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VOTED FOR BY YOU...AND YOU AND YOU

New Concept Born For Full Fan Interaction

Welcome to a brand new concept for www.County4Life.com, in order to get YOU more involved in the running of this popular Stockport County F.C. Website.

As well as the regular County 4 Life polls, there will be a separate poll towards the end of each month, for you to decide who was the most outstanding player during that month. There will be ten awards each year in total, nine monthly awards from August through to April, cumulating in the big one - The Player Of The Year Award.

Click on a month to see past winners...

Thanks, and happy voting...

2006-07 - AUGUST Jason Taylor..... SEPTEMBER Adam LeFondre..... OCTOBER Rob Clare..... NOVEMBER Adam Proudlock..... DECEMBER Tes Bramble..... JANUARY Stephen Gleeson..... FEBRUARY Wayne Hennessey..... MARCH Anthony Elding..... APRIL Ashley Williams

PLAYER OF THE SEASON - Jason Taylor

2007-08 - AUGUST Ashley Williams.....SEPTEMBER Anthony Elding.....OCTOBER Adam Griffin.....NOVEMBER Matty McNeil.....DECEMBER Conrad Logan....JANUARY Liam Dickinson.....FEBRUARY Tommy Rowe.....MARCH John Ruddy.....APRIL Dominic Blizzard

PLAYER OF THE SEASON - Liam Dickinson

2008-09 - AUGUST Jim McNulty.....SEPTEMBER Stephen Gleeson.....OCTOBER Leon McSweeney.....NOVEMBER James Tunnicliffe....DECEMBER Johnny Mullins.....JANUARY Dom Blizzard.....FEBRUARY Oli Johnson....MARCH Matty Mainwaring

www.County4Life.com Player Of The Month

After the dust had settled after that very emotional day in May after we had hung on the our League Status by the skin on our teeth, this player shunned the limelight. His job was done, he had done what was asked of him and he exited stage right for what he thought was for the very last time.

So, when Gannon grabbed Jason Taylor from Oldham Athletic on a permenent deal after a successful loan period, his signature was greeted by mixed responses, especially as Gannon culled a huge hole in the midfield after releasing Hamshaw, Kay, Boshell, Wolski et al at the end of the season, Jason Taylor just couldn't and wouldn't cut the mustard to many of you.

OK, let's be honest, Taylor had a very shaky start for County, although he made his debut in the EP win against Macclesfield Town, he was, let's be diplomatic here - a little off the pace. He seemed to lose the ball a little too often, but under the guidance of Gannon, got progressively stronger towards the season's climax, and along with the sadly departed David Beharall and Kevin O'Connor, stopped the slippery slope to Conference Football with two majestic performnces at Barnet and in that unforgettable day at EP against Carlisle United.  

Despite shoring up what was a very leaky County side, Taylor started as he left off when he made his move permenent. Solid in the tackle. Decent distribution and more importantly, has become a really decent box to box midfielder to compliment Tony Dinning in the centre. Where as former EP bosses have often tickered with the central midfielders roles, Jim Gannon has now two able central midfielders who are certain to be regulars under Gannon.

Jason Taylor hasn't just won the inaugural www.county4life.com Player Of The Month award, he blew all the other contenders out of the water, with 56% of you voting for Taylor. 

Most County fans thought his end of season strip routine might have been the last we saw of him. Obviously Jim Gannon had other ideas. 

Congratulations Jason in proving many critics wrong.   

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

His goals helped County maintain their league status last season, yet over the summer, Jim Gannon seemed to have overlooked his 'Fox In the Box' and was on the search for another striker, but really, what Jim didn't realise that he had a striking gem in the squad, he obviously didn't see the quality that the loyal Cheadle Enders saw.

Scored on his full debut against Bury in the LDV a few years ago and from that, never looked back producing a string of quality perfromances and long after the departures of Luke Beckett, Warren Feeney, Andy Welsh, Jon Daly, Stuart Barlow et al, Adam LeFondre could (and maybe should considered how he was treated) have joined them heading for the Edgeley Park door, but LeFondre carried his label as County's main striker very very well, and subsequently his goals helped keeper County in the Football League.

However it was in Sepetmber 2006 where Alfy came of age, his brilliant first touch, twinned with his pace and uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time, he certainly made those who talked only of Alfy's lightweight build as negative eat their words after a superb four goal salvo at home to Wrexham, who couldn't cope with his turn of speed. 

His first was a real pochers goal, pouncing on a bad chest control by the Wrexham keeper to srick the ball into an empty net, the second was an opportunist bicycle kick that would only have been attempted by a striker on top of his form. Some might say his hat-trick goal was all down to Tes Bramble's superb run and ball, but Alfy still had to stick it away, and with time running out, Tes' head on fell perfectly for LeFondre and his four goal salvo was complete.

Very understated and humble, I don't think Adam LeFondre knows how good he is.

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

Depending on who you listened to or believed, Robert Clare was either unhappy at County and was on his way out of the club or had fallen out with Jim Gannon but one thing is for certain, Rob has been in impressive form since gaining his rightful place back in the County defence, and with it silenced a few critics.

Rob's form during October has coincided with County finally shutting up shop with a string of clean sheets during the month, and along with Ashley Williams, Gareth Owen and loanee John Ruddy, deserve a special mention, but Rob's form on the back of his career threatening injury has been superb, and you share our sentiments, with 28% of you voting for him in the poll - Rob Clare is October's Player Of The Month.

