Moaning Gunners should take a leaf out of appreciative Hatters’ book
COUNTY SUPPORTERS CO-OPERATIVE IAN BROWN
THE actions of Stockport County fans of late have offered up the ideal counterpoint to the churlish anger of the likes of Arsenal fans towards their manager.
Whilst Arsenal supporters seem in large part to have forgotten their history, particularly the recent bit, for County fans their roots mean something to them and are cherished!
Two recent examples of this come to mind.
In the Bungalow, last Saturday, the SCAN arm of the Supporters Cooperative attracted current and former County players to the Bungalow. The current squad were presented with their SCAN certificates , and mingled with fans and former players including Freddie Goodwin, Eddie Garbett and John Griffiths.
It was a fantastic event and included a neat moment when Ian Lancashire presented County Manager James Gannon with a cheque for £5000 from the Players Fund on behalf of the supporters. Valuable help I am sure, that will be invaluable in the County push for promotion.
Meanwhile, on the same evening ,across Stockport, at the Fingerpost, County Supporters were staging a benefit night in support of the relatives of late County fan Chris Thompson.
The event was a corker and raised a truly amazing £9000+
Just 2 examples, but telling, and by no means untypical of County fans approach to their Club and community.
Input from supporters can be a vital element in ensuring the continued survival and ultimate prospering of clubs like County.
With such great support on tap I think County’s future is in good hands, but it is very important
not to forget the Club’s rich history, which SCAN is at the forefront of preserving.
This history, showcased so well by SCAN so often, has also been the focus particularly of Help the Hatters, and last Wednesday and Thursday saw the first preview, for County fans, of the upcoming County Museum, ahead of the launch, by the Club, of same.
The Museum is to be sighted in the Legends Lounge at Edgeley Park, and is the culmination of much hard work by John Fitzpatrick and Help the Hatters. It will be used to attract parties of school children from local schools, and maybe turn them into County fans of the future, but the previews were a way of introducing the Museum, and the rich tradition and history it showcases, to County supporters.
How did the preview go? Well I asked a good few first time visitors to the Museum and they were pleased with what they saw. With James Gannon at the helm the club’s future is bright, but with SCAN and Help the Hatters involved, in tandem with the Supporters Cooperative, County’s rich history will continue to be given the prominence it deserves.