Millionaire saved Stockport County

Stockport County are the visitors to Edgar Street next Saturday for the Second Round FA Cup game with Hereford United.

County are now run by a supporters trust but they have to thank a multi-millionare for saving the club from probably going out of business.

Brian Kennedy, whose Cheshire Sport company owned Stockport County until last July when the club was takeover by the Supporters Trust, has revealed that he does not plan to invest any more money into the club.

Kennedy, whose personal fortune is said to total over £200m according to the most recent Times rich list has been talking to BBC GMR.

"I have put about as much money as I am going to put into sport, there is no more now.

"Both Sale Sharks (the rugby club) and Stockport County must now become self-sufficient. The drive now is for the businesses to be successful - but without bankrupting me.

"As is well documented I have put £4m into Stockport County and several million more into Sale Sharks. I have no intention of bankrolling or putting any more money into either of these clubs."

Kennedy spoke about his involvement with Stockport County, and appeared keen to point out to certain disgruntled fans that Sale Sharks remaining at Edgeley Park is playing a huge part in keeping the football club going.

"Stockport County was absolutely bust when Cheshire Sport took over [in 2003]. The club was losing £2m per year and was gone, it was evaporating. Our objective was always for Stockport County not to lose money, we needed to make it into a viable business. We achieved that after investing several million into the club, but long-term it wasn't going to work. Ultimately to keep Stockport County in business I felt that handing over to the Trust was the best way forward.

"The community, local businesses and the supporters now need to back the football club, they can use the stadium for free and Cheshire Sport effectively continue to sponsor them [part of the Trust's takeover deal in July included Cheshire Sport's continuing sponsorship support which will total £750,000 over the next six years].

"I've put £4m into Stockport County, but now the Trust have got use of the ground for free, an option to purchase it and I continue to provide financial support. I think I've been more than fair, but I suppose you'll never win over some fans unless you're successful on the pitch."

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