Sunday 31 December 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Mansfield – Monday 1 January, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Notts County – Saturday 20 January, 3pm
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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Bradford supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your New Year’s Eve edition of The Scarf My Father Wore, as we say farewell to 2023. County are top of League Two, but Citeh won the Champions League. County headed to Wembley, but Burnley headed to the Premier League. County boss Dave Challinor was awarded a three-year contract extension, but Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin was awarded a knighthood. It’s been a mixed year.
County’s final game of 2023 (after a 6.15pm pitch inspection) was a 0-0 draw at Bradford on Friday night. Yours truly and The City Gent editor Mike Harrison reflect on the Valley Parade stalemate – our third consecutive draw against the Bantams.
You’ve also got the final part of my Great Big Review of 2023. County won 8-0 against Sutton, but got knocked out of the FA Cup by a non-league side. It’s been a mixed month.
What else is on my to-do list this morning? Ah, that’s it. Another paid subscriber joining the gang! May I take this opportunity to say a big thank you to one of County’s many exiled fans, James Farrar.
I receive a notification on my phone whenever someone signs up as a paid subscriber. The one from James came through literally 60 seconds after getting back into Cashy the groundsman’s car in a multi-storey car park at The Broadway Shopping Centre in Bradford on Friday night. As we switched on TalkSport, and started to get warm from the Yorkshire winter weather, that was a lovely notification to come through let me tell you! Is James going to be the final County fan of 2023 to make my phone ping, or will that be your good self today…
Today’s edition is sponsored by Sophie Pavey Fitness, joining The Scarf My Father Wore family for the first time. A very warm welcome to Sophie, and a big thank you. Sophie helps women achieve sustainable results through weight training. If any of our female readers would like more information, give Sophie a call on 07734 022670 or email sophie@sophiepaveyfitness.com.
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: £1,037
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
✍️ Friday’s match in one word
Mike: Attritional.
Des: Wintry.
🤔 Pre-match thoughts
Mike: Is the game going to be on?
Des: I convinced myself we were going to enjoy a proper bananas last-minute winner. To be fair, with a bit more quality/composure in the final third, we should have nicked one late on, but neither side deserved to lose if I’m honest.
🧐 Post-match thoughts
Mike: A fair result, happy with a point.
Des: A fair result, happy with a point. (That’s not a mistake, I haven’t just copied and pasted that. I mean, I have, but I share Mike’s sentiments.)
🟠 Verdict on Bradford
Mike: Battled well and matched the league leaders in most departments.
Des: Better team in the first half, and I was quite relieved to get to half-time. Could certainly see the hunger and desire in Bradford, not surprising after a seven-game unbeaten run under a new manager. Always dangerous going direct to Cook, but I felt our changes at the break frustrated Bradford in the second half.
🔵 Verdict on County
Mike: Well organised, but glad they left their shooting boots at home.
Des: Superb defensive display, and yet another phenomenal save from Ben. Midfield was worryingly easy to play through in the first half. I thought we improved after the break and stamped our authority on the game, but our crossing and finishing was poor.
🟠 Top Bantam
Mike: Ciaran Kelly did well in our defence.
Des: I thought Oduor had a decent game, always busy and caused us a few problems, especially in the first half.
🎩 Top Hatter
Mike: Olaofe. I was glad he was subbed at half-time.
Des: I think it’s got to be Horsfall, Pye or Wright at the back. You’ve got to be very switched on during a game like that, in those conditions, and all three were fantastic. I’d go with Akil, as he’s had a little bit of stick when he’s played in midfield, but he’s a commanding presence at the back.
👂 Atmosphere
Mike: Very good, helped by having 2,400 travelling fans at Valley Parade.
Des: Decent atmosphere in a decent football ground.
🙏 Hopes for the rest of the season
Mike: Continued progress under Graham Alexander and a play-off push.
Des: Top three feels a necessity this season; title would be a nice bonus.
😀 Best part of the day
Mike: Andy Cook trying to take a quick throw and slipping face first into the mud! It would have been his cracking winning goal but Hinchliffe pulled off a superb save.
