Stockport dream big after ending 11-year exile

DAVE CHALLINOR stood pitchside nearly an hour after the final whistle, his voice hoarse from urging his Stockport team over the final hurdle to a Football League return, and pledged to take them further.

There were still fans milling about on the Edgeley Park pitch, enjoying the moment as an 11-year exile in non-League was finally ended with victory over Halifax.

An early goal from top scorer Paddy Madden (right) — his 25th of the season, driven in from the edge of the area — settled a side who had needed a point to be certain.

As it turned out, Wrexham’s defeat meant they did not even require that, and when Will Collar added a second soon after half-time, it started a party that was still going on long after the final whistle.

It was about as comfortable as a jittery final-day title decider could have been, and for Challinor, it represented a sixth nonLeague promotion in 12 years, and a second successive climb out of the National League, having taken Hartlepool up via the play-offs a year ago.

Considering he only arrived at Edgeley Park in November, and the team were as low as 10th at Christmas, there was plenty of reason for satisfaction — but Challinor wants more. ‘Winning matches at this level is tough, and it doesn’t get any easier in League Two, let me tell you,’ he said. ‘We’ve got to make sure that we’re better than we’ve been this year. If we do that, we can compete and be successful in League Two.’ Only once was the prospect of a Stockport win seriously threatened, when Halifax’s 20-goal top scorer Billy Waters raced clear only to steer his shot wide. But Stockport, who spent six years in National League North during their non-League stint, rode the scare and are on the up again. ‘Everyone worked their socks off and you have to enjoy it,’ said Challinor. ‘For this football club, it’s hopefully the first step of many.’