And after all… you’re my Wan-der-ers
It’s by far the worst Oasis-themed title of the bunch so far from Des Junior, but we’ve had a great chat with George from The Wycombe Way
Wednesday 3 July 2024
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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Wycombe supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Wednesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore. (If you’re only just joining us today, for no reason at all, I’m somehow trying to use Oasis songs for every single one of our League One season previews!)
For anyone interested, I’m emailing today’s edition from Platform 1 at Liverpool Lime Street (off doing some more extra work on Hollyoaks). I wouldn’t normally take a photo of a train station platform, but at the age of 39, I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen a sign saying “No Balloons”. Seems a bit strange to me. Liverpool’s full of balloons. They’re called Scousers.
George from The Wycombe Way provides the latest season preview for us. Incidentally, Wycombe also used to be known for a great big balloon. Otherwise known as Paul Lambert.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Heald Green Fencing. A big thank you to Anthony, a home and away County fan.
Thanks also to Baz from Chicken Cottage for sponsoring our Wycombe Wanderers 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: 158.42 miles
Total steps so far: 254,782
Total raised so far: £1,909
Total completed streets so far: 347 (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
Last win at our place: Saturday 27 February 2010, League One, 4-3
Last win at their place: Saturday 5 April 2003, Division Two, 4-1
Today’s Sky Bet title/promotion odds: Us – 20/1 11/2 Them – 20/1 11/2
Top story in the local news today: Charity shop owner blames Bucks council for closure and says she ‘wasn’t welcome’
I’m sorry to start with a political question, but as Rishi’s chucked a general election slap bang in pre-season, I feel we’ve got to mention it. Who are you voting for? If that’s too personal just give us a flavour of the current political feeling in Wycombe? And which person at your football club do you think would make the best prime minister?
I’ll keep my political agendas to myself, but I have no shame in telling you I’m not voting. I’m not huge on politics anyway, but can’t bring myself to vote for any of the morons in the running. The local landscape isn’t much better – which is probably why I’m not fussed. I won’t complain about the results either, though it seems a foregone conclusion.
David Wheeler would make a cracking PM; he’s very big on the climate crisis and was vocal about the school meal fiasco during the pandemic. I think he’d give it a good go.
Nigel Farage has had cement and a milkshake chucked over him recently. If he was to do a lap of Adams Park on a Saturday afternoon, what would Wycombe fans be most likely to throw at him?
I assume you’re after a jokey answer rather than me saying chips or burgers. The Chairboys would rip up the blue seats of the Frank Adams Stand and launch them at him. That’s if he was able to make it into the ground.
If you had to compare the ownership and daily operations of your club to a political party, which would it be?
There has to be a country out there that has their politics in order, just nowhere near here. I assume the Danes or the Swedes are doing it properly just going off track record – or some remote Caribbean island who don’t bother with politics and just ride the wave off good vibes.
We’re a really well run club, with new ownership who seem to know what they’re doing.
On and off the pitch, what do you think your club’s manifesto should say for the next 12 months?
Get promoted.
Sign youth.
Lose to a League Two club in the FA Cup.
Bring back chips. 🍟
I’m not convinced that promotion is the aim on this island, and it’s certainly not the be all and end all. There’s probably an inkling that it’s possible – which it certainly is – but success won’t be judged on whether or not we go up.
Right, that’s enough political stuff. Next question. “We’re all from Stockport, who the fuck are you…?”
We’re the Wycombe boys, making all the noise, everywhere we go.
The town is (relatively) nice, settled in the Chiltern Hills. I’ve been to some shitholes watching Wycombe, some of which make our home look like Paris or Dubai.
Which team do you most want to beat this season?
Wrexham, just to piss on their parade and put them back in their box. We’ve got them away on the opening day. I’d love nothing more than to go there and do a job on them – give them a warm welcome to the big leagues.
Which Wycombe player is most likely to end up in League One’s team of the season?
It’s based on stats wholly, so Luke Leahy, because he’ll whip in quality set pieces and he’ll be on pens, and for a left-back/midfielder that’ll hike his stats. If it was based on footballing ability, big Joe Low is one of the best centre-backs in the league, but (probably a good thing) doesn’t get the praise he deserves.
