Stockport County ground could be bought by council

Stockport Council is in advanced negotiations with Brian Kennedy to buy Edgeley Park to secure its future as the home of the football club following rumours of a sale to property developers who proposed demolishing the ground.

The council issued a statement on Monday which said: “An opportunity has arisen for Stockport Council to purchase the Edgeley Park Football Ground from the current owners, Cheshire Sport. 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.”

Stockport County currently plays in the Conference North. Kennedy, who made his fortune through conservatories and windows business and whose other companies include Patrick Properties, acquired the club in 2003 and later sold the club to its fans, retaining the ground.

The council continued: “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.

“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.

Councillors in Stockport will monitor the proposals as they develop and reserve the right not to proceed with the purchase if the deal ceases to represent the best interests of Council Tax Payers and of our town.”

The club declined to comment.