Des: Having screamed “GET IN!” at the top of my voice in The Lord Clyde upon seeing the green tick on Bradford’s Twitter page following the pitch inspection, like a child opening an Xbox on Christmas Day, I should probably say that. The warmth of the Stockport Travelodge, with a McDonald’s in front of The Wolf of Wall Street, is a very close second.
😡 Worst part of the day
Mike: The rain prior to the game which made selling copies of The City Gent very difficult.
Des: The stewards in the away end. They cause more harm than good a lot of the time. A police officer was more than happy with County fans stood on the steps, as long as there was a little bit of room for people to get through, but at least six or seven stewards came barging up causing unnecessary issues.
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 0-0 draw at Bradford City on Friday 29 December 2023, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…
4.12pm: It’s throwing it down in Bradford…
5.08pm: There’s more darts world champions in The Lord Clyde than at Ally Pally.
6.00pm: Pitch inspection in 15 minutes.
6.20pm: It’s on!
6.21pm: Tonight’s going to be a bit of a lottery.
6.33pm: I’m in The Lord Clyde.
6.34pm: Did you buy him dinner first?
8.07pm: It's December. It's the Fourth Division. Pitch is better than I expected.
8.35pm: This is pretty drab, isn’t it. Defended well but no foothold in the game at all. And it’s cold.
8.49pm: Croasdale on. Good. Wootton too.
9.02pm: We’re playing some good stuff now, in spite of the weather. We need to be a little less hesitant getting the ball into the box, but this is better.
9.05pm: Andy Cook just fell over trying to take a throw-in quickly!
9.17pm: What an unbelievable save from Ben.
9.42pm: I’m okay with a point out of that. I think we should’ve had three, but we were awful in their box and could easily have lost it but for Ben. Second half performance was a million times better than the first, and had we played like that over 90 we might’ve won.
9.46pm: 🤫 [Des: In relation to that last-minute winner tweet.]
9.47pm: Put that crystal ball away Mystic Des.
10.18pm: On Monday it’s County v Mansfield (1st v 2nd) and Wrexham v Barrow (3rd v 4th).
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Photo of the day
Strictly speaking, this is more screenshot than photo, but I’m sure you’ll agree this snippet from Yellowboard yesterday is worth including.
Des Junior’s Great Big Review of 2023: Part 12 – December
Sunday 3: Aldershot (A) 2-2
Wednesday 6: Wigan (A) 0-2
Saturday 9: Morecambe (A) 1-1
Wednesday 13: Aldershot (H) 0-1
Saturday 16: Sutton (H) 8-0
Friday 22: Notts County (H) 2-1
Tuesday 26: Barrow (A) 2-2
Friday 29: Bradford (A) 0-0
At the start of December, we published a tribute to lifelong County fan Ian Duncan, who’d recently passed away. Sadly, just a few days later, we were doing the same for Lisa Braithwaite. As 2023 comes to an end today, we remember all the County players and fans we’ve lost over these last 12 months, and our thoughts are with anyone who’s lost a loved one this year.
County’s first game of December was an awkward trip to Aldershot in the second round of the FA Cup, who’d smashed seven past Swindon in round one. The National League side were sniffing more cup glory when Josh Stokes scored after just 10 minutes. A cracker from Byrne and a neat finish from Paddy put us 2-1 up, but Stokes’ second of the game meant we’d all have to wait another week and a bit to see who’d clinch a trip to West Brom in January.
“Disappointing,” was the verdict of County fan Simon Holt from the away end. “We had lots of possession but didn't do a whole lot with it. I thought Powell looked casual once again, and Cotterill isn't good enough – gave the ball away far too often. I love Paddy but he's showing his age now. He’s been a wonderful player for us but I'm thinking perhaps this is his final season with us. I would have liked us to get down the sides more as I thought their defence looked dodgy on crosses, but their defenders did a good job of blocking the space off. Finally, taking Akil Wright off was the correct decision – he was going to get sent off otherwise – but I thought Cotterill was a strange choice to bring on. I would have preferred Cody Johnson if DC wanted to give Croasdale a rest. If Wright isn't up to playing defensive midfield at Football League level (which I don't think he is – though he's great in defence) then recruiting an alternative to Croasdale in January would be a top priority for me. But, as DC says, if you're not playing well and can't win, then don't lose, and we did that. So we live to fight another day, and hopefully we can get the job done at EP in the replay.”
