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Classy gesture made as Stockport sign ex-Man U, Villa, Stoke, S’land, Burnley, Sheff Utd player

A classy gesture has been made as Stockport County sign ex-Man U, Aston Villa, Stoke, S’land, Burnley, Sheff Utd player Phil Bardsley.

The League Two club have signed the former Scotland international defender on a deal until the end of the season, with his entire salary donated to the club’s community trust.

The 37-year-old full-back was let go by Burnley last summer following their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

He has played 400 career games, with 303 of them in the top-flight with the likes of Manchester United, Sunderland and Stoke.

CLUB STATEMENT:

The Club are delighted to announce the signing of experienced top-flight defender Phil Bardsley on a free transfer, with the full-back joining after a five year spell at Burnley.

Salfordian, Bardsley has played over 300 games in the Premier League since 2003 for the likes of Sunderland, Manchester United and Stoke and has signed with County until the end of the season, becoming the first player in the Club’s history to agree to donate his entire salary to the County Community Trust.

Phil has been training with the first-team in recent months as he recovers from injury after leaving Burnley in the Summer, and after impressing during his time at Carrington now joins the ranks as we look to push on up the table in the second half of the season.

Phil Bardsley said: “This is a dream signing. Over the last six months I’ve had the honour of training with the Club as I bounce back from injury, and during this time County has felt more and more like a home for me thanks to the support from the players, coaching staff and wider Club.

“Having the opportunity to sign for the Club and to give back to the Community Trust at the same time feels like the perfect way for me to make my return to football.”

First-Team Manager Dave Challinor said: “Phil has had an incredibly successful career at the very top of the football pyramid. His skill, experience and tenacity will be a huge asset to the Club as we continue our campaign, and we look forward to welcoming him into the side.”

Director of Football, Simon Wilson said: “We are very pleased to be able to add someone of Phil’s character, quality and experience to the group and am sure the entire Club will benefit. Phil is a winner and keen to contribute to the campaign this season.”

Independent registered charity, the Stockport County Community Trust helps engage the local community through its extensive programme of work which includes education through sport, volunteering and promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

BARDSLEY’S CAREER

Youth
1993 – Charlestown Lads Club
1993–2003 – Manchester United

Senior career
2003–2008 – Manchester United – 8 games (0 goals)
2004 → Royal Antwerp (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
2006 → Burnley (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
2006 → Rangers (loan) – 5 games (1 goal)
2007 → Aston Villa (loan) – 13 games (0 goals)
2007–2008 → Sheffield United (loan) – 16 games (0 goals)
2008–2014 – Sunderland – 174 games (7 goals)
2014–2017 – Stoke City – 51 games (0 goals)
2017–2022 – Burnley – 57 games (0 goals)
2022– Stockport County

International career
2010–2014 – Scotland – 13 games (0 goals)

ABOUT THE COUNTY COMMUNITY TRUST

The CCT is a vibrant and active community organisation that aims to provide a socially inclusive community along with health and education engagement programmes, which aim to make a difference to the lives of people within our communities.

Through this provision, we aim to support children, adults, senior citizens and families across Stockport, Greater Manchester, Tameside, High Peak and East Cheshire. We want to engage and support people in our community by offering sports participation projects, social inclusion, health and wellbeing and disability provision. Through these activities we aim to extend opportunity, choice and control benefitting attendees physically, socially, and emotionally.

Having successfully achieved charitable status in 2021, the aim for the trust is now to reach even more people and increase the role we play in the local community.

The Trust offers many diverse activities that aim to provide the people in Stockport and the surrounding borough with the opportunities to participate and enjoy themselves in a fun, friendly environment.

The Trusts emphasis is placed on educating people in life skills, promoting self-esteem, respect, sportsmanship, social inclusion, and healthy active lifestyles.

The Board of Trustees provides a strategic overview, acting as a critical friend and ensures accountability. Specifically, the group’s terms of reference state that its role is to:

– Provide strategic direction to the partnership and agree Trust priorities

– Ensure the Trust links to other plans and developments and supports local and national Government policy

– Provide guidance, advice and support to the Operational Management Team.

– Provide a sounding board for the Operational Management Team.

– Promote work and raise the profile of the CCT.

– Provide financial overview.

– Ensure the CCT Manager is both supported and accountable.

– Explore the future substantiality of the CCT.

– All individuals must declare any conflict of interest that may arise which an individual, or organisation, has competing interests or loyalties.

Fans gave their reaction at the classy gesture made as Stockport sign the ex-Man U, Villa, Stoke, S’land, Burnley, Sheff Utd player…

@Darrenmiller87: All fun and games til Phil’s late to training so we fine him 2 weeks wages and the orphanage have no presents and Stott gets the blame. On a serious note, quality signing, will be guest to have him around the place bringing in that experience.

@RHVlogs_: That’s an unreal signing! Brilliant gesture too from him. Can’t wait to see him play when I come to Edgeley Park on Boxing Day!

@pollyhanah: Welcome to County. And what a lovely gesture 💙

@otcountyculture: Great signing and obviously a great bloke.

@D_S_Schofield: Excellent. Really good professional and will give Aki Wright and MSW plenty of challenge/support

@KierenJennings: One of my favourite players to ever wear our shirt. Top pro and knocked @WayneRooney out for the craic 😂 🔴⚪

@BurnleyBoy_10: You ve got a good one there. One of the best. Good luck Phil

@GamerSocially: Proper pro is Bardsley. Never let us down at Burnley in his years here, fit as a fiddle to say he’s 36/37 too. Good luck to him

@LittlewoodMason: operation piss the league is a go

@clitheroeclaret: Good luck Phil & a great gesture #twitterclarets

@MatthewCheetham: Well done Phil. A great gesture and I hope you are able to contribute towards achieving the promotion the Hatters deserve.

@claretgobbin: Cracking signing. Great pro. Will set the standards.

@smudge152: Gives his all and donating his wage is a fantastic gesture.

@RyanParkinson22: Excellent signing, brings valuable experience 👏🏼

@lesc05: Gives a 110% all the time top man

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