Introduction to Stockport County Legendary Players
The Legacy of Stockport County
Stockport County have experienced the full spectrum of English football, from non-league obscurity to Championship-level clashes. Based at Edgeley Park since 1902, the club has built a loyal and resilient fan base in Greater Manchester.
Founded in 1883, the club became a mainstay in the Football League throughout the 20th century, famously achieving their highest-ever finish of 8th in the second tier during the 1997–98 season under Dave Jones. Edgeley Park, their home since 1902, has witnessed record-breaking campaigns and passionate local support.
Following relegation from the Football League in 2011 and financial difficulties that led to a drop into the National League North, the club mounted a remarkable comeback, regaining EFL status in 2021–22 and winning the League Two title in 2023–24. Throughout these highs and lows, a number of key players have stood out — not just for individual brilliance, but for their role in pivotal moments across the club’s fluctuating fortunes.
Criteria for Ranking the Best Players
This list ranks Stockport County’s best players based on their impact during their time at the club. Key factors include appearances, goals, leadership, influence on promotion campaigns, and long-term fan recognition.
While some players went on to greater success elsewhere, this ranking only considers their contributions in a County shirt. Both longevity and short-term brilliance are valued, but the weight leans toward players who helped shape pivotal moments in club history.
Top 10 Greatest Players in Stockport County History
10. Tommy Sword (1979–1986, 1987)
Thomas William “Tommy” Sword joined Stockport County in 1979 from Bishop Auckland, initially as a free-scoring striker in non-league football. After netting twice on his full debut against Hartlepool United, a shift to defence—necessitated by injuries—saw him excel as a centre-back. Across his two spells (1979–86 and a brief return in 1987), he made 245 league appearances, scoring 52 goals—an impressive total for a defender, many from penalty kicks.
Sword’s combative defending, leadership, and penalty prowess earned him a testimonial against Manchester City upon leaving in 1986 for Hartlepool United. His influence at Edgeley Park was recognised in 2005 when he was inducted into the Stockport County Hall of Fame. Sword’s versatility, consistent performances, and cult status among supporters make him a standout figure in the club’s late-20th-century history.
9. Bill Atkins (1967–1969)
William Mark “Bill” Atkins signed for Stockport County in 1967 from Halifax Town. Over two seasons in the Fourth Division, he made 92 league appearances and scored 37 goals—a prolific strike rate that helped spark a promotion push. In the 1967–68 season, Atkins not only formed a lethal partnership with Jim Fryatt, but he also became the only County player to score a hat-trick in the League Cup, achieving this feat against Crewe Alexandra.
His heading ability and powerful shot made him a frequent threat in attacking positions. In 1969 he moved to Portsmouth for a transfer fee, but his legacy remained strong, culminating in a Hall of Fame induction in 2002. Atkins’s scoring contribution and record-setting League Cup performance secure his place among Stockport’s all-time greats.
8. Trevor Porteous (1956–1965)
Trevor Porteous joined Stockport County from Hull City in 1956 and went on to make 337 Football League appearances across nine seasons before retiring in 1965. A commanding presence in midfield, he was appointed player‑manager in September 1963 and led the side until October 1965. During his tenure, he was instrumental in stabilising performances in the lower reaches of the Fourth Division, combining defensive discipline with a capacity to influence play through leadership on and off the field.
His steadfast contributions earned him induction into Stockport’s Hall of Fame, reflecting his status as one of the club’s most dependable and long-serving post-war figures. Following his departure from management, Porteous remained in Stockport until his death in 1997, underscoring his deep connection to the club and community.
7. Alf Lythgoe (1932–1934)
Alf Lythgoe’s time at Stockport County was short but spectacular. Joining in 1932, he scored 46 goals in just 57 league appearances, including a then-record 46-goal haul during the 1933–34 campaign alone. That incredible tally not only led the Third Division North but also helped power County to a strong finish that season. His remarkable eye for goal saw him quickly snapped up by Huddersfield Town in 1934 for a significant fee.
