Bradford v County
Plus! Des Junior’s Great Big Review of 2023 takes us back to October, a fantastic month with County winning seven out of seven
Friday 29 December 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Mansfield – Monday 1 January, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Bradford – Today, 7.45pm
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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Bradford supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Friday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
I absolutely cannot wait for tonight. Bradford was always one of my favourite away grounds as a kid (and still is to be honest). I can vividly remember the excitement driving over the Pennines with my dad, eating sandwiches whilst listening to the radio, heading for a proper football ground steeped in history and with a brilliant away end. The fact County won at Valley Parade six times in the 90s heightens those nostalgic feelings, too. I’m sure I’ll see many of the 2,000 travelling Hatters later on – loads of photos needed for this one! In the meantime, we’ve got Jon Keighren, Ian Brown and Nick Lee with your Bradford build-up.
It’s only a short trip to West Yorkshire today, but if you’d like some extra reading material for the journey, you’ve also got part 10 of my Great Big Review of 2023, taking us back to October. County climbed to the top of League Two during the month, which is where we’ll finish 2023, regardless of what happens in Bradford tonight. A win, however, would be huge at this stage of the campaign, and we’d be guaranteed to stay top until at least Friday 5 January. Mansfield or Barrow could potentially overtake us the following day, when County have a blank weekend due to Gillingham’s FA Cup third round tie.
Today’s edition is sponsored by GTG Gary The Gasman. You might be in need of heating or plumbing services, especially at this time of year. Gary’s a former British Gas engineer with 38 years experience, providing quality work at an affordable price. You can reach him on 07931 416165 or email garythegasman@yahoo.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
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Des Junior loves writing about County. But he can never be arsed doing match previews. They’re a bit dull, aren’t they? Paddy Madden’s out for two games with an ingrown toenail…blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham since 1672.
Fortunately, he has a number of fellow County content creators to call upon. Here’s their thoughts, general chit-chat and score predictions, as County prepare to wrap up 2023 in the UK’s next City of Culture.
Jon Keighren, Stockport County
Bradford 2 County 2
I said I’d be happy with seven points from our four festive fixtures. That would mean a win and a loss from Bradford and Mansfield. What’s your thoughts going into these two?
Taking points off your closest rivals is always a bonus, and I’m sure DC will have targeted drawing our away games and winning at home over Christmas. It keeps the chasing pack at arm’s length. Bradford have been revitalised since parting company with Mark Hughes so a draw at Valley Parade would be a decent result. I’m going for another 2-2.
Ian Brown, hedgegrower
Bradford 0 County 2
Has a Boxing Day trip to Barrow-in-Furness made your “snotty, sneezy thing” any worse or was a stirring fightback from 2-0 down the perfect remedy?
To be honest Des it was touch and go for quite a time.
A near idyllic journey on the Flyer and the absence of the usual force niner with added wetness upon arrival on Holker Street did rather paint a false picture as things rapidly deteriorated.
First off, inside the stadium and under the new temporary stand roof, things were heading south fast as it was apparent that Barrow had flogged match tickets for seats that did not exist. County fan Ian Dooley was just one trying to find where their purchased seat was situated. Where seats 9 to 11 should have been (imagine the gangway) seat 12 continued on from 8 and the stewards seemed oblivious to any issues this might cause, irritatingly offering as advice: “Don’t worry, it’s always like this.”
Yours truly was on seat 12 but the view to the pitch was not that brilliant being partly obscured by fencing (my excuse for not spotting the two offside Barrow goals).
It just didn’t need County to add to the angst but they did with 40-odd minutes of very forgettable football. Then… enter Nick Powell with a goal almost immediately upon arrival, and thereon out matters bucked up a bundle. Akil Wright headed a fine equaliser and Ben Hinchliffe pulled off perhaps the save of the season to deny Barrow’s Emile Acquah and ensure County took home a share of the points – something that was beyond a pipe dream just an hour earlier.
As for my “snotty, sneezy thing” – that second half display from County had zonked it!
Nick Lee, The Scarf Bergara Wore
Bradford 1 County 1
What’s been your favourite podcast moment of 2023?
In a year of dizzying podcasting highs it's difficult to pick just one. If I had to narrow it down though, it'd be that moment a few weeks back where my monitor caved my head in and led to a long wait in A&E. One of those moments that couldn't be repeated even if I tried. And believe me, I will be trying if it leads to a week off work.
1-1 tonight. I'd have happily taken draws from these two aways provided we beat Notts and Mansfield. The Boxing Day comeback will see us go to Valley Parade with renewed confidence against a side on the up, but I think it'll still be a cagey one.
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Des Junior’s Great Big Review of 2023: Part 10 – October
Tuesday 3: Forest Green (H) 2-0
Saturday 7: Doncaster (H) 1-0
Tuesday 10: Salford (A) 3-1
Saturday 14: Harrogate (A) 3-1
Saturday 21: Grimsby (H) 3-2
Tuesday 24: Crewe (A) 2-0
Saturday 28: Tranmere (H) 2-0
County hadn’t been in the play-offs all season, but after our 2-0 victory at home to Forest Green we were up to 4th. (We were in the automatic promotion places until Crewe scored a second goal at home to Gillingham with five minutes to go.) Louie Barry didn’t score for the first time in ages, but Tanto and Sarcevic did.
