Stockport eye Maine Road move

Maine Road: Vacated by Man City in 2003

Stockport are interested in moving to Maine Road and could even be re-named Man-Stock County, according to their chairman Brendan Elwood.

Manchester City move out of Maine Road in 2003 when they switch to the 48,000-seater Commonwealth Games stadium in Eastlands.

Elwood has had private talks with Manchester City Council - which will become Maine Road's new owner - about moving to the stadium.

He said: "It's an attractive idea because, to be honest, with the crowds and ground we have at Stockport we've been overachieving for the past few years.

"We feel we would be the best possible leaseholders and could bring more to the Moss Side area than anyone else who might be interested in taking over Maine Road."

Sacred ground

He argued that most of the First Division side's fans would support the six-mile move from Edgeley Park.

For those who see Edgeley Park as a sacred ground, I would reply there simply aren't enough pilgrims there

  Brendan Elwood

"When this possible move was first suggested the majority of the letters we received and comments on the internet were supportive.

"For those who see Edgeley Park as a sacred ground, I would reply there simply aren't enough pilgrims there."

And he said the club could change its name to take into account its change in location.

"Name changes are possible and when we were founded in 1883 we were Heaton Norris Rovers.

"But I would want to keep some reference to Stockport in the name, Man-Stock County for instance."

Sale Sharks rugby union club have already stated their interest in moving to Maine Road and are favourites to do so in 2003.

The club has proposed staging pop concerts at the ground if they move in.

City councillors meet on Monday to decide who should move in to Maine Road.