Connor Hancock-One of County's Own.....Makes his Mark in Oz !!

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Connor Hancock began his  senior career with a first team  start for Stockport County away at Brackley Town in 2015. Connor had appeared previously, if briefly, as a late substitute ,awayin the Cheshire Senior Cup against Warrington Town , but this appearance set his very promising career in motion.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgEZcAlqyMo


His  appearance for Stockport County was something of a surprise to some ,but Manager Alan Lord knew what he was doing, and had every confidence that  the young man would do well…..which he did!

 
Typically stylish pose from Connor......

The teenager lined up  in a five-man back line and helped  put an end to a  losing run of 3 games ,with an assured performance.
Hancock was another of the players to have progressed through Lord’s development squad, having previously worked with the manager at his academy.
Those were heady days for young Connor, and Lord was not the only one who felt that in him County had a gem that, handled correctly, would blossom to the benefit of Club and player( how he would have flourished under Jim Gannon's expert tutelage).

 
Connor captaining County DS v Workington April 2015


Unfortunately Lordy`s tenure as Manager ended not long after and ,for reasons best known to himself County’s next Manager chose not to include Connor in his plans, despite him having impressed more than once in first team colours under AL.
So …..Connor looked around …examined his options…..and settled on a move….but what a move it was….Connor sorted himself a contract with Australian side Sunshine Coast Fire FC- major players in the second tier of Oz football in the National Premier League.  
Arriving in Queensland  with  Glody Ntumba, another Brit , Connor immediately  commenced training in preparation for the PlayStation  4 NPL Queensland 2016 season.
He settled in well .....sampling, amongst other things, a few of the Coast’s best beaches.



Connor now lives  in a 4 bed detached bungalow on the coast with two other players in  Coolum Beach.  and is gradually getting to see some of the country due to long away trips.
With Fire having 4 overseas players and only able to play 2 at any one time in a game, Connor has to work hard to get a starting place in the team.

Thankfully though, and to absolutely no ones surprise, he has made a great impression with the club, staff and manager ( Paul Arnison ex Newcastle, Carlisle and Hartlepool).  He is now the 2016 team vice captain after his performances in the 5 pre season games.  The Queensland press have already written a favourable  article regarding Connor who is  the youngest NPL vice captain at only 19 years of age.

So…….I will end this update on Connor’s progress at this point, whilst promising to keep you posted should more information come hedgegrower’s way.

Keep up the good work Connor, you deserve the success that will surely come your way!

Ian Brown













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