Stockport County have been granted a 250-year-lease on their Edgeley Park home, securing football at the ground for generations to come. The deal was signed off by council chiefs just before the Hatters romped to a 3-0 home victory over Notts County, sending them seven points clear at the top of the National League. County previously had a 25-year lease with the council, which acquired the freehold for the ground back in 2015.
After being taken over by Mark Stott in January 2020, the club created a seven-year vision to return Stockport County to Championship level - the second tier of English professional football. And to support the Hatters' ambitions, town hall bosses have agreed the terms of a £2.1m long-lease of Edgeley Park to Stockport County 2010 Ltd - the land owning entity controlled by the football club.
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It is hoped this will provide a platform for further investment so the club can continue to thrive on the pitch, attracting better players and broadening the fanbase. The club wants to keep upgrading Edgeley Park to improve fans’ matchday experience and has plans to develop a new community and educational campus.
Stockport council leader Elise Wilson said it was an exciting time for both the club and the town. “What a night for Stockport County,” she told a cabinet meeting on Tuesday night. We [the council] have a vision for a better Stockport for the people of Stockport. And what we see with County is a club which also has a vision and a plan.
“I think that’s amazing, I think that’s a really good thing. Our beloved Stockport County - in the hearts of just about everybody in Stockport I think - even those that are not big football fans. I think we all hold Stockport County in our hearts in a special place.”
The council will retain the freehold on the ground, meaning it retains ‘strategic control’ while also recouping its previous investment. Both parties will also explore the possibility of creating a ‘strategic partnership’ to deliver their shared goals.
Coun Wilson drew parallels between the £1bn regeneration of the town centre and the revival of County’s fortunes. She added: “I see Stockport as a place that’s going places. I see Stockport County as a club that’s going places. And I think it’s absolutely right that we should back our club.
“It’s our club and our club backs our town and it’s important that we do that and that we see a successful Stockport County and a successful Stockport.”
Hatters fan Coun David Meller, who donned a replica County shirt throughout the meeting, also hailed the arrangement between club and council. "This is a big moment for the future of the club,” the cabinet member for economy and regeneration, told the meeting.
“We could really cement our position in terms of getting back into the Football League, which I have always described to people as what would be one of the greatest comebacks in football history, when you compare us to where we were only a matter of some years ago.”
He added: “This is emblematic of where we are going as a borough, in terms of the progress that we are making. I can’t wait to see what the new ownership are going to do in terms of taking the ground forward as well as the club.”
Jonathan Vaughan, Stockport County Football Club CEO, said the club was ‘delighted’ to agree terms with the council over the long-term lease of Edgeley Park. He said: “Over the last two years, significant investment has been made into the club’s infrastructure, re-engaging fans and shifting the club’s position in the table.
“Now the club can focus on the long-term future of the club whilst having a positive impact on the town and its people, taking football into schools, providing better facilities for people to learn and train, whilst having a positive impact on the town’s economic growth.” Stockport council’s cabinet met at the town hall on Tuesday night (March 15).
