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THE BLUE ARMY

Stockport County First Team Squad

1 Owain fon Williams, 2 Johnny Mullins, 3 Michael Rose, 4 Paul Turnbull, 5 Liam Bridcutt (On Loan From Chelsea), 6 Michael Raynes, 7 James Vincent, 8 Greg Tansey, 9 Peter Thompson, 10 Carl Baker, 11 Oli Johnson, 13 Paul Gerrard, 14 Adam Griffin, 15 David Poole, 16 Matty Mainwaring, 17 Danny Pilkington, 18 Andy Halls, 19 Declan Edwards, 20 Gianluca Havern, 21 Craig Roberts, 22, Danny Rowe, 23 Lloyd Rigby, 24 Nicholas Bignall (On Loan From Reading), 28 Christian Riberio (On Loan From Bristol City)  31 Paul Ennis. Gary Ablett

Gareth Ian "Gary" Ablett (born 19 November 1965) played as a solid defender and spent nine years with Liverpool and then won the FA Cup with Everton, beating the dirty rags in 1995. 

Was formerly Liverpool Reserves boss until his contract wasn't renewed and left at the end of the 2008-09 season. It wasn't long before he was back in work, as on 8 July 2009, he was announced as the new manager of Stockport County, following the departure of Jim Gannon to Motherwell.

In the summer of 2002, after is playing days filtered out after a trial with Grimsby and brief spells at Wycombe, Blackpool and Long Island Rough Riders in the US, Ablett, like a lot of his contemporaries, moved into coaching, taking up a post as the coach of Everton's U-17 side.

He worked as part of the club's youth academy for several years until the summer of 2006, when he returned to his first club, taking over as LFC Reserves coach.

In April 2008, under Ablett's guidance, LFC's second string (which incidentally included former Hatter Ryan Crowther) were crowned champions of the Premier Reserve League North, and the following month they became national champions after a play-off final victory against Aston Villa's reserves. In July 2008 he completed his final UEFA coaching qualification by obtaining the UEA Pro Licence.

Personally, although his league experience in particularly thin, I feel County have pulled the rabbit out of the hat recruiting Ablett.

Good luck Gary...!  

When County agreed terms with Crewe Alexandra for Caernarfon-born fon Williams, it filled a huge void in the squad with the loanee double act of John Ruddy and Conrad Logan going back to their parent clubs and Chris Adamson going straight into the Hall Of Shame.

Out of contract at Gresty Road, fon Williams' signature meant County had to go to a tribunal as a fee for the 21-year old couldn't be agreed.

Although never started for The Alex, he is, however, the current Welsh Under 21 keeper and used a tip from former County star Wayne Hennessey in order to make the move, suggesting that if County came a-knocking, he shouldn't pass up the opportunity.

Has shown in his short period at the club that he isn't the finished article, but he is still a lot better than some of the other players in County's #1 jersey.

County sign Gerrard...!

Yeah, yeah. As if, but still, Paul Gerrard, maybe 36 and coming to the end of his career, but will be ample competition for Owain fon Williams, and also will bring some vital experience to what could be the youngest squad in League One, should he get his chance between the sticks. 

Heywood-born Gerrard, is at Edgeley Park on a player-coach role, as well as second-choice keeper. A little known fact is that Gerrard is a former England U-21 International.

He started out at Oldham, and spent five years at Boundary Park before moving to Everton. After making 90 appearences, and brief loan spells at Oxford, Oldham (again) and Sheffield United, he signed for Forest in 2004, and then two years later was moved on to a second spell at Bramhall Lane. He only made two first team games last year, I feel he may get more chances at County, especially if OfW is called away on International duty.  

Originally released at the end of 2008-09, Lloyd came back to County after an injury to Paul Gerrard resulted in Ablett having no back up for OfW. 

A product of the youth system at Rochdale, he was was given a one-year contract in 2007. Although he made the bench on a number of occasions at Spotland, he didn't get a first-team opportunity and in January 2008 joined Ellesmere Port-based Conference North side Vauxhall Motors.

In the summer of 2008 he played a number of games on trial for County, and was signed by Jim Gannon in August to keep goal for County's U21 Development Squad and made his County first team debut in the JPT First Round win at Crewe.
 

