20 Questions: Sandbach United

A short hop across Cheshire for today’s main feature, as Oliver Byron gives us the lowdown on the Ramblers

Nov 29, 2024

Friday 29 November 2024

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

Before we turn our attention to Brackley and Birmingham, we’ve got another instalment of our ‘20 Questions’ series for you today. Oliver Byron, who works as Head of Football and Operations at Sandbach United, tells us all about the tenth tier club, who currently ply their trade in the same division as Cheadle Heath Nomads and Stockport Georgians.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Lynx Taxis and LM Stone Creative. A big thank you to Ehsan and Chris.

Thanks also to CWD Sandbach who sponsor our Sandbach United content on the website.

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: 176.31 miles

Total steps so far: 284,130

Total raised so far: £2,027

Total completed streets so far: 399 (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

Sandbach currently play in the North West Counties League First Division South, which is the tenth tier of English football. What’s that like as a division?

It’s a hugely competitive league. I know it sounds like a cliché, but anyone can beat anyone in this division. There are some really strong and well-established clubs and as we have found for the last few years it’s not easy to get out of it.

Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Sandbach.

I’m very fortunate to have a great team around me so I’m lucky to be able to experience a matchday as more of a fan. I’m always here if I’m needed but more often than not everything runs smoothly and that’s down to our staff and volunteers who do an amazing job.

Who are your club’s biggest rivals?

I think you would have to say Alsager Town. That’s our derby match and the one that everyone looks for when the fixtures are released in July.

What’s your best memory following Sandbach?

In 2021 we went to Douglas to play FC Isle of Man. It was a really cold December evening, and we had about 10 Sandbach fans out of a crowd of 2,500. Isle of Man were beating everyone they came up against and had never lost at home. We played out of our skin and came away with a 5-3 win. It was such a great game and we didn’t just sneak a win, we played them off the park and completely deserved it. The victory was the cherry on the cake because everything about the weekend was fantastic and the club themselves were great with us before, during and after the game.

What’s your worst memory following Sandbach?

That would have to be the 2023 play-off final against Cheadle Town. We went into the game on a run of something like 17 or 18 games without defeat and had just finished 3rd in the league. We had over 1,500 in the ground and the stage was set for a cracking game, but it just wasn’t in our favour. We went 1-0 up inside 10 minutes and you’re thinking this could be it, we could finally do it. But it wasn’t to be as Cheadle fought back to win 3-1. The only consolation was that they were the better team on the day and deserved to win.

If Sandbach United was a TV show, which one would it be?

Craig Cash did a sitcom called Rovers a few years back and it’s always reminded me of our place. You get characters that you don’t see anywhere else other than at a football club but also people that would do anything for the club as well; some real salt of the earth people who help everything work and bring everything together.

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

The Sandbach Community Football Centre. How would I describe it? I’d have to say welcoming. We’re a friendly enough bunch and everyone is just here to watch the football. We’ve done a lot of work on the bar and outdoor area so you can be guaranteed a decent pint too.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?

Well, I’m actually Stockport born and bred so I’ve always had a soft spot for County and it’s brilliant to see them on the up again after so many years. I have a lot of friends at the club and it’s so nice to see what’s happening, not just on the pitch but off it as well with the ground development and everything else that’s going on. It’s really exciting.

Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before?

Yes. As I said, I’m a Stockport lad. I was last there at the end of October to watch my nephew’s band Overdrive play at Stockport Georgians Cricket Club.

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

We play in blue and white stripes so we’ve never really had an exciting home kit. There’s only so much can you do with stripes! Our current third kit, which is yellow and blue, is my favourite.

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

That’s a really hard question. Harry Styles grew up about 10 minutes up the road in Holmes Chapel so maybe he’d come along and support us.

What’s the most interesting fact about Sandbach United we might not know?

Although we’re pretty well established and have a great ground and facilities, we’ve only actually been in existence for 20 years. We weren’t formed until 2004.

Who’s your all time Sandbach hero?

I would have to go for Chris Rowntree. Played almost 200 games for the club and captained us to two successive League Cup wins.

