An article on County that just oozes County-ness

Ste Weaver talks family, friends and Forest Green on a Friday

The Scarf My Father Wore

Mar 07, 2024

Thursday 7 March 2024

NEXT HOME GAME: Newport – Saturday 9 March, 3pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Salford – Thursday 14 March, 8pm

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, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

The next three days will feel very Newport-y on the website, but today’s main feature just oozes County-ness, as Ste Weaver shares his Stockport story in the latest instalment of ‘Meet the Subscribers’. If you’d like to be featured some time, please drop me a message.

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. Over half the tickets have already been sold. 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 APL Locksmiths and Kate O’Brien Art. A big thank you to both Anthony and Kate.

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: 113.33 miles

Total steps so far: 184,956

Total raised so far: £1,641

Total completed streets so far: 202 (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

Ste Weaver, 36, lives in Great Moor with his two daughters and wife Laura. He works as a logistics specialist within supply chain for the railway. (“I oversee all haulage relevant to engineering trains and on-track machines, manage materials, hauliers, wagons, specialist fleet, train staff, locomotives, yard loading and train pathing across the North West for all railway works.”) He used to have a season ticket at United (nobody tell Lancs) but over the next few minutes you’ll quickly see just what County means to him.

Favourite thing about The Scarf My Father Wore?

The consistency, the humour, the insights from those who contribute, the format… reading it is a key part of my daily routine now. Des is doing a sterling job! [Des: Send me your bank details again Ste so I can send you that 20 quid.]

How or why did you become a County fan?

I was brought up supporting manyoo (bear with me) and had a season ticket for both County and United simultaneously in my late teens. After a couple of years of going to Old Trafford either on my own or with a mate, and only enjoying it on the odd occasion, it quickly became a chore and a hindrance continually forcing myself to turn up and pretend I was enjoying it. I looked around and saw little association with traditional football values. The whole thing was eating itself before my eyes and I just drifted away from it.

County was always there in the background as an alternative at this stage. County meant seeing my mates; having a good day out either a stone’s throw from where I lived or trips to any given town or city across the country on the train; sharing joy and pain along the way; enjoying everything that went with it, despite the business on the pitch often being the least enjoyable part of the day on a few occasions but the best on others. The alternative, and what I came to discover I wanted, was under my nose all along, it just took some time to realise. This was 16 years ago and I haven’t for a minute looked back in regret, or at all for that matter. It all coincided with some changes in my personal life, work/relationships, so I came through all of that and felt like I’d cracked the code to be content.

What does Stockport County mean to you?

It’s hard to articulate; it’s a part of your life. Community, pride in where you’re from, representing your hometown, belonging to a cause, and sharing that passion with your family, mates and neighbours. The friends I’ve made through County are now a big part of my life, my kids are becoming increasingly interested and invested, and my sense of pride in the town is only peaking more and more. County’s at the heart of all that. I’m currently planning on how I’m going to manage getting my unreliable pile of shit car down to Forest Green and back on Good Friday in one piece.

What was your first County match?

Watford at home in 1998-99 when I was in primary school. 1-1 at home to Watford. Dinning pen.

Where do you sit inside EP?

As mentioned above my kids are getting more and more invested (my eldest uses her screen time to watch the highlights on YouTube) and they insist on sitting on the front row of LT2 when they go. My seat for the past 10 years has been on the back row of LT1 so it’s one extreme to the next at the minute, week by week, depending on whether we go as a family or I go with the lads.

Best atmosphere you’ve experienced watching County?

Nuneaton. Just an unbelievable atmosphere before, during and after the game. A quick nod for Chesterfield away in the National League during promotion season too – that was on another level. A further mention for Curzon at home on Glen Taylor day. There were tears when that news filtered through, especially after the low of losing at Chorley.

Favourite ever game?

Nuneaton, again. Seemed inevitable we’d score and there were thousands there to see it. I spent the last few minutes of the game watching from next to the goalpost. People were falling over the boards from bouncing around with everyone just in the best of moods. We went back to Stockport and had a group of about 10 at Chilli Massala, before Rob stupidly ordered “10 County Curries” without looking properly at the menu (spicy as fuck). Struggled for a few days after that.

Worst ever game?

Torquay at Macc. Couldn’t get the ball out of our half and it was a bit toxic in the stands – this was after it was called off at EP with the pitch knackered, that seemed to precede a plummet into the dark days. Witnessing defeat at Vauxhall Motors during that barren period is also best forgotten.

What is the biggest sacrifice you have ever made to get to a match?

Cancelling a holiday to Spain to go to Nuneaton. Trying to explain that sentence to people with no interest in football is difficult until I add context. My group have a close friendship with football club UC Ceares from Gijon in northern Spain, after my mate Dave Taighs picked them up wandering lost down Castle Street some 10 years ago. These lads come to Stockport once a year, and us to them. We were due to go shortly after Curzon at home with flights and hotel booked but abandoned plans when priorities changed. (Thanks again Glen x)

Best thing about being a County fan?

Seeing the same faces anywhere we happen to be playing in the country; sharing that mutual love despite leading different lives; sharing the same batshit crazy journey all these years.

