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Stockport County - Hattering Heights

Started on 16 May 2014 by Josh_MU
Latest Reply on 6 July 2014 by Walter
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Congrats on making it to Wembley
2014-06-24 12:23#181346 BayernAmerica : Congrats on making it to Wembley
Thank you!
Another good month Josh, and congrats on getting to Wembley!
Now don't let me down, bring the JPT to Stockport ;)
Good luck in the final, and well done for being on top of the league!
San Marino have been in the new Wembley, js. That says a lot ;)
@Pompey: Thank you very much! I'll do my best ;)

@Walt: Thanks Walt! :D

@Pauks: Lel, well just remember Stockport > San Marino.
Josh_MU's avatar Group Josh_MU
10 yearsEdited

Youth Intake Day

Today was an exciting day for Stockport County as it was another yearly Youth Intake Day. Over the years the club has produced some decent talent but as we have upgraded our facilities, the chances of getting that player who stands out from the rest is dramatically increased. I ordered some of the back-room staff to head down to Edgeley Park early in the morning to prepare for the long day ahead.

As for me, I woke up a little later on and had a shower, then I put on my best suit as you want to make a good impression on the new lads so they respect you more. Being the manager of Stockport County has given me some privileges, new house and all, but anyway, back to the task on hand, I quickly had some breakfast and rushed out into my car and drove the short distance to Edgeley Park. I parked my car in the car park and walked through the main entrance to be greeted by smiles as per usual. I looked on ahead and saw David Beckham waiting for me drinking a coffee.


David Beckham:
"Good morning Josh, how are you?"

Josh Slater:
"I'm fine thanks David, good to see you here! Have the others prepared everything for today?"

David Beckham:
"I think they've just finished now, I'll go have a look."

Josh Slater:
"I'll come with you, as soon as they are done, the sooner we can start!"

David and I both headed off into the stadium to meet with the other coaches who had prepared the stadium for the trials. They had put out standard training equipment so we can see how good each player is at each attribute of the game, then we would go into a trialist match so we can point out which players are above the rest ability wise.

Michael Ballack:
"Hello Josh and David, good to see you two this morning, we've just finished putting out equipment."

Josh Slater:
"Nice work Michael! Are the lads ready in the changing rooms?"

Michael Ballack:
"Yes they are, I'll inform them that we are ready."

Michael headed off towards the changing rooms as David and I took seats on the bench and watched the youngsters come out. Already we saw one player who looked the part, he looked healthy, confident and determined as he walked onto the pitch, I asked David who he was called and he pulled out the file with his basic information;


I hoped Zak could match his expressions with his ability as we are in need of a quality left back. I kept a close eye on him throughout the training drills and he looked very good. His natural fitness was great for a lad of his age but his best attribute was his balance, he was able to dribble through many challenges without tripping up. His tackling looked superb too, as he won most of his challenges, he looked like a League 2 standard left back with bags of potential, perfect.

After the drills were complete, I went over the meet the lads before they played a match. Many of them looked exhausted except a few who were barely breaking a sweat despite running a few lengths of the pitch.

Josh Slater:
"Great effort out there so far lads, I've been evaluating your performance but before I can make my final verdict I need to see you all perform in a game, so I'll get David to put you lot into two teams and you'll play a 45 minute game. Good luck."

Michael went over and put the lads into two teams of eleven and I sat back down and watched the game, keeping a close eye of Zak. The game, as expected, was quite poor but they are only young so you can't really criticise them. Zak looked very lively on the left, drilling some some deadly crosses and was a defensive rock when defending. The game ended 0-0 but every lad performed well and both defences were on top.

Both teams went off into the changing rooms to cool down and get changed waiting for the piece of paper to see whether they have made it into the team or not. I sat down with David and Michael and discussed the final verdict.

Josh Slater:
"Well I don't know about you two, but for the stand out performer was Zak Green. He fits the criteria we are looking for in the first team, I think we should sign him up on a permanent deal and give the rest youth contracts."

David Beckham:
"I agree, Zak looked quality."

Michael Ballack:
"Same here, he looks like a very good left back which we need."

We then headed off into the changing rooms to inform the lads our decision. I stood in the centre of the room and told them;

Josh Slater:
"Well done out there today everyone. I'm pleased with everyone's performance so I'm pleased to announce that you will be all getting a youth contract and will be playing in our under 18 team. Congratulations! On a side note, Zak Green, please come to my office when you are ready."

