TIERS OF JOY AT HATTERS

County 90mins from Champo return after wilderness years

- BY DANIEL MARSH

SILVER SERVICE: County celebrate with the League Two trophy in 2022

TODAY marks 42 days since Stockport County's last pilgrimage to Wembley.

And in keeping with the Hatters’ horrible history when it comes to grand occasions under the famous arch, it was another afternoon laced with disappointment as they were bested by Luton in the EFL Trophy final.

Stockport's latest defeat at the national stadium - their record stands at seven games, six losses - was merely the latest episode of anguish for a fanbase fluent in heartbreak. It is 13 years since they were forced to digest the bitter reality of Stockport's relegation to the sixth tier of the English football pyramid.

Things are different at Edgeley Park these days, though. And while it may be 24 years since County last graced the second tier, back in the old First Division, today they are 90 minutes away from completing one of the most remarkable comeback stories in football history.