Stockport Council seem set to purchase Edgeley Park Football Ground, the home of Stockport Football Club.
The ground, which has been the home of the club for one hundred and fourteen years, is currently under threat after it has been reported that the owners, Cheshire Sports, have received an offer to buy it from developers who wish to demolish it.
In a statement released by the Stockport’s local authority they say that The Council’s Executive will receive a report on Wednesday recommending that, subject to due diligence, the Council will become owner of the ground.
This is a genuinely commercial arrangement which would enable the establishment of a landlord-tenant relationship between the Council and Stockport County Football Club. Wednesday’s decision would be to purchase a land asset on a cost neutral basis and will therefore not cost Council Tax Payers a penny.
“The Council will not, at any stage, be providing financial support to the football club but hope to purchase the ground in order to provide the stability for the team to remain in Stockport and for the club to progress in securing their own longer term future and footballing success.”
Adding that
All political groups on Stockport Council have come together to support this proposal so that the club can stay in Stockport, close to the vibrant local communities of which it is part and to contribute to raising the profile of our thriving Borough.
Cheshire Sports are owned by Sale Sharks majority owner, Brian Kennedy and currently lease the ground to the football club but it is understood that the amount of rent being charged is too high for the club.
The council have stepped in previously to help the club which went into administration in 2009, were relegated from the football league and subsequently from the top tier in the non league pyramid.
Stockport County moved to Edgeley Park, then home of Stockport Rugby League Club, in 1902, having previously played at Green Lane in Heaton Norris. Its record attendance was back in 1950 when 27,833 crammed in to watch a 5th Round FA Cup game against Liverpool.
