# 2009–10 Stockport County F.C. season

The 2009–10 season is Stockport County's 128th season in football, and the second in England's third tier of football since gaining promotion via the League Two Play Offs in 2008. Stockport completed the whole season in Administration. This season ran from 8 August 2009 to 8 May 2010.
Gary Ablett was named manager of Stockport for the whole of the season after his Predecessor Jim Gannon was made redundant in the summer of 2009.

## Background

This is a list of the significant events to occur at the club during the 2009–10 season, presented in chronological order. This list does not include transfers, which are listed in the transfers section below, or match results, which are in the results section.
After ending the 2008–09 season in 18th position with 50 points (60 points without the ten-point deduction), Stockport County were placed into administration following a battle to repay creditors. A creditor of the club wrote a petition to repay a loan of around £300,000 to him. The club has also struggled to repay a tax debt of £250,000 to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
On 17 June the Administrators agreed terms with the Melrose Consortium for the sale of Stockport County. The club also announced that they will play Huddersfield Town away in the League Cup First Round., As well as announcing the fixtures for the season
On 3 July Administrators agree Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) with previous shareholders and creditors.
On 8 July Stockport County appointment Gary Ablett as new manager.
On 22 July Stockport Announced their new kit for the season which was manufactured my Macron. The home kit was a traditional blue and white, while there was a new away kit which consisted of orange and black.
On 27 July Gary Ablett appointed Paul Gerrard as the club's goalkeeping coach, Gerrard also carried on his playing career for the club as he registered as cover for first choice goalkeeper Owain Fôn Williams .
On 3 September Carl Baker became the first Stockport County player to score consecutive away hat-tricks, after he scored Three in a 4–2 win over Brighton in the League and also three in a 4–1 win over Crewe in the Football League Trophy Due to Carl'shat -trick against Crewe, Stockport advanced to the second round where they faced Port Vale However a day later Assistant Manager John Ward left the club to take up same position at Colchester United.
On 18 September Gary Ablett was handed a one match touchline ban after he was dismissed to the stands against Leeds United away from home.
On 16 December 2009 the team's training ground was put up for sale.

## Summary
### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 5 June 2010. Source: SCFC League One Results

### Round by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| Ground | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | A | H | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H |
| Result | D | L | L | W | D | L | D | W | D | D | L | W | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | D | D | L | L | D | W | L | W | L | L | D | L | L | L | D | L | L | L | L | L | L | L |
| Position | 15 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |

### League One table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
| 20 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 59 | 67 | −8 | 50 | |
| 21 | Gillingham (R) | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 48 | 64 | −16 | 50 | Relegation to Football League Two |
| 22 | Wycombe Wanderers (R) | 46 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 56 | 76 | −20 | 45 | Relegation to Football League Two |
| 23 | Southend United (R) | 46 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 51 | 72 | −21 | 43 | Relegation to Football League Two |
| 24 | Stockport County (R) | 46 | 5 | 10 | 31 | 35 | 95 | −60 | 25 | Relegation to Football League Two |
* ↑ Hartlepool deducted 3 points for fielding an ineligible player.

## Statistics
### Goalscorers

| No. | Pos | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | Total |
| 10 | MF | Carl Baker | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| 10 | FW | Jabo Ibehre | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 36 | FW | George Donnelly | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | FW | Peter Thompson | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 24 | FW | Nicholas Bignall | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 15 | MF | David Poole | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | DF | Michael Rose | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | FW | Jemal Johnson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | MF | Greg Tansey | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | MF | Paul Turnbull | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | FW | Michael Raynes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | FW | Danny Pilkington | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | MF | Richie Partridge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | DF | Johnny Mullins | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | FW | Oli Johnson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | MF | Liam Bridcutt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| | | Own Goals | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |

