County boss Gannon fires out warning to National League rivals
STOCKPORT boss Jim Gannon has warned his side’s National League North rivals that County are primed to mount a real promotion challenge after a ‘really pleasing’ summer of transfer business.
A busy close-season has seen the departures of Edgeley Park favourites Lewis Montrose and Danny Lloyd but also six new additions.
New boys Dan Cowan, Stephen O’Halloran, Sam Walker, Darren Stephenson, Matty Warburton and Jason Oswell join Young Player of the Year Sam Minihan, stalwarts Michael Clarke and Chris Smalley, as well as promising youngsters Scott Duxbury, Jimmy Ball and Adam Thomas.
Gannon has been in unchartered territory this pre-season having retained the majority of his squad, with a complete overhaul being the usual order of business at Edgeley Park in previous summers.
“I’m really pleased. Firstly, our recruitment last year was decent enough that we’ve ended up retaining two thirds of our squad,” Gannon said.
“But I was mindful that, this season, we needed to add a bit more firepower in attack and a bit more balance to our midfield, and Stephen O’Halloran and Sam Walker coming into defence and midfield give us just that.
“Up front, with Jason Oswell, Matty Warburton and Daz Stephenson we’ve got really talented players who’ll get us goals. I don’t think your squad is ever complete as a manager, and obviously, people will talk about high-profile departures in Lewis Montrose and Danny Lloyd.”
Gannon also admits he is looking at former midfielders Gary Stopforth and Elliot Osborne.