A tribute to Ian Duncan
Memories of a much-loved Hatter
Saturday 2 December 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Sutton – Saturday 16 December, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Aldershot – Sunday 3 December, 2pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Saturday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
As I’m sure you’ve already heard, County fan Ian Duncan sadly passed away recently. I wanted to write a tribute to Ian, which I’d like to share with you today. My thanks to Steve Bellis, Faye Little, Lee Townley and Pete Townley for their contributions.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Colourtone. As always, a big thank you to Paul.
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: 46.68 miles
Total steps so far: 83,302
Total raised so far: £1,017
Total completed streets so far: 24 (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
I’ve no idea what year it was, or even where we were travelling to, but one of my abiding memories of Ian Duncan is him whacking me and my mates over the head with a newspaper on a coach. Likewise, I couldn’t even tell you if it was his newspaper or mine, but the vivid memory of Ian laughing and joking with us warms my heart and puts a smile on my face as I sit down to pay tribute to him.
The news of Ian’s death a few days ago hit me hard. As a writer, I try to avoid using clichés if I can, but as cheesy as it sounds, County really does feel like a family, of which Ian was a much-loved member. I’d not actually seen Ian for years – I’ve been told he wasn’t able to attend matches for quite some time after his health deteriorated – but it was still devastating to hear we’d lost another member of the family.
“Ian was one of those characters that became synonymous with the club,” said County’s club president Steve Bellis. I couldn’t agree more. When I close my eyes and picture those incredible years growing up as a kid watching County in the 1990s, Ian’s beaming face is just as clear in my mind as the cup runs and the Wembley trips.
“I spent many an hour with him in the old County Casuals shop throughout the 90s as he thought I needed the company!” Bellis added. “He was fanatical about our club and we even arranged for him to be on the team photo once. Every Christmas he would arrive with his carer with a lovely gift for me, which always made my heart melt.”
Ian was born with Down’s syndrome, which restricts physical and intellectual development, but from a young age his parents were determined for him to be as independent as possible. They did a fantastic job. Ian didn’t just take himself off to Edgeley Park on a regular basis, but away grounds up and down the country.
It’s not for me to speak about the experiences of a disabled person, but I think it’s fair to say those with disabilities just want to be treated like anybody else, and rightly so. On that note, I don’t mind admitting me and my mates whacked Ian back with that newspaper, making him feel included as one of the lads. Obviously, we’d keep an eye out for him on away days as well, as did the rest of the County family, which I’m sure made Ian feel valued, as well as ensuring he got back to Stockport in one piece.
Sadly, Ian wasn’t able to make it to Edgeley Park in recent years, but it’s heartwarming to learn he was still enjoying watching his team at home. I truly hope he was punching the air in delight watching those Halifax and Bolton games.
“Ian’s health deteriorated so he wasn’t able to attend matches anymore but that didn’t stop him watching County on TV, and forcing everyone else too!” said Faye Little, assistant network manager at Marbury House in Heaton Chapel, a supported living complex where Ian spent the last four years of his life.
“Ian’s room had to be painted blue, with his County scarves and clock on the wall. He never forgot about County, and we’ve been blown away reading the comments on Facebook, seeing how loved he was. He was a very vibrant and colourful man with the most amazing personality, truly lighting up a room when he entered it. Ian left a massive impact on everyone he met.”
Writing this piece, I wanted to learn more about Ian’s life. I got in touch with Lee Townley after he posted the following on Facebook: “Absolutely devastated to hear this. Such a stalwart of my early County days. Spent many an hour with him as a kid travelling across the country following our beloved club, while he loved showing us old Shoot magazines with Kevin Francis articles.
“Ian worked at Village Lighting in Cheadle with my dad and they treated him just like one of the lads. He loved his Friday afternoons watching the strippers at The Tom Thumb!”
Lee’s dad Pete remembers those Friday afternoons at The Tom Thumb (which is now the Last Monsoon restaurant). “Ian used to love it in there. Not just the strippers, but chatting to all the bus drivers who used to pop in. Eventually his carers had to stop him going in as he liked getting pissed too much!”
Recalling their days working together at Village Lighting, Pete added: “Everyone loved him at our place because he didn’t understand boundaries at all, which was a beautiful thing. He treated everybody exactly the same – staff, management, customers. He wore his County shirt every day and would always be discussing his plans for the weekend.”
Ian’s funeral is at 9.45am on Monday 4 December at Stockport Crematorium. On his journey, he’ll be passing the Cheadle End at approximately 9.25am for County’s staff to pay their respects. After the funeral, the wake will be taking place at the Alma Lodge Hotel at 11am.
A tribute to lifelong County fan Ian Duncan, who recently passed away at the age of 61.
Give your car a lick of paint
Granted, Stockport used to be a little rough around the edges. But the town’s getting a good old lick of paint these days, with fancy new offices, apartments, bars and restaurants springing up. You can’t be driving up and down the A6 in a tatty car with chipped paintwork, so give your car a nice lick of paint too. Colourtone is your go-to company for that. They’ve been servicing the automotive and industrial markets in Cheshire and Greater Manchester for decades, and carry an extensive range of car paint and industrial paints.
Visit colourtone.com for further details.
Photo of the day
Our heartfelt condolences to Benji Taylor, whose father Baz sadly passed away on Thursday. RIP.
Today in SK
🍟 Food and drink
Lite bite meal deal at The Friary (SK3). Cod or haddock, served with chips, and a side of peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.95. 11.30am - 6.30pm.
Breakfast with Santa at The Cheshire Line Tavern (SK8). Start your weekend with a delicious breakfast in the run-up to Christmas. Children also receive a fruit shoot drink and some personal time with Santa. £9 per person.
🎤 Karaoke
Lee at The Nelson Tavern (SK1). 8pm - 1am.
⚽️ Live football
County aren’t in action until Sunday, but you can still catch some FA Cup football at Bask (SK1) today. Alfreton v Walsall is on the big screens at 12.30pm followed by the Premier League games between Forest and Everton (5.30pm) and Newcastle and United (8pm).
🎵 Live music
Bridgewater Blues at The Dog & Partridge (SK2).
The Imperials at The Crown Inn (SK6). 9pm.
Christmas party night at Platform 5 (SK8) with live music from Liam Gallagher tribute act Why Liam? Why Not? 9pm.
Christmas party night at Rainbow 88 (SK8). Sarah Barron will be performing songs from the theatre from 9pm, with karaoke until 1am.
The Scarf My Father Wore works closely with venues on a daily basis to bring you the most comprehensive guide to all of the best offers and events taking place across the whole SK region. Click on the links below for full details of everything taking place in your area over the next few weeks.
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Great article Des... a true County legend who I had the privilege of knowing well when I used to help steward the coaches. Ian brought a smile to everyone's faces, especially on those long journeys to places like Gillingham. I remember he always passed around his copy of the Daily Mirror to let the rest of the supporters on the coach read, and always pointed out any news or mention of Stockport County. Rest in peace Ian, and in true Ian fashion... you clown!!
Hi hope you're all well
Very saddened to hear the deaths of two Stockport county fanatics firstly Ian
Then a bombshell shell of the passing of Mrs Stockport county Lisa Braithwaite.
I can remember working on the players entrance back in the 90s under Brendan Elwood and Danny bergara
It was a Tuesday night it was absolutely chucking it down Ian was at the door with his autograph book
Waiting for players to turn up
Danny bergara walked into the entrance from his office sees me chatting to Ian in the doorway
Well Danny said get him in and get him a towel to dry himself (Ian)
Then Danny being Danny takes in into his office Ian was thrilled to be sat in Dannys office R I P Ian and Lisa xxx