County won't stop Gannon

Guy Nelson

January 05, 2009

Jim Gannon

STOCKPORT County will not stand in the way of Jim Gannon if a Championship club comes in for their successful manager.

The Hatters' boss is believed to be on the short-lists for the vacancies at Blackpool and Derby County.

County chief executive Mark Maguire said that the club had not yet been approached about Gannon's availability, but believed it would happen sooner rather than later.

"Jim has an incredible record as a manager," said Maguire.

"I have spoken to Jim and made it clear that if he wants to further himself we will understand.

"We all respect what he has achieved here, but if a club with a structure and finances that meet his ambitions comes in he will go with our blessing."

Gannon took over as manager at Edgeley Park three years ago and in his first season in charge saved the club from relegation to the Conference.

Limitations

The following season his side set a League record of nine consecutive victories without conceding a single goal and only missed out on the play-offs on goal difference.

Last season he took the club up to League One via the play-offs and a memorable 3-2 win over Rochdale at Wembley.

County stand seventh in League One, but Gannon has grown frustrated with the financial limitations of the club, which could mean the departure of young stars such as Tommy Rowe, James Tunnicliffe, Anthony Pilkington and Jim McNulty.

Meanwhile, County are hoping to complete the loan signings of two new players. Liverpool's 20-year-old left-back Robbie Threlfall is expected to sign on a month's loan.

England Under-19 international Threlfall, who has yet to make his senior competitive debut for Liverpool, has spent two loan spells with Hereford United in the last two seasons.

Reading's 24-year-old striker Dave Mooney is likely to be the replacement for on loan Craig Davies, who has returned to Oldham.

Threlfall and Mooney could be available for County's home game against Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.

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Fantasy Football, Middle Eastlands (05/01/2009 at 11:16)

Sounds like the manager has more ambition than the club to me!

Mark, South Manchester (05/01/2009 at 12:08)

Jim Gannon would make a great Man City manager. The guy is destined for the top.
Shame on those County fans who have given him stick from the stands and so upset him in the past. County don't deserve him!

Todd, heywood (05/01/2009 at 13:50)

Fortunatly one of the quoted teams, Derby, have signed a new manager, but Blackpool are exactly the type of club who could attract Jim Gannon. They are ambitious, local enough to his home and have a record of giving good young managers a chance,as both Grayson and Megson have proved. Unfortunatly this would leave county back to where they were the day Jim arrived and a quick return to division 2 will surely follow.

bru50, stockport (05/01/2009 at 14:00)

Blackpool - ambitious, local etc. etc - and also SKINT.
All their loan loan signings have now gone back hence the defeat to Torquay at the weekend when they struggled to name 16 players. You only have to look at their half finished stadium to see their financial situation. Stay where you are Jim.

Observer, Stockport (05/01/2009 at 19:22)

The message s clear, the board have grown sick off Gannons rants and attacks and have shown him the exit door.
I must say its not before time the boad have stood up to the windbag.

Lee43, Cheadle (05/01/2009 at 21:03)

I think maybe it's time the board found a buyer for the club. They have no ambition and have not got any idea how to run a football club.

Observer, Stockport (05/01/2009 at 23:37)

were you saying the trust did not have a clue how to run a football club back in May at Wembley Lee43?

Lee43, Cheadle (06/01/2009 at 13:48)

observer is obviously anti gannon. are you a city fan

Rob (06/01/2009 at 14:50)

Observer, just answer one question for me. Has JG done a good or bad job as county manager?

hulme hatter, M15 (06/01/2009 at 15:14)

The last thing County need is a big buyer for the club - have we learned nothing from Elwood and Kennedy wanting their money back when they no longer want to be around, taking cuts of transfer fees etc?

Observer, Stockport (06/01/2009 at 22:26)

Rob, on the pitch he has but off it he has been poor.
Do you think repeatedly bad mouthing the County board and conducting a new contract is professional behaviour?

Rob (07/01/2009 at 15:11)

Observer. so even though you admit JG's done a good job on the field you think he should be sacked.
You need to remember where we were when he became manager and realise that without him we would probably be in the BSP with or without the Trust.

Phil B^), Stockport (10/01/2009 at 23:11)

#1. Without the trust SCFC would have been gone before Jimbo had a chance to work his magic and indeed give the Trust their credit for giving Jim the job too!
#2. Jim Gannon is Jim Gannon. He is passionate (fortunately for us about SCFC) and principled. He is no more perfect than any of us but you can not fault his motives or his results. Personally I cut anybody a bit of slack, I do not expect anybody to be perfect so why should Jimbo be expected to perfect any more than my boss, my wife, my kid, my friends............

Phil B^), Stockport (10/01/2009 at 23:21)

And to you City fans.......you already have a good manager and if he had been allowed to work within the original job description, he was an excellent man for the job. The problem, probably not terminal is that the job changed when the money came rolling in. Now expectations are not for a steady rebuilding job within a budget (sound familiar to County fans) but for instant bought success which may seem easy in Fantasy Football but real footballers however talented are still human and real teams are built from players who complement each other and the style or system played by a team.

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