Carlisle v Stockport – an alternative battle
It’s Botchergate versus Castle Street as Justin Moorhouse, Jamie Hutchinson, Vittorio Angelone and a load of other comedians discuss whether they prefer the Cumbrian city or the Cheshire town
Saturday 27 May 2023 - WEMBLEY WEEK!
🎶 Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Wem-ber-lee, que sera sera 🎶
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Carlisle supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to WEMBLEY WEEK on The Scarf My Father Wore!
I received some really nice comments at the Salford game last Saturday from various subscribers. One County fan said he reads the website every day on his commute. One said our email newsletter is the perfect distraction at work each morning. Another said he enjoys it immensely while he’s on the toilet. It’s overwhelming to know I’m having such an impact on someone else’s life.
A County fan in Bask said the following: “I love your website, Des. There’s so much variety, I never know what I’m going to be reading each day.” And on that note, here’s 21 comedians from around the UK (who obviously do a fair bit of travelling through gigging all over the place) giving their verdict on which place is better – Carlisle or Stockport.
Finally, a big thank you to Steven at SW Appliances for sponsoring today’s edition.
ONE SLEEP TO GO! 💤
Des Junior
I do have a soft spot for Carlisle thanks to my brief but illustrious stint with them on Football Manager 2010. Ian Harte on free-kicks and the youthful exuberance of Ben Marshall on loan. Yes please.
But I have to stay loyal to the Brett Angell of the North and say Stockport. From pyramids that rival Giza, to the Bramhall museum experiencing life in Victorian time. Although being from Gorton, that was quite the upgrade. Stockport, I doth my cap. (Which I borrowed from the hat museum.)
Jamie Hutchinson
I definitely prefer Carlisle because it’s a melting pot of diverse cultures and excellent restaurants.
Vittorio Angelone
I prefer Stockport. My best mate lives not far away in Altrincham and I pass through it all the time. Also, I used to date a lad from Stockport and he was great, although probably not my biggest fan now after I finished with him at Stockport station and then had to ask him to borrow the money for the fare back to London because my card bounced.
Alexandra Haddow
Carlisle is so far north, if Scotland vote to leave the UK at the next referendum, England would be happy to give them up. It would be quite funny to see Carlisle struggle in the lower leagues of Scottish football. “Yeah, but can they do it in Arbroath on a wet and windy Tuesday night?”
Amit Mistry
Last time I went to Stockport on the train, there was a platform zero. I quite liked that.
James Wallace
Carlisle I pay to stay in – great stopover en route to Scotland. Stockport I only go to if I’m paid to go there.
Jacqueline Boylan
Last time I was in Carlisle I had a dead rabbit thrown at me from a moving car. It’s still better than Stockport.
Percy Savage
One time when I was driving through Carlisle, I threw a rabbit at some bloke from my car window.
Neil Shawcross
To ensure responses from Carlisle you're better off posting this on Friends Reunited.
Ben Turner
I’ve never met anyone called Robert Stockport. That’s why I prefer Carlisle.
James Green
They can both go to hell as I’m a Bradford fan.
Amarpal Rachim
Stockport's best known for a railway viaduct that helps take people to somewhere else.
Roland Gent
Two words: Hat Museum.
James Allen
Stockport because it’s closer.
James Cook
…and warmer.
Rob Coleman
Stockport wins on letters 9-8, but Carlisle wins 3-1 on the use of different vowels.
Ian Crawford
Carlisle. Never been there but I grew up in Stockport, so it's an easy choice. Used to live near Edgeley Park as it happens.
Lance Concannon
I’ve worked in Stockport and love the viaduct (once had to drive there from Southampton on Boxing Day). Don’t think I’ve ever been to Carlisle.
Daron Hedges
Stockport for me. My auntie Jean (pictured below) who’s 90 was recently taken to a County game from her care home. She has dementia but is a lifelong County fan. Sadly she doesn’t remember any of us now, but recalls certain things about County.
Dawn Bailey
I was born in Carlisle, but I was made in Stockport.
Geoff Lancett
I prefer Stockport. Carlisle isn’t near anywhere. Stockport is near everywhere I need to be.
Justin Moorhouse
Purchase your kitchen appliