Challinor accepts County challenge
DAVE Challinor is the new man at the helm at Stockport County.
The ex-Hatters defender quit his role at Hartlepool United to take the vacancy left by Simon Rusk at Edgeley Park.
Following Rusk’s dismissal as County boss after a dismal 1-2 home defeat to Barnet last midweek, and after a start to the National League which included five defeats in The Hatters’ opening twelve, club officials moved quickly to identify a list of targets – with Challinor successfully pursued after a chaotic week.
After former Fylde boss Challinor had overseen the League Two side’s 0-5 defeat at Leyton Orient on Saturday, County went on to formally approach Hartlepool for permission to speak with their manager on Sunday morning.
The approach was swiftly, and publicly, rejected by Hartlepool chief Raj Singh, with the North-East outfit hopeful at that stage that the rejection of County’s approach would signal the end of the Hatters’ pursuit of the highly-rated Challinor.
County, however, remained keen on their former centre-back, and – after taking training with the club on Monday morning - Challinor rocked Hartlepool by “expressing a desire” to join The Hatters and reportedly tendering his resignation at Victoria Park.
Hartlepool condemned County’s approach in a club statement on Monday evening, citing an approach which allegedly went to Challinor’s agent prior to the club in the first instance, with some reports from Teesside suggesting that the Football League side will be considering legal action.
County, however, are reportedly content that no legal action would bear fruit and are confident that the pursuit of Challinor was handled properly.
Hartlepool, with that apparent legal action in mind, stopped short of confirming Challinor’s departure in their statement, although the former Bury defender was not in the dugout for Pools’ Tuesday evening clash with Everton’s Under 21s, and was due to be confirmed as Hatters boss as the Express went to print.
Challinor’s first game in charge of County looks set to be Sunday’s trip to League One side Bolton
Wanderers in FA Cup 1st Round action, with a mammoth 5,000 Hatters supporters set to be in attendance at the University of Bolton Stadium.
In Challinor, County believe they have recruited a natural winner to take charge of the club, with promotions in all three of Challinor’s previous roles at Colwyn Bay,
Fylde and Hartlepool respectively.
The 46-year-old joined Hartlepool last October, winning promotion at the first attempt as the Monkey Hangers bested
County 1-0 in the National League play-off semi-final at Edgeley Park, before overcoming Torquay United in a penalty shootout in the promotion final at Ashton Gate.
With County sitting outside the play-off places after the disappointing start to the season under Rusk, Challinor will know he has his hands full with the challenge well and truly underway for the former County captain to, ultimately, guide his new side back into the Football League.