Wrexham AFC player has the potential to make Stockport County envious heading into League One: View | OneFootball

When Wrexham AFC face rivals Stockport County at the Racecourse on the final day of the season, there will be very little at stake for either side.

The Red Dragons have secured one of three automatic promotion spots on offer in League Two, while the Hatters have already been confirmed as champions.

The two clubs have enjoyed a healthy competitive rivalry in recent years which will no doubt continue next season.

Which team is better prepared for life in League One remains to be seen, with both Phil Parkinson and Dave Challinor likely to be well-backed again during the summer transfer window.

However, if there's one player in red on Saturday who Stockport fans might wish they had on their side as they head up a division, then it's Wrexham midfielder Andy Cannon.

Cannon began career at Stockport's youth system

Born in Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, Cannon's association with Stockport goes right back to his youth days.

According to the club's official website, he joined the club's academy in 2003 at the age of eight and stayed there for seven years.

That was until they entered administration and subsequent cost-cutting measures meant it had to be closed down.

The talented youngster was then quickly snapped up by Rochdale, where he made more than 100 appearances, followed by spells at Portsmouth and Hull City.

After struggling to find game time with the Tigers in the Championship, Cannon was loaned out to Stockport in March 2022.

The midfielder really shone for the Hatters in the run-in as they pipped Wrexham to the National League title that season.

However, after initially returning to Hull, it was their rivals who would move fastest to secure his signature permanently after impressing Parkinson.

He joined the North Wales club on a two-and-a-half-year deal in December 2022 to bolster their own hopes of being promoted to League Two as they fought a close battle with Notts County.

An energetic presence in midfield, Cannon had an instant impact at Wrexham, making 16 league appearances as they lifted the National League title with a record-breaking 111 points.

The start to life in League Two wasn't an easy one for the 28-year-old as the Red Dragons initially struggled to get to grips with going up a level.

Cannon himself experienced a dip in form and was caught in possession in dangerous areas on several occasions by opponents.

The turning point came when the midfielder was sent off after coming on as a substitute against Crawley Town in October last year after putting in a late challenge on Adam Campbell.

After serving a three-match ban, he came back refreshed and looked much calmer on the ball, even when called upon to stand in for George Evans in a deep-lying role.

His best performances, however, have come higher up the pitch where his energetic bursts and ability to press other teams have really helped put Wrexham on the front foot.

As per Transfermarkt, Cannon has also chipped in with seven goals and six assists in all competitions.

It means he is now one of the front-runners to be named player of the season at the club's award ceremony being held next week.

Speaking about his abilities to The Athletic in December, Parkinson said: “Andy is a good player. He didn’t have a great start (to the season). He also got sent off at Crawley.

“But he is a good player. The big thing with Andy is that he has the ability to carry the ball.

“He can also burst past people, which is a huge positive for us in that position.

Stockport could be left wondering what they missed

Earlier this month, Wrexham secured back-to-back promotions for the first time in their history after thrashing Forest Green Rovers 6-0.

However, for Cannon, it was his third successive promotion and each of them well-deserved.

Parkinson has often spoken of the importance of signing players who can go up the divisions with the club.

Indeed, the Red Dragons ambitious Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney previously set out a lofty goal of reaching the Premier League.

With his excellent technical abilities, Cannon looks well-suited to playing in League One and has a good amount of experience at that level during his time at Rochdale and Portsmouth.

For Stockport, Saturday will be a joyful occasion as they continue to celebrate lifting the League Two title.

But they could be forgiven for casting the odd jealous glance across the pitch at their one-time youth player.