Stoconiansfc

ckport School (locally called “Mile End”) moved to its current and impressive site on Buxton Road opposite the site of the former Davenport Theatre. Following many seasons playing on various farmers fields particularly around the Offerton area (the last being sold off for the war effort) the club, who were the football section of the then thriving Old Stoconians Association (who also had a cricket, golf and rambling section) moved to the school playing fields on Hillcrest Road as agreed with the then headmaster. Whilst the main teams have played at Hillcrest Road since then (although its only in the 1970’s that we agreed with the school that a second football pitch replaced the then rugby pitch) its interesting to note that the lower teams have had a somewhat nomadic journey playing home games at Offerton House, Hough End, Torkington Park, Woodbank Park, Lavington Avenue, St Thomas’s Recreation Ground and St Peters. Its interesting to note that we’re the oldest club, still playing in the Lancashire and Cheshire under the same name, to have won the now Premier Division back in 1957 –1958…all previous winners having moved on or are no longer in existence. In 1967 the club bought a new changing room / pavilion, a former prefabricated house from Manchester City Council for the then vast sum of £25 (but had to be dismantled, transported and re-constructed ) to replace the old wooden hut (which had gas lights and cold showers) that had been on Hillcrest since 1938. The current excellent changing rooms and facilities at Hillcrest were built in 2000 thanks to the drive of the then Chairman Andy Steele. In recent years the club has developed to become possibly the largest open age football club in the area, currently running four teams in the Lancashire and Cheshire League with excellent facilities and a sound financial position as well as an excellent reputation in local football within the League, the Stockport FA and the Cheshire County FA. No history of Stoconians can be documented without mention of Jim Edmondson who has been associated with the club (and local football administration) since the war years as player, Secretary, Chairman, President and now our first ever Life President . Jim has never lost any enthusiasm and is at Hillcrest each week where he is renowned for his vocal support from the touchline and for his now famous after match cup of tea. The club is currently supported by the Phoenix who provide an excellent after match venue for drinks, refreshments and TV, but over the years we have used the facilities at the Golden Hind, the Duke of York, the Dog and Partridge, Stockport Cricket Club the White House and the Crown to discuss the afternoon games and incidents over a pint. Whilst it was originally the tradition that Old Stoconians players had attended Stockport School, the changes in the education system over the years and in particular the change in the 1980’s when the school was no longer an all boys grammar school, meant we have had to open the club to non Stoconians, but despite this we have always supported the School and the Association (and vice- verse) and in line with the Old Stoconians Association’s decision to drop the “Old” in an attempt to attract new members the club became “Stoconians” in season 2006 –2007 with the approval of the League, the Cheshire FA and the Association. Sadly the Stoconians Association folded in 2012 due to decline in the membership but the football section (Stoconians FC) will obviously continue to exist and will continue to use the word “Stoconians” in the club name as well as maintaining links with Stockport School and the Stoconians Golf Society. In Season 2011-2012 the Club were awarded Charter Standard Adult Club accreditation by the Football Association as recognition that the club are committed to raising standards throughout grassroots football and is well organised, managed and committed to providing a positive experience for all players, coaches and volunteers involved. Ground (1st - 4th teams)
Hillcrest Road Playing Fields
Hillcrest Road
Offerton
Stockport SK2 5SE

Club Colours - Maroon (with light blue )

Website: www.stoconians.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stoconiansfc
Twitter: @stoconiansfc