Although his spell was brief, Lythgoe’s scoring feats left a permanent impression on the club’s history books. His single-season record still stands as one of the most prolific in County’s history, cementing his place among their greatest-ever forwards. For a club that has had its fair share of sharp shooters, Lythgoe’s efficiency and explosiveness make him truly unforgettable.
6. Mike Flynn (1993–2002)
Mike Flynn arrived at Stockport County from Preston North End in March 1993 and remained at Edgeley Park until January 2002. Over this nine-year spell, he made 387 league appearances and scored 16 goals, commanding the central defence with remarkable consistency. Flynn was appointed club captain and led the team into its highest-ever league finish—8th in the second tier during the 1997–98 season. Notably, he captained County into the League Cup semi-final in the same campaign, guiding them past several higher-tier clubs.
Following relegation in 2002, he departed for Barnsley, finishing his playing career with over 600 Football League appearances. Flynn returned to Stockport in 2015 as part of the backroom staff, later becoming caretaker manager and then development coach—a testament to his ongoing commitment to the club. His impact was recognised with induction into the Stockport County Hall of Fame, marking him as one of the club’s most influential figures of the 1990s.
5. Jack Connor (1951–1956)
Jack Connor joined Stockport County in October 1951 from Bradford City and remained until 1956, making 206 league appearances and scoring 132 goals—an extraordinary strike rate. He became the club’s record Football League goalscorer, netting consistently across five seasons in the Third Division North. Connor’s 132 goals place him at the top of County’s all-time scorer list, and he ranks among the top five league goalscorers in club history.
His lethal instinct in front of goal powered several strong league campaigns and secured his place in the Stockport County Hall of Fame. Following his departure, Connor continued his career at Crewe Alexandra before moving into non-league football. His extraordinary goals-per-game ratio and permanent spot atop the club’s scoring charts make him one of the most prolific forwards in Edgeley Park history.
4. Brett Angell (1988–1990, 1996–2000)
Brett Angell first signed for Stockport County in October 1988 and, after four seasons away, returned on loan in 1996 before rejoining permanently and remaining until 2000. Across both spells he amassed 196 league appearances and scored 70 goals. His initial contribution included a standout 23-goal haul in the 1989–90 season, helping County reach the Fourth Division play-offs.
His second stint was even more impactful: 18 goals in 1996–97 propelled County to runners-up and promotion to the Second Division, while his headed goal helped them reach the League Cup semi-final that season. Angell was inducted into the Stockport County Hall of Fame in recognition of his goalscoring influence during both spells. His aerial prowess, physical presence and knack for decisive strikes made him a key figure in the club’s most successful cup and league campaign of the 1990s.
3. Kevin Francis (1991–1995, 2000)
Kevin Francis joined Stockport County in March 1991 for £45,000 and over the next four seasons became a dominant centre-forward, scoring 88 league goals in 152 appearances. He helped County to successive Wembley appearances: the play-off final in 1992, the Autoglass Trophy final in 1992–93, and again in 1993–94. He netted 26, 33 and then 30 goals in three full seasons, earning the title of “County Player of the Century” in 2002.
His towering 6 ft 7 frame made him a focal point in attack. Francis returned for a brief second spell in 2000, although he suffered a broken leg after four games. In total he scored 88 goals in his initial period and remains one of the leading scorers in Stockport’s modern history. His goal-scoring consistency and role in multiple cup finals cement his stature among the club’s very best.
2. Jim Gannon (1990–2000)
Jim Gannon signed for Stockport County from Halifax Town (on loan from Sheffield United) in 1990 and spent the next ten years at Edgeley Park. He made 383 Football League appearances, scoring 52 goals primarily from midfield and defence roles. Gannon was central to County’s success in the early 1990s, helping the club secure promotion from the Fourth Division in 1990–91 and again from the Second Division in 1996–97.
