Bronze statue plans for Hatters legend Danny
THE Stockport County Supporters Cooperative have this week launched plans to unveil a statue of The Hatters’ legendary former boss, Danny Bergara.
A spokesperson for the Supporters Coop, who are working in association with fans’ group Help the Hatters to raise funds for the bronze statue of the iconic Uruguayan, exclusively told the Express that Bergara had “transformed Stockport County” throughout the 1990s, with fans now looking to honour the memory of the club’s former manager.
A Coop statement explained that, following years of struggles for The Hatters prior to Bergara’s arrival in 1989, the Uruguayan led his beloved side to “a feast of play-off campaigns, promotions and Wembley Finals” in his six seasons at Edgeley Park.
The 1990/91 season saw
Bergara’s County promoted as runners up in the Fourth Division, before a fifth-placed finish the following season secured a place in the play-offs. It was at this stage that Bergara became the first County boss in history to lead a team out at Wembley Stadium when his side also faced Stoke City in the Autoglass Final – also becoming the first manager born outside the UK to lead an English club side out at the national arena.
Bergara is also credited with the arrival of several club legends throughout the 90’s, with the likes of Chris Beaumont, David Frain, Neil Edwards, Jim Gannon, Mike Flynn, Andy Preece, Kevin Francis, Lee Todd, Alun Armstrong, Tony Dinning, Sean Connolly and Peter Ward all signed by Bergara.
The Coop added that their plans to raise funds for the bronze statue of Bergara, who passed away in the summer of 2007 and prompted emotional scenes at a tribute match against Cardiff City at
Edgeley Park, have been endorsed by club officials.
As a result, the group have set up a fund to raise £50,000 to enable a statue to be commissioned – with £4,000 already pledged by both the Coop and Help the Hatters.
A website for the venture has been set up, where supporters can read more on Bergara’s legacy at Edgeley Park and donate to the fund and can be found at www. dannybergarastatue. co.uk.