Former Apprentice now first team skipper Michael Raynes, has revealed his frustration at seeing the majority of Stockport’s prize assets depart the Club.
Juggling finances from the off following promotion from League Two, County were forced to sell Ashley Williams, Liam Dickinson, Anthony Pilkington, and Jim McNulty but still went into administration late last season.
The close season has also seen the departures of the highly rated Tommy Rowe and fellow midfielder Leon McSweeney.
The League One Club were docked 10 points for entering administration and centre-back Raynes admits it has been a tough time.
He said:
“It’s frustrating more than anything. If we had kept Liam Dickinson, and Ash Williams before him, then we could have given it a good go last season after winning promotion.”
“It’s just so frustrating though because we then lost some good players like Jim McNulty and Anthony Pilkington midway through the season and end up being docked 10 points. At least we go into the new season on zero points.”
The highly rated defender, has himself attracted admiring glances from a number of rival clubs and would be keen to try test his mettle at a higher level in the future.
He continued;
“Last season was my best so far and I was happy with the way I played and, of course, I want to play at the highest level possible.”
“I believe I’m capable of playing at a higher level but I’m a Stockport County player until I’m told otherwise.”
“I expect I will come back for the start of pre-season training and retain the captaincy, but at the moment we haven’t been told when we are due back.”
