Ablett's the top Hatter

Guy Nelson

July 09, 2009

GARY Ablett is determined to put a smile back on the faces of everyone at Stockport County.

The former Liverpool and Everton defender was appointed as the Hatters' new boss on Wednesday and immediately promised to help lift the spirits of a club that has been in the doldrums since being placed in administration in May.

"I think the people in charge wanted someone who was ambitious and someone who could lighten the atmosphere in terms of what the players had been through in the summer," said Ablett.

"I'm looking to put a smile back on the players' faces, to make it enjoyable, but also let them know we've got four weeks of really hard work to get us ready to compete at Oldham on the opening day of the season on August 8."

After his playing career was ended by a knee injury, Ablett began coaching with Everton's Under-17 side before moving across the city to rivals Liverpool in 2006.

While at Anfield he led his reserves side to the Premier Reserve League North championship, and the national championship after a play-off final victory against Aston Villa.

He says he will draw on the experience of working with some of the biggest names in the game for his first job in league management.

But he also has definite ideas of his own, which he hopes will help County compete in League One after a summer of turmoil.

He added: "I think I'd be a fool not to take bits and pieces from the people I've played and worked alongside like Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Howard Kendall and Joe Royle.

"I've certainly learnt a lot in the last three years under Rafa Benitez - the way he approaches games, his attention to detail is meticulous and that will stand me in good stead.

"I have my own ideas as well, which I'll look to implement in the next few months and see where we go from there."

Ablett's appointment has delighted the Hatters' new chief Jim Melrose.

"Gary has a fantastic pedigree, having enjoyed a career at the very highest level and he has a big reputation for the quality of his coaching at Liverpool and Everton over the last few years.

"This appointment should underline our ambition."

What do you think? Have your say.

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Todd, heywood (09/07/2009 at 11:46)

A great appointment. It was always going to be tough to follow Jim Gannon as in the supporters eyes he was almost a god, but everything must move on now, and from what has been said the players are delighted to have Gary in charge. My hope now is that he can convince the players who are out of contract, in particular Dom Blizzard, to re-sign for county. The team will need new players to add dept to the mainly young squad in place.

dickdasterdly, stockport (09/07/2009 at 13:27)

Not convinced where did Liverpool reserves finish last season ,did he leave or was he fired will we ever know ,but still who cares ?i think county will plummet out of this division ,the good players have gone and the new manager will play on that point ,i will give it 6 months at best utter rubbish

stephen ryle (09/07/2009 at 21:20)

But what I want to know is who are the other backers - we hav'nt heard anything from the Melrose Consortium yet!! Rumour has it that Graham Souness is involved (a big chum of Melrose and Kennedy, married to an ex Miss Stockport and -- listen carefully to the interviews with Melrose and Ablott on the official SCFC Website - do I detect a name drop??).

Northwich Hatter

Todd, heywood (10/07/2009 at 12:11)

Have just seen that Warren Feeney is looking for a new club and is talking to Grimsby. I hope our new manager is keeping his eyes open for this type of player, as it would be great to see him back at EP.

The Pope, Rome (10/07/2009 at 12:22)

aye, come on coonty, aye lad. Wi can git train t station an meat pi' toow, lets cheer em on lad me 'n' yoo aye lad, aye, aye, get me ourvercourt lad

Mullet Vision (11/07/2009 at 22:13)

Are the Pope and Ferrari related or indeed the same person? They both spout utter drivel.

The Pope, Rome (12/07/2009 at 20:38)

Just takin the pee Mullet lad **rolls eyes** - can't you guess?

Ferrari, Toulouse (13/07/2009 at 07:52)

I am not the same person as "The Pope" but i certainly laugh at you lot as loud as him! Can't mention any names but i know for a fact there is an Irish man looking at taking your best player! If i am wrong, i will never post on here again! Watch this space!

Mullet Vision (13/07/2009 at 12:16)

Ha...you're like a bunch of kids picking on your poor relations because you know you can't get anywhere with your harder older brother.

andy (13/07/2009 at 15:45)

Almost as good an appointment as Lennon heh Todd. By the way Blizzard have gone days earlier too . Apparently he has family in Bristol too!

The Pope, Rome (14/07/2009 at 11:10)

Ooh Mullet you can't take a joke can you?
You obviously haven't had a look on the City & Utd forums - the reds are getting a right battering at the moment.

Anyway, when are you merging with Macclefield? - that should triple your attendances ;)

Mullet Vision (14/07/2009 at 13:38)

Pope - We'll merge with Macc when City finally win something! Won't be in my lifetime.

Ferrari, Toulouse (14/07/2009 at 16:51)

Why Mullet, are you 96? Oh times have changed! Small minded club from a small minded town followed by small minded fans!