#### Penalties Awarded

| Date | Success? | Penalty Taker | Opponent | Competition |
| 22 August 2009 | Y | Carl Baker | Brighton & Hove Albion | League One |
| 29 August 2009 | Y | Carl Baker | Southampton | League One |
| 12 September 2009 | Y | Carl Baker | Yeovil Town | League One |
| 12 October 2009 | Y | Carl Baker | Tranmere Rovers | League One |
| 7 November 2009 | Y | Carl Baker | Tooting & Mitcham United | FA Cup |
| 6 February 2010 | N | George Donnelly | Milton Keynes Dons | League One |
| 3 April 2010 | Y | Jabo Ibehre | Walsall | League One |

### Assists

| No. | Pos | Name | League One | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | Total |
| 10 | MF | Danny Pilkington | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 10 | MF | Liam Bridcutt | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 36 | MF | David Poole | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | FW | Jabo Ibehre | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 24 | MF | Carl Baker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 15 | MF | Richie Partridge | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | MF | James Vincent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | DF | Michael Rose | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | MF | Paul Turnbull | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | DF | Johnny Mullins | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | DF | Paul Huntington | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | DF | Mat Sadler | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |

### Disciplinary record

Note: Cards from all competitions are included.
| Number | Position | Name | Total | Total |
| 20 | DF | Johnny Mullins | 8 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | Paul Turnbull | 6 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | Greg Tansey | 5 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | Michael Raynes | 5 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | Michael Rose | 5 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | David Poole | 4 | 2 |
| 20 | FW | Jabo Ibehre | 4 | 1 |
| 20 | MF | Liam Bridcutt | 4 | 1 |
| 20 | MF | David Perkins | 4 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | Danny Swailes | 3 | 1 |
| 20 | DF | Paul Huntington | 3 | 1 |
| 20 | DF | Mat Sadler | 2 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | Jemal Johnson | 2 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | Danny Pilkington | 2 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | George Donnelly | 2 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | Carl Baker | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | DF | Peter Thompson | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | James Vincent | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | Richie Partridge | 1 | 0 |
| | | Totals | 63 | 7 |

### Player Awards

| Date | Player | Award | Notes |
| 24 August 2009 | Carl Baker | League One Team of the Week | |
| 14 September 2009 | Carl Baker | League One Team of the Week | |
| 8 May 2010 | Johnny Mullins | Player of The Season Award | |
| 8 May 2010 | Danny Pilkington | Young Player of The Season Award | |
| 8 May 2010 | Danny Pilkington | Goal of The Season Award | Goal Scored vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Home) |
| 8 May 2010 | Johnny Mullins | Community Player of The Season Award | |

### Overall statistics

| Statistic | Total | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy |
| Games played | 51 | 46 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Games won | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Games drawn | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Games lost | 34 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Goals scored | 46 | 35 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Goals conceded | 106 | 95 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Goal difference | −60 | −60 | 1 | −2 | 1 |
| Clean sheets | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Yellow cards | 63 | 59 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Red cards | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Biggest win | 4–1 vs Crewe Alexandra, Football League Trophy, 1 September 2009. | 4–1 vs Crewe Alexandra, Football League Trophy, 1 September 2009. | 4–1 vs Crewe Alexandra, Football League Trophy, 1 September 2009. | 4–1 vs Crewe Alexandra, Football League Trophy, 1 September 2009. | 4–1 vs Crewe Alexandra, Football League Trophy, 1 September 2009. |
| Biggest defeat | 0–6 vs Huddersfield Town, League One, 24 April 2010. | 0–6 vs Huddersfield Town, League One, 24 April 2010. | 0–6 vs Huddersfield Town, League One, 24 April 2010. | 0–6 vs Huddersfield Town, League One, 24 April 2010. | 0–6 vs Huddersfield Town, League One, 24 April 2010. |
| Most appearances | Owain Fôn Williams — 46 (46 starts, 0 substitute) | Owain Fôn Williams — 46 (46 starts, 0 substitute) | Owain Fôn Williams — 46 (46 starts, 0 substitute) | Owain Fôn Williams — 46 (46 starts, 0 substitute) | Owain Fôn Williams — 46 (46 starts, 0 substitute) |
| Top scorer | Carl Baker — 13 | Carl Baker — 13 | Carl Baker — 13 | Carl Baker — 13 | Carl Baker — 13 |
| Top assists | Danny Pilkington — 3 Liam Bridcutt — 3 David Poole — 3 | Danny Pilkington — 3 Liam Bridcutt — 3 David Poole — 3 | Danny Pilkington — 3 Liam Bridcutt — 3 David Poole — 3 | Danny Pilkington — 3 Liam Bridcutt — 3 David Poole — 3 | Danny Pilkington — 3 Liam Bridcutt — 3 David Poole — 3 |
| Worst discipline | Johnny Mullins — 8 0 David Poole — 4 2 | Johnny Mullins — 8 0 David Poole — 4 2 | Johnny Mullins — 8 0 David Poole — 4 2 | Johnny Mullins — 8 0 David Poole — 4 2 | Johnny Mullins — 8 0 David Poole — 4 2 |
Last updated: 10 May 2010. Source: Competitions' Wikipedia articles.

