Stockport's pre-season plans have disintegrated with the news that Jim Gannon has turned down the manager's job.
It is three weeks since Stockport were taken over, with Gary Ablett being booted out of the managers office at the same time, and Jim Gannon's re-appointment seemed to be only a formality. But the Manchester Evening News reports this afternoon that Gannon has rejected the job after lengthy talks and that former Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson is one of the two frontrunners to salvage their hopes.
The Hatters currently have less than ten contracted players and have no firm pre-season plans in place. Neither their official site nor the BBC list any friendly matches, while a game with Inverness seemed to hinge on Gannon being appointed as manager.
Former Gannon assistant Peter Ward, who is the other man in the frame to take charge, is currently putting the few players they have through their paces.