Griswald, Stockport (14/07/2009 at 19:09)

No, we're not small-minded, but yes, we are a small club. With the recent goings-on at both City and County it is surreal to think back to when County were assured of all 3 points when we met in the league a few years ago!!...........Anyway, here we are today with County entering a new chapter with new management and a team of kids, looking to survive in football's third tier (at this time, it will be nothing short of a miracle if we stay up), whilst City enter a new chapter themselves of incalculable wealth.
From a County fan's point of view, I'm just pleased I have a team to support next season.
Good luck to City, enjoy the ride!......(but remember, your Sheik's no Manc and you never know how long you'll keep him amused......), but for the moment it is genuinely interesting to see another player competing for honours in the Greedy League.............(I'm sorry, but when someone is offered £260,000.00 a week (!!!!!) to kick a bag of wind about, then something has seriously gone wrong with our society, hasn't it? (but, then again, £10K a week for playing football is far too much, so what the hell).
Anyway, here's to survival..........COME ON COUNTY!!!............(yes, that's 'COUNTY', NOT 'coonty' - who are they?)

Mullet Vision (14/07/2009 at 19:21)

Sleeping giant, no trophies of any note since 1976, delusional fans.

Ferrari, Toulouse (14/07/2009 at 21:15)

Griswald talks sense! My jibes are not directed at true county fans like him! I wish them all the best for his sake and others alike! When you get prats like Mullet spouting nonsense though, that's who i target my jibes at! Oh well, back to Skysports to see who else we've bought! By the way Griswald, i have connections at your club and just to pre warn you, there are snooping noses looking at your best kids...............mark my words!

NORTHWICH HATTER, HARTFORD (14/07/2009 at 21:56)

Now then you Manchester City "fans", be thankful because if the towns of Stockport, Altrincham, Macclesfield did not exist your "fan" base would be cut by at least one third and if you throw Bristol and the south West into the mix , there goes another third.
Lets wait until Sheikh Rip rap and his chums realise that all they have bought is a bunch of overpaid mercenary journeymen who in true Manchester City tradition will never achieve anything more than a mediocre mid table Premiership position or lower.
Your not a big club, you never will be and you will always live in the shadow of Big Red up the road so just accept it and stop getting your kicks by sniping at County and Macc Town who have real supporters. Cant wait for the Blue Moans to start - love it!!!!!!

UP THE HATTERS

LT4, Chester (15/07/2009 at 15:41)

Why are you guys letting a Man? Who thinks he likes Ferraris, but comes from France? Get to you all, he? Is a City fan we can laugh at that alone.
Ferrari’s are made in Italy in a lovely town called Maranello, Toulouse is a City in France, not a very pretty one at that,very Industrial, perhaps you should change your name to.
Punto Ardwick.
As you can see from my login I go to the games, grow up and stop dreaming.
Up the County!

Ferrari, Toulouse (15/07/2009 at 17:15)

Firstly, let me put LT4 in his place...... Your grammer and punctuation is atrocious, you don't live in Stockport, i am not "from" France, i live here, i am from Stockport but born in Manchester and if you did your research or you had ever been to Toulouse, you would know that they call it "The pink city" because of it's beautiful architecture! It also has a typical european river rrunning through it. I live in the countryside with an outdoor pool, 2 cars, 2 motorbikes and yes, a Ferrari F360 in the garage! I have lived here 2 years, i attended City games for 40 years and consider myself a real fan! I was there when we were lower than you lot and i am here now to mock your arrogant little minds! By the way, should you not support your local club Chester?

Mullet Vision (16/07/2009 at 12:15)

It's actually 'grammar' mate but thanks for the English lesson....LOL!

Ferrari, Toulouse (16/07/2009 at 16:34)

A little slip on the keypad, that is all! But in my past experiences, education has passed the majority of County fans by, so well done for noticing it hill billy!

NORTHWICH HATTER, HARTFORD (16/07/2009 at 22:43)

Ah yes Mr Ferrari, the Pink city indeed. I was in Toulouse 3 years ago watching Widnes Rugby League FC and I seem to remember a nice pink smog hanging over the city - so thats where it gets its name is it?? What has an outdoor pool, 2 cars, motorbikes and a Ferrari got to to do with football? I've got all that in Hartford Cheshire and I still support a small going nowhere football club and yes, I do go to watch Northwich Vics.
Seems that you have done very well for yourself, just hope that your naff little football club does the same. Must be very humbling being Stockports second club for all of these years.

ps. What exactly do those little gold stars on your badge mean?????? Achievment? Ermmm??

Up the Hatters

Mullet Vision (19/07/2009 at 10:23)

Hillbilly is one word mate. Have you got any more you want me to correct?

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