1997–98 Stockport County F.C. season

Stockport's return to the second flight after an absence of 60 years appeared to be in danger of being written off as a failure before a ball had been kicked, as manager Dave Jones, who had led County to promotion and the League Cup semi-final the previous season, left to join Southampton,[1] taking his assistant John Sainty, goalkeeper Paul Jones and defender Lee Todd with him to The Dell. Gary Megson was recruited from Blackpool as his replacement. Three points from the opening seven games left Stockport facing relegation, but four straight wins after that lifted Stockport up to eighth,[2] signalling the end of their relegation fears for the season. These fears were replaced with hopes of finally reaching the top flight, but ultimately County's poor away form saw them finish in eighth, nine points off the play-offs. Of course, this was still as success, for this was Stockport's highest-ever placing in England's footballing ladder while at the same time this season was Manchester City's worst season in their history.

Stockport County's scores comes first

Squad at end of season[3]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  ENG Eric Nixon — DF  ENG Sean Connelly — DF  ENG Mike Flynn — DF  ENG Jim Gannon — DF  ENG Simon Travis — DF  ENG Ronnie Wallwork (on loan from Manchester United) — DF  ENG Colin Woodthorpe — DF  WAL Damon Searle — DF  SCO Tom Bennett

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF  SCO Martin McIntosh — MF  ENG Chris Byrne — MF  ENG Paul Cook — MF  ENG Kevin Cooper — MF  ENG Tony Dinning — MF  WAL Wayne Phillips — FW  ENG Brett Angell — FW  ENG Aaron Wilbraham — FW  IRL Stephen Grant

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  WAL Neil Edwards (to Rochdale) — DF  ENG Matthew Bound (to Swansea City) — MF  ENG Chris Marsden (to Birmingham City) — MF  ENG Lee Richardson (on loan from Oldham Athletic)

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  IRL Eddie McGoldrick (on loan from Manchester City) — FW  ENG Alun Armstrong (to Middlesbrough) — FW  AUS Vasilios Kalogeracos (to Perth Glory)