20-year-old defender John Hardiker is still the most expensive player ever to come out of the Conference, joining for £150,000 from Morcambe in January 2002. His most famous feat though must be the two goals he scored in March to give already-relegated County a 2-1 win over league leaders and local rivals Manchester City in the last five minutes. On that day, and many since, Hardiker has been employed in central midfield.
| SEASON | CLUB | APPEARANCES |
GOALS |
2001-02 |
Stockport Co |
12 |
3 |
TOTAL |
|
12 |
3 |