the Championship in less than a week after Luke Beckett was sold to Sheffield United.
We wish Andy all the best in his new career with the Mackems...
Luke Beckett has finally put pen to paper and joined Championship side Sheffield United in a £50,000 deal.
Blades' manager Neil Warnock has poached the County striker under the noses of Hull City after a similar deal fell through towards the end of last week.
It was the same amount Warnock paid to County for full back Derek Geary, who left EP a fortnight ago.
Luke refused to signed a new deal at Edgeley Park recently, fuelling rumours to whom and when Luke would be leaving.
We at County4Life like to say 'Thanks' to Luke and wish him all the best in the future...
Colin West has been appointed as Chris Turner's right hand man at County on a permanent basis. The former Sunderland, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday striker had been Turner's assistant at Hartlepool and Wednesday, and was touted to become County's assistant boss since the departure of Mark Lillis shortly after the sacking of Sammy McIlroy, but after a legal loophole, County are pleased to announce the 42-year old's employment, with Turner announcing, "Colin is an excellent coach and I think we make a good team"
West's official title will be 'reserve team coach' as the position of assistant manager was Mark Lillis' before he was made redundant.
West has been working with Turner in an unofficial capacity but County refrained from unveiling West.
County have rewarded Keith Briggs with a permanent contract after impressing in his short time back at County. The defensive midfielder returned back to Edgeley Park earlier this month and initially signed on a non-contract basis, and since his two league appearances for League One's bottom club County are ready to sign Briggs on a permenent deal. The non-contract basis meant he could have left County at any time, but looks set to return to his first club and his first love. The 23-year-old arrived at the club from Norwich City and his first goal in last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Barnsley did his hopes for a deal no harm whatsoever, and County boss Chris Turner rewarded his return with a contract, saying, "We have agreed a contract with Briggs and he should be signing next week," said Turner. After a loan spell at Crewe Alexandra at the start of the season, the full back was released by Norwich after failing to hold down a regular place in the first team. He has now resurrected his career with his first club and buoyed by his new deal will aim to keep County in League One.
TURNER - IF THEY'RE GOOD ENOUGH, THEY'RE OLD ENOUGH'
A Proud Turner Turns To Youth After Impressive Second String Show
Chris Turner has admitted he may have to blood some of his fringe and young players with the attitude of 'if they're good enough, then they're old enough'. The County chief was oozing with pride in several players after watching the reserves' game with a Manchester United at Hyde United's Ewen Fields ground on Monday night.
Overall Turner was impressed with the display, "Their attitude was excellent, the young players did very well. Young Michael Raynes produced an excellent performance, so did Damien Allen and James Spencer. If they carry on progressing and they are good enough we'll put them in the first team." Chris Williams scored County's goal with a second half penalty after young United starlet Lee Martin had earlier put United ahead in a game that finished 1-1.
County have been rumoured to be lining up a move for Australian defender Adam Griffiths.
Chris Turner was rumoured to be eyeing up the 25-year-old, who currently plays in Belgium with KV Oostende after he spent time with County's side earlier this month.
Turner has not been secretive in expressing his desire to look for new faces for the team, and has broadened his horizons to the continent.
However, although the rumours are spreading about the enquiries, the former Northern Spirit and Newcastle United (Australia) player was called back from training with County in order to be available to play for Oostende.
Whether the trip to Belgium will be fruitful or not only time will tell.
Chris Turner has admitted he faces a still task in motivating his troops at a seemingly relegation threatened club, but remains confident. It took a nerve wracking thrice taken late penalty from top scorer Warren Feeney to earn County a share of the spoils on Saturday, with a 2-2 home draw against Barnsley, a game where wityh more luck County would have taken all three. Alas the former Wednesday boss acknowledged that it is vital for survival to turn draws into wins if County are to play League One football next season, saying "It's difficult when you're down at the bottom, but I'm trying to install a winning culture here and hopefully we'll soon start turning these one points into three. It's disappointing that we've only got the one point when we clearly needed three, but I can't fault the lads for their effort, work-rate and passion out there. I made a lot of changes too, and all the new lads did well."
