With great pleasure, Stockport County announces that manager Dave Challinor has extended his contract with the club for another three years, keeping him at Edgeley Park through 2026.

Under the 47-year-old, who led us to the National League title in 2022 after a record-breaking run, County has experienced an incredible degree of success. Last season, he led us all the way to Wembley for the League Two play-off final.

After taking over 97 games in all competitions since his appointment in November 2021, DC has led us to 56 victories over that period and, for the first time in 11 years, has gotten us back into the Football League.

After narrowly missing out on back-to-back promotions a few months ago, the gaffer’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of the 2023–2024 campaign. We are happy to have locked him in for an additional three years.

“I don’t think it’s any secret that since I came to the football club, I’ve been really happy. We’ve had some success, there’s still the overriding disappointment of the end of last year, but in terms of where I am and where the club are, we’re aligned in what we want to try and achieve over the next few years. To extend my stay is something both parties wanted to do, so happy to get it done.”

Dave’s original contract had one year left on it, so this summer, all parties got together to discuss our common goals for the future as well as our achievements thus far. We were on the same page after that, and we both wanted to reaffirm our devotion with this extension.

“Under Dave’s direction, we have a strong belief in our path, and I believe he has a strong belief in our ability to provide the necessary support to ensure success in the future.

“He has developed while he has been at the club and will keep growing here. There is a fundamental trust on all sides to overcome the difficulties and carry on advancing the club, even though it won’t always be easy sailing.