SOME people are already calling for Jim Gannon to be awarded the freedom of Stockport, but whatever happens in the future he must be given a massive amount of credit for keeping the townés club in the Football League.

On the Edgeley Park pitch after Saturdayés dramatic éGreat Escapeé had finally been confirmed, some County fans were clamouring to shake Gannonés hand and thanking him from the bottom of their hearts for saving their club. It has been that big an achievement.

Dropping into the Conference wouldnét have meant the end of course, but it would have been a major body blow for the people of Stockport, and the town.

This is a football town, and for the Hatters to lose their Football League status on Saturday would have been little short of a disaster.

And yet that looked for all the world as though it would be the case when Gannon stepped in to replace Chris Turner after he left Edgeley Park on December 27, 2005.

Since the dawn of 2006, Gannon has been in charge - with trusty Peter Ward by his side - and County have gone on to claim 35 points from just 23 games. Thatés not far off promotion form.

A week had passed since the now infamous 6-0 mauling at Macclesfield on Boxing Day when Cheltenham arrived at Edgeley Park for the new manés first game.

Gannon had only been in the hot seat - on a caretaker basis - for a couple of days, but in that game there were already promising signs. And a new star was born in Liam Dickinson.

The big striker, plucked from local outfit Woodley Sports by Turner just before he left, popped up with a great last-minute header at the Cheadle End to grab County a deserved point.

The atmosphere in and around the club was already changing, but another battling performance - something fans had seen precious few of during Turnerés final few games - against League One side Brentford sadly came to nothing as a strong Bees side won an FA Cup tie 3-2 thanks to two late goals.

Gannon finally secured his first win as County boss on January 14 at Rochdale. It was a gritty performance that was lit up by Jermaine Easterés (remember him?) superb overhead kick which won the game early on.

The sizeable travelling army cheered loud and proud at Spotland that day, and it was also a special moment for Gannon.

County then went on a run of just one defeat in eight games, which included fine victories against Grimsby and Rochdale at home.

After a crucial win over Bury in early March - thanks to Dickinsonés last-minute winner - County then beat Oxford and gained revenge on Cheshire rivals Macclesfield by beating them 2-0 at Edgeley Park.

The Hatters were up to 17th in the table and survival was back on - big time.

However, a mixed bag of results in April - two wins, three defeats, and a couple of draws - coupled with almost all of Countyés rivals stringing together some big, big results, meant that the season was to go down to the wire.

It certainly did that, but by 5pm last Saturday County had survived, Gannon and the players were saluted by some hugely emotional scenes at Edgeley Park, and now ités all about moving onwards and upwards.

Stockport County hit the depths of despair last Boxing Day at the Moss Rose, but thanks to Jim Gannon, the club is alive and kicking once more.

No wonder the big Irishman was gushing with pride last Saturday night.

Tweet