Clare is jsut one of the long list of young players that came through the Stockport County youth system, and where as many have left or gone on to bigger and better things, Rob has remained a firm favourite at County despite his one year sabbatical at Blackpool.

Belper-born Clare made his County debut in the bruising battle at Craven Cottage in August 2000, when two County men were sent off, Fulham running out 4-1 winners and then manager Andy Kilner blooded a fresh faced Clare as a 89th minute sub for David Smith, and from that point on has always been a regular in the first team squad.

His one blot on his record is when he was sent off after only 15 minutes against Wolves at EP in ther 2001-02 season, a game that County lost 4-1, but has always been a very committed defender, willing to get hurt for the team and over the years, from a spritely teenager to regular first teamer, has always had a good footballing brain, with pace to match many strikers.

After making over 100 appearances for County, he joined Blackpool and after rumoured to be unsettled on the coast and only making nineteen appearances, (and a morale sapping 4-0 home defeat to County to boot) after just one season at Bloomfield Road, Robbie was back at his beloved Edgeley Park. Welcomed back with open arms and became a much better player because of it.

Rob has always been comfortable on the ball, mixing long and short passes and never seems to get fazed by the occasion, and I'm sure many League Two attackers have shared our praise of Rob this season, he was immense at Rochdale and against Barnet seemed to win every header and also was very accomplished with the ball on the ground too. 

A little know fact is that when Rob scores for County, The Hatters never lose. He's scored six goals for County, and every won County have picked up either a point or a win.

Robbie for striker?

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

Adam Proudlock's move to Edgeley Park was like him checking into the Last Chance Saloon.

But rather than snogging that average looking bird when the lights come up at a few minutes to two in the morning, Adam Proudlock's move to County was one of sheer desperation to get his football career back on track after what was, to be brutally honest - cloudy.

Formerly of Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town, Proudlock came to Edgeley Park under strict Gannonian orders to keep his nose clean and has paid back the gaffer with some outstanding performances, especially during November, eventually ending a memorable month with you voting him your Player Of The Month for November.

Rumoured to have been sacked for arriving at Hillsborough pissed, and with a long line of disciplinary problems throughout his career, add to that County's own forgettable long line of bad eggs down the years - Chris Byrne and Brian Carrigan to name a few - Gannon took a huge gamble on Proudlock, but to paraphrase Gannon's own words, Adam has been nothing short of a true pro.

There is no doubting that Proudlock is playing at a level well below his real talent should grace, but a lot of credit must go to Sir James. He brought Adam to County initially on trial. His pace, running off the ball, strength and rocket shot has really stuck out like a sore thumb since he made his County bow in the home game against Accrington Stanley, and County fans will lord players like Jason Taylor and David Poole surrounding their form for The Hatters this season, however some might argue that Adam roudlock was the find of the season.  

However, his early County days were seemingly numbered, a stuttering start, mainly due to a niggling injury, stopped him from making regular starts for County, and many would agree that a fully fit Proudlock would be heading the League Two goalscoring charts by now. 

What made November his, was that sublime run and first time finish that dispatched Exeter City in the cup. The joy on his face that he finally ended his drought was for all to see, then followed up with another superb performance against Macclesfield. His goal that day was less glamourous, but still just as important.

Many will feel Proudlock's choice as November's Player Of The Month was galvanised by his professionalism in County's 2-1 FA Cup Second Round win against Wycombe. Two brilliant goals, taking his season's tally to four, and winning Tony Dinning in an argument about who was taking the penalty to boot!

Congratulations Adam, a worthy winner!

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

When Mr Personality (sic) Chris Turner decided that it would be best to cull all our best and favourite players, he said that he needed to bring a quality striker to EP, and to some former Southend United striker Tesfaye Bramble fitted that criteria perfectly.

He brought along to County a great deal of lower division football experience, and although they are totally different players, was seen as the ideal replacement for Warren Feeney. 

At the time there was a strong rumour floating about that County beat Nottingham Forest for Tes' signature. At first, I found it difficult to grasp the concept of Tesfaye Bramble being good enough for Forest, but not for Southend, although in hindsight, Southend United are now actually in a higher division.

Tes is as strong as an ox. Built like a Decathelete. Pacy for a bit man and very comfortable on the ball. Great in the air. Superb at holding the ball up and assisting the midfielders with precious knock downs and flick ons.

If there is one thing that lets Tes down is his goalscoring, but as many people base their striking critique on the amount of goals you score, many of you saw Tes' attributes away from the goalgetting, and hence he is a worthy (and long overdue) winner of the prestigeous County4Life Player Of the Month Award for December. with 26% of you giving Tes the vote, just in front of November's winner Adam Proudlock. 

Before this season, Tes would have shined in one game in five, is a cult hero at EP yet his attitude had a lot to be desired. The talent was there yet it took until this season to show it, and when the hard-to-please Cheadle Enders noticed that he does a helluva lot of work off the ball and he is key to most build ups, he got a lot more accolades and summed it up when he was on hand to net two in County's 5-2 mauling of Darlington. Despite not being a huge fan of Tes the striker, Tes the team player ensures when fit, that he is the first name of Jim Gannon's team sheet. When he plays well, the whole team galvanises and whilst his brother Titus is getting slated at Newcastle, Tes is now no longer 'Titus' lesser known footballing brother', he's well worth his award, and hopefully, we'll see his name on this list again in the near future. 

Super, Super Tes, Super Tesfaye Bramble... 

