Birmingham 2 County 0

Plus! A Christmas chat with County’s record signing

Dec 06, 2024

Friday 6 December 2024

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Birmingham 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.

“Now that is a big call-up,” said Dave Philbin when I asked him if he fancied doing the Birmingham write-up for us. Firstly, that made me chuckle. Secondly, he’d always be one of the first names on my teamsheet as he’s a great County writer. And thirdly, I completely agree with pretty much everything Dave’s written below. I too was happy leaving St Andrew’s on Wednesday night, despite the defeat. I too had another overwhelming feeling of County being back. And I too secretly enjoyed the light show… but don’t tell anyone that.

Dave and his brother enjoying watching County at St Andrew’s on Wednesday night

We’ve also got a decent football writer lined up in the opposition’s dressing room today, with Ryan Deeney offering his thoughts on Wednesday’s game. Ryan writes on Substack as well. Click here to read his detailed analysis following County’s trip to the West Midlands.

22 photos from a midweek trip to the Midlands

The Scarf My Father Wore

December 5, 2024

Read full story

Now, Dave and Ryan are both sound lads, but Stockport County didn’t pay £800,000 for their services in 1998, which remains a record to this day. However, we’ve also drafted that bloke in for today’s edition. His name’s Ian Moore, and he’s behind window number six on The County Advent Calendar.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Adam Edwards Photo. A big thank you to Adam.

Thanks also to Two Fat Blokes who sponsor our Birmingham City 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

✍️ Wednesday’s match in one word

Ryan: Victorious.

Dave: Expected.

🤔 Pre-match thoughts

Ryan: Intrigue. How would Blues fare against one of the few sides likely to try and play on the front foot and through the thirds at St. Andrew’s this season? How would a match-up between arguably the best two midfields (Paik, Iwata, Willumsson and Stanno vs Norwood, Bate, Collar and Barry) in the division go? We mirrored our normal shape for Exeter away. Would the players perform with a similar control against better opposition or would an issue be found?

Dave: I was vocal in WhatsApp groups and in conversations on the coach that I was convinced we would win, but deep down I knew we probably wouldn't. I was excited to go to St Andrew's and just wanted to be able to match them on the pitch. I’m very much against people citing the "we used to be National League North” line when we lose after a shit performance at Edgeley Park, but pre-match on Wednesday was exactly the time to say it. Mad how far we’ve come in a short space of time.

🧐 Post-match thoughts

Ryan: That neither side came out of the game any worse off despite the result, yet both sides will be aware of the work they need to do going forward. We played with a total control and dominance first half but without creating the chances to go with it and we had to dig in during the second half. County struggled first half but generally kept us at bay, the two goals aside, and probably deserved a little more for their second half display.

Dave: What on earth was that light show?! (Although I secretly enjoyed it as a one off thing.) We watched a team we should be proud of, and if we play like that against most teams then we'll get a lot of points come the end of the season. I left the ground feeling happy, which considering we'd lost 2-0 says it all.

🔵 Verdict on Birmingham

Ryan: First half, fantastic. We had to step up a gear in possession and though it wasn't a game full of chances, it felt like we were playing in a way that meant a chance or two would come. Thankfully, we were ruthless when they came. The impressive factor lies in the statistics. We had total control and dominance of the ball and territory. We pressed excellently, won the key duels and the midfield two were on top of their game. Second half, we had to dig in in a way we haven't had to this season. We were on the back foot, had to go a little more direct when we had the ball and were forced to defend our own territory, something we did excellently. The main criticism would be that when we did step forward, certain players weren't on their game and we failed to take the opportunity to exploit the gaps.

Dave: They were great at what they do and moved the ball back to front really quickly when they could. Marked Barry out of the game for the most part and with a front line like theirs, it's no surprise they won.

🟣 Verdict on County

Ryan: First half, I don't think you were poor but it felt like we weren't seeing the real County. There was intent off the ball and it forced us to step up a gear with our use of the ball. But the two chances either end of the half aside, there seemed to be a lack of belief and intent when you had the ball. Looking back at the numbers on WhoScored (stats nerd alert), County managed just 37 touches in our half during the 45 minutes and 21 in the 36 minutes or so between shots on our goal. Wootton, Barry and Rydel were isolated and dispossessed regularly. And defensively, there was space for Anderson, who would have got in behind more if we played better passes. Second half was much better. Legs, energy and speed over technique and control. You went man for man and though it was more direct, it felt a controlled kind of direct. I never felt like we were facing chaos. It was just that little bit of quality or luck missing. Everything towards our goal came from distance in the second half and you couldn't quite find the overload in the area. But there was more than enough to take away from it, I felt.

