Stockport County were created in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers by members of the Wycliffe Congressional Church, and participated in their first recorded match in October the next year. Shortly after they merged with a similarly named club, Heaton Norris, and on the 24th May 1890 changed their title to Stockport County to reflect Stockport becoming a County Borough.

The club adopted 'The Hatters' as their slogan name, owing to Stockport's history as the middle of the hat-making industry, a nickname that is shared with Luton Town. Stockport supporters generally refer to the team simply as 'County'.

2005/06 witnessed Stockport County change owners again. After reportedly losing £4m[1], Cheshire Sports chairman Brian Kennedy handed ownership of the club to the Supporters Trust, whose aim was to rescue the club from revenue loss, eventually breaking even & turn Stockport County into a community based football team. On the July 8 at 10:30 the deal went through, making County one of a handful of supporter-owned clubs in the country. On the pitch, despite the lower level of soccer the team failed to adapt. On Boxing Day 2005, already five points from safety, County lost 6-0 at local rivals Macclesfield Town, leading Turner to leave after just seven victories in 50 matches.

Former player Jim Gannon came in as caretaker manager, while the club searched for a replacement. An impressive switch to both results and performances under Gannon's leadership led the club to give him the position full time, and the remarkable run of form continued. Stockport gained 35 points from the final 23 matches, compared to just 17 from the first 23 matches. On an extremely tense final day of the season, County held champions Carlisle United to a 0-0 draw; a last minute winner for Leyton Orient at Oxford United sent Oxford down and brought the Hatters to safety, triggering scenes of celebration at Edgeley Park.