Graham Allsopp – who travelled over from his home in France on a 36 euro flight to catch the game – gave us his verdict: “We did what we had to. Three more points and hopefully no injuries. I do get worried that we aren’t ruthless enough in games; we need to score more goals. Another two goals and we’d be second in the league today. I’m hoping goal difference will be immaterial come April, but keeping a good goal difference is a good habit to get into.”
Four days later, we only managed one goal, but Tanto’s late winner at home to Donny secured an important three points, taking us up to 2nd, just a point behind leaders Notts County.
It was a lively afternoon on the Pop Side, as Jack Street reported: “Atmosphere was a bit lively in the Together Stand. We're right near their fans. I'm not quite sure what was going on but they seemed to be fighting amongst themselves a little bit. They decided to try and liven it up a bit with us which made it spicy, and it was good fun for a while, especially when we scored; but there were a few donuts sat near us who seemed to be taking it a little bit too far, particularly at full-time when they tried to confront some of the Donny fans. One of the Donny fans didn't like that so decided to lob a full drink into our end, and I lost it a bit at that point myself – it’s a family stand, for fuck's sake. Just cos a couple of lads give you some grief, give it a rest. There were a couple of social media posts about our fans later on Saturday – let me tell you lads, if the family stand are winding you up, perhaps have a day off.”
Paddy Madden netted a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory at Salford in the EFL Trophy before County won by the same scoreline at Harrogate four days later. After Notts County got twatted at home to Mansfield in the early kick-off, goals from Sarcevic, Burrell (OG) and Collar took Dave Challinor’s men to the top of League Two.
“Zero eggs have been counted because we’ve got Grimsby next Saturday,” said Hannah Brown afterwards, “but they’re fully ‘Hurst Out’ and actually hope they lose because they want rid of him, so this might be the time to break the Grimsby curse. I think Crewe will be more challenging, and Tranmere should be easier because their form at the moment is appalling, unless they manage to appoint a full-time manager before we meet them and enjoy a new manager bounce. League Two is incredibly tight this year and we’re starting to see clubs like Donny and Bradford make their comebacks. Everyone is dropping points so if we can build on this winning streak we’ll be in a strong position come Christmas.”
Hannah looked to be spot on in terms of breaking the Grimsby curse. County were 2-0 up after eight minutes, through Barry and Tanto. But the Hatters had a worrying habit of chucking leads away, and sure enough, the Mariners scored either side of half-time to level things up. This time, however, Barry’s 74th minute winner clinched another crucial win.
John K Bilsbury shared his post-match thoughts: “At our best we look unbeatable but the unchanged 11 are starting to look a bit weary. With the injured players gradually coming back I hope DC will be able to rotate things a bit without sacrificing quality. If we can keep the players fit and firing, automatic promotion is definitely a possibility. We could even win the thing.”
The daughter of one of our subscribers enjoyed a few drinks in Bask after the game with This Is England actor Thomas Turgoose and comedian Lloyd Griffith, who both follow Grimsby.
On the morning of Wednesday 25 October, I opened my editorial with the following:
A special night it really was. For the third time in less than two years, Dave Challinor led County to ten consecutive victories in all competitions. We had to be patient, but second half goals from Wootton and Tanto did the damage.
The month ended with an opportunity for County to win eleven consecutive games for the first time in our history as Tranmere visited SK3, a side with an away record of L L L L L L L. Tanto scored early in the first half, Sarcevic early in the second, job done.
“I think that's what's termed as a professional performance,” said Mozzer after the game. “Definitely no complacency out there. The game seemed to go a bit flat in both halves at times, but we were in control for the vast majority of it and our quality was evident in both goals.”
County finished October five points clear at the top of League Two.
Photo of the day
We received the sad news yesterday that Mark Jones had passed away, or “Batty” as he was known to many County fans. Our thoughts and condolences with all of Mark’s friends and family. Another Hatter taken from us too soon. 🎩💙
Today in SK
🎶 DJs
Bask (SK1) have recently been granted an extended license, which means you can now party until 3am on a Friday night! Last entry 1.30am.
The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have their resident DJ playing on a Friday night, with Dicko (Ian Dickinson) on from 8pm till 1am.
🍟 Food and drink
Lunch deal at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7 or two courses for £11. 12pm - 2pm.
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 - 8pm.
Fish Friday at Platform 5 (SK8). Joseph Holt’s beer battered fish with chips, salt and vinegar scraps, tartare sauce and your choice of Manchester caviar and peas. Served with a drink. 12pm - 8pm. £14.95 per person.
Treat yourself to lunch at Mediterranean Cafe & Bar (SK23). A full range of mains, salads, jacket potatoes, paninis, baguettes and wraps.
🎤 Karaoke
Alexandra (SK3) with DJ Big Ace. 8pm.
🎸 Live music
Live acoustic sessions at The Jolly Sailor (SK3). Featuring a variety of local musicians, from solo artists to duos and bands.
Friday Fiesta at TRUNK (SK7). Great company, tasty tapas and flowing drinks – what more could you want? Call 0161 222 9260 to book a table, and mention “The Scarf My Father Wore” to receive a 15% discount off the normal tapas menu.
Stella-Vision at The Rock Tavern (SK22). Classic covers. 9pm.
DJ Des
To get us in the mood for a trip to Bradford tonight.
Would you like DJ Des to play a particular song for you? Email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com with your requests/shoutouts!
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