20 Questions: Curzon Ashton

A chat with one of our old National League North neighbours today, which means we can enjoy reliving THAT moment once again

The Scarf My Father Wore

Mar 26, 2024

Tuesday 26 March 2024

NEXT HOME GAME: Wimbledon – Monday 1 April, 3pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Forest Green – Friday 29 March, 3pm

If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Curzon Ashton supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Curzon Ashton fan Ben Sinclair joins us today. And you know what that means don’t you boys and girls. Here you go…

For any of our readers unfamiliar with that video, it’s from Easter Monday 2019. If you forward the video to 11 minutes and 21 seconds, that will take you to injury time in our penultimate game of the season. County are 2-0 up, but second in the table as title rivals Chorley are winning at Spennymoor. But then, a dramatic late goal in the North East changes everything…

Our first live event of 2024 is taking place next month. ‘Flynny at the Finger’ – an evening with County legend Mike Flynn – is at The Fingerpost on Wednesday 17 April. Start time 7.30pm. If you’d like to join us, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com. Tickets are £10 (or £5 for paid subscribers plus anyone who’s written an article for The Scarf My Father Wore). That includes a full colour souvenir programme, and even a little bit of stand-up comedy!

Today’s edition is sponsored by B.J. McKenna & Co, a full service law firm with two offices in The Heatons. Thanks to Adam and all the team.

Thanks also to Fields Of Gold Festival, who sponsor our Curzon Ashton content on the website. They have a fantastic line-up of tribute bands for this year’s festival, which takes place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 September. Click here to purchase early bird tickets.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 136.36 miles

Total steps so far: 217,174

Total raised so far: £1,666

Total completed streets so far: 271 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

Curzon Ashton currently play in the National League North, which is the sixth tier of English football. What’s that like as a division?

It’s a very challenging division with us having to face teams on a much bigger budget. Every point matters if you want to push for the higher positions.

Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Ashton-under-Lyne.

I tend to leave my house around midday and head into Ashton town centre for a couple of pints before getting to the ground for 2.30pm.

Who are your club’s biggest rivals?

Definitely Ashton United.

What’s your best memory following Curzon Ashton?

Probably Scunthorpe away this season. To see us take 90 fans to a former Championship club, and do the double over them, is a moment I won’t forget.

What’s your worst memory following Curzon Ashton?

The FA Cup first round against Barnet this season is up there. We lost 1-0, but had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside. It still hurts to this day as a win would have been a huge payday for a club our size.

If Curzon Ashton was a TV show, which one would it be?

Friends. A very tight-knit group.

What’s your ground called, and how would you describe it for someone who’s never visited before?

The Tameside Stadium. It’s a good stadium for the level we’re at with a superb pitch (we share the same groundsman as County actually). The facilities could be better but it’s pretty decent overall.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?

One of my preferred teams from the Greater Manchester area as I appreciate how well you do to draw in the crowds.

Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before? If yes, what were you doing the last time?

I’ve been a fair few times. I think the last time I went personally was to go shopping.

What colours do you play in, and what’s the best ever kit Curzon Ashton have had?

We play in a blue kit and have done for years. My favourite kit has to be this season’s pink and black striped away shirt. A thing of beauty.

If Curzon Ashton were playing in the next FA Cup final, who’d be at Wembley as your celebrity fan?

Probably Trevor Sinclair. His son Isaac plays for us and Trevor is regularly at the games supporting him.

What’s the most interesting fact about Curzon Ashton we might not know?

Gerard Piqué played in the first game at the Tameside Stadium.

Who’s your all time Curzon Ashton hero?

Our former skipper Jono Hunt.

What sort of attendances do you get, and how would you describe Curzon Ashton’s fanbase?

We get quite poor attendances to be honest but our fans are very loyal.

What’s your manager like?

Craig Mahon is brilliant. He’s actually the second highest ranked player-manager in the country.

What’s your chairman like?

Wayne Salkeld is top. Runs the club with its best interests at heart and always has time for the fans.

What’s it like for a night out in Ashton-under-Lyne?

I’d have to say rough! There’s a few decent pubs and it’s not too expensive but it’s certainly declined over the years.

What’s the best thing about being a Curzon Ashton fan?

That you can never predict what will happen. Every season seems to be more unpredictable than the last.

What’s the worst thing about being a Curzon Ashton fan?

I’d have to say the lack of fans. It’s disheartening to see and I often think to myself that nothing we do can change it.

What are your hopes for the rest of this season?

I’m hoping we can cement ourselves in the play-off positions in the last few weeks and then, you never know.

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What is probate and when is it required?

Probate is the process of dealing with somebody’s estate when they die.

A Grant of Probate is obtained where a person held a will and a Grant of Letters of Administration is the equivalent if the person did not have a will.

Obtaining probate proves that the will is valid and confirms who has the authority to deal with the estate.

The executor named in the will or the next of kin under the rules of intestacy if there is no will are the people entitled to obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. They are also the people responsible for dealing with the estate.

A Grant of Probate is usually required when a person owns property, bank accounts, investments or other assets in their sole name. The executor or next of kin under the intestacy rules will require a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration before they can sell or transfer property, close the bank accounts or investments and obtain the funds or to deal with transfer of any assets of the estate.

If the person had a will, the will explains how the estate is to be distributed and the executors will gather all of the funds and distribute in accordance with the will. If the deceased did not hold a will, the estate will be distributed in accordance with the rules of intestacy.

For further information please call 0161 432 4325 or email michaela@bjmckenna.co.uk.

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Tickets now on sale for Fields Of Gold Festival

Fields Of Gold Festival is a two-day music festival, taking place in the fantastic tree-lined surroundings of Ashton Cricket Club in Manchester, on the first weekend in September. It celebrates your most loved Manchester music, and more, recreated by some of the UK’s best tribute bands.

Click here to buy early bird tickets for the festival!

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Photo of the day

Edgeley Park, Stockport

Micky Quinn finds the back of the net for County in a 2-1 win at home to Aldershot in February 1983.

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Wicked Little Letters (15) at 5pm. Click here for tickets.

There’s also a screening of Royal Opera House production Madama Butterfly at 7.15pm.

🍺 Food and drink

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £4.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £2, and 3 for £6 on Jägerbombs.

If you’re in Stockport tonight, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a couple of pints.

There’s a new craft stout at The Dog & Partridge (SK2) this month. Euphoria is a 4.5% ABV dark, easy drinking kegged stout with a subtle punch of coffee, chocolate and a deep, rich malt flavour.

Fish Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Lite bite fish and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.75. Open till 7.30pm.

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