Dave Challinor leaves Stockport County by mutual consent

There's going to be managerial change at Stockport County

Dave Challinor has departed the club by mutual agreement after nearly five years at the helm.

Author | Alan White

The 50-year-old guided the Hatters from the National League to League One, though their bid for promotion to the Championship this season ended in disappointment with defeat by Bolton Wanderers in the League One play-off final.

A former Stockport defender, Challinor returned to Edgeley Park as manager in November 2021 and recorded 144 victories from his 268 matches in charge.

As well as securing two promotions with County, he achieved five others during his managerial career, winning promotion with Colwyn Bay in his first season as a manager, three times with Fylde and once with Hartlepool.

One Stockport fan told us

Mark has a season ticket at Edgeley Park, and gave his thoughts on the news: "I've always said I didn't think he'd take us into the Championship, but a huge thank you for everything he's done. He's the man who guided us back into the Football League, and the 5-3 win at home to Bolton is quite possibly my favourite ever game at Edgeley Park."

"Other fans might think I'm mad, but it feels like the right time for both parties to move on, which is essentially what the club's statement says. It's been a very strange season."

Another fan added: "This man has gave us the best memories. I'll never forget that night against Stevenage."

Challinor told the Stockport County website

"What a journey it's been. An amazing five years that have gone as I would have hoped, and probably beyond what I expected.

"Five seasons is a long time in football management at any level, and deciding to step away from the club at this moment has been incredibly tough, especially on the back of the play-off final outcome. My family and I have put everything into County and it has become our lives over this period, but the timing feels right."

A few words from Dave following his departure 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/pr2EaEI3GK

— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) June 1, 2026

 Hatters owner Mark Stott posted his own thoughtson the club website: 

"Since buying the club, there have been a few County legends mentioned to me, and in management there is obviously Jim Gannon and Danny Bergara. Dave Challinor definitely now joins that list.

"From the day Simon [Wilson] and I first met Dave, we knew we had found the right person to kick-start our vision for the club. His track record spoke for itself, but it was Dave's human qualities that gave us complete confidence he was the man for the job.

"Five years on, the achievements speak for themselves. We have reached at least the play-offs every season, won two league titles and broken so many records along the way. Dave has played a huge role in transforming the club and helping us build foundations for the future."