He featured in four Wembley finals—including two Football League Trophy finals and a play‑off final—cementing his reputation as a big-game performer. In 2002, supporters elected him to the club’s Hall of Fame in recognition of his sustained contribution on the pitch. Gannon later managed County across three spells (2005–09, 2011–13, and 2016–21), leading promotions via the League Two play-offs in 2008 and winning the National League North title in 2018–19. His dual success as player and manager makes him uniquely influential in the club’s modern era.
1. Andy Thorpe (1978–1986, 1988–1992)
Andy Thorpe remains Stockport County’s record appearance maker, with 489 league matches and 555 in all competitions during two spells between 1978–86 and 1988–92. Initially deployed as a utility player, he cemented himself as the club’s central defender, known for his consistency and reliability. Thorpe’s longevity through the club’s fluctuating fortunes—its rise from the lower leagues into the Football League’s mid-tier—helped provide defensive stability across 14 seasons.
Notably, his final appearance came at Wembley in the 1992 Football League Trophy final. After leaving as a player, he returned to football as a physiotherapist and later held the physio role at Rochdale. His unmatched appearance record and enduring service at Edgeley Park firmly establish him as Stockport’s greatest ever player.
Comparison of Stockport County Legends
Playing Styles and Contributions
Comparing Stockport County players across different eras highlights how the game has evolved and how the club has relied on very different types of players to succeed. For instance, Alf Lythgoe’s phenomenal 1930s goal record came at a time when pitches were heavier and defences more rigid, making his scoring feats even more impressive. Contrast that with Brett Angell in the late 1990s—operating in a more tactical environment at a higher level in the Football League, Angell’s aerial dominance and movement were vital to Stockport’s run to the League Cup semi-finals and promotion to the second tier.
Similarly, defenders like Andy Thorpe and Mike Flynn performed at different levels but shared a quality of reliability. Thorpe’s record-setting appearance tally came largely in the Fourth Division, while Flynn led the club in the First Division—what is now the Championship—against more technically refined opposition. These contrasts underline how County’s greats adapted to the demands of their time, with each bringing a skill set that matched their era and competition level.
Impact on Club Success
The greatest players in Stockport County history didn’t just impress individually—they also contributed directly to some of the club’s most significant milestones. Jim Gannon was a constant presence in the side that earned multiple promotions and reached Wembley on four occasions during the 1990s. His later achievements as manager only strengthened his influence on the club’s trajectory.
Kevin Francis scored in two Wembley finals, including the Autoglass Trophy final, and fired County to within reach of the First Division. Jack Connor’s incredible goal record, set during the 1950s, laid a benchmark that no striker has surpassed in league competition. Meanwhile, Mike Flynn captained the side during its best-ever second-tier finish in 1997–98 and was pivotal in their League Cup run that same season. These players didn’t just shine individually—they anchored some of the most successful and memorable periods in County’s long history.
Records and Achievements
Individual Honours and Awards
Several players in this list have received formal recognition for their contributions to Stockport County. Kevin Francis was voted “Player of the Century” by supporters in 2002, an accolade that reflected not only his prolific goal-scoring but also his iconic status during a golden era for the club. Jim Gannon, too, earned a Hall of Fame place both for his ten-year playing career and his successful spells as manager. Tommy Sword’s rare combination of defensive solidity and penalty expertise also earned him a Hall of Fame induction, while Bill Atkins was recognised in 2002 for his short but impactful tenure. These honours mark out players whose legacy endures beyond their playing days, serving as a benchmark for future generations at Edgeley Park.
Club Milestones and Championships
Jack Connor’s club record of 132 Football League goals still stands, making him Stockport County’s top scorer in league competition. Andy Thorpe’s 489 league appearances and 555 overall remain unmatched, confirming his status as the club’s most durable player. Mike Flynn captained the side to its highest-ever finish—8th in the second tier during the 1997–98 season—and led them during their run to the League Cup semi-finals. Brett Angell and Kevin Francis both scored in Wembley finals, while Gannon featured in four such occasions, highlighting the club’s competitive strength in the 1990s. These milestones reflect not only individual excellence but also a collective drive that pushed the club to new heights.
