First deal for ace Downing

STOCKPORT County’s management team are currently in discussion with a number of players who are out of contract about their futures at the club.

The following players remain under contract for 2018/2019: Ben Hinchliffe, Ian Ormson, Sam Minihan, Dan Cowan, Scott Duxbury, Paul Turnbull, Sam Walker, Adam Thomas, Matty Warburton, Darren Stephenson, Adam Etches, Szymon Czubik.

Meanwhile, defender Jordan Downing has agreed terms on his first senior contract with the club. The 6’4 centre-half has impressed everyone at Edgeley Park after coming through the ranks of County’s Academy to earn his first deal.

Manager Jim Gannon said: “It’s great to see another young player from the Academy earn a professional contract. Jordan has all the attributes to become a success at our level.

“For a central defender he has the key physical and defensive requirements. He is tall but technically good in the air. He’s also a ‘front foot’ defender who anticipates and times challenges well with the right aggression to win the ball. Jordan is also a confident footballer who displays a good range of control and passing skills.

“His display in the final under-21 game versus Goole Town highlighted his, and many of our young players’ strengths. Jordan scored another trademark goal from a corner, the team kept another clean sheet, and the mixture of football from short sharp passing to long accurate penetrative balls showed the players are learning how to be effective and ruthless.”

Last season Jordan made two winning appearances in the Cheshire Senior Cup, and came off the bench in the 3-0 FA Trophy win over Kidderminster Harriers. Jordan was also included in Jim Gannon’s squad for the FA Cup tie at FC United.