The owner of Stockport County Football Club has officially invested in his second European team.
Greater Manchester businessman Mark Stott, who is also the founder of their principal sponsors Vita Group, has owned Stockport County since January 2020, helping oversee their rise back into the EFL and now as promotion contenders in League One.
The local entrepreneur behind the Cheshire-based property developers obviously has other investments in his portfolio, and after news of him backing a second side, Stott has shared an update with County supporters to assure them of his continued commitment to the Hatters.
Penning an open letter to the fans, the 53-year-old began by wishing his dedicated matchgoers a happy new year before going on to clarify his plans for both organisations.
Club Statement: Owner Mark Stott has written an open letter to all County supporters.#StockportCounty
“First and foremost, I want to say how proud I am of Stockport County and of everything we have achieved together”, says Stott. “We begin 2026 competing strongly in League One, with a clear long-term plan for the club and the incredible backing you give week in, week out.
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“Our progress on the pitch and the stability we have built off it are the result of a genuine collective effort. I never lose sight of the vital role you all play in that success.
“Since becoming the owner of Stockport County in January 2020, my focus has been on the club and its long-term progress. With that in mind, it’s important to me that I update you on other sporting investments by Stott Capital that you may be aware of.”
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Citing his big picture project, the Pro Football Academy, as having now become “the largest football coaching business in Europe”, not to mention the F2 sporting social media platform, Stott Capital has now taken its increasing global presence in the industry by investing in Debreceni VSC (DVSC).
Title contenders in Hungary’s top league, Nemzeti Bajnokság (N1), DVSC are based in the nation’s second largest city – not dissimilar to Greater Manchester after London here in the UK.
Seven-time division champions themselves, they are one of the most established sides in the country.
Moreover, Mark has reiterated that, like his work with County, “Hungary has invested significantly in football infrastructure over the past decade”, also vouching not only for DVSC’s rich history already but a “strong talent pipeline.”
It remains unclear just how big a share they now own, but it is reported to be a majority stakeholding; as for their Stopfordian counterparts, could we see Stockport players being loaned out to Hungary and vice versa, as well as pre-season friendlies between the two? Only time will tell.
He goes on to reiterate that Stott Capital’s relationship with DVSC “does not change our plans for Stockport County“, clarifying that “the two clubs will operate entirely independently, and I remain firmly committed to delivering on our ambitions.”
Now six years into the ownership group’s seven-year plan to transform County and get them back into the Championship (a goal they’ve very nearly reached), Stott added that there will be continued funding into the SCFC infrastructure, youth academy, the Edgeley Park stadium and more.
Promising more details this coming summer, he signed off by adding: “Thank you, as always, for your trust, passion, and incredible support. I’m excited about where we can take Stockport County in the years ahead. Mark.”
Featured Images — Stockport County FC (supplied)/Thaler Tamas (via Wikimedia Commons)
Sport
Manchester City look set to steal transfer target away from Liverpool
Danny Jones
Manchester City could be about to steal away a key transfer target right from underneath Liverpool’s noses, as the club is reportedly eyeing up a swoop for Marc Guehi.
Were it to happen, it could be a decisive move not only in January but could really prove instrumental in how the rest of their season plays out.
The Crystal Palace defender and England international looked pretty much all set for a Merseyside switch, with prior reports claiming that he was heading for Anfield before the deadline day in the previous summer window.
However, the latest rumours – which seem to have ramped up over the past week or so – are that Man City could snatch him from the grasp of Liverpool as Pep Guardiola looks to reinforce his defensive line.
As per the latest from the likes of Fabrizio Romano, fellow journalist Jeremy Cross and other alternative football outlets like indykaila News, not only is the door now open for Marc Guehi to leave the South London club, but the Etihad Stadium seems an increasingly likely destination.
Speaking in a recent press conference, Palace boss (who has also now been linked to the Man United manager’s job) Oliver Glasner added fuel to the fire.
Admitting that while everyone at the club wants him to say, “On the other side, there’s the situation that the contract ends in the summer, and if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says, ‘Now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue’…”
“There will be a threshold where the club has to say [sell] … If the player says: ‘I want to leave’ and the money is above the threshold, it will happen. I’m not so naive [as] not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen.”
Yes, name-checking the East Manchester outfit specifically, as opposed to Arne Slot’s somewhat faltering side, Romano has since insisted that “Man City want to reach an agreement now after their CBs emergency”; they have already recalled one centre-half from his loan move who impressed on debut.
Aside from a few OOP actions early on, M. Alleyne was top. Composed, progressive and confident stepping beyond the first line.
He doesn’t recycle — he dictates. Being a build-up reference already at senior level speaks volumes.
Many fans have already made it clear that they back and believe Max Alleyne (seen above) and fellow youngster Abdukodir Khusanov to deputise and be further blooded into the first team moving forward, especially following their performance against Brighton and amid the limited options.
On the other hand, City have always benefited from their strength in depth, and while the soon-to-be-confirmed Antoine Semenyo will no doubt be an exciting addition, finding cover for Ruben Dias and Joško Gvardiol appears to be a bigger priority.
Meanwhile, not only is it said that Guehi would love the opportunity to the Catalan coach and serial winner, but Liverpool have
Regardless, there is always the risk of a player getting lost in a potentially bloated squad as and when those players return to the starting lineup; it’s up to the 25-year-old Premier League-proven centre-back to decide whether he can not just take on the challenge but keep that place.
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Leigh Leopards share update regarding Tesi Niu allegations
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester rugby league side Leigh Leopards have now issued an update addressing the allegations levelled at one of their players, Tesi Niu.
With the statement coming directly from the club’s owner, Derek Beaumont, the club have shed light on their understanding of the situation.
Beaumont, who bought the team over a decade ago and rebranded it from ‘Centurions’ to the Leopards back in 2022 (and also owns a local decking company based in Worsley), appeared to speak on behalf of the club following the accusations made last week.
Sharing an official communication on social media on Wednesday afternoon, 8 January, they open by saying that “the club is aware of social media activity of concern from one of its players’ accounts, that of Tesi Niu.”
“The club can confirm that the player’s account was accessed externally and without his knowledge or consent”, they continue, “and [was] deleted a short period thereafter.”
“We were instantly aware of this as it happened”, says the Leigh Leopards owner. “As a club, we have policies and procedures and employ a Player Welfare Manager who is a qualified counsellor.
“Our first port of call in these circumstances is to ensure the welfare of our player and any external party that may be involved. This was immediately initiated.
“Having since personally spoken with Tesi and Kiana individually and at length, and then our Player Welfare Manager and Head Coach, I am completely satisfied that they are both being fully supported.
“I can also confirm that there is no official complaint to the club regarding the player, nor to any relevant authorities. To that end, the club will make no further statements about the matter and would welcome supporters’ trust in the club’s processes and findings.”
For context, you can read what 24-year-old Niu has been accused of in full down below.
While the organisation has now insisted that nothing formal has been raised within the club nor with the police at this time, many supporters are still insisting that there must be a full investigation into the troubling claims.
At present, however, the statement seems to suggest that they won’t be taking the matter any further internally – at least not for now/until a proper case is opened.
Nevertheless, many Leopards supporters, rugby fans and people online in general have understandably raised more concerns following the statement.
Neither Tesi Niu himself nor Kiana Smith – his partner of more than five years, currently said to be pregnant with their third child – has yet to share any further message(s) following the initial declaration of alleged abuse.
Danny Jones -
7th January 2026 