Dave: It was a game of two halves, certainly in terms of how we approached it. Obviously they were going to have most of the ball so it was important to be good with the ball when we had it. I was gutted for Will Collar when his shot bounced off the bar and off the line, which I think gave them a boost early on. A moment of madness from Ben gifted them the first goal and then a quick second had me worried it would be a cricket score. Challinor changed a few bits and we ended the half well, Barry incredibly unlucky not to score. Camps changed the game when he came on at half-time, getting us forward and unlucky not to score himself; I think he’ll be back in the starting 11 on Saturday. Diamond has had his critics but he looked a problem – he needs a run in the team I feel.

🔵 Top Blue

Ryan: Tomoki Iwata. While Keshi Anderson and Alfie May will take the plaudits, Iwata was excellent, setting the tempo, getting forward to good effect and consistently making good decisions.

Dave: Anderson.

🎩 Top Hatter

Ryan: I don't know if he was the "best" player, but the arrival of Tanto Olaofe – an old favourite of mine from his time in the National League – felt key in giving you a foothold. Full of energy and willing to scrap away.

Dave: Torn between Touray and Camps.

👂 Atmosphere

Ryan: A very "cold, wet, miserable and midweek" kind of atmosphere. There's still a lot of excitement around the place and that showed at points, but you're probably never getting much of an atmosphere on a bleak Wednesday night during a relatively comfortable victory.

Dave: I was right next to the Birmingham fans, who were as quiet as a mouse until they scored. Then there was some fun back and to between the sets of fans, until a weirdo in a white hoodie decided to pipe up!

🙏 Hopes for the rest of the season

Ryan: The same as they were before kick-off. The aim is to win the division and this was another positive step.

Dave: We're good enough for the play-offs, so I’m hoping for them!

😀 Best part of the day

Ryan: The three courses I had at Frankie & Benny's during work.

Dave: The general feeling of being back.

😡 Worst part of the day

Ryan: Standing up after the three courses I had at Frankie & Benny's to return to work.

Dave: The tit-for-tat now Ben Hinchliffe has done something wrong. Certain people couldn't wait for it. Everyone has their preference, no problem, but there's people on either side who actively enjoy when a mistake is made. Very strange behaviour.

The British Library receives a copy of every single book published in the UK. In the same fashion, Des Junior believes a detailed record of every County game should be preserved for the history books. So here’s the full story of our 2-0 defeat at Birmingham City on Wednesday 4 December, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…

8.57am: Get in the ground ASAP tonight and start constructing your shelter, is my advice.

8.59am: I have been to St Andrew’s before. I was hoping the intervening 23 years might have led to changes to three things: their fans, their stewards and our results.

9.03am: Even one out of three feels optimistic. Good luck to all those going tonight…

9.12am: No happy memories of St Andrew’s. Can still hear Tom Bennett's leg breaking, or is that my imagination?

9.23am: Nope, not your imagination. Absolutely horrible.

6.16pm: In the Balti Triangle. Might not bother with the game.

6.30pm: That photo of your food could be better. You’ve missed off about 50% of your meal.

6.33pm: The roughest pub I have ever been in was in the Balti Triangle. Ordered pints and before they had poured them we knew we were in a godawful pub. Teenagers on speed playing pool. Pissed up grannies singing along with the jukebox. This was 4pm on a weekday afternoon. Downed our pints and were out the door in a minute. The Mermaid I think.

7.50pm: Collar off the bar! It’s still shaking.

8.10pm: If you’re going to concede, don’t concede like that. Needlessly stupid from Hinchliffe.

8.18pm: They’re a good side but we’re showing them too much respect.

8.19pm: 0-2. Easy. This is going to be a cricket score.

8.46pm: Tanto, Diamond and Camps coming on. Interesting subs. Brave.

9.40pm: Better second half but we were beaten by a better side on the night.

9.54pm: Slightly annoyed that we made it a little easy for them with the goals and were a bit off it tactically in the first half. But we redeemed ourself somewhat second half. If we'd had the tactics and application first half that we had in the second half that game may have been a very different story. Overall though, typical evening at St Andrew’s – 23 years and some things haven't changed.