The whole room cheered and I headed to my office with David and Michael awaiting the arrival of Zak Green, who was by far the best player we had seen today.

Zak Green:
"Hello boss... you er, wanted to see me?"

Josh Slater:
"Yes I did, take a seat Zak, don't worry, it's nothing bad! You see, we've come to the conclusion that you were by far the best player on the pitch today, and we'd like to offer you a full-time contract to be a back-up to the first team. You will earn 80 pounds a week until 2019. How do you feel about those terms?"

Zak Green:
"They are perfect! Thank you so much boss! I promise you that I will play to my very best!"

Josh Slater:
"Glad to have you on board, please sign here."

Zak shook my hand and then left my office, he's going to be a star, I just hope I can keep hold of him.

Liking the new style, and maybe Zak can become the new Ashley Cole! :P
Zak looks good, hopefully he won't move ;)
Nice update style, Green looks like a nice little talent!
His physicals are nearly already complete, so that gives you the freedom to build up his technical and mental attributes, I look forward to seeing him progress!

JPT Final - Stockport 2 - 0 AFC Wimbledon


Stockport County won their first ever Johnstone's Paint Trophy after they cruised to a 2-0 victory against AFC Wimbledon at Wembley.

This was the first time Stockport had reached a Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final and under the leadership of Josh Slater, who has got the club back-to-back promotions up to the Sky Bet League 2, both the players and fans believed that this year would be the year for more silverware.

Stockport kicked the game off and with their attacking trio of Euan Smith, Solly March and Ryan Hall you would expect many goals in this final. Stockport had the most possession within the first ten minutes but failed to create a single chance within that time span, with only long range efforts hitting the target which were comfortable for Rob Burch in-between the sticks for Wimbledon.

Solly March was very lively on the left for Stockport in the first half, giving the Wimbledon full-back Jim Fenlon more than he could handle resulting in some dangerous crosses going into the Wimbledon box, but each one was dealt with well by the defensive pair of Alan Smith and Sam Griffiths. Stockport finally carved themselves a good chance as Jake Forster-Caskey threaded the ball through into the path of Ryan Hall, who has had an exceptional season at County this season, and the 27 year old winger was taken clean out by Jim Fenlon which saw the referee point to the spot.

Ryan Hall stepped up and confidently sent Rob Burch in the opposite direction and took the lead twenty one minutes into the game with his 15th goal of the season. Wimbledon tried to equalise from kick-off but a last minute tackle from Luke Watson stopped Ben Easton going through on goal. Wimbledon looked more fired-up after conceding that goal and Josh Slater instructed his players to play more defensive from now on.


Ryan Hall gave Stockport the lead through a confident and calm penalty.

Wimbledon carved out a final chance before half time but Joe Curtis fired over the crossbar despite being just 7 yards from goal. That was Wimbledon's best chance of the half and you would have put money on Curtis finishing the ball past Rob Lainton but both teams went into half-time with the score being 1-0 to Stockport County.

Wimbledon restarted the second half and looked more pumped up and ready to rescue this tie. However Craig Eastmond lost the ball in midfield which lead to a Stockport counter attack but Euan Smith's effort was saved by Rob Burch to keep the scoreline at 1-0. That was a real chance for Stockport which they wasted.

Throughout the second half Stockport's midfield was key as they won the ball back time and time again and also step up quick counter attacks. The Wimbledon midfield was overrun by the presence of Luke Watson, Jake Forster-Caskey and Paulo Jorge who had the most possession and recycled any pass they got. It was a frustrating spell of the game for Wimbledon which resulted in many fouls.

Wimbledon were yet again caught on the break as Luca Gasparotto headed the ball forward to Ryan Hall, who weaved past three defenders before pulling the ball across goal to Euan Smith who calmly passed the ball into the open net. Wimbledon had seven minutes left to rescue this game.


Ryan Hall was unselfish as he pulled the ball back across goal for Euan Smith to tap in.

Stockport County held out to win their first Johnstone's Paint Trophy in their history and the victory caused a pitch invasion where around 3,000 Stockport County fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate with the players. It was a memorable day for The Hatters which they'll never forget!
Great win and use of screenshots :D
Great victory and a very good update especially with the inclusion of the neat looking screenshots!
Very nice, detailed update! Nice victory as well in a final!

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