Stockport County owner Mark Stott has admitted negotiations with Peterborough United’s Darragh MacAnthony over Malik Mothersille were so tough he would rather deal with United States President Donald Trump.
The Hatters confirmed the forward’s arrival in the summer for a club record fee believed to be close to £1 million, eclipsing the £800,000 paid for Ian Moore back in 1998.
League One
A Record Transfer
Mothersille, 21, joined Stockport as he approached the final year of his Posh contract, having rejected improved terms. The Jamaican international had enjoyed a breakthrough 2023–24 campaign, switching roles mid-season and scoring 16 goals in 57 appearances across all competitions. He followed up with six goals from 33 outings in the 2024–25 season at London Road before sealing his move north.
Stott explained the significance of the deal, joking about the nature of the discussions with Posh chairman MacAnthony.
“Honestly, I’d rather negotiate with Donald Trump than Darragh MacAnthony again! I suddenly thought, this is actually more hardcore than any negotiation I’m doing when I’m selling a 500-unit building because I’m thinking, this guy is so sharp. I know he’s getting a better deal than me.”
Stockport’s director of football Simon Wilson was also heavily involved, and Stott revealed there was some surprise when the final figure was confirmed.
“I rang Simon after and told him what we paid for him and he said ‘that’s more than we agreed isn’t it?!’” he added. MacAnthony, meanwhile, described the process as “great fun.”
Impact on the Pitch
Mothersille made an immediate impression by scoring on his debut against Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the League One season. Since then, he has been limited to four league starts and recently missed the 1-1 draw with Reading due to injury. Despite the slow start, Stockport hope he will justify their investment as the season progresses, particularly given his international debut for Jamaica earlier this year.
Stockport, managed by Dave Challinor, have underlined their ambition with the signing, moving beyond the spending levels usually associated with League One. For Posh, it represents significant value for a player they were at risk of losing for nothing the following summer.
Writer’s View
This transfer has underlined just how ambitious Stockport have become under Stott’s leadership. Mothersille’s arrival sets a new benchmark at Edgeley Park, both financially and in terms of profile. While the forward has yet to fully hit his stride, his debut goal offered a glimpse of what he can deliver.
With time to adapt and recover from injury, County supporters will hope the investment proves worthwhile, while MacAnthony once again demonstrates his reputation as one of the EFL’s toughest negotiators.