I’m usually inconsolable after a defeat, but after taking my kids to Wembley against Carlisle, I didn’t feel too bad at all. Taking your family to the game, enjoying the facilities at Wealdstone with hundreds of other County fans after a long journey, walking down Wembley Way with the kids’ school friends, just being at Wembley itself… the overarching feeling numbed the pain of the defeat and I (perhaps weirdly) enjoyed it more because of the experience. You couldn’t speak to my eldest, Sophie, she was inconsolable. I told her it’s part and parcel of supporting this team! But in answer to the question, knowing for certain we’d be back, and we’re on the up. Easy to forget that, especially in the past month.

Worst thing about being a County fan?

I don’t think there’s anything that springs to mind (aside from the odd bit of dickheadishness you get when we’re losing… most recently at Tranmere).

Can you play football to any sort of standard?

Yes, not a very good one. I do try, but getting old and your leg joints starting to ache makes me finally concede to the fact I’m 36 and will probably never make it now. [Des: Don’t say that Ste. I’m 39 and still reckon I could make it.] I do a bit of 5-a-side but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get numbers and it’s far too inconsistent if we’re playing or not. If The Scarf My Father Wore was to float the idea I’d sign up for a regular game!

Describe a perfect day.

The kids stop in bed longer than 6am so there’s a small lie-in to start the day off. A trip to the park in the sunshine with family, followed by a pub lunch. On to EP to witness a 10-0 demolition of the nearest-placed team in the league, confirming promotion to League One, with a newsflash citing a certain political party have been booted out, a gathering at ours with food with all of our nearest friends and family, a shitload of spiced rum drank but no hangover the next day, and all being well with the world.

And finally, here’s a few of Ste’s favourite things…

TV programme: The Sopranos, easy answer. We’ve just finished Game of Thrones and that’s up there (10 years late… also Season 8 – what the f...) and it’s on to that Harlan Coben one on Netflix this week with our Michelle.

Film: Don’t really watch too many. Inside Man with Denzel Washington and Clive Owen is a great film, that’s on the agenda again in the near future. The Shawshank Redemption is a bit of an obvious one, but for good reason. Anything with Leslie Nielsen is an easy choice if I’m feeling immature.

City: London. Unpopular with a lot of people but not me. I enjoy the diversity, the history, and the sheer size of the place and decent surrounding neighbourhoods full of character. We stopped in Walthamstow before Leyton Orient last season and that was another nice part visited. Still not been everywhere, so until I have, I’ll keep going.

Click on the links below to read our previous interviews with The Scarf My Father Wore subscribers.

Matt Allen / Matthew Ashmore / John K Bilsbury / Phil Brennan / Bob Carey / Graham Hall / Des Hinks Junior / Jack Isherwood / Peter Jaquiss / Nick Lee / Robert McNally

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Contact APL Locksmiths to make sure your van is secure

We’ve regularly promoted APL Locksmiths’ services when it comes to your home. But lots of our readers work in the trade, and might benefit from getting in touch to ensure their work vans are safe and secure when they’re done for the day.

APL Locksmiths offer the ultimate transit custom lock package, including high position hooklocks on both the side loading door and rear barn doors plus a driver’s door replock, all on the same high security dimple key. Call 0161 442 4243 or email anthony@apllocksmiths.co.uk for a quote on your van before it’s too late.

Visit apllocksmiths.co.uk for further details.

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5 questions with Kate O’Brien

What was the best moment with your business in February?

I was so excited to be part of the Stockport Rising exhibition at Stockport Art Gallery. I’m there with four other amazing local artists and our styles are so different that we all show our love for Stockport in such a contrasting way. It’s on until the end of March as part of Stockport Town Of Culture. Come and have a look!

What’s your plans for the business this month?

I’m really busy at Stockport Market but I’m currently working on new images for my Icons collection. These are mostly music, movie and sports portraits and they’re really popular on coasters, cushions and as prints.

What would you like to promote to our readers in March?

My stall in Stockport Market is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 till 4.30. Come and say hi!

As it’s Easter at the end of this month, what’s your favourite chocolate?

Any! Actually, I’m obsessed with Tony’s Chocoloney at the moment. You can get it in a few places but The Good Life on the market brow (the old fish shop!) have a great selection.

Have you booked your summer holiday yet?

Yes! We’re off to Center Parcs. Fingers crossed for good weather!

Visit kate-obrien.co.uk for some fantastic gift ideas.

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Photo of the day

The Thirsty Scholar, Manchester

I’m sure many County fans have had a pint in The Thirsty Scholar on an away day, just underneath Oxford Road station. I was there myself on Tuesday for another open mic night, and if you look closely at the photo, it was reassuring to have Stotty watching over me!

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Dune: Part II (12A) at 3.30pm. Click here for tickets.

Tonight, at 7pm, there’s a special screening of Titanic: The Musical. Winner of 5 Tony Awards (including Best Musical), based on the real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, it’s a stunning and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own.

🍺 Food and drink

If you’re in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a couple of pints. Open till 11pm.

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.