23 photos from County’s last away day before Christmas

Plus! Colin Woodthorpe’s behind the latest window on The County Advent Calendar

Dec 15, 2024

Sunday 15 December 2024

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

Stockport… St Neots… Stevenage. That was my journey yesterday. I believe it’s called alliteration where you have the occurrence of the same letter at the beginning of adjacent words. Let’s chuck another one in: SHITE! Having gone in level at the break, an awful second half performance from Dave Challinor’s men at Broadhall Way on Saturday afternoon. We’re still in the play-offs, though. It’s not all doom and gloom, despite what the County message boards and Facebook groups would have you believe. I’ll reiterate the line I’ve used all season: now we’ve made it back to League One, this year is simply one to be enjoyed. We’re not going down, and we’re not ready for the Championship yet. Let’s just appreciate being back in the third tier, accept that there will be inconsistency this season, and just enjoy the moments where it does click on the pitch, like Blackpool away and Bolton Get Battered Wanderers at home.

I still had a pleasant trip to Hertfordshire yesterday in the company of Stuart, Linda and Jon from The Stockport Sippers Society. I’ve got 23 photos for you today, plus a Christmas chat with Colin Woodthorpe.

Today’s edition is sponsored by That Cat Flap Company. A big thank you to Matthew.

Thanks also to Our Mutual Friend who sponsor our Stevenage content on the website. Any Boro fans joining us today, or any of our other readers from that neck of the woods? If you’re heading out to watch the Manchester derby today, pop in for a pint or two.

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: 192.73 miles

Total steps so far: 311,804

Total raised so far: £2,192

Total completed streets so far: 469 (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

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The County Advent Calendar: Day 13 – Colin Woodthorpe

Colin Woodthorpe joined County from Aberdeen in the summer of 1997, finally returning to his north-west roots (he was born in Liverpool and started his career at Chester) after three years in Scotland, and four in Norwich prior to that. He was one of Gary Megson’s first recruits after taking over at Edgeley Park ahead of our first season in Division One, following Dave Jones’ departure to Southampton. Colin’s currently at Chester as assistant manager.

In 2022, shortly after County won the National League title, I sat down with Colin for over an hour in a pub in Chester. We chatted about winning at Maine Road, getting relegated under Carlton Palmer, and Colin’s screamers at Mansfield and Bolton. Click here to read the interview.

First of all, Mr Woodthorpe, I’ve got a special hotline to Father Christmas. He’s asked me if you’ve been naughty or nice this year?

I’m nice most of the time, just not on matchdays.

What was the best thing about being a footballer at Christmas?

The games have an extra special buzz because of the festive season and the atmosphere is usually jumping.

And the worst?

Just the fact your schedule is always subject to change. It becomes the norm that you work throughout the festive period and you need to be organised in your everyday life. It’s the balance of trying to make Christmas not too hectic.

What does a typical Christmas Day look like in your house?

Firstly making sure Christmas Eve is not too late with last minute things. Then on Christmas Day it’s breakfast, Buck’s Fizz and present opening before cracking on with the dinner prep. Chill out late afternoon then over to see family, trying to make it not too late a night. The tidying up is left for a different day.

What’s your favourite Christmas film?

Got to be Home Alone.

What would be the best Christmas present underneath the tree for you this year?

Promotion.

County have got Huddersfield away, Rotherham away and Birmingham at home over the festive period. How many points are we getting?

Seven by whichever way. I think you’ll beat Birmingham at home. Chally’s seen them now and I know he’ll have their measure and the plan to beat them.

Where do you get your Christmas tree from?

Madly, a real tree from a builders merchants near Leyland which is nowhere near where I live.

What’s your best Christmas cracker joke?

What do you call a dog with no back legs and balls of steel?

Sparky.

Are you organised when it comes to Christmas shopping or are you a Christmas Eve petrol station sort of guy?

I have to be pretty organised but some things do fall through the gaps. That’s part of the fun though, rushing around with hours to go on Christmas Eve – it means you’re alive.

Photo of the day

Ambiance Cafe, St Neots

Your editor, deep in thought before his jacket potato with cheese and beans before the game yesterday.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Wicked (PG) at 6pm.

➡️ Click here for tickets.

🍽 Food and drink

Enjoy a delicious Sunday roast at The Crown (SK2) or The Three Tunnes (SK7) with homemade Yorkshire puddings and all the trimmings. Served till 6pm.

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

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as AMP (SK1), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Cross Keys (SK8) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this festive season by popping in for a few drinks.

🎱 Free pool

The Nelson Tavern (SK1). 8pm - 11pm.

🎤 Live music

There’s a music jam at The Steelworks (SK6). 3.30pm. Whether you’re a performer or an audience member, head on down!

Jayne Macfarlane at Flute & Firkin (SK12). 4pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#74 – Ryan Rydel, Fleetwood

A product of Fleetwood’s academy, Ryan Rydel made 19 appearances for the Cod Army before signing for Simon Rusk’s men in April 2021. He’s 10 appearances away from becoming a County centurion.