‘There’s more Stockport shirts around town now – we need a bigger stadium’
There was agony for Stockport County fans at Edgeley Park last week during the club's playoff semi final defeat to Leyton Orient.
The Hatters went out on penalties in front of a full house to confirm they will spend another season in League One.
But in just a few weeks, a major decision is approaching which could define Stockport County's future for generations.
Plans have been tabled to expand their Edgeley home to fit more than 18,000 fans inside, a boost of around 7,400 seats from the current capacity.
It could be transformational for the club, bringing more revenue and bigger crowds as the team continues to push for a return to Championship-level football.
The plans could be decided on July 3 by Stockport council's planning committee, in what could be a major boost for everyone at the club if they get the green light to start work.
County fans around the stadium before the club's playoff game on May 14 said the stadium has to expand to meet the growing fanbase.
"They're selling out every game now pretty much, so it's definitely time to bring the ground up to a capacity that can make the club be at the level they want to," said County fan Chris, who goes to the games with his dad Keith.
"Even when Stockport were in League One 15 years ago, you could drive down a street and there were never any kids in Stockport shirts, it was always United and City.
"But now you go through town and there's more Stockport shirts than anything else, the club have done a great job in promoting the club to the fanbase and welcoming them through the turnstiles."
Last week, Stockport County's non-executive chairman Ken Knott gave an update on where the expansion plans were at and how it could impact the club's future.
Plans for the stadium are initially expected to focus on improvements and extra seating for the Danny Bergara Stand (north stand), and the construction of a new Railway End (east stand).
Longer term, the club is aiming to redevelop the Together Stand (south stand) to increase its capacity to around 5,500, and an extension to the western end of the Danny Bergara Stand, increasing the overall number of seats.
All of it is linked closely to Stockport's bid for promotion to the Championship, which is likely to draw bigger crowds to SK3.
"What comes with that [promotion] is much larger away support coming to Edgeley Park, because there are some big teams up in the Championship," Ken Knott said.
"A combination of that and hopefully more demand from fans within Stockport will mean we'll be able to sustain a strong business case to get on with the investment and carry on with the work."
County fan Dan was also at the match on May 14, and said the club needs to continue climbing the football pyramid for long-term success and stability.
"It would just be great to be playing teams that have just come down from the Premier League, having them come and visit Edgeley Park would be mint.
"On night's like tonight it sells out every time so there's no reason why if they expand they can't fill it with even more people, it's really exciting times."
Andrew, another Hatters fan at the game, added: "It's definitely big, it's getting more people in, and more revenue and exposure.
"It's had a lot of work done inside already, it's a lot more modern, it doesn't feel dated at all, but for any improvements you never say no do you."
Despite the positivity from fans, some neighbours in the area are worried about increased attendances at Edgeley Park.
Concerns were raised during a Stockport council meeting in April, when an Edgeley resident said there are still "persistent" problems with parking around the stadium when games are taking place.
In March last year, residents around Edgeley told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the streets struggle to cope with extra cars when County play at home.
One resident said that despite having a match day parking permit, it can be difficult for locals when fans park on Edgeley's residential streets.
The club said at the time that the local community is the "very heart" of its work, and that it was consulting on ideas to improve the transport situation, including developing better relationships with local parking providers such as NCP, better parking at the ground for staff, and encouraging more sustainable modes of travel from fans.
As part of the stadium expansion, Stockport County said it will bring in a package of measures to ease pressure on parking around the ground and limit the effects of increased travel demand on local transport networks.
Getting that right will be a key part of any work moving forward.
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