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

Youngster Stephen Gleeson was given the perfect fairwell present by you giving him the Player Of The Month gong for a superb January as County remained unbeaten in the league with a perfect 100% record.

There were many at Edgeley Park who were asking 'Stephen who?' after his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan, and although initially as a largely unimpressive month loan, Gleeson stayed for longer, and grew into a real play-maker, making him into a superb player and a key member to a team who had made their meteoric rise from mid-table obscurity to potential play off hopefuls, and with it sparking a superb partnership in the middle with Jason Taylor.

Gleeson, fresh-faced and looked likely to be more at home in a school uniform, started brightly in a County shirt, but without really shining, but slowly, made his name with a string of excellent performances that not only was noticed by the County faithful, but kept out skipper Tony Dinning at the same time, and becomes the first County loanee to get the prestigious County4Life Monthly award after 32% of you chose the youngster above former winner Jason Taylor and Gareth Owen. 

Stephen is a solid ball winning midfielder with a rocket shot, one slight criticism of his game is he doesn't get enough goals, with his only goal during a triumphant January being the second against Wycombe Wanderers. A tap in it might have been, but if the goal (which was started by Gleeson incidentally), was scored by Arsenal, it would have been shown on highlights programmes in years to come. Gleeson will be sadly missed unless Wolves manager Mick McCarthy thinks it'll be better for him to see first team football at County and maybe he'll be back at Edgeley Park, then maybe, with a guy of his class, we might see him on Match Of The Day at a Premiership club.

Thank You Stephen, you will be missed.  

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

It's easy this goalkeeping lark isn't it?

Wayne Hennessey has been thrust into Stockport County folklore for eternity, possibly into the elitist Hall Of Fame and he's not even ours!

Making his debut after joing us on loan from County's loan conveyor belt that is Wolves, it was a case of 'who?', the usual know-it-alls on a variety of message boards were questioning Jim's ability to bring in a decent experienced goalkeeper and even the most red-tinted spectacle donning County fan would have raised an eyebrow when this skinny Peter Crouch lookalike ran out against Boston United at Edgeley Park. Untried, inexperienced, and frankly  looked like a rabbit caught in the lights, but he held out, kept a clean sheet and the rest, as they say, is history.

Whilst Wayne had been getting valuable column inches in some major daily newspapers as County sought to beat the record, Hennessey was criticised for not exactly 'keeping out the opposition, and more credit should be given to the rock solid defence', to a certain degree I agree, but what about the superb save from Martin Gritton against Walsall at the Cheadle End, the looping volley from Scott McGleish against Wycombe, and more recently, the header against Swindon in the record breaking game that was all but in before Hennessey tipped it over? 

Agreed that Ash, Gaz, Rob and Rosey have had the deserved limelight taken away from themselves in recent weeks, but when you discover that not only did Wayne Hennessey keep nine consecutive clean sheets, it wasn't just 'nine consecutive clean sheets', it was 'nine consecutive cleans sheets out of nine professional football appearences' a completely unblemished record that even the likes of Seaman, Shilton, Schmeichel or any other goalkeeper superstar with a surname beginning with "S" could only dream of.

Wayne Hennessey won't be a County player for much longer, so enjoy it while you can, here's to a successful career Wayne, and congratulations on another record...the first goalkeeper to win the www.county4life.com Player Of The Month Award.

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

He has certainly made me eat my words.

When Gannon was after a bustling new striker, surely he was looking for a proven seasoned goalscorer with numerous seasons in league football. Anthony Elding was certainly not first on my list of potential candidates to fit that specific criteria, but has proved to not only be one of the finds of the season, but also arguably one of Gannon's finest.

When I first heard of Elding's signature, I might have been on my own in thinking that he was, at best, a Conference player, and after his no-show in his debut against former club Boston, Elding certainly made an impression in the games following.

His first was a header against Peterborough, knocked another against that massive club Wycombe and Elding was truly on fire.

I think what made other County fans notice him was not just his goalscoring exploits but his movement off the ball, and his total work ethic. Anyone present at the nightmare Rochdale game will vouch that the only player in blue that came out of that game with any sort of respect was Elding, even at 6-2 down, he was chasing lost causes into corners, all battling, all running. 100% committed.

With a strike-rate of nearly one in two (the Chester win was his 150th start, with 70 goals) he makes predecessors like Daly and Wilbraham look like complete numpties and fans are comparing him to the legend that is Luke Beckett, surely a fantastic epitaph for a player who was rumoured to have been hitting his head aainst a brick wall at Boston after their fraudster boss refused him a move to Bradford City last summer.

I think this is why County fans voted in their numbers to make Elding their choice as March's player of the month, beating PFA Fans Player of the month Ashley Williams into second place.

Looks like we have, after flop after flop, finally replaced Luke Beckett. Congratulations Anthony, well deserving of the award.  

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

About bloody time too!

I guess Ashley Williams must have been wondering what he had to do to grab one of the prestigious County 4 Life Awards after being nominated every month since August, and has seen other players take plaudits, and for Ash, it was always the Bridesmaid, never the Bride.

Ash may have played his last game for County, with loads of clubs rumoured to be after him after what has been a tremendous season for him. A rock. Simple as, but what has surprised me is that none of you have recognised what a superb season he's had until now. Was it a case of there were better players during that month, or was is that because defenders shouldn't usually get the awards?

