Exclusive: Stockport Ace Horsfall Confident County Can Challenge For Memorable Hat-Trick Of Promotions

Stockport County ace Fraser Horsfall is confident the ambitious club can challenge for promotion to the Championship this season – at the first time of asking, and the experienced defender has revealed a “few harsh words” amongst the players after a shock defeat has re-ignited the club’s promotion charge.

The Hatters were hammered 5-0 League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers last month, a result which questioned the Edgeley Park outfit’s promotion credentials.

But to their immense credit, Horsfall and his determined teammates have bounced back in style to keep themselves in the promotion mix.

A 5-0 thumping of Bolton Wanderers in their first game after the disheartening Wycombe loss showed real character, and Dave Challinor’s confident side have since won four of their last five league games to leave them sitting pretty in fifth position in the standings.

“Losing to 5-0 Wycombe was a real wake-up call for us,” Horsfall told SportsBoom.com.

“They were really good in that game and we were not at the races."

“But it’s a test of character to bounce back from defeats like that – and that’s what we’ve done, we’ve shown real character since then. Since that we’ve been really good."

“It’s a funny old game is football, hey? No-one expected us to lose 5-0, but then the next game we went and won 5-0."

“A few words were said between the players and the staff, because we knew we could do better. Football is just a crazy game.”

THIRD PROMOTION IN FOUR YEARS

Horsfall has been a mainstay of the County team which claimed a famous promotion from League Two last season, with the club having also won promotion from the National League two years earlier.

The 28-year-old, who joined the Hatters on a three-year deal from Northampton Town in 2022, is convinced the club can challenge for a third promotion in four seasons and make the leap to the second tier, two years ahead of owner Mark Stott’s ambitious seven-year plan to get there.

Earlier this month the star centre-back scooped the League Two Player of the Season award at the North West Football Awards in Manchester last month for his impressive performances in helping the club win promotion to League One.

Hatters’ boss Challinor was also honoured as he won the prestigious Manager of the Season accolade for his continued promotion success at the club.

“When I first signed for the club, people questioned it,” admitted Horsfall.

“But I spoke to the gaffer [Challinor] and Mark Stott about where they wanted the club to go – and I wanted to get on board with it."

“And I think now it’s 100 per cent showing that we’re only going in one direction at the minute."

“With the players we brought in during the summer, the plans for the stadium and the brilliant fans we have, it’s exciting for everyone."

“The facilities are unbelievable as well, everything is there for us to go and get promoted in League One."

“I don’t see why we can’t, we’ve got the quality to do it.”