## Review
### Pre-season

During Stockport's Pre-Season campaign they wore a limited edition kit containing the colours of pink and black which was manufactured by Prostar. This was worn until the official kits were announced. The pink and black kits were used to raise money for leukaemia research. These kits were then auctioned off after pre-season.
Stockport began pre-season with a 0 – 0 away draw against Barrow in Gary Ablett's first match in charge. Stockport's next Pre-Season match was away to Nostell Miners Welfare in which Stockport won 5 – 0. With Goals coming from Oli Johnson, Peter Thompson (Northern Ireland footballer) (Who scored two) and Tom Fisher (footballer) (Who also scored two). Four Days later Stockport won their third consecutive Pre-Season match when they won 1 – 0 away to Vauxhall Motors. Craig Roberts scored the only goal of the game for Stockport from 30 yards. On 25 July Stockport won their first Pre-Season home game when they beat Grimsby Town 1 – 0. David Poole scored the only goal for Stockport. Matty Mainwaring would suffer a serious leg injury in this match ruling him out for the season. Stockport would then travel to Belfast to play against striker Peter Thompson's former club Linfield in Glenn Ferguson's testimonial match. Stockport ran away with a 3 – 1 win with, Greg Tansey, Danny Pilkington and Adam Griffin scoring for Stockport. Glenn Ferguson scored the home sides consolation. Stockport's final Pre-Season match was against La Liga outfit Real Valladolid in a match they lost 3 – 1. Gianluca Havern scored Stockport's only goal after 20 minutes.

### August

Stockport earned a point in their first League match of the season with a 0 – 0 draw against Oldham Athletic. Stockport exited this season's Carling Cup in the first round when the lost 3 – 1 away to Huddersfield Town. Jordan Rhodes scored 2 for the home side and Theo Robinson extended the lead to 3. David Poole scored a consolation for Stockport in the 88th minute. Stockport then lost 2 – 0 at home to Bristol Rovers. Danny Coles and Jo Kuffour scored the Rovers goals. Three days later, Stockport then lost for the second time in succession in the league when they lost 2 – 1 at home to Carlisle United. Kevan Hurst opened the scoring but one minute later Stockport were lever via a Richard Keogh own goal.Joe Anyinsah rounded off the scoring to give Carlisle the points. Stockport won their first match of the season when they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4 – 2, in a match that was full of instances. Three of Stockport's four goals were scored by Carl Baker (One of which was a penalty) the other was scored by Oli Johnson. Liam Bridcutt was sent off on his Stockport début. Nicky Forster and Former Stockport star Liam Dickinson scored while Tommy Elphick and Colin Hawkins were sent off for the home side. Stockport finished the month with a 1 – 1 draw at home to Southampton. Carl Baker scored his second penalty in a week to salvage a point in second half stoppage time. Former Stockport midfielder Rickie Lambert scored a penalty for Southampton in first half stoppage time.

