Stockport County have surely sealed major Aston Villa advantage that can help them for years to come

The relationship has played a huge role this season, but could also provide long-term benefits at Edgeley Park

The Villa’s loan players help Stockport in 2023–2024. The Hatters’ long-term plan is promising. The Villa connection helps both clubs grow. The Villas’ loan players to Stockport County not only helped Stockport in 2023–2024 but also contributed to a long-term plan that could pay off for years to come.

The club association started in 2021 when midfielder Arjan Raikhy temporarily moved from Villa Park to Edgeley Park while the Hatters were still in the National League.

This was followed a few years later by the similar road taken by Rico Richards and Louie Barry, who both contributed to the first squad and gained valuable senior experience.

These were wise decisions in the short run, but the mutual trust that has been established between the two teams may prove to be an invaluable bridge as the Hatters aim to establish themselves as a formidable Championship team in the near future.

The foundations were laid in 2021

Raikhy’s loan move from a Premier League team appeared like a relatively substantial move for the Hatters, even though regional football is still a thing of the distant past.

The 21-year-old was able to play senior football for the first time in Stockport, where he won Man of the Match on his home debut and set up Ollie Crankshaw for the game-winning goal in the FA Cup victory against Bolton Wanderers, despite his limited appearances due to County’s fierce and physical rivalry at the top of the non-league.

Raikhy was recalled in January, but he had proven to be a valuable member of the National League team at the time. It is likely that his loan at Edgeley Park contributed to his temporary transfer to Grimsby Town, another fifth-tier team. It is worth noting that Raikhy played for both teams that would be promoted that season.

It was a crucial time in his growth even if he wasn’t a regular in the Hatters’ starting lineup, both Villa and County benefited from the arrangement.

SportOclock

Stockport County have surely sealed major that can help them for years

Stockport County have surely sealed major Aston Villa advantage that can help them for years to come

The foundations were laid in 2021

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply