Challinor criticises Stockport fans who left during shootout
Dave Challinor led Stockport County to a third-placed finish in League One before their eventual play-off defeat by Leyton Orient [Rex Features]
Stockport County boss Dave Challinor has criticised fans who left midway through the penalty shootout they lost to Leyton Orient in Wednesday's League One play-off semi-final second leg at Edgeley Park.
The Hatters were defeated 4-1 on penalties by Orient after the second leg finished 1-1 and 3-3 on aggregate.
Advertisement
Jack Diamond saw his penalty saved, while Ryan Rydel struck the post in the shootout.
Some fans had left before Orient struck the winning spot-kick.
"I get that there's disappointment. No-one's more disappointed than how much we are. There are players in the dressing room where it will live with them for the rest of their lives," Challinor told BBC Radio Manchester.
"They deserve better than people walking out. Maybe they thought the game was over."
Challinor has led Stockport to two promotions during his time with the club, taking them from the National League to the third tier.
Advertisement
Prior to this season's play-off campaign, they ended the season in third position, missing out on automatic promotion by five points.
"If the players walked off with five minutes to go, we wouldn't be in the position we're in. That is a bit of a frustration," he added.
"I get people may want to get away and avoid traffic and things, but our season has come to an end and I think it would have been nice and justified for people to have stayed in.
"The majority did, don't get me wrong, and I massively thank them for that, to appreciate what the players have done because the effort they've given for nine months has been incredible."
Advertisement
Stockport had prior experience of losing on penalties in the play-offs, having lost to Carlisle United on spot-kicks at Wembley in the 2023 League Two final.
Challinor's side went on to win the fourth tier title the following season, but he does not feel they will have things all their way in 2025-26.
"I don't in any way think it will be as easy as that. To go back to the play-off game against Carlisle, we were hampered by injuries. I felt in that season we deserved to be promoted, we were one of the best teams," he said.
"Unfortunately we've missed out at this stage. Football is ruthless, it moves on quickly."
Advertisement
A big summer awaits for the club as they look to make changes to their line-up in order to remain competitive next season.
Challinor said: "Obviously there are players out of contract and we need to look at our squad.
"There will be players at the club whose opportunities have been limited this year and will move on and it's my job to shape our squad in order to give ourselves the opportunity of being as successful next year as we have been this year.
"There certainly won't be an understanding from my perspective, as I imagine there will be from a lot of other people, that says that because we finished third this year that we'll just happily waltz to an automatic spot next year and get promoted.
"We've got to be better than this year not to stand still. And that becomes all of our jobs to make sure that happens."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Here's the NY Mets projected starting rotation with Kodai Senga dealing with injury
When Carlos Mendoza was asked if he had considered how a starting rotation would look with the logjam of arms before the Mets' series opener on Tuesday, the manager said he had not given it much thought. Oftentimes, those scenarios have a way of figuring themselves out when the time comes. Advertisement After Thursday's win over the Nationals, the Mets must now come to terms with how they will deal with the absence of Kodai Senga. The Mets right-hander crumbled to the grass and grabbed at his hamstring after leaping for a high throw at first base on a play in the top of the fifth inning. He was removed from the game and expected to miss some time, although the severity of the injury has yet to be revealed. 'It's hard for me to speculate, but obviously we know he's going to be down,' Mendoza told reporters. 'As soon as he goes down like that and he grabs the hamstring like that, we saw it last year (with his calf), it's unfortunate.' Senga has been one of the best pitchers in the National League this season. The 31-year-old boasts a 7-3 record with an MLB-best 1.47 ERA, along with a 1.11 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 73⅔ innings. The strong season is coming on the heels after a season where he made only one start due to shoulder and calf strains. While the Mets might not have the singular firepower to replace Senga in the short-term, they had already begun to feel the squeeze with the spots available for their arms. Advertisement "You hate to see anybody go down, especially a guy like Senga after what he went through last year and how hard it was," Mendoza said. "I keep saying it, 'Injuries happen.' We feel for him, but nobody's going to feel sorry for us. We got people coming and the people that are healthy now will continue to step up." More NY Mets news: Mets have MLB's biggest home attendance bump in 2025. Here's how many fans are going Paul Blackburn, who was in contention for a rotation spot in spring training before an injury hampered his start to the season, has made one start and one long relief appearance since returning from the injured list on June 2. He should be the first to get a crack at Senga's rotation spot while the Mets continue to get healthy near the top of the rotation. Frankie Montas will make his fifth rehab start on Friday for Triple-A Syracuse as he approaches his 30-day maximum rehab window. Sean Manaea has now made two rehab starts. Advertisement Montas has been shaky so far down in the minor leagues, pitching to a 9.00 ERA with nine strikeouts and a 2.00 WHIP in 12 innings in four combined starts for High-A Brooklyn and Triple-A Syracuse. Manaea's second start was better than his first for Brooklyn. The lefty tossed 2⅔ scoreless innings with four strikeouts last time out. He threw 46 pitches. With Montas nearing his return but still not back, here is the Mets' projected rotation for at least one turn: Mets projected rotation with Kodai Senga injured Clay Holmes Tylor Megill Griffin Canning David Peterson Paul Blackburn This article originally appeared on Here's NY Mets projected starting rotation after Kodai Senga injury