Gary Ablett has brought in defensive cover in the form of Bristol City youngster, Christian Riberio on a 28 day emergency loan.

Micheal has been at County through 4 different managers, he is a product of the Youth Academy making his debut in the forgetable 2004/05 season in the FA Cup game away at Swansea City the defender then made the Centre back position his own during the survival season of 2006.

Growing into a very mature player, Michael unfortunately had a career threatening medical condition with his heart but he got through it and found himself back in the team at the tail end of the 2006/07 season and in 2007/08 the promotion season he found it hard to get into the team to begin with however as the season wore on he finally found his way back into the squad playing just infront of the back four but an unfortunate injury in the first leg of the play-off final away at Wycombe meant that Raynes missed out on a dream trip to Wembley.

The 2008/09 Season saw possibly Raynes's best to date, scoring 4 goals from centre back and helping County to survival in a season when we were favourites for the drop, he has since been named Stockport County captain and has shown massive maturity to reject offers from numerous 'big' clubs to continue playing for the club that has treated him so well.

'Raynesy' is a massively popular player with the fans and staff alike, he is in his fifth season in which he has done himself proud in all of them, heres to another fantastic 5.

As County 4 Life advised you all in another exclusive towards the end of the 2007-08 season, Mansfield Town's Johnny Mullins signed a two-year deal and became Jim Gannon's first signing since becoming a League One club.

The full-back, who was voted The Stag's Player Of The Season despite the goalscoring of Michael Boulding, will slip in nicely after that greedy bastard Jamie Smith was shown the door after his complete moronic wage demands, and with Mullins being more forward motivated, could also be utilised as a wing back. 

Mullins made just short of 100 first team outings for the BSP outfit, and as he is under 24, both County and Mansfield agreed a compensation package to bring him to EP. 

Mullins, who began his career at Reading, overcome a career threatening injury to relaunch his career, will be a great servant to the club after snubbing a move to Notts County over the summer.

Is vice-captain behind Michael Raynes.

Can I paraphrase a famous song by Suzanne Vega?

"My Name is Luca, I Have A Secomd Chance" - Gorton born Gianluca Havern made just one appearance for County at the end of the victorious 2007-08 season, and whilst scoring the winner against Brentford at EP, his career never really took off, resulting in him being released from his contract in January 2009, citing County's increasing financial trouble.

It wasn't long before Luca, a promising teenage defender who prefers a more central role but can easily play further forward, was given a chance at another club, and joined Mansfield Town in non-league on a six month contract.

He must have broken a mirror or sommat, as he was then binned off by Mansfield at the end of the season. Without really knowing whether he had a career in the game any longer, he was snapped up by Ablett, and after impressing in pre-season, his immaturity that sparked an alleged rant with Gannon was forgotten.

With Jim Scotland-bound, Luca was only happy to re-sign for his first club, and made his second debut at Oldham. He's still only young, and has been given a second chance to shine.

Welcome Back Luca. 

I like this fella. Not only is he Urmston born (Matty and I were both brought up in neighbouring Flixton) but he has shown tremendous authority and maturity after been thruist into the first team with a baptism of fire away to Leeds United.

Adept either at full back or further forward, Halls' tremendous skills are more akin to someone older, and if he played for a top club, his passing and silky skills would be shown time and time again on Match Of The Day.

He's actually only five days older than my daughter, and I'm sure she's got him on MSN...!

Left sided defender Michael Rose signed in June 2006 from Yeovil Town after strangely finding opportunities at Huish Park limited.

Strange as I'm convinced they'll be many teams who'd die for a full back like Rosey. Has a string of loan spells after being binned off by Man U, before arriving to give then-first teamer Mark Robinson.

Although a left sided midfield berth is his supposed ideal position, Rosey eventually kept Robbo out of the side that eventually saw Robinson made a hasty retreat to Torquay later that season.  

Every player has a cross to bare, and it's unfortunate that Rosie was on the books at M*nch*st*r Un*t*d in 2000 but as what happens to a lot of youngster at Salford Quays Buccaneers, found himself a little fish in a big pond and joined Chester City after just a year. 

