Marketing Stockport 6-a-side winners steal title from the Magpies

Marketing Stockport’s annual 6-a-side tournament saw 16 companies – Azets, CN Group, creative agency Dawn, IN Accountancy, John Lewis, LSH Auto, MAN Energy Solutions, Marketing Stockport, musicMagpie, Robinsons Brewery, Sharp, Starkey Hearing Technologies, Stockport County staff, Stockport Homes, Vernon Building Society and Xeinadin field their best teams on the award-winning pitch at Stockport County’s Edgeley Park.

Above – Marketing Stockport’s Rest of the World team from L-R standing: Rhys Owen,
George Buckley, David Buckley, Dan Turner and ‘Magic’ Matt Windsor.
Kneeling: Matt Southworth, Rob Kates, Richard Higginson, Ben Perry and Chris Norburn

Brilliantly organised by Stockport County’s Luke Floyd and the County Community Trust, teams split into 4 groups and kicked off the first round with 3 games of 15 minutes that saw IN Accountancy, MAN ES, Starkey, Sharp, musicMagpie, LSH Auto, CN group and Stockport County staff through to the second round.

After a hard-fought quarter-final, cup holders musicMagpie saw off the staff from County; IN Accountancy took a 4-1 win over Starkey; MAN ES raced to a tight fought 1-0 victory over LSH and once in the back of the net was enough to put Sharp through to the next stage.

Title defenders musicMagpie were pitched against IN Accountancy in the semis who stole the game (and dreams of a second championship win) from the magpies with a 2-0 victory. MAN ES took on the Sharp lads who just had the cutting edge on the night, heading for the final after another 2-0 win.

After a thrilling final, IN Accountancy managed to put one past Sharp’s defence to take the title – Marketing Stockport 6-a-side Winners 2025!

Sharp Sales Director Nick Rose commented:

“It was incredibly competitive (no such thing as a friendly), with some great football on show. Most importantly raising funds for the Kits for County campaign, providing PE kits for children that otherwise wouldn’t have one.

“Our Sharp UK team were beaten 1-0 in the final by a very strong IN Accountancy side (cheered on by Sarah Harkness and Brian Bradley) – the only goal we conceded all tournament. Well done, the best team we faced, and deserved winners on the night.”

All round a great, sunny evening’s entertainment.

Rob Kates, Manager at Merseyway Innovation Centre, joined Marketing Stockport’s Rest of the World team added that, not only was it great to play, but also to get to know people a little bit better and in a different context.

Luke posted on LinkedIn:

“Thoroughly enjoyed organising the annual Marketing Stockport 6-a-side tournament at Edgeley Park with Dave Wardle as it returned to EP for the second time alongside my return to the Stadium PA tannoy.

“We welcomed 16 teams, 160 players and over 50 spectators to the ground yesterday, with all team entry fees, raffle donations and spectator admission fees donated to the Stockport County Community Trust to assist with the fantastic work they continue to deliver in the Stockport and surrounding areas.

“Thank you to all 16 teams who entered the tournament. The unbeaten IN Accountancy team took the trophy home, beating an impressive Sharp UK team 1-0 in the final, who hit the post with the last kick of the game! Shoutout to musicMagpie and MAN Energy Solutions for making it to the semi-finals.”

Marketing Stockport’s Helen White didn’t quite make the team but cheered on all the teams from the Danny Bergara stand:

After running costs, the tournament raised over £7,000 through entry fees plus spectator admission fees and raffle donations. To all the teams who took part and the spectators who came to cheer on their teams (MAN ES definitely won the award for the loudest fans), a huge thank you.

And another big thank you to the team from Crystal Clear Media – owners of the UK’s tallest billboard – who brought one of their digi-vans along to add to the entertainment.

Until next year ….