Personally, I think Ash is the top defender in League Two, and how he wasn't chosen for the League Two Team of The Year is beyond me. Strong, courageous, superb in the air and on the floor, versitile. The superlatives can go on and on. Possibly the fittest player at the club, still running full pelt well into injury time, and although he's not totally ammune to errors, brilliant tackles, last ditch blocks or headers heavily outway the errors and that's why he beat pre-month favourite Anthony Pilkington hands down, getting 67% of your vote.

Ash has developed a superb centre half partnership with skipper Gareth Owen, and whilst this month's gong goes to Ashley, some credit must be given to his older partner and with Ash seemingly heading for the door before Gannon took over, Owen's presence on the pitch has made Ash a better player, and with other clubs nosying around, who knows where Ash will be next season?

Congrats Ash, this might be your last award for County, but you will always be a fans' favouirite.         

www.county4life.com Player Of The Year

Although Gareth Owen took home the official Player Of the Season award, after mustering up a massive 44% of your vote, Jason Taylor has been awarded the prestigeous County4Life.com Player Of The Season award, voted for by YOU, the County fans.

Few County fans would disagree that Taylor has been incredible for County during the last twelve months, and even was forced to fill in at right full back for a few games in the run in, but overall, the youngster nabbed from Oldham Athletic has been in top form, and thoroughly deserves this award.

Taylor beat off the challenge of top scorer Anthony Elding to lift the crown, with 'Official' winner Gareth Owen only gaining a miniscule 11%, thus seriously questioning the legitimacy of the 'Official' award, voted for only by people and corporate members who attended the vastly overpriced end of season Player Of The Year Ceremony. 

For a bustling midfielder, Taylor's only shortfall is his lack of goals - just one in 2006-07, a wickedly defleted effort at Boston United, but away from the lack of goalscoring, Taylor's all-round ability ensures he covers every blade of grass, contributes to many of County's goals and it's his biting tackles and purposeful running and tracking back that has made County fans warm to him. 

Although a unspectacular start in a County shirt whilst on loan at the end of the 2005-06 season, when signed permanently, Taylor really stepped up to the mark and alongside a mixtuire of midfield partners, has truly excelled, fulling the void left by many past County midfielders down the years like Jarkko Wiss, Chris Marsden and not forgetting Tony Dinning, making Jason 'Taylor Made' for County.

Congratulations Jason, well worthy of the award. 

County 4 Life Player Of The Month 

Over half of you who voted selected Ash and it's no surprise that he pivotal as County went unbeaten in the league during August 2007.

Many of you would agree that fans fave Ash has steadily improved from that fresh faced youngster who joined from Hednesford Town to becoming County skipper this summer and it's not just the Edgeley Park faithful who has warmed to him.

Even the Welsh National management team had ear-marked him for international recognition recently and I'm sure you'll all join us in congratulating Ash on grabbing his second C4L award after grabbing April's gong too.

When he got April's award, we were all shouting 'about time' and questioned whether Ashley would still be a County player, but he's still here and still scaring League Two forwards shitless with those thighs...

...but I guess the usually modest Ash will no doubt dedicate his second award in two months to his partner in crime Gareth Owen, but in all honesty, Ashley has, for me at least, always been head and shoulders a much better defender than Owen, and that is not downgrading Gareth in any way shape or form, but shows how good Ashley is as a central defender.

Ash beat off the strong challenge of the resurgent Liam Dickinson and loanee keeper Conrad Logan, but with 55% of you opting for Ash, it would have had to have been a monumental swing of votes to deny Ash his second prestigeous award.

We thought we'd seen the last of Ashley, but regardless of the obvious interest from bigger, more glamourous teams, Ash is still a Hatter and with it, becomes closer to a place in County's hall of fame, and possibly a Welsh cap that'll fit perfectly too...!

Congratulations Ash, the first multiple winner of the County 4 Life Award...! 

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month For September

There is an old adage in football that states you are only as good as your last game, but for Anthony Elding in September, that meant 'Hat-trick Hero'.

The treble at Brentford, along with some superb all round performances for County during an overall decent September all round for County, meant that Anthony was head and shoulders above all the rest when it came down to the public vote, with a massive 77% of you voting for County's top scorer, beating Conrad Logan, Adam Proudlock and Dominic Blizzard to the award..

September could have been a complete wash out for Elding. The month started so badly for County and mainly for Elding, who started the season mooted for greatness but after a slow start was beginning to get some abuse from certain sections of the crowd at Mansfield, but like a true pro, dusted himself off from that personal low to grab himself four goals through September, with the equaliser at home to Wrexham to add to his three at Griffin Park.

For anyone who thinks that Elding shows no feelings for County should really examine the picture here more closely. If there is anyone who wants County success more it's Anthony Elding, brought in by Gannon and seen as a huge gamble last season, stormed to the top of the goalscoring charts although he'd only been at the club four months, and yet had a mixed pre-season and a poor opening, but is now still sitting on top of the pile.

The hat-trick was a perfect tonic for him and one on the eye for those never-to-be-satisfied Cheadle Enders who got on his back at Field Mill.

Congratulations to Anthony on his second award of his County career.

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month For October

If there was ever a worthy winner of this illustrious award, then few would disagree that it's about time Adam Griffin was noticed for his grit, hard work and endevour for County's cause.

It just seems a little disappointing that his first C4L award was possibly for a month we'd rather forget rather than something to savour.

However, from the minute he scored with his first touch against Rushden & Diamonds, we'd brought in a gem, and although some may say he hasn't been quite the same when he joined us permanently, anyone with an ounce of footballing brains will tell you that Adam Griffin has been possibly one of the stars of the season so far, albeit, not for his goalscoring attributes.