Had a spell at Hereford before he signed for the Cider Drinkers in July 2004 where he made thirty seven appearances which coincided with the Huish Park club's meteoric rise through the divisions.

Unfortunately, Yeovil's loss was certainly County's gain, with Rosey particularly adept at free kicks and also overcome injury problems to establish himself as the first choice left back.

After being released by Darlington at the end of the 2008-09 season and following Jim Gannon's departure. Gary Ablett was keen to bring back Salford born utility man Adam Griffin for his second spell at the club, and was signed just before the season started after impressing in pre-season.

Griff started his career as a trainee with Oldham, making his debut in 2002 before joining Chester on work experience the following January. He secured a regular place in the Oldham first team later that yeah, and went on to make 62 starts for The Latics before he joined County after a successful loan spell in 2006.

He created his name for being a utility player, and scored with his very first touch after coming on as a half time sub in a game against Rushden and Diamonds, and was equally at home at full back as he was further up field. Griffin also was a keen tackler, and wasn't scared to go in where it hurt and was looking to a long and fruitful career at Edgeley Park before a rumoured post-match rift with Gannon, resulting in him being released at the end of his contract.   

He, along with fellow Salfordian David Poole and fans' fave Adam Proudlock, joined Darlington in July 2008.

His re-arrival at County has been warmly welcomed. Some much needed experience. 

Tommy's kid brother's second half substitute appearance at Elland Road in April 2009 ensured they became the only set of County siblings to be on the pitch at the same time.

In fact, there is a common misconception about young Danny's, almost stealth-like, emergence into County's first team squad. Some feel he was one of the many School Of Excellence products, but no, actually, Tommy's baby-faced midfielder was signed from Bolton, and at the tender ae of 17, was an unused sub against Yeovil.

The wind up merchants on a variety of forums were reporting that Tommy had requested his brother came to Peterborough United with him as part of the deal, but Danny is still at County, although whether or not he'll feature with the re-uniting of Adam Griffin and David Poole to County, remains to be seen.  

Pronouned as it is spelt or is it "Mannering" after the Captain in 'Dad's Army'?

Anyway, it's not his name that's been baffling opposition's youth and reserve teams of late. Midfielder Matty joined Preston North End as a youngster after being at Manchester United. Towards the end of his second year of a YTS after it was announced that he wouldn't be offered a full time contract at Deepdale, he was offered a trial at County in the Manchester Senior Cup versus Bolton, and impressed the management at County so much, a one-year deal at Edgeley Park ensued.

A local lad, born in Salford, he'll become one the County greats born from the City, following Dicko, once he gets over his broken leg, occurred in pre-season versus Grimsby. 

When you type David Poole into Wikipedia, you get four options; High Court Judge, American Special Effects Editor and South African ballet dancer, along with our David Poole, who alongside Adam Griffin and Luca Havern, re-signed for The Hatters just before the start of the 2009-10 season, after impressing in pre-season.

Originally a product of the Man United academy, he left United for an off the cuff trial at Yeovil. Pooley certainly impressed then Glovers' boss Gary Johnson and signed in June 2005. After slipping out of favour at Huish Park, he moved to County for his first spell, in September 2006.

With the Cheadle End signing 'Sign Him Up', and after a short spell back in Somerset, gannon nabbed Poole for £10,000. A snip for a superbly talented right sided midfielder with a decent strike rate. 

Poole was a crowd favourite, but it was not a feeling shared by Jim Gannon. Although he brought him to the club, a rift saw him being released at the end of 2007-08 and along with Adams Griffin and Proudlock, made their way to Darlington, where he played 25 games before Administration saw him be released in the summer of 2009.

Out of contract, Poole met with new County boss Gary Ablett, and after agreeing a deal to bring the wide man back to Edgeley Park, his third debut was in the draw with Oldham on the opening day of the 2009-10 season, and it was as though he'd never been away.

Welcome back, Pooley.   

Glossop-born teenager James Vincent stunned us all when he showed tremendous skill and drive when Jim Gannon eventually unleashed this new kid on the block in the final game of the 2007-08 season against Brentford at EP.