Our hopes of reaching Wembley in the Car Cup came to an end on a freezing Wednesday night in Wigan. Not that many Hatters were arsed about the game, or Wigan fans for that matter, with 22,082 empty seats at the DW.
I quite enjoyed this little nugget from Simon George: “Wigan may go on and win the Car Cup but we’re all from Stockport and we don't need to win cars as we have far too many already. And we’ve got better pies than them.“
Wigan was cold, but Morecambe three days later was horrific. I can honestly say I’ve never watched County in worse weather conditions in my life, with the away end battered by the wind and the rain for the entire 90 minutes (plus every other minute I spent in Morecambe that day). I did capture two of my best photos of 2023, however. A cracking one just after Wootton had equalised late on, and a very drunk Cavan Bowden at Lancaster train station earlier in the day, just before he vomited all over the platform.
As for the game itself, John K Bilsbury was on match report duty: “It reminded me of how much we’ve missed Louie Barry since his injury; we lacked someone prepared to run at defenders with the ball. We were almost in the realms of Ruskball at times, turning back at the first sign of a defender and playing the ball from side to side hoping for the defence to part like the Red Sea. Given the wind at our back in the second half, I thought mixing up the patient play with a couple of long distance shots might have been worth a try.”
“Gutless,” was Sandy McGregor’s verdict after County crashed out of the FA Cup in the Aldershot replay. “Got what we deserved. Now getting nervous about the league.”
We really were utter turd against Aldershot. Three days later, we won 8-0. I might as well just reiterate what I said in my editorial the following day.
“Brilliant,” said Jamie Summers. “One of the most complete County performances in years. Everyone was at the top of their game. Madden rolled back the years, Croasdale higher up was phenomenal, Camps had his best game in a County shirt for me, Byrne carried the ball really well, Cotterill scored himself a brilliant goal. Couldn’t have asked for any more.”
If you’ve not yet seen it, I wrote a special feature on the 8-0.
Father Christmas was at Edgeley Park the following weekend, and wrapped up three festive points for us, which we were very, very grateful for after Notts County dominated for long spells throughout the match.
“We got the job done,” said Dave Philbin, after the 2-1 win. “It was nice that we were able to show that we can do the other side of the game – sitting back, absorbing the pressure and playing on the counter attack. The subs Challinor made were big gambles, but each one paid off in their own right. Wright on in midfield to sit in the back line out of possession was a great shout, and Richardson up front? A revelation!”
The month ended with a couple of battling draws away from home, 2-2 at Barrow on Boxing Day and 0-0 at Bradford a couple of days ago. As I write this, County are five points clear at the top of League Two. A pretty decent 2023, I’m sure you’ll agree.
Happy New Year! 🍾
Today in SK
New Year’s Eve opening times and event listings for all of the best venues across the SK region!
Coffee Block (SK1). 9am - 4pm.
Enigma (SK1). 12pm - 1am.
Nelson Tavern (SK1). Open from 12pm. Karaoke with Lee from 8pm. Last admission 11pm.
Petersgate Tap (SK1). 12pm - 10pm.
Dog & Partridge (SK2). 12pm - 6pm. Then ticket only between 7pm and 1am. Tickets are £5 for a night of karaoke and dancing with DJ Robin. Call 0161 483 9664 to book.
Puss In Boots (SK2). 12pm - 8pm. Then ticket only from 8pm. Tickets are £10 including DJ and a hot buffet supper. Call 0161 456 5200 to book.
Alexandra (SK3). Open from 12pm. DJ Steve 8pm - late.
Armoury (SK3). Open from 12pm. Live music from The Select Committee at 3pm.
Jolly Sailor (SK3). 12pm - 8pm. Then ticket only from 8pm. Tickets are £10 including DJ and a hot buffet supper. Call 0161 483 3350 to book.
