Wrexham and Stockport County go head-to-head again this weekend with both teams sharing promotion aspirations once again.
In recent seasons, Stockport County have been crowned National League champions and League Two champions.
The frustrating thing for Wrexham is that Stockport achieved both those titles at their expense, with the Red Dragons failing in the National League play-offs in 2020/21, and coming second in League Two, four points behind Stockport, last season.
With the two sides so closely intertwined, and yet so different, it’s always made for a fascinating dynamic on and off the pitch. But, while Dave Challinor insists he is not jealous of Wrexham’s success, Stockport fans do love to rile up the Red Dragons at any opportunity.
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Stockport County won’t be hiring a plane this year
Back in May 2022, when Wrexham were preparing for their National League play-off semi-final against Grimsby Town (a game they would ultimately lose), Stockport fans hired a plane to fly over the Racecourse Ground bearing a message.
The banner attached to the plane read “SCFC CHAMPIONS CHEERS THANK YOU EVF X”, in reference to Challinor’s catchphrase (the Stockport boss likes to say “Cheers thank you” in his interviews).
Then, last season, Stockport fans took the opportunity to poke fun at Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds and everyone else associated with Wrexham once more.
With Stockport already crowned champions of League Two, and with Wrexham securing their promotion alongside them, there was little else but pride to play for on the final game of the 2023/24 campaign.
Wrexham pride will have been sorely hurt before the game, then, when Stockport fans arranged for another plane, this time reading, “SCFC Champions Again Ole Ole”.
In the crowd, there were also signs with Rob and Ryan wearing Stockport kits and the message: “You have only come to see the champions.”
Thankfully, when the two teams meet this weekend, there is still too much to play for, with neither side able to gloat about their own success just yet. So, cancel the planes, at least for now.
Wrexham will want to leave Stockport rivalry behind this season
As things stand, Wrexham will have the last laugh over Stockport and could well make it to the Championship without having to worry about the stress of the play-offs.
The odds are now in Wrexham’s favour, according to supercomputers and expert predictions, thanks to that win over Wycombe at the weekend.
| Pos | Team | Played | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Birmingham City | 36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 35 | 83 |
| 2 | Wrexham | 37 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 21 | 71 |
| 3 | Wycombe Wanderers | 36 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 27 | 68 |
| 4 | Charlton Athletic | 37 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 17 | 66 |
| 5 | Stockport County | 37 | 18 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 65 |
| 6 | Huddersfield Town | 37 | 18 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 61 |
If they can escape League One, they’ll probably be hoping Stockport don’t follow them up, in all honesty. The two teams have a healthy rivalry, but it would be nice for Wrexham to take themselves to the next level and leave Stockport behind.
Indeed, after the medical incident at Wycombe and the way both sets of fans and the two clubs reacted — not to mention the manner of the rollercoaster ride between the Red Dragons and the Chairboys this season at the top — surely Wycombe are the preferable choice for play-off success if you ask any Wrexham fan.