The Thoughts of Director Mark McGuire

Here we go another end of season run in studying the table with our calculators … but oh what a difference!

If you’d offered this position at the start of the season how many of us would have grabbed it with both hands. Because of that and regardless of what happens over the coming weeks, we should be celebrating the massive progress made by Jim, Wardy and all the lads this season, thank you to them and what a platform we have for the future, regardless of what division we start next season in.

Off the pitch we continue to strive for the stability and business like approach that will sustain the club going forward.

On the merchandising side we are going through a period of change, initially we are clearing a fair amount of the old stock, and have now begun to introduce new promotional items. These will provide the base on which we will create the new offering.

In the summer we will launch County Sports, this will combine two distinct lines of merchandise, namely the promotional materials with which we are being supported by one of our sponsors promotions 81, and the new kit company which I am confident will be announced for the next home game. Between the two companies they will assist us in preparing a promotional catalogue which will list all items on sale and these will be available by mail order, on-line or of course through the shop.

We will be backed by real retail expertise and the range will credible and quality in line with the principles of the club.  It will be a major step forward in terms of our professionalism.

We will also be adding to the staff at Edgeley Park in the summer months, we will shortly begin recruitment for key roles, which will underline our plans to create a professional set up at the club.

Firstly we will add a member to our marketing team in order to allow the team to properly manage sponsorship relations. This is a commitment we have made to our existing sponsors and will ensure that not only do we meet expectations in line with sponsorship contract, but we exceed them.

In addition we will recruit a community liaison officer.  We are a community club, and we need in place a credible commitment to the community. It’s not just about finding how Stockport County can benefit, it’s also about County putting something back in, growing goodwill, and acknowledging the club’s responsibility to the local area.

We are constantly looking at the resources which all of the departments at the club require, and attempting to match our ambitions with the reality of what’s required to achieve them.

Its been an amazing few months, the support has again been remarkable, and our young squad will need every ounce of energy that we can give them with our collective breath over the coming matches. But in the meantime take a moment to pat yourself and your mates on the back, and do the same for the players, because we should all be justly proud, not only of the progress we’ve made, but of the way in which we’ve done it. Long may that continue!