Gannon had certainly not been quiet about his fondness of the new end-product of the County School Of Excellence, and Jamie, who has been at County since he was 8, will no doubt be part and parcel of the County first team after new boss Gary Ablett gave him the lucrative Number 7 for the 2009-10 season.

It had been noted that he was thought of by Rodger Wylde to be one of the fittest players at the club, quite an honour when you think that during his time at EP, he's had the likes of Tommy Rowe and Jason Taylor at the club.

Really came into his own during the 2008-09 season, scoring a belter against Hartlepool and produced all-round superb games, and althouh only young, has the physique of someone a lot older, so should be bamboozling defences again in 2009-10.

Reading-born Liam rose through the youth ranks at Chelsea, signing a professional contract in 2007.

In February 2008 he joined Yeovil Town on loan, then joined Watford on loan later that year. In August 2009 he was signed by Gary Ablett on loan until January 2010. His debut came away to Brighton, when he put in an impressive performance but received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away

Strong and resourceful, Liam certianly has that Premier League aura around him, and has certainly benefitted Ablett's young team.

Rumblings that came from the reserve and youth set-ups suggested that Danny P, is actually better than brother Anthony P. 

When we finally saw Danny Pilkington, it was a real pity it was just after Anthony had joined Huddersfield, as I had a feeling we would have been in for a real treat at Edgeley Park with both brothers on the field.

OK, I guess we have to thank Anthony for recommending his kid brother to County, and although as yet not really a regular in the first team, if he could be just 10% of his older sibling, County will have a real star in the making. 

Gannon snapped up the youngster in January 2008, after playing for Myerscough College, Atherton Colleries and Chorley, as well as following his big bro in playing for Great Britain Catholic Colleges.

Holds a great future in the game, has even dropped his bed-head locks to don his brother's skinhead style, and should be making strides into first team reckoning very soon. 

Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy just didn't want to see him leave did he?

This was evident when he signed a three year deal that could rise to £225,000, but even at that price, Morecambe slapped on a sell-on clause, showing just how much Morecambe thought of him.

We first got our glimpse of Baker when he totally tore through County when he played against us for Morecambe and after scoring twice, Jim Gannon stated on his arrival that Morecambe were one of two teams who if we marked out one player, the rest can't play.

The other team were eventual League Two champions MK Dons, so really, this was a fitting epitaph for a player with, in all honesty, very little league experience. Yet people know all about Carl Baker, and hopefully he'll be able to recreate some of the same form that made hinm such a hot property at Christie Park.

After a decent start in County's colours, injury struck, and this has ultimately limited his games. Now fully fit and raring to make up for lost time, Baker should still be able to produce the goods in League One.

Resorted to cameo roles since his step up from the Youth team, Greg Tansey was destined for greatness after graduating from the SCFC youth conveyor belt, and really should have been more prominent in the first team, especially after some superb performances in the reserves.

But where did Greg go? He made his debut in the Johnstone Windscreen LDV Shieldy Thing at Macc and then again in the next round at Chester, and only encroached into the league outings when Gannon had injury problems, and in all honesty didn't look out of place.  

Has a wicked free kick and rumoured to have snubbed Liverpool when his mate Ryan Crowther flew the nest a few years back, but seriously, although the midfield positions have a helluva lot of competition, Greg Tansey is not the sort of player you want to lose to a team like Bury where it'll no doubt come back and bite us on the bum.

Was amazingly omitted from the release list in the summer of 2008 after failing to appear even on the bench, and then, as if my magic, made his way back into first team action in 2008-09, and it was as though we had never even missed him.

It was like we had purchased a brand new player, and those wicked runs and the neat passing game again graced the EP turf / soil / sand. He certainly has a bright future in the game, was just a real shame the management at EP didn't agree, otherwise he could have been riding on 100 games. 

Follows Aaron Wilbraham, Des Byrne, Brian Carrigan, Chris Byrne and a string of others to reign as County's Resident Bad Boy after getting well and truly getting wrapped off the beak for recently stamping on a reveller in Wilmslow after a fight broke out between the victim and his friend. 