### September
## Results
### Legend

| Win | Draw | Loss |

### Football League Trophy
## Team

Due to Stockport starting the season in Administration, the club had to sell some of its best players to accommodate everyday running costs and wage budget. Tommy Rowe was the first to leave after he was bought by Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee 10 days after the previous season ended. Four days later Leon McSweeney left for Hartlepool United on a free transfer

### Squad

| Number | Nationality | Position | Name | Total | Total | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | League Trophy |
| Number | Nationality | Position | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | GK | WAL | Owain Fôn Williams | 46 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | ENG | Johnny Mullins | 41 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG | Michael Rose | 28 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | ENG | Paul Turnbull | 35 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 5 | MF | SCO | Liam Bridcutt | 19 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | ENG | Michael Raynes | 28 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | ENG | Paul Huntington | 18 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | ENG | James Vincent | 39 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | ENG | Greg Tansey | 37 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | NIR | Peter Thompson | 27 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | ENG | Carl Baker | 24 | 13 | 20 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 11 | FW | ENG | Oli Johnson | 19 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | GK | ENG | Paul Gerrard | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | ENG | Adam Griffin | 21 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | ENG | David Poole | 41 | 1 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | ENG | Matty Mainwaring | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | ENG | Danny Pilkington | 33 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 18 | DF | ENG | Andy Halls | 12 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | EIR | Declan Edwards | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | ENG | Gianluca Havern | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 21 | MF | WAL | Craig Roberts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | ENG | Daniel Rowe | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | GK | ENG | Lloyd Rigby | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | ENG | Nicholas Bignall | 13 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 25 | DF | ENG | Paul Huntington | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | ENG | Christian Ribeiro | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | ENG | Sam Barnes | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | DF | ENG | Tom Fisher | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | DF | ENG | John Disney | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | DF | ENG | Matty McNeil | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

## Transfers
### In

| Player | From | Date | Fee |
| Paul Gerrard | Sheffield United | 27 July 2009 | Free |
| David Poole | Darlington | 1 July 2009 | Free |
| Gianluca Havern | Mansfield Town | 1 July 2009 | Free |
| Adam Griffin | Darlington | 1 July 2009 | Free |
| Paul Huntington | Leeds United | 1 February 2010 | Free |

### Out

| Player | To | Date | Fee |
| Tommy Rowe | Peterborough United | 12 May 2009 | Undisclosed |
| Leon McSweeney | Hartlepool United | 18 May 2009 | Free |
| James Tunnicliffe | Brighton & Hove Albion | 25 June 2009 | Free |
| Gary Dicker | Brighton & Hove Albion | 25 June 2009 | Free |
| Dominic Blizzard | Bristol Rovers | 9 July 2009 | Free |
| Josh Thompson | Celtic | June 2009 | Free |
| Carl Baker | Coventry City | 8 January 2010 | £300,000 |
| Oli Johnson | Norwich City | 8 January 2010 | Undisclosed |
| Michael Rose | Norwich City | 23 January 2010 | Free |
| Michael Raynes | Scunthorpe United | 1 February 2010 | Undisclosed |
| Declan Edwards | Northwich Victoria | March 2010 | Released |
| Peter Thompson | Linfield | 2 July 2010 | Free |

### Loans in

| Player | From | Start Date | Expiry |
| Liam Bridcutt | Chelsea | 14 August 2009 | 22 September 2009 |
| Nicholas Bignall | Reading | 31 August 2009 | 3 January 2010 |
| Paul Huntington | Leeds United | 4 September 2009 | 31 October 2009 |
| Danny Swailes | Milton Keynes Dons | 3 January 2010 | 8 May 2010 |
| Richie Partridge | Milton Keynes Dons | 3 January 2010 | 8 May 2010 |
| David Perkins | Colchester United | 3 January 2010 | 8 May 2010 |
| Jemal Johnson | Milton Keynes Dons | 18 January 2010 | 8 May 2010 |
| Jabo Ibehre | Milton Keynes Dons | 18 January 2010 | 8 May 2010 |
| George Donnelly | Plymouth Argyle | 29 January 2010 | 7 May 2010 |
| Mat Sadler | Watford | 29 January 2010 | 8 May 2010 |

### Loans out

| Player | To | Start Date | Expiry | Notes |
| Declan Edwards | Northwich Victoria | 15 September 2009 | 15 December 2009 | |
| Peter Thompson | Linfield | January 2010 | Until the end of the Season. | |