County go to a happy hunting ground on Saturday, as they travel to Swindon, who will be demoralised themselves after boss Andy King smalled their 'schoolboy defending' when they lost at Brentford. The County Ground is a ground where County haven't lost since 1984. Hopefully a return to good form will springboard County towards safety.
Millwall's Joe Dolan has signed for County on a one month loan deal. The 24-year-old defender was due to sign for County last weke, but having been on a similar loan spell at Conference new boys Crawley Town was unable to make the switch, but had found a clause in his contract to cut short his deal to become the latest to join County's League One survival campaign. Dolan's last league game for The Lion's was against Bradford back in May 2004 but ever since has been out of action, struggling to regain full fitness from a cruciate ligament injury. Turner was keen to bring in a defender on loan after losing out at the eleventh hour to snatch old employee Guy Branston from Sheffield Wednesday, who eventually snubbed County for relegation rivals Peterborough United. Dolan will be included in Turner's squad to face Barnsley at Edgeley Park on Saturday.
Chris Turner has saluted County top scorer Warren Feeney (pictured) after keeping his nerve after the striker slotted home a 90th minute penalty to gift County a well earned point at home to Barnsley yesterday afternoon. Feeney kept his cool amidst the dramatic scenes at Edgeley Park, taking County fans through and emaotional roller coaster after referee Mark Warren had twice ordered the spot-kick to be re-taken following encroachment by both sets of players, the first penalty was coolly delivered into the roof of Barnsley keeper Nick Colgan's net, the second saved but the third was dispatched with some aplomb, beating the keeper with a great finish. A beeming Turner said, "I think both earlier penalties had been ordered to be retaken due to encroachment, but either way you've got to hand it to Warren, who showed a lot of bottle in that situation to go and slot home the third one. Especially with the penalty coming so late in the game."
County manager Chris Turner has infuriated fans with the announcement that he hasn;t any intention to replace crocked Darrell Clarke with another loanee. Clarke was deemed as a flop from some sections of the 'hard-to-please' County fans as he limped out of action after only half an hour of his debut on Saturday, after joining County from Hartlepool on a month's loan. Clarke has recently returned to Victoria Park to commense his rehabilitation. But Turner defended his decision, stating, "It was unlucky with Darrell's injury but we are not looking for another midfielder to take on loan".
County fans will feel a little agrieved that afteall the hype that surrounded the loan move, has back-fired with some aplomb, but will feel a little happier that Keith Briggs, another player under intense scrunity, came out of his debut very well, and earned rave reviews, and looks set to be a County regular again.
County fans wishing to travel to the County Ground for the next away game at Swindon Town are in for a shock after the Wiltshire club announced their prices for tickets.
Although it is strictly 'pay on the day' on Saturday 29th January, advance tickets can be bought at a price of £21 per adult, £13 for OAPs and £7 for children, and can be purchased from Edgeley Park from today (Monday), but those wishing to travel ticketless are to be stung an extra £2 each on the door, sparking controversy.
Although the view and the facilities at the all-seater, covered Arkells Stand are very impressive, many of County's ex-Stopfordians will be at this game, many of whom will not be able to get to EP before next Saturday's game, meaning an extra £8 on the door for a family of four.
Another thing that will infuriate fans is that there will be NO student discount on the day.
Club captain Danny Griffin was alledgely 'furious' at new boss Chris Turner after a decision to drop the defender for the club's game at Luton on Saturday backfired as County lost 3-0.
Griffin was said to have 'flipped' in the Kenilworth Road dressing room after Turner announced his team a few hours before the game.
Turner defended his decision, "I'm here to make hard decisions and choose the best side I feel possible from the squad after what I see in training. I've got to try different formations with different players, but Luton were just too strong and powerful for us."
Griffin's alledged outburst is now fuelling rumours that the Northern Ireland International is to leave the club. Clubs to be rumoured to be interested are Irish clubs Glentoran and Shelbourne.
County legend Luke Beckett has joined Huddersfield Town on a month's loan.
