Former Stockport County manager Dave Challinor has opened up about his successful five-year spell at Edgeley Park, a period that saw the club rise from the National League to the cusp of the Championship. In an interview with World Football Index this week, Challinor reflected on a tenure that delivered two league titles and established the Hatters as a force in the EFL.
What did Dave Challinor achieve at Stockport County?
Dave Challinor's impact on Stockport County was profound. He took over with the club sitting mid-table in the National League after a difficult start. Over the next five years, he guided them to the National League title and followed it up by winning the League Two crown within two years of promotion. That League Two victory was the club's first EFL league title in over six decades. Under his leadership, Stockport consistently improved their league position, a club record that had run for 12 seasons before his arrival and continued for all five of his years in charge. His final season ended with a play-off final defeat to Carlisle United, leaving the club just one step from the Championship.
"Did I expect that after five years at Stockport, we’d have won two league titles, got beaten in two finals and got beaten in a semi-final the other year? Absolutely not," Challinor said.
How did Challinor's playing career shape his management?
Challinor's connection to Stockport began long before he managed them. He joined the club as a player in the final days of the January 2001 transfer window, when they were still in the Championship. He was 26 or 27 at the time and became the oldest player in a youthful squad. The club, however, was already effectively relegated, sitting on around 20 points when he arrived. His playing career, which included a nine-year stint at Tranmere Rovers and six years at Bury, was cut short by injury. This forced him to play part-time at Colwyn Bay, where he also began his managerial journey as a player-manager while completing a physiotherapy degree.
What was Challinor's managerial record before Stockport?
Before his celebrated time at Stockport, Dave Challinor built a strong reputation elsewhere. He managed AFC Fylde for eight or nine years, winning the National League North and the FA Trophy. He nearly secured promotion to the Football League with them too, losing a play-off final to Salford City at the end of the 2018/19 season. He then took over at Hartlepool United, leading them back into the EFL via the play-offs after four years outside the league. Hartlepool won promotion at Ashton Gate, beating Torquay United on penalties. Across his four managerial jobs, Challinor has maintained an impressive win rate, averaging around 53 percent and never dipping below 46 percent.
Where does Stockport County stand now?
The club Challinor helped rebuild continues its journey in League One. As of 28 August 2026, Stockport County sit 9th in the table with 3 points from their opening two games, recording a win and a loss. They have scored 4 goals and conceded 3, giving them a +1 goal difference. They are currently 3 points behind early leaders Bradford City. Attention now turns to maintaining momentum, with a home fixture against 16th-placed Wycombe Wanderers scheduled for 29 August 2026. Fans can track the team's progress and check upcoming matches on the club's fixtures page and view the latest standings.
What is next for Dave Challinor?
Now out of management since leaving Stockport after that play-off defeat, Dave Challinor has expressed a clear desire to return to the dugout. His proven track record of achieving promotions and building competitive teams makes him an attractive candidate for clubs with ambition. His journey from a part-time player-manager to a boss who took Stockport County to within a game of the Championship is a compelling story of persistence and tactical growth. For Stockport, the foundation he helped lay remains critical as they aim to climb higher from their current mid-table position in League One, with squad details available on the official squad page.