Our best performers often go under the radar because we aren’t one of the league’s biggest hitters, but we’re OK with that.
County haven’t been to Wycombe in the league since April 2011. In just one paragraph, sum up everything that’s happened at your place since then.
What a fucking rollercoaster mate! We almost got relegated to the National League and would’ve gone bust. We then appointed the best manager this club has ever seen, bounced back, found the Couhigs to take us forward and have been to Wembley four times since, reached the dizzy heights of the Championship, and we’re now a stable top 10 League One side if you excuse the cliché.
Mr Wycombe is now at the helm and the future is extremely bright, under new ownership, spearheaded by one of Europe’s richest men.
Wycombe away. I think of a fairly nondescript market town somewhere between Birmingham and London, a big hill next to the ground, and a pretty crap away day with no pubs for miles. Do I need to educate myself further, or is that fairly accurate?
Spot on.
The strip club about a mile away has now closed as well so even less to look forward to. It’s a nightmare for us to get to the ground, so I can only imagine what it’s like on an away day.
They have, in fairness, done a lot of work to improve the fan experience at the stadium itself, so it’s a better away day than it was back in the day. Probably.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Stockport County?
Tricky one. I’m 24, so don’t have too many memories of County in the EFL. I used to think the stand behind the goal was three times its actual size, so you were always that team with a lopsided ground.
I guess more recently I’ve been itching for you guys to get back into League One, because of that renowned atmosphere at Edgeley Park. Glad you’ve made it.
Rotherham play at the New York Stadium. NFL star Tom Brady is involved at Birmingham. Wrexham are plastered all over Netflix or Nickelodeon or whatever it is. League One has a bit of an American flavour this season. What’s the most American thing about Wycombe?
If you’d have asked me six months ago, I’d have said our ownership. Rob Couhig (the bloke trying to take over Reading) was our previous chairman and resides in New Orleans, so he’s proper American.
We’ve still got Americanisms all over the gaff, including full stadium Wi-Fi coverage, which no League One club needs, but is nice. “Up The Wyc” is a term we’ve gotten used to over the years, also very Yank.
I’ve been watching Football Cops on Channel 4 recently, featuring Sunderland fans kicking down barriers after the game at Coventry, and loads of little Crewe rapscallions playing up at home to Walsall. On a scale of 1 to 10, how naughty are Wycombe fans these days, and how safe will our lot be when we make the trip to Buckinghamshire this season?
We’re a soft bunch, promise. We’ve got our rowdy crew, every club does, but nothing major – they only do the local games anyway because they can’t drive yet or afford the obscene train fares. I don’t recall any home arrests at Adams Park last season, and the coppers don’t really come to Wycombe in numbers. It’s a quiet day out usually.
Who or what needs to be top of Wycombe’s shopping list before the new season starts in August?
Who? Dale Taylor. We had him on loan from Forest last season, and he really came into his own towards the back end. He didn’t hit too many goals or assists, but technically very talented.
I’d love Nigel Lonwijk back too, who we had from Wolves last season. He was colossal, a big part of our late season form.
What? An access road. I’m on my knees. Adams Park is a one way in, one way out situ, that needs to change quickly. It’s been in the works for a few years, but not sure how close it is. It can’t come quickly enough.
What’s your early predictions in terms of the promotion and relegation places?
I’ll give you a top six and a bottom four, in no particular order.
Top: Bolton, Birmingham, County, Peterborough, Wycombe, Rotherham.
Bottom: Crawley, Shrewsbury, Cambridge, Northampton.
Click on the links below to read the other 2024-25 season previews we’ve published so far.
Birmingham / Blackpool / Bolton / Charlton / Crawley / Exeter / Huddersfield / Leyton Orient / Lincoln / Rotherham / Wigan
If you’re looking to get your gates or fences sorted out for the summer, give Anthony a call
I don’t know what the weather’s like in Stockport this morning. It was raining in Chester, as I walked to the train station to catch the first train to Liverpool. It’s bloody July! We did enjoy a little bit of sunshine last week and I’m sure we’ve got nicer days to come this summer. You’ll be able to invite your friends and family round for a barbecue or two over the next couple of months. If your gates and fences could do with an upgrade before then, now’s the time to get booked in.
