JIM GANNON has signed a new two-and-a-half year deal at Stockport County with the club believing he is the man to take them back into the Football League.
Gannon, a Hatters legend, returned for his third spell in charge of the club in January and has brought the feel-good factor back to Edgeley Park.
The ex-Dundalk, Peterborough and Port Vale boss made more than 350 appearances for Stockport as a player and guided them to promotion from League Two via the play-offs in 2008.
County are hopeful of making it out of the National League North at the fourth time of asking and chairman Richard Park says Gannon, who will remain at the club until at least May 2019, can take them even further.
“As a board we believe Jim is the right man to take County back to the Football League and we look forward to working with him over the coming years to realise our ambitions,” he said.
“We are excited by Jim’s vision for the club’s football infrastructure and he is a figure who can unite our supporters.”
The Hatters are currently tenth in the National League North and seven points adrift of the play-offs but Gannon was recently handed a “major cash boost” to help strengthen his squad.
The boss says he has big plans for the club, telling County’s website: “I was pleasantly surprised when the club opened up the possibility of a new contract recently, but I guess after a strong first third to the league campaign and also a positive run to the first round of the FA Cup we’re all beginning to trust that the club is both in a healthy state and a good position to progress.
“The last few months have seen some positive moments which have created a really good feel around the club. However, I am conscious that we have a lot more work to do to ensure that this season is a success and that remains very much the short-term target.
“We’re already advanced in plans for a reorganisation of our training schedules and, with the turn of the year rapidly closing in, we’re beginning a review of our playing squad as we prepare to add and build for the future.
“We need to continue getting better and create the best environment possible for players to perform and win matches. We have to put ourselves in a position where we are in contention for promotion, whilst also working hard to ensure that we can continue to be competitive if we do achieve promotion.”