Andrew Arms (SK6). 12pm - 6pm. Then ticket only from 7pm. Tickets are £20 including live music from Chris Richardson, a glass of prosecco and a buffet. Call 0161 484 5392 to book.
Crown Inn (SK6). 12pm - 6pm. Then ticket only from 7pm. Last admission 10.30pm. Live music from Jamie Sykes. SOLD OUT!
Spread Eagle (SK6). 12pm - 8pm. Then ticket only from 8pm. Tickets are £10 including DJ and a hot buffet supper. Call 0161 494 5723 to book.
Flying Coach (SK7). Open from 12pm. Music from Dan Power from 8pm. Tickets are free but you need to reserve them before arrival. Call 0161 465 2710 to book.
George & Dragon (SK7). Open from 10am. Last food orders 5.45pm. Last orders at the bar 6.30pm. Ticket only from 8pm. A family-friendly DJ and Disco, buffet, and a glass of fizz on arrival (with treats for the kids!). Tickets are £12.50 for adults and £7.50 for kids. Call 0161 456 8690 to book.
TRUNK (SK7): 9am - 12am. Normal menu, but with some added specials!
Cheshire Line Tavern (SK8). An unforgettable New Year's Eve celebration! Get ready to dance, party, and welcome the new year with a bang. The incredible band, regener8, will be rocking the stage all night long. Don't miss out on this in-person event filled with great music, good vibes, and amazing company. Grab your friends and get ready to make some unforgettable memories in the countdown to midnight. 6.30pm - 9pm three course meal. 9pm live music from regener8. 11.30pm DJ. Tickets £15, or £60 to include the meal. Click here to book.
Chiverton Tap (SK8). 12pm - 10pm.
Platform 5 (SK8). Open from 12pm. Music 8pm - late.
Rainbow 88 (SK8). Two sittings on New Year’s Eve. The first is from 4pm until 9pm, with food from the normal menu. Then from 9pm, it’s a New Year’s Eve banquet extravaganza, with karaoke until the early hours! Call 0161 485 2288 to book.
Rectory (SK8). Open from 4pm. Celtic Notes performing live from 9pm. Late bar and nibbles. Free entry.
Rock Tavern (SK22). Open from 12pm. New Year’s Eve party from 7.30pm. Music from throughout the decades. Fancy dress optional. Free entry.
Mediterranean Cafe (SK23). 10am - 10pm.
DJ Des
On this final day of 2023, can I offer the biggest heartfelt thank you to all of our readers, subscribers, writers and advertisers who have supported both myself and the website throughout the year.
Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve, wherever you are in the world, and I wish you lots of good health and happiness for 2024. And another County championship! 🏆
Would you like DJ Des to play a particular song for you? Email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com with your requests/shoutouts!
As it’s New Year’s Eve, let’s reflect on 2023
A few final words this year from a couple of The Scarf My Father Wore writers, Phil Brennan and Des Junior.
Favourite article or photo on The Scarf My Father Wore in 2023?
Phil: Obviously me and my Bounty! [Des: This was actually the end of 2022, but it’s certainly worth another airing!]
Des: I love doing this every day, as you can probably tell. If I had to choose my favourite article from all the ones I’ve written, I think I’d go with the big feature on the play-off semi-final at home to Salford. Just a brilliant County day from start to finish.
Where’s the most interesting (or funny!) place you’ve been when reading The Scarf My Father Wore in 2023?
Phil: Watching the fires in Rhodes whilst on holiday.
Des: I spent an entire afternoon on the beach in Llandudno writing an article. I’ve sat in worse offices.
Best County moment of 2023?
Phil: Taking my son and his mates to Wembley and being able to recreate their photo from 2008.
Des: Tanto’s header at the Cheadle End against Salford. Definitely one of the loudest roars I’ve ever heard at EP. Tears in my eyes after that one.
How will you be celebrating New Year’s Eve?
Phil: Drinking and eating a Bounty!
Des: Nicking a bottle of wine and a Bounty out of Phil Brennan’s fridge.
What would you most like to see on The Scarf My Father Wore in 2024?
Phil: Another champions celebration a la Chally on Edgeley.
Des: Sod it, a few more paid subscribers…
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