As that was in the past, other than that, Paul Turnbull also happens to be a very talented attacking midfielder, who had broken through to the first team just the once, went missing for a few seasons, but now is back and is a reular in the County first team.

Paul once had the world at his feet and was likened to Wayne Rooney for his raw talent. Made County history when he became County's youngest ever outfield player, but then quickly became County's forgotten man. Was it his attitude? Was he really badly injured?

I'm not calling for a public enquiry or even suggesting cover ups, but maybe now he's been given a new lease of life as one of the main players in midfield, maybe the well-deserved kick up the arse given to him by the Magistrates may keep him on the straight and narrow and realise he has every boy's dream handed to him on a plate.

Good luck Paul...! Has been given the #4 shirt vacanted by Dom Blizzard. 

When County agreed a fee of approx of 100k for Linfield hotshot Peter Thompson (pictured in Northern Ireland duty with former County star Warren Feeney), this should have seen as being the ideal replacement for Liam Dickinson. 

However, Thommo - who has seven full caps for Northern Ireland and scored a massive 44 goals in 2007-08, has sadly not lived up to his rich vein of goalscoring.

Gannon had always had his eyes set on Thommon, would have started pre-season training with just one designated striker in Matty McNeil, so he had to move quickly to bolster his squad, and in hindsight, maybe Gannon would had been better looking elsewhere.

Thompson cames to County with a decent CV and a superb goalscoring record at both International and domestic level show, so should have made easy pickings of bumbling League One defenders, but a mixture of injury, being played out of position and a distinct lack of confidence has seen Thommo become a bit of a County misfit.

Linfield revealed they had rejected a substantial bid from Norwich City for Thommo before agreeing terms with County, making the scoop for Jim Gannon even more credible, however, if only Gannon knew that Adam Proudlock would have been still able to create goals, maybe he would have kept him and let Thommo go to Norwich. 

With all the luck in the world, I hope Thommo proves me wrong and nets loads in 2009-10, but I can see another year of ifs and buts for Thommo.

Irishman Declan Edwards, who I think looks like that bloke out of Green Street - you know that one, the Geordie Gay Boy who's trying to be a hard looking Cockney - became another Hatter to join from the Emerald Isle when he signed in the Summer of 2008 from St Joseph's in Dun Laoghaire.

He had already played for County before his signed, against Man United in the Manchester Senior Cup the previous season. He has also played for Leinster Boys and in the Republic of Ireland Schools U-18.

A real promising prospect for Stockport County and very highly thought of by the club. Maybe, if the striker shortage continues, he may get his chance to shine in 2009-10.   

Oli impressed scouts when he turned out for the relatively unknown Nostell Miners Welfare in the North East Counties League.

Gannon was obviously impressed, not only was his emergence onto the scene rewarded by his scoring his first County goal against Oldham in the Manchester Senior Cup, he was soon fast-tracked into first team action, making his first team bow as a second half sub v Colchester United at Edgeley Park in October 2008.

Looks like a steady transition from the ninth tier of English football to League One, and it wasn't lonmg before he was amongst the goals; his first at Oldham, and then a delicious goal-of-the-season candidate against Crewe with a delightful chip.

Of course, he's still raw, but after a promising start, but as Ablett has given him Tommy Rowe's #11 shirt, he is certainly well thought of, and no doubt will be earning the plaudits again in the new season.

As County 4 Life's chief editor, there are a lot of County fans who come up and give me 'scoops' and exclusives, to which I'm truly thankful. Some are utter gash, while others and little gems.

One night match, I was approached by this Welsh fella, who said that County had bought this new striker, fresh from the League Of Wales, Craig Roberts.

I took it with a pinch of salt, but I reported it on these pages. I got mullered for it, yet the abusers were very silent when on COWS, news of the striker's arrival at Edgeley Park surfaced.

That's all I know about this guy. Honestly...!  

Made an immediate impact when he scored a memorable goal on his Hatters debut in the JPT win at Crewe, and has showed tremendous skill and maturity for a lad who is destined to go higher.

Played at this level before at Northampton and Cheltenham, and will be a key member of the County team until his loan from Reading runs out.