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cubs Trade Idea Grabs Chris Sale From Braves Amid Pitching Injuries
Cubs Trade Idea Grabs Chris Sale From Braves Amid Pitching Injuries originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Not every team in Major League Baseball has played as well as the Chicago Cubs, as one of the other National League contenders, the Atlanta Braves, has been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball. Advertisement When the Braves entered the year, the expectation was for them to compete for a World Series. Instead, they're already 13.5 games back in the National League East, sitting in fourth place, even below the brutal Washington Nationals. With the Braves struggling as much as they have, many expect them to potentially sell at the deadline. One name who could be moved is Chris Sale, a left-hander who is arguably still one of the top arms in MLB after dominating hitters a year ago, winning the National League Cy Young Award. While Sale is much older, 36 years old, he's still been a very elite arm, something the Cubs would love to add to the middle of their rotation. Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer talks to the media after introducing pitcher Shota Imanaga (not pictured) during a press conference at Loews Chicago Krzaczynski-Imagn Images In a recent trade idea from Newsweek, they'd accomplished just that. Newsweek discussed how the Braves could be sellers at the deadline due to their recent performance, and Sale makes perfect sense for what the Cubs currently need. Advertisement 'Sale is not a name that would've been thought of at the beginning of the season, but he has now become an intriguing option due to the struggles from the Atlanta Braves. 'After a shaky start to the season, Sale has bounced back and has a 2.79 ERA with 107 strikeouts across 80 2/3 innings pitched,' they wrote. Sale hasn't been as good as he was in 2024, but he still has a 2.79 ERA and has struck out 107 hitters in 80.2 innings. With that type of production, he'd be the best arm on Chicago's staff, something the front office should be looking for. Related: Cubs Trade Idea Lands $64.5 Million Left-Hander from Lousy NL Team This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cubs Trade Idea Lands Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi
Cubs Trade Idea Lands Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs are one of the most dominant teams in the National League. Led by the sixth-ranked offense, Chicago has secured a modest five-game advantage in the NL Central and is showing no signs of slowing down. Advertisement Despite the success, injuries have decimated their starting rotation, creating a lack of top-tier arms capable of dominating in the postseason. While Shota Imanaga is on track to return sometime later this month, the Cubs cannot solely rely on him. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer said as much to the media earlier this week by revealing the team is in the 'information gathering stage.' Although he did not list potential trade targets, it is apparent that the Cubs intend to play at the top of the trade market. One starting pitcher who would fill Chicago's need for a proven postseason ace is Texas Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi. Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) throws during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Globe Life Dieb-Imagn Images Eovaldi has been on the injured list since May 29 due to a triceps injury, but the 35-year-old is eligible to return on Friday. If proven to be healthy, Eovaldi may be the most overlooked pitcher potentially on the trade block. Advertisement The former two-time All-Star leads MLB with a 1.56 ERA, 0.808 WHIP, and one shutout across 69.1 innings. He may not have the name value of Sandy Alcantara or Zach Gallen, but his track record is far better, especially in the playoffs. Touting a 9-3 record and 3.05 career ERA, Eovaldi has been a steady presence in each of his three trips to the postseason. Placing him at the top of a group consisting of Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Matthew Boyd would give Chicago a formidable starting rotation in the playoffs. The hang-up in acquiring Eovaldi is his three-year, $75M contract signed through 2027 and his no-trade clause. Eovaldi could be reluctant to leave Texas, knowing it is his birthplace, and after just signing a new deal. However, with the Rangers dangerously close to last place, he may value a chance at winning a third World Series trophy over comfort. If the Cubs are serious about contending this season, they will embrace an all-in mentality at the deadline. Eovaldi's history of postseason success might be enough to push them over the top. Related: Jed Hoyer Makes Strong Comment on Cubs' Matt Shaw After Promotion This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
