Rose is a former Manchester United trainee

Stockport defender Michael Rose says he stayed at the club because of the departure of former manager Jim Gannon.

"I was on the verge of signing for Hartlepool this summer. I went up their and agreed terms, but I never wanted to leave," he told the club's website.

"If Jim Gannon was staying here, I didn't want to be here.

"But I managed to speak to Jim Melrose [who is heading the consortium that is in the process of buying the club] and he told me that he wanted me to stay."

Rose had agreed terms with Hartlepool but he is now back in pre-season training with County.

It was the end of my time here if Jim Gannon had stayed, I know the fans love him, and rightly so, but now he's gone it's a new start Michael Rose

Gannon, who was made redundant after County went in to administration in April, has since taken charge of Scottish Premier League side Motherwell.

Rose, who joined the League One side in 2006 after being released by Yeovil, is hoping that the takeover of the club will mean a new beginning.

"It was the end of my time here if Jim Gannon had stayed," he said. "I know the fans love him, and rightly so, but now he's gone it's a new start.

"The takeover of Stockport is close. We can't focus on the new season until the new manager is in and he tells us his plans. It's important the lads concentrate on pre-season training so when the manager is in, we'll be ready."

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