The whole transfer saga with Oldham left a very bitter taste in my mouth. The Latics firstly decided to keep him after his loan spell, so County must have been pretty pissed off when they didn't play him and when Jim wanted to know why, they said he's worth more than County could afford, so Jim waould have been even more ticked off when they didn't allocate him a squad number. 

I think many of you who decided Adam was worthy of October's award (56% of you did by the way) were more for being a bright spark, a real live wire whose purposeful running and getting behind defenders gave the front two more than enough chances...just a pity no-one took them...!

Congrats Adam...! 

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month For November

Following his goal-spree during November, County striker Matty McNeil has proved his (harsh) critics wrong by scooping the County 4 Life Player Of The Month for November.

Matty signed in June this year on a free from Macc Town shortly after Tes went AWOL and was seen as an ideal replacement for the Stevenage-bound striker.

Although we all knew Matty was never going to be prolific when he signed, he did add a strong, purposeful and committed member to the squad, and with Tes out of the EP door, Matty would be seen initially as a good squad member, but instead became a first teamer and posed a serious threat to League Two defenders.

Was formerly at Hyde, Runcorn and then moved to Stalybridge before his jump up to league football at Moss Rose, so hadn't set league football alight, but rather like Dicko, has shown real glimpses of a potent goalgetter during November that you have obviously noticed, grabbing just under a third of the vote, just nipping youngster Greg Tansey into second place.

"Pepperami" will never win over all the County fans, as his strike rate is not exactly great, however, those who voted will have looked at a player's overall ability, not just at the goals.

No doubt his four goals during a mixed month for County will have gone far towards him grabbing the gong, as goals against Peterborough, Staines Town (twice) and Carlisle in the cup has given Matty more goals in his four months at County, than he did in his time at Macc, but its his stand in at centre half for the crocked Ashley Williams that possibly tipped him above the improving Tansey, and I'm sure many more County fans will warm to him as the season progresses.

Congratulations Matty, a gloss on a superb month personally. 

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month For December

Now, all County fans know that when it comes to calamity keepers, Stockport County have had their fair few, as just a glance at the Hall Of Shame will vouch, and when Conrad Loagn came on loan from Leicester City, some of the more cynical of Hatters were a bit hesitant to see anything but a glorified James Spencer, and after a few dodgy moments, I, for one, was thinking the same.

But, a goalkeeper needs confidence and now after a few months at the club Logan is getting closer to the standards of Mssrs Nash and Ruddy, a real goalkeeper with real class and able to control his back four, something his predecessors never could.

Logan is a fans favourite, and will never win over every fan (name me a keeper who did, even Schmeichel and Cech had their knockers). I think the longer Logan is in a County shirt, the more popular he will become and especially during December, where he was a somewhat surprise winner of the Player Of The Month, leaving Adam Proudlock in his wake.

I think what made Logan stand out was he clean sheets. He was solid at Wrexham, superb against Wycombe and although he was beaten versus Grimsby, his second half save was simply world class to deny The Mariners a winner.

Thing is, although he has grabbed his first C4L award, Logan can only get better and with a few clean sheets under his belt, possibly a shout for player of the year?

Congrats Conrad, you've proved your critics wrong...!

www.county4life.com January 2008 Player Of The Month

"Long overdue" was just one of the comments that accompanied another vote for Liam Dickinson and after what was a superb January for the big striker, and who could disagree?

After running his socks off in an unbeaten (in the league) January that also brought him three priceless goals, I'm sure many of you would agree that Liam Dickinson's first C4L award is long overdue, and you voted in your masses, with Liam just edging out the sadly departed Anthony Elding for the gong.

Ever since scoring his first County goal on his debut he has been the darling of the Cheadle End, and even through his notorious sticky patch, whilst other fans would have turned their backs on him, Liam has remained one of the most popular men at County and when it was easy to give up and move on, he stuck to his guns and has now become on of the most unplayable strikers in League Two, certainly the Notts County defender who tried in vain to keep him at arms length at Meadow Lane would agree. Maybe it's one of those 'local lad done good' things or did the hard to please Cheadle Enders see a lot more potential in the fella?

His goals against Morecambe, Notts County and Chesterfield were not only the reasons for your vote. The off the ball running, holding, knock ons and generally his all round play hasn't gone unnoticed, and hopefully towards the end of the season, many more of you will sit up and take notice that a forward isn't just rated on goals scored. He was awesome against Accrington without scoring, and held the front line very well in January's only defeat for County, against Grimsby in the JPT yet again he didn't get his name on the scoresheet.

Liam's got time on his side as, although in his third season at County, he still has plenty more C4L awards up his sleeve.

Well done Dicko, a richly deserved prize for a cracking fella and a brilliant footballer...!

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

It was the closest poll in the history of the award, but young Tommy Rowe is your Player of the Month for February.  

The song sang in unison at Rotherham that night was clear - 'Tommy Rowe, Rowe, Rowe' had arrived.

Tommy had everyone present at Watford scratching their heads when he was announced on the bench at Vicarage Road, and after that only resorted to the odd cameo role. Tommy was catching the headlines in the reserves, but his place in the first team was hampered with form to other wide men.

But, through grit and self-belief, he made his first start against Bury at Gigg Lane, scored his first goal against Notts County at Edgeley Park and then followed it up with a superb hat-trick against high flying Rotherham at Millmoor and that is all you can say about Tommy Rowe, because that is his career so far in a nutshell. February 2008 will be remembered in the Rowe household for many years.

