Three generations of County fans keep support for club in the family
THREE generations of a Stockport County-mad family are helping prepare Edgeley Park for what they hope will be a successful season.
Gilbert Turner, 73, of Offerton, was first taken to watch the hatters as a boy in 1952 and 20 years on took his son Craig for his first taste of football action.
Now Craig, 46, is taking his five-year-old twins Charlie and Katie and they made their Edgeley Park debut as mascots last season.
With County’s season set to begin on Saturday all four have been at the ground this summer painting and cleaning.
Craig, of Offerton, said: “We have been going down to help paint the steps and clean up and get the ground ready for the new season, we’ve been enjoying it.
“Katie and Charlie have been loving it. I think their favourite part is getting a drink and biscuits but they grab a brush and some gloves and get stuck in to the work.
“All the family support County so it has been instilled in them and at the moment they are County fans. If they supported someone else we wouldn’t mind but I think it’ll be County all the way.”
The Hatters begin their Conference North campaign at home against Boston United on Saturday.
Craig is confident that this season can see a marked improvement on the pitch after the council bought Edgeley Park to secure its long-term future and new, more physical, players have been recruited.
Gilbert is also encouraged but rates Len White as the best player he has seen play for County and a 30 yard screamer he scored against Barnsley as the best goal he has seen.
Next month sees the Hatters Half Marathon take place, a run that has been organised by the club in conjunction with runbritain.
The 13.1 mile course follows the Trans Pennine Trail and River Mersey, passing Burnage Rugby Club and Didsbury Golf Club, before a two mile loop through Northenden and returning to Edgeley Park.
The Turner family are also avid athletics fans so will be there on September 6 to help out.
Craig said: “I’m not sure I’m going to enter but we’ll be going down on the day as they have asked for volunteers.”
More than 200 people have signed up, or more details visit hattershalf.co. uk.