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

We’re getting over 200 for most of our home games now and the atmosphere is getting better every week. We have a good 20-30 at away matches as well and they can be really vocal which I know the players appreciate.

What’s your manager like?

Declan Swan (“Dec”) is excellent. He’s created a squad that would run through brick walls for him and each other. He’s a really calm guy and methodical in the way he approaches things.

What’s your chairman like?

Well, by the time this is published we may have a new one as Pete (our current chair) has recently announced his resignation. Pete has been fantastic for the club over the past four years. He’s really driven the club forward and he’ll be missed when he does step down.

What’s it like for a night out in Sandbach?

It’s better than you would think nowadays. We’ve got some really good places to eat and some nice bars. You have to go out of town if you want a late one though as there are no nightclubs or anything. But seeing as I’m in my 40s that doesn’t really bother me!

What’s the best thing about working for Sandbach?

I work full-time in football and every day I know how lucky I am to do that. They say, love your job and you will never work a day in your life, and I totally get that.

What’s the worst thing about working for Sandbach?

Honestly, and I’m not just saying this, but nothing.

What are your hopes for this season?

We want promotion. It would take a really good run to get the title but I honestly think we could do it; otherwise it would have to be the lottery of the play-offs for the third year in a row. Hopefully this time we can do it.

➡️ Enjoyed today’s article? Click here for all of the other ‘20 Questions’ features we’ve published.

Download the app for Lynx Taxis

Lynx Taxis is South Manchester and Cheshire’s largest private hire and taxi operator, with over 600 drivers completing over 2 million trips a year.

If you’re venturing out to do some Black Friday shopping today, avoid any hassle trying to get a taxi later on, and download the Lynx Taxis app now.

➡️ Visit lynxtaxis.co.uk for further details.

BLACK FRIDAY: Receive a free matching chopping board and free templating!

As it’s Black Friday, we thought we should do something to mark the occasion, which is why we’ve teamed up with LM Stone Creative to offer our readers a free matching chopping board and free templating on all full kitchen worktop orders.

All you have to do is quote “County Scarf” when you place an enquiry with Chris. (You can take advantage of the offer whenever you like by the way, not just today!)

➡️ Call 0161 312 6864 or email info@lmstonecreative.com for further details.

Photo of the day

Edgeley Park, Stockport

🎵 In the middle of our goal… HINCH-LIFFE!

Dive into the world of aquatic beauty with this Railway Sleeper Pond Kit

This stunning setup from CWD Sandbach features a 2.4m wide window with a built-in jump guard, ensuring safety while you enjoy the vibrant underwater view. This kit includes a bottom drain that feeds into an Eazy Pod Air and Tempest, followed by a Bakki Shower with Biohome Ultra and Pumice for crystal-clear water.

CWD Sandbach supply filter bundles and offer advice on installation, taking away the worry of figuring out a new pond filter system all by yourself.

The highlight? A breathtaking arch blade waterfall feature!

➡️ Visit cwdsandbach.co.uk for further details.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Small Things Like These (12A) at 6pm, followed by Gladiator II (15) at 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

Happy Hour at Covent Garden Café (SK1) between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. If you spend £20 or more you get to roll the dice, and if you roll a 6 your bill is half price!

Try the new house cask ale at The Nelson Tavern (SK1) this month: Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. £2.20 for a half or £4.10 for a pint.

Pop in for a pint at Heaton Hops (SK4), CAMRA Pub of the Year for Stockport and South Manchester.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8).

If you’re simply in the mood for a couple of pints today, pop along to one of our featured venues such as AMP (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).

🙂 Friendly Friday

Friendly Friday at The Steelworks (SK6) from 12pm till 4pm. Free tea, coffee and biscuits. Pop in for a chat.

🎤 Karaoke

The Alexandra (SK3).

🎸 Live music

Twisted Etiquette at The Crown Inn (SK6). 9pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#58 – Festus Arthur, Hull

Festus Arthur made 35 appearances (scoring twice) for County in 2019-20, picking up the club’s Young Player of the Year award at the end of the season. His performances earned him a move to Hull City, but he only managed a couple of EFL Trophy appearances during his time with the Tigers, before dropping back into non-league. He’s currently on loan at Southport from Halifax.