Those at Millmoor will themselves recreate those nonchalant step overs and the cool finishes in their mind. There was a few fans with 'Rowe 21' on their backs around Edgeley Park last time and I think the confident flick to gift Anthony Pilkington his goal was worth the award in itself. 

He shares his name with an old Pompey legend and also a rock singer in the 1980's but the Tommy Rowe on everyone's lips in North Cheshire at the moment is that of a superbly talented youngster with an old head on young shoulders, breathtaking pace, superb skills and if he continues like he did at Millmoor, will be making bigger teams sit up and take notice. You certainly did, Tommy edging out the last minute challenge of January winner Liam Dickinson to get the gong.

Congratulations Tommy, a superb start to hopefully a legendary County career...! 

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

Conrad Logan's red mist against Bury opened the door for Gannon to reunite Ruddy to EP and few would disagree that it was possibly the best Gannon transfer so far.

In what was one of the most closely contested Player Of The Month awards, with all seven contenders close to nabbing March's gong, Ruddy ran out winner with 31% of you voting for the hot-stopper.

Still only 21, Ruddy initially moved to Everton from Cambridge United in May 2005 (88 places lower than the Toffees at the time), but as expected, several loan periods at different clubs including Chester City, Rushden, Wrexham and higher up at Bristol City gave him priceless match action, but most noticeably his time at Edgeley Park made people sit up and take notice.

His initial loan spell was only cut short after only eleven games when those wankers at Salford Quay Buccaneers stopped Tim Howard from playing against them and Ruddy was recalled to bench-warm as further round the M60 County crumbled without him towards the end of last season.

A terrific shot stopper who dominates his box very well, Ruddy returned to EP with the full backing of the County fans and when Jim Gannon labels you 'the best keeper he has worked with' - that is a glowing reference. 

He conceded just one goal as County went unbeaten during March; Peter Thorne's penner for Bradford was the only time Ruddy's goal was blemished.  

His many loan spells mean Ruddy played for eight clubs before he turned 21, saved a penalty on his debut for Cambridge, played in The Premiership and now has an illustrious County 4 Life Award.

Life can't get any better, can it John...?  

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

One fan summed up Dominic Blizzard in one simple sentence, - "he mops everything up and goes about his business without making a fuss." 

Having made just one first-team appearance for Watford in 2006-07, Dom originally came to County as a relative unknown, a gangly and rather unorthodox player and as he was part of that nine in a row team there was a few, like me, who were very upset when he left County, to join Milton Keynes Dons on loan, with a view to signing full time. 

I'd even like to place my head on the block to suggest that part of the reason why County missed out on the play offs this time last season wasn't to do with Liam Dickinson's controversial suspension, but that Dom wasn't 'mopping up' in the middle.

Then after announcing his two-year contract with The Dons was to become null and void, many at County were amazed when luck finally fell on our side, with Gannon confirming Blizz would be re-joining the club as a free agent.

This season has been his swansong. Grossly under-rated and with a superb engine, he'll cover every blade of grass in a game. When Liam Dickinson would have earned his stripes with goals, rewind that end of season highlight tape and you'll find Dom involved somewhere, and that's why over 60% of you voted for County's Marvellous Midfielder, and he also just missed out on grabbing the official Player Of The Season award.

Strong and purposeful, brave and dogged, there are so many superlatives you can say about Dom Blizzard, but one word you cannot use is lazy. Whilst Gary Dicker and Jason Taylor will lose the ball and get groaned at from the crowd, in the odd occasion when Dom loses the ball, the groans are muted because he'll do his utmost to regain County possession.

If County are to go one better and lift themselves into League One, then Dom Blizzard will be orchestrating and conducting the middle, giving the forward men options and hopefully, with a bit of luck, County's unsung hero - there is no Cheadle End chant for Dom - will earn the much deserve plaudits with a Wembley winner...!

Blizzard has been causing a storm in League Two this season (ahem - sorry) - Congratulations Dom, well worthy of the award...! 

www.county4life.com Player Of The Year

Every player has his worth, and some may over-rate a particular players' worth, but to Stockport County, Liam Dickinson is truly priceless.

Brought in to the club as a raw, untried gamble, Gannon gave him his debut rather early and he has paid back the faith shown in him from the manager by giving nothing more that 100% everytime he pulls on a shirt for The Hatters, and in a game where loyalty is seemingly non-existent, Liam has shown tremendous courage not to walk away from the club when fans were against him, and you have noticed this too, voting him your Player Of The Season for 2007-08, beating Dominic Blizzard into second place.

Dicko started out as a trainee at at Blackburn, but after failing to make the grade, went back to his Salford roots and played for Irlam Town and Swinton, before really taking non league football by storm for Trafford.

After moving to Woodley Sports in 2004, he was snared from underneath the noses of other football league teams and then County boss Chris Turner bought him for £2,000 in December 2005, ironically, his last signing as County boss.

I think whilst Turner would be regarded mainly as a flop, his eye for Dicko sparked his meteoric rise, and ended last month with the all-important third goal at Wembley, a goal that capped off a tremendous season for County, and thus had clubs from a higher level scurrying for his signature.

County will have an good idea of the kind of figure that would be acceptable but at the end of the day, he's never played above League Two, has had one good full season, and of course he still looks naive at times and still has weaknesses he can work on, but as the likes of Izale McLeod were touted to go higher and be successful, Dicko has not jumped at the first chance to move higher up the league.