5 questions with Adam Edwards

What was the best moment with your business in November?

I had my camera with me (of course) for both the Bolton and Wrexham games, does that count? (Also had it for the Wycombe match so maybe the less said the better.)

What’s your plans for the business in December?

It's gig-city at the moment, the last push for musicians to tour and get those Christmas pennies in before a few weeks off – so I'm shooting a gig every other day it feels like. Along with a few Christmas parties which are always good fun for me!

What would you like to promote to our readers this month?

If anyone’s in the Marple area on the 21st, I'll be selling some limited edition prints at the final Make It Marple event – perfect for some last minute, unique Christmas gifts, if I do say so myself.

What are you hoping Father Christmas will bring you this year?

Time to catch up on a million things would be nice, otherwise I'll settle for the kids being happy/grateful for inevitably being spoiled. And maybe a load of panettone for me – can't stop scranning it at this time of year!

How does a typical Christmas Day look in your house?

Get woken up around 6am and SEE IF HE'S BEEN! But it's relatively chilled after that. We never host so there's not loads to stress about. We're quite lucky as my wife's family love a Christmas of excess – food and drink galore – and we're well looked after as we do the rounds across Stockport to visit everyone.

➡️ Check out adamedwardsfoto.com to have a look at some of Adam’s work.

A cracking gift idea for Birmingham and County fans this Christmas!

If you’re looking for a special gift for the Birmingham or County fan in your life this Christmas, how about one of these classic road signs from Two Fat Blokes.

The 50cm x 11cm road signs are made of 3mm metal composite, printed in high resolution directly onto the face for indoor and outdoor use.

You can also personalise the signs by replacing the road name, post code and chant with your choice of text.

There’s lots of other teams featured on the website too, from City and United to Liverpool and Everton.

➡️ Click here to purchase the Birmingham road sign.

➡️ Click here to purchase the County road sign.

The County Advent Calendar: Day 6 – Ian Moore

County made a seven-figure offer for Louie Barry this summer, but the deal couldn’t get over the line. That means Ian Moore remains County’s record signing, when Brendan Elwood signed a cheque for £800,000 to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 1998. Ian made 104 appearances for the Hatters, scoring 23 goals.

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

Nice of course. Always treat people the way you like to be treated. I’m sure Santa’s been watching!

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

All of the games and less training. I was never a fan of training, just enjoyed the matches.

And the worst?

Training on Christmas Day and not being able to eat and drink what you wanted. Also missing the kids enjoying the day when travelling away for games on Boxing Day.

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

It’s normally hectic with my kids and granddaughter, and me cooking everything! This year’s different, however, as the family are all out for a Christmas meal in Manchester.

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

A winning EuroMillions ticket would be nice, but I’d be happy with a new set of golf clubs.

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

Nine would be nice but I think I’ll go with four.

Where do you get your Christmas tree from?

A lovely garden centre called Newbank near me in Newton-le-Willows.

What’s your best Christmas cracker joke?

How do you make a Christmas tree laugh?

Tickle its balls.

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

After years of spending Christmas Eve at The Trafford Centre, I’m really organised and on the ball now. All presents sorted by mid-December normally.

Photo of the day

St Andrew’s, Birmingham

Birmingham away on a Wednesday night in front of nearly 25,000 under the St Andrew’s floodlights. Bit different to a midweek defeat at Vauxhall Motors in front of 404.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) this evening. Wicked (PG) at 8.15pm.

➡️ Click here for tickets.

💿 DJs

DJ Aaron Gold at AMP (SK1). 9pm. Free entry.

DJ Brinner at The Dog & Partridge (SK2).

🍺 Food and drink

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 night at The Cross Keys (SK8).

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Nelson Tavern (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Steelworks (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this festive season by popping in for a few drinks.

🎤 Karaoke

The Alexandra (SK3).

🎸 Live music

Blind Tiger at The Crown Inn (SK6). 9pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#65 – Liam McAlinden, Morecambe

Who scored County’s final goal before Covid? That’s a cracking quiz question, innit? The answer is Liam McAlinden, with a 76th minute winner for Jim Gannon’s men at Maidenhead on Saturday 14 March 2020. That was also Liam’s final appearance for the Hatters, later signing for Morecambe, where he won the League Two play-offs in 2021.