Beckett, who left County earlier this season to join Neil Warnock's Sheffield United in a £50,000 deal, has had limited first team action for the Blades this term, accumulating in six minutes so far and knocking Beckett down the Striking pecking order at Bramall Lane.
Warnock believes it would do Beckett no harm to get a few games under his belt, but despite Warnock's consistantly leaving Beckett out of the squad, the United boss still believes Beckett has a future at the club.
County fans will be relieved to hear that County WON'T be playing Beckett in the month he's at The Galpharm Stadium, unless Warnock releases Beckett for a further month, as County go to Huddersfield on March 19th.
Stockport County, languishing athe foot of League One, have had a triple celebration after Chris Turner brought in his first signings. The County boss is said to be 'delighted' to unveil his first County signing is former employee Darrell Clarke from Hartlepool United. . Turner, who had admitted to be working hard during the January Sales, was left reeling when he lost out to Peterborough United at the eleventh hour for the signature of Guy Branston, feels confident that Clarke, who Turner first signed as Pools boss in 2001, will be in line for County's trip to Luton on Saturday. Also, as an added bonus for County, Queen Of The South striker Chris Armstrong has also agreed to a short term deal to take him to County, another player Turner was 'ecstatic' to grab, especially as Armstrong was due to sign for arch rivals Burnley.
An 'unnamed Championship player', rumoured to be Nottingham Forest's 20-year old midfielder James Beaumont, should also be on his way on loan, although at going to press, nothing definite.
Turner has also been 'very impressed' with former Hatter Keith Briggs following a trial period. Briggs, who was released from Norwich in the summer, is looking at Chris Turner to restart his football career.
FORMER COUNTY MAN IN CASH 'RIFT' WITH FORMER CLUB!
Exiting County defender Lee Mair has caused a stir at his old club, Dundee, in his decision to leave Edgeley Park for Dundee's arch rivals Dundee United, according to Dens Park boss Jim Duffy, who has slammed his former employee in a sensational character assassination.
In an interview with Scottish daily paper 'The Daily Record', Duffy said "I've no problem with Dundee United Football Club, who are entitled to bid for an available player - but I do have a personal grievance against Lee. He's spoken to me several times over the last few months about his unhappiness at Stockport. I know he was talking to United at the time but when negotiations fell through he spoke to me about the possibility of me pushing the boat out and trying to find a way of getting him back to Dundee."
Duffy then revealed that the club were willing to move heaven and earth to re-sign Mair, stating, "We are obviously strapped for cash at this club but we managed to come up with a package that he said he was delighted with."
"He said he was ready to sign and then a few hours later called me back to say United had upped their offer and he was going there - I gave him a sharp reply!"
"Lee's agent was nowhere to be seen throughout all this and I am the one who did the support work when he was going through a difficult time. In essence, we did the agent's work. I look upon this as a personal betrayal by Lee and another example of how things work in the unscrupulous world of football. The player turned the full circle and got his 30 pieces of silver. He went to Stockport for money and it didn't work out yet he has clearly done this for money again. He had said it was me he wanted to play for. The whole thing has left me feeling very angry. But he has made his decision so good luck".
County boss Chris Turner has finally started the transfer wheels in motion, with the departures of two of County's fridge players. Defender Lee Mair, who in all honesty has failed to live up to his Premier League credentials and has grossly under achieved this season has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent, allowing the Scotsman to return back North Of The Border and is rumoured to be joining Scottish Premier League strugglers Dundee United. Whilst on the downside - after struggling to make the grade this season with a mixture of injury and loan spells, talented young midfielder Fraser McLachlan has also parted from County, joining Mansfield Town after being poached by long term fan and former County boss Carlton Palmer. Citing the challenge of first team football.
Although County fans would have liked Turner to start bringing players in to the club to bolster their survival bid, but with Mair on a rumoured £2,100 a week at County then the wage bill would recieve a huge bonus for the club, and would also double up to be used as a potential carrot for Turner to bring in quality players to Edgeley Park.
County4Life would like to express its thanks to Fraser for being a solid and determined player and we wish him every success at Field Mill.
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