At the end of October 1979 and lying in 21^st place in Division four, for County the 1970s were coming to an end as they had begun - dismally.

As a result of the failure to replace striker Stuart Lee following his move to Manchester City, the club's leading scorer was central defender, Mike Czuczman.

When centre-forward Tommy Sword signed for managerless County at the beginning of November, he was an unknown non-league player with Bishop Auckland, albeit one who had scored 50 goals for the Northern Football League club.

The blond 6ft 2in striker could not be described as a saviour but his enthusiasm and total commitment were major factors in at least a 'mini-revival'.

His full debut saw him return to the North-East to play at Hartlepool in a game which typified the man. With County trailing 1-0, Sword scored twice to give his new team a 2-1 win.

Never a player to accept defeat, his passion for the game inspired others around him, bringing both respect and affection from supporters and fellow professionals.

Within five months of Sword's arrival, an injury to centre-half, Les Bradd, himself a converted striker, led to the new centre-forward moving back to central defence.

The towering striker enjoyed a successful transition to towering defender, whilst still scoring regularly.

After missing only three matches in his first full season, the following season saw him sustain a serious leg fracture in an FA Cup tie against non-League Mossley. Typical of Sword, although his team were winning 3-1, he continued to tackle as if County were losing and was out of the side for 12 months.

His character helped make him a successful comeback, missing only nine games in the three seasons following his return.

Seven seasons after he had joined County, he was transferred to Hartlepool United for £5,000 but, a little over six months later, Sword returned, playing his last game in November 1987. He had made 270 League and Cup appearances and of his 55 goals, 25 had been penalties. By far the most successful penalty-taker in County's history, 24 of his conversions had been in League games.

The only cup success being one which gave the Hatters a famous 2-1 aggregate League Cup win at Roker Park against Sunderland, which created another piece of County history; the first club from Division Four to beat a top-flight team - Sunderland were then in the (old) First Division - over two legs.

When Tommy Sword retired from football in 1988, moving back to the North East to run a pub in Newcastle, he was granted a well-deserved testimonial that August against Manchester City.

This enabled County fans to show their appreciation for the magnificent service he had given to the club who seven years later, voted the Pop Side icon into the Stockport County Hall of Fame.

Tommy Sword's League Career
Team	Date Signed	Apps	Gls
Stockport County	Nov 1979	238	51
Hartlepool United	July 1986	18	0
Halifax Town(loan)	Feb 1987	8	2
Stockport County	Mar 1987	7	1
Total		271	54