Is Challinor the one who got away in Boro's search for a manager?

FORMER HARTLEPOOL UNITED BOSS IS A SERIAL WINNER IN MANAGEMENT

- ERIC PAYLOR

STOCKPORT County boss Dave Challinor is someone who appears to have gone under Middlesbrough's managerial radar.

The former Hartlepool United manager has done a great job in taking County from League Two to the top of League One and has a very high 55% win record.

Challinor did a pretty good job too at Pools, rebuilding the team and taking them from the National League to the Football League in his first full season.

When I broached the subject to my group of Boro pals, once Challinor's name was thrown into the discussion, he became most people's first choice preference.

The former Stockport defender's managerial career first took off at AFC Fylde, where he spent eight seasons, winning three promotions and also the FA Trophy.

He then joined Pools, whose fans were gutted when he left in the middle of their first season back in the Football League to take over at National League Stockport.

At the end of that first season, Stockport won the National League title and then reached the 2023 League Two playoff final before losing on penalties.

Next season Stockport won the League Two title, are currently top of League One and favourites with the bookies to be playing Championship football next season.

On paper it looks as though Challinor doesn't know how to lose.