County may have stumbled on him as a lone striker when we didn't have many other options but it suited him better than any other role. The higher you go, the more adaptable you have to be to different ways of playing and the quicker your thinking has to be. That's why Dicko should stay a Hatter.

Congrats Dicko, a well worthy winner...!

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

Sometimes you'd have to be a mental defect for a defender to attempt a mazy dribble commencing from inside your own box, but Jimmy McNulty just oozes the self-confidence that he can, and therefore does. 

And that is one of the many reasons why McNulty has made County fans sit up and take notice of this Scottish Scouser. 

Readers of this very website have also shown this, with 45% of you voting for McNulty, just pipping young keeper Owain fon Williams into second place.

Superb in the air, brilliant on the ground and for a defender, also very comfortable coming forward, yet when he arrived, there was a few scratching their head at his signature.

He was at Macclesfield but was nothing particularly special, then when he snubbed a new deal with the Mighty Moss Rosers (sic), he moved up the road and joined Gannon's revolution, and ultimately lead County to Wembley glory. 

After injury halted his first season at EP, he came back fitter and more determined than ever and it was his no-nonsence defending and true grit that gave him his Wembley chance.

The step up to League One hasn't fazed McNulty. Long may it last.

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

"That goal means nothing" was the inane prattle uttered by Wycombe boss Paul Lambert after Gleeson's wonderstrike in the Play Off Semi final, but the shy and retiring Stephen Gleeson went on to prove that 'that' goal certainly did mean something, as not only was it important to County getting to the final, but the youngster was given the perfect send off with a Play Off Winners' medal in his back pocket.

And he must have be a glutton for punishment when he arrived back for a THIRD loan spell with County.

Gleeson is now a part of the fixtures and fittings at Edgeley Park, and whilst he steps out of the media spotlight, there was many of you who noticed his performances on the pitch, so there was no surprise that the Irishman gained September's gong from Owain fon Williams and Leon McSweeney.

Gleeson has grown into a real play-maker, making him into a superb allround player who loves to get forward and track back, and he goal against Swindon Town showed another aspect to his game. A superb shot.

The Wycombe goal was superb, but if it was Rooney, Ronaldo or even Henry, it would have been played again and again and again. Every time he gets the ball, you can sense the buzz about the ground, he clearly loves his time here, and long may it last.

Back in January 2007, a fresh-faced Gleeson started brightly in a County shirt and became the first County loanee to get the prestigious County4Life monthly award, now he becomes the first County loanee to win the award twice. 

Also, back in January 2007, I predicted a bright future for Stephen Gleeson, and cited possible Premiership standard, now a year and a half on(ish) I don't want him to leave.

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

Not quite a household name, nor a first team regular just yet, but young Irishman Leon McSweeney will be a huge star, and after a superb October, it won't be long before he's the first name on the team sheet.

Leon joined Gary Dicker in coming to EP direct from Ireland (an 18-month deal from Cork City), but six years ago, a young McSweeney joined Leicester City alongside former County loanee Damien Delaney, but unlike DD, Leon found times hard and quickly moved on.

He stayed in England and after spells at Hucknall, Ilkeston Town and Hednesford, Leon crossed back to The Emerald Isle to join Cork City where he was a key figure in their 2006-07 FAI Ford Cup win.

Those who have the luxury of seeing Leon every week will vouch that no matter where Gannon plays him, he's happy. I prefer him out wide, but Leon's pace is his key and has a wicked shot and some smooth skills rarely seen on this stage. You also noticed this, giving Leon his first C4L award, grabbing 42% of the votes, beating September's C4L winner Stephen Gleeson by 16%.   

Although still a youngster, he comes with oodles of experience from further down the divisions, and in all honesty although he's not cemented his place in the County line up just yet, has found the transition to League One football look very simple.   

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

Formerly a target for then-European Champions Liverpool, man mountain and centre half James Tunnicliffe signed his first pro contract for County in July 2006.

A strong and purposeful defender, it was thought by many that Tunni was maybe too good for County and could have left for Southampton, but decided to stay and fight for a first team place which makes fantastic reading for a young player who must have seen the monetary difference between the two clubs at the time.

Tunni's season has been a list of highs and lows. He'd play superbly for one game, then dropped for the next, but after a mixture of injuries and the ultimate departure of Gareth Owen, Tunni became a regular in October and November, and you notes his worthy place by giving him November's County 4 Life gong, gaining 41% of the vote, beating Anthony Pilkington into second place.  

The Anfield giants took a young Tunni on trial in 2006-07 in order to table "a six figure sum", but it was obvious Rafa Benitez has no taste, and quickly shephered him back to Edgeley although he did snipe Ryan Crowther, who looks, by all and sundry, like he's settled in nicely at Anfield. 

James' first team action pre-Gannon was just twenty-two minutes at Meadow Lane as a second half substitute for Harpal Singh against Notts County in December 2005, but a new contract would have given Tunni a new found lease of life after being in and out of the team and Gannon certainly has plans for him.

James' main threat is his height, but he also possesses a great footballing brain that belies his age, and when he came back from a brief spell on loan at Blue Square Premier Northwich Victoria a better player, this has been a win win situation that can only be good for Stockport County.

Let's hope that a lengthy run in the side will boost his confidence.

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

In what was largely a forgettable December, stand-in skipper Johnny Mullins was one shining star, and won possibly the most one sided vote in the history of the County 4 Life Player Of The Month Award.