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With over 25 years’ experience, Heald Green Fencing install bespoke gates and fences. Covering the whole of Cheshire and Greater Manchester, they offer a large range of contemporary and traditional styles.
For a free quotation, call Anthony on 07300 590678 or email healdgreenfencing@gmail.com.
Bits and bobs
The new issue of When Saturday Comes includes a review of the 2023-24 season, with all three divisions of the Football League included. Here’s a snippet: “‘Lack of jeopardy/flat story arc for protagonists. Minor characters seem more interesting.’ For one season only we’re allowed to imagine a Hollywood studio executive’s notes on the League Two campaign. The top three of Stockport, Wrexham and Mansfield were all among the favourites for promotion and duly obliged without much fuss. Stockport were worthy champions following last season’s play-off defeat, and after four top eight finishes in the last six years, Mansfield were rewarded for keeping faith with Nigel Clough. The Stags will play in the third tier for the first time in 21 years next season.”
Another WSC snippet, from an article looking back at the 2014-15 Championship season: “Blackpool’s paltry 26 points was the lowest second-tier total since Stockport County registered the same in 2001-02.”
The Louie Barry deal is still very much on the table, but Aston Villa are wanting more money than County originally anticipated. Another loan deal, perhaps, or will a Championship club offer the right price?
An email from County fan John Snellgrove: “I really enjoyed your latest Streets of Stockport article, taking you round Heaton Chapel. Describing your walk past Broadstone Hall Primary School brought back so many memories of football fixtures against them. However, I think you really hit the nail on the head when you contrasted their happiness on Sports Day with what might be their futures. I really do worry what future our grandchildren will have and despair at the state of the country. We have family working for Adidas in Germany and, despite internal problems there, they have much better lives and infrastructure we can only dream of. They pay high taxes but my do they get their money’s worth. Sadly we feel they will be much better off staying over there. I think our generation, not all I must add, felt a lot more optimistic about the future, though we probably didn’t realise it at the time whereas now so few can see any hope for this country. Maybe by this time next week we will be pleasantly surprised!”
If you’re starting to make plans for Chester away on Saturday, don’t forget it’s a 1pm kick-off.
County’s promotion odds have shortened from 7/1 to 11/2.
Get stuck into Chicken Cottage’s brand new Double Mountain Burger!
Any Wycombe fans joining us today? Get down to Chicken Cottage for a taste of their brand new Double Mountain Burger, which has been added to the menu as part of their 30th birthday celebrations. And for those with a sweet tooth, you can pick up a tub of creamy Mango Kulfi as well – perfect for cooling down in the summer!
Address: 5 Oxford Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2DG
Photo of the day
The Savoy Cinema, Heaton Moor
Congratulations to Hannah and all the team at Thread on winning Small Business of the Year at last week’s Made In Stockport Awards. If you’ve not yet been to Thread, it’s a new bar on the Market Place in Stockport. They’ve got a great selection of Belgian beers on offer, and they’re also showing the Euros at the moment.
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 1 (15) at 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Click here for tickets.
🍺 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.
Treat yourself to lunch at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7, two courses for £11. 12pm - 2pm.
Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.
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), Bask (SK1), The Petersgate Tap (SK1), Thread (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Armoury (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Railway (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6), The Shady Oak (SK7), The Three Tunnes (SK7), The Railway (SK9), Flute & Firkin (SK12) or The Friendship (SK13).
🎱 Free pool
All day at The Marple Tavern (SK6).
🤔 Quiz night
Get ready for a night of brain-teasing fun at Reddish Working Men’s Club (SK5) with various rounds and cash prizes for the winners! 8pm. Free entry. Maximum of six in a team.
100 random grounds that County have played at
#54 – Adams Park, Wycombe
Last visit: April 2011. A 2-0 defeat during the death throes of our Football League exit. Lewis Montrose scored Wycombe’s opener.
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I’ve paid for my ticket🤣💙
Keir Starmer defends accepting freebies worth £76,000
https://www.thetimes.com/article/012f2650-b7ba-48d8-af5b-32b43e127256?shareToken=2cef27b050a73f59690b0bc2bda5be40