Rivalries
As the two nearby Manchester clubs have rarely been in the same division as Stockport, there is little or no rivalry with either club. Despite the two Manchester clubs attracting supporters from Stockport, Stockport County did enjoy a spell of success over their neighbours Manchester City.
The 1997–98 season saw Stockport County and Manchester City meet in a football league game for the first time in 88 years, Stockport County were victors here, beating Manchester City 3–1, thanks to goals from Paul Cook, Alun Armstrong and Brett Angell. Manchester City did defeat Stockport County 4–1 at Maine Road in the return fixture, however, this did not prevent them from being relegated to the third tier. 1998–99 became the first season in which Stockport County competed at a higher level than Manchester City. Rivalries were renewed in 1999–2000 following Manchester City's promotion back to the second tier. Stockport County beat Manchester City at Maine Road for the first time in history (1999–2000) thanks to an equaliser from ex-City youngster Alan Bailey, and the winning goal from the penalty spot by Tony Dinning. Manchester City were also defeated by Stockport County in 2001–02, when 2 late goals from John Hardiker meant that City were prevented from gaining 100 points in their quest for the Division One title. Stockport County and Manchester City met six times between 1997 and 2002, with Stockport County winning three times, losing once and drawing twice.
County's main rivalries are with other clubs such as Burnley, and Stoke City, for historical reasons, as well as other rivalries with local clubs such as Oldham Athletic, Bury, Rochdale and Macclesfield Town. The rivalries with Burnley and Stoke City are largely fuelled by meetings in the early 1990s, including the Football League play-offs finals and Football League Trophy finals being played each club respectively – both of which Stockport controversially lost. Therefore, games nowadays against these clubs, for Stockport fans at least, have added edge. According to the last Football Fans Census in 2003, Burnley, Manchester City and Stoke City are cited as Stockport County fans' biggest rivals. However, overall, there are very few genuinely fierce rivalries between Stockport County and other clubs, with the club being nicknamed 'The Friendly Football Club' by other football supporters.
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