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Armstrong: Stockport’s cup run in 1996-97 made my career... Jim’s lads now have chance to shine
ALUN ARMSTRONG was catapulted into the big time during Stockport County’s last brush with cup glory.
And the striker who seized the moment as part of the club’s class of ’97 is urging Jim Gannon ( below) and his side to do likewise when West Ham arrive at Edgeley Park tomorrow night.
Armstrong said: “That cup run got me noticed, for absolute certain it did.
“And it was a moment in time for Stockport because, although they reached the Championship, it was always going to be a tall order to sustain it – having said that, there’s no doubt it’s a Football League club.
“This is an opportunity for Jim’s lads. There’s nothing stopping them from putting themselves in the shop window like I did. There’s always someone watching.”
The Hammers were one of three Premier League sides to fall victim to the Hatters during that League Cup run under boss Dave Jones.
Having caused the watching world to raise an eyebrow with a 5-2 win at Sheffield United, Stockport defeated Blackburn Rovers – top-flight champions two years previously – at Ewood Park.
A tough tie at Upton Park ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Harry Redknapp’s men with a tricky trip to the North West on a foul evening.
Not that Armstrong sees it that way.
“It was huge for me,” he said. “It was huge for Stockport County, manager Dave Jones and the rest of the lads. It was our shop window. The games you wanted to play in.
“And, if I’m being honest, I missed league matches to make sure I was f it for cup games once we started our run. I’d rolled turns back the clock with one of the stars of League Cup run
my ankle and it was sore, but the club saw me as an asset. And Jonesy made sure I was right for the West Ham games. “Obviously, we won and we played Southampton and Middlesbrough before losing to Boro in the semi-final. It alerted Bryan Robson because he ended up signing me. “One minute I was at Stockport – the next I was sharing a dressing-room with Juninho, Paul Merson and Alen Boksic.” Armstrong says the Hatters’ talent can be measured by the quality of those who went on to carve out good careers for themselves. Along with Armstrong, keeper Paul Jones, midfielder
Chris Marsden and striker Brett Angel all moved into the Premier League. Armstrong said: “Dave did inherit the nucleus of a good squad from Danny Bergara. He didn’t have to do much, but he definitely strengthened it.
“He was very good at sizing up players. He knew what he was going to get from us and he let us get on with it. He got that back in abundance and he had a good managerial career on the back of it as well.
“We didn’t expect too much from the cup, given who we were playing. But we’d beaten Blackburn and then we drew down at Upton Park. It was a really tough game down there and we’d done well to get them back to Edgeley Park.
“And that night was horrific. Lashing down with rain, the pitch was so heavy.
“I’ll never forget Iain Dowie’s own goal – and he broke his leg that night as well.
“We got two goals in quick succession and then the momentum was with us.
“It was just meant to happen.”