About SCAN

About the SCAN Scheme

The Stockport County Appearance Number (SCAN) scheme is a supporter led initiative that aims to celebrate all of the players who have represented The Hatters in a senior first team game. The scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and was launched in October 2010. It is administered by a small group of guardians, run independently of the Football Club and is funded through donations.

Following many years of research by the club historians, it became clear that County had more senior players than any other English Premiership or Football League club (1440 players in 2022). With ex-players and their families contacting the Club asking for information, and with many of them not having any formal memento of their time at County, it was felt that every player who had ever played a senior game should be issued with a unique SCAN number and a special certificate. In all cases these certificates to be presented in person by a County supporter.

The numbered list was prepared and both the Football Association and The Football League were approached to ask if the Club could add these numbers to the match shirts. This would have been the first time this had happened and both organisations acknowledged this was a new request but following discussion permission was unfortunately denied.In 2019, The National League gave their permission for SCAN numbers to appear on match shirts. They were first used on the v23rd of November 2019 during the match against Ebbsfleet at Edgeley Park. With our return to the Football League, SCAN numbers will be on all first team shirts

With County having been formed in 1883 and having played its formative years as an amateur club, it was decided that the eligibility for player qualification would not include County’s seasons in the Lancashire Combination, Lancashire League and Midland League. Entry would be through appearances in the FA Cup Proper (1st Round and beyond), the Football League, and the following competitions controlled by the Football League: the Division Three North Cup, the League Cup, and the Football League Trophy (formerly the Associate Members Cup). With County departing the Football League in 2011 it was decided to also include The Conference National League, as this was the first time the Club had competed in a league with automatic entry to The Football League.  On further relegation to The Conference North, in order to maintain co/nsistency with previous eligibility it was decided not to extend to this level.

The Certificate

Each player or family is presented with a specially commissioned certificate. The certificate contains confirmation of the player's debut (date and opponent) and their unique SCAN. For authenticity this is stamped with a wax seal and framed. The design of the commemorative certificate will remain unchanged throughout the lifetime of the scheme and only one certificate will be issued per player.

The Launch of the Scheme

The Scheme was launched at Edgeley Park on Saturday 16th October 2010 when a group of notable former players and descendants were invited as guests of Stockport County to attend the game versus Barnet. Immediately after the game an informal presentation evening saw the current playing squad, former players and families presented with their certificates by the supporters. The scheme's launch was made possible thanks to the financial and logistical support of the Stockport County Supporters Co-operative.

Details of Certificates Presented

In the last twelve years, over 200 SCAN certificates have been presented. The details of each presentation can be found in the Presentations section of the web site. These cover all decades since the Club’s entry into the Foootball League, with the lowest numbered certificate being number 22 (Billy Parker). Wherever possible it is the intention that certificates will be presented in open venues where County fans can congregate and be present to see these being received.

The lowest numbered certificate to be presented to the player himself will be to County centurion George Haigh (SCAN 482), who received his certificate from County’s youngest ever debutant Paul Turnball (SCAN 1182) at the initial launch evening.

 

Photography by Sue Cordon, Ian Brown. Mike Petch and Graham Privett.