THE fall-out from Stockport County going into administration has created shock waves across the whole borough, and has resulted in the closure of Stockport County’s School of Excellence, and left the future of Unibond North soccer outfit Woodley Sports hanging by a thread.

The consequences of the school’s closure is underlined by the fact that six of Saturday’s squad against Brighton - Greg Tansey, Michael Raynes, Tommy Rowe, James Vincent, Paul Turnbull and Paul Ennis - are all graduates of the academy.

Stockport Council which has been putting in £20,000 a year to bring on star players said: "We very much regret that Stockport County has had to close the Academy of Excellence. The Academy has developed numerous high quality players, many of whom are currently representing the club and helped them gain promotion last season.

"The council is fully committed to working with Stockport County in this difficult period for the club, which includes looking at the future of the Academy of Excellence. The council provides the club with £20,000 of funding each year, which is used to develop a range of activities including the Academy of Excellence."

Meanwhile Woodley Sports, which had been counting on setting aside the near £79,000 owed to it by County to help with running costs was left in fear of going out of business.

Tony Whiteside, the chairman of Woodley Sports said: "We thought we had come to an arrangment with County over the payment of this debt which relates to the sell-on of Liam Dickinson. And while County is likely to survive administration we find ourselves of not being in existence next season."

Mr Whiteside said arrangment had been made with the owners of Woodley Sports Centre, which is not affected by the current situation, whereby it had agreed to give the club a free rent year next season to help it survive its present financial difficulties.

He added: "However, there is a significant amount of money required and the money which had been promised would have seen us through the next two seasons. We will have to now see how it goes and if there is any money from the administrator."