We advised you all at the end of the 2007-08 season that Mullins was heading to SK3, and became Gannon's first signing after Wembley.

The full-back - who was voted Mansfield Town Player Of The Year despite the goalscoring of Michael Boulding - slipped nicely in to fill the void deserted by resident greedy bastard Jamie Smith, and it was obvious after one game that Gannon had produced another gem, and with his love to drive forward, it wasn't long before Gannon utilised him as such, and with Jim McNulty doing exactly the same on the other wing, County's metoreic rise through League One continued. 

After making just short of 100 first team outings for The Stags and uprooting trees, Johnny was particularly quiet in the County side. He did things simply, was a real cool customer who made defending look easy, but it was in December when he was thrust onto the scene with some aplomb.

Three goals (including two at Yeovil) showed other mis-firing players where the net was, but it wasn't just his goalscoring attributes that made December his. It was his confidence to move centrally when required and also to show bravery to get stuck in where it hurts and to drive forward.  

Mullins gained a clear majority in the poll, and although the outgoing Craig Davies grabbed a hat-trick against Bristol Rovers, Mullins has quickly become one of those players who is a defender first and foremost, but can be lethal when given the chance at the other end.

Here's to an even better 2009. 

County 4 Life Player Of The Month For January 2009

It was amazing that no-one seemed to be 'interested' in Dominic Blizzard during the transfer window.

While the likes of Rowe, McNulty, Pilki and Tunni all mooted for a move away from EP, Dom Blizzard went about his business with his usual calm and collected manner, and was a real bright spark in what was a very stressful time for all at Stockport County.

Disaster struck when he contracted the Epstein-Barr bug when at Watford, and never got back into first team recogning, with Blizz spending the second half of the 06-07 on loan at County. Despite what happens from this moment onward, Blizzard will always be a County legend, as he was part of that team who went on that record breaking nine game winning streak without conceding. Towards the end of that campaign, another turn of fate turned Blizzard from hero to zero, sensationally called back by Watford just to loan him back into League Two to MK Dons, who were then County's rivals for promotion. 

Ironically Blizzard played in The Dons' side at EP where he was (rather cruelly) booed with every touch. After signing a two-year deal with The Dons, an alleged bust up the following August, Blizzard had left The Dons by mutual consent; two days later, Stockport confirmed Blizzard would be re-joining the club as a free agent.

Dons' loss was certainly County's gain, and after the hell of watching his County team-mates win at Wembley from the stands, he has become a superb midfielder as County stepped up to League One, and he makes being a central midfielder look simple; mixing strong challenges with an impressive array of passing. The Boo Boys were certainly silenced after Blizzard became a County cult hero.

'Dom Blizzard, Blizzard, Is Better Than Frank Lampard, He Shits On Steven Gerrard, Dom Blizzard, Blizzard' 

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

He looks like Dicko, runs like Dicko and after the amazing February he's had, he's starting to play like Dicko, and I'm sure you'll agree, that is superb news for Stockport County.

Oli signed full time in October 2008 after impressing on trial and many wouldn't have thought that in less than six months, he'd not only be a furst team regular, but also grabbing the lucrative C4L award.

The associations with Liam Dickinson are simple, similar looks, similar leggy running style, yet Oli has got one attribute that Dicko never had - pace.

Even on the quagmire of a pitch at Edgeley, has breakneck speed that often puts defenders on the back foot and with a strike-rate not to be sniffed at, this is why Oli beat off all the other competitors to lift the February gong, grabbing 45% of the vote, with second place Dom Blizzard lagging behind on 18%.

Every time Oli gets the ball, he creates a buzz around Edgeley Park not fekt for someone so raw. A neat touch, a keen reader of the game and certainly knows where the goal is. His winner against Cheltenham Town was top notch, and I know it's easy to say this, but if that goal was scored by a certain Man United #7, it'd had been given top billing on highlights videos.

Ok, even i his equaliser against Millwall had a lot of luck involved, but he still had the skill to execute the shot, especially in the face of severe provocation from the Milwall defence.

Thing is, rather unlike his precedessor, Oli Johnson doesn't quite believe he's as good as he thinks he is, with is another key feature. Oli doesn't go pounding his chest, performs flicks or well choreographed dance routines, but is just a superb raw talent, and for the time being. He's OURS.    

www.county4life.com Player Of The Month

In a month where goals were like gold dust, it was obvious that a striker wouldn't grab March's award, so it's fitting that the only player to seriously take any credit out of March, grabbed his first C4L gong.

When Kenny Boxhall announces this player, it's strange. Is it pronounced as it is spelt or is it "Mannering" after the Captain in 'Dad's Army'?

Anyway, it's not his surname that's been baffling opposition's midfield, it's the player himself. A real raw talent that has shown incredible maturity for someone so young, and not scared to go in where it hurts, and with a great array of skills and superb communication skills, makes Matty not only one for the first team now, but in my opinion a prime candidate for the skipper's armband in years to come.

After being one of the many who get shafted by Man Utd, central midfielder Matty went north to Preston. Towards the end of his second year it was announced that he would be shafted again, and was offered a trial at County in the Manchester Senior Cup versus Bolton. He impressed the management at both clubs but County snared him on a one-year deal at Edgeley Park.

Hailing from the same city that gave Liam Dickinson, Salford, if he escapes the end-of-season cull he'll be wanting more success in 2009-10.

Congrats. Here's to more C4L awards in your illustrious Edgeley Park career.