Stockport County has appointed Damien Allen as its new Sporting Director, a move announced by the club on 8 May 2026. This promotion comes after Allen spent four years leading a significant rebuild of the club’s academy infrastructure, which he began after returning as Academy Manager in the summer of 2020.
Allen, a former player who progressed through the club’s youth system, takes on the senior role as the organisation prepares for a transition in its leadership. Simon Wilson, the current CEO who previously served as Director of Football, announced earlier this year that he will step down from his position at the end of the current season.
The appointment signals a continued commitment to developing homegrown talent at the club. This focus on local development has already seen results, most notably with Joe Astles becoming the club’s youngest ever goalscorer in September 2025 at the age of 16.
The transition arrives at a high-stakes moment for the club, which finished third in League One for the 2025/26 season. Stockport County is now set to face Stevenage in the play-off semi-finals, with the first leg taking place on 9 May 2026. The second leg of the series is set for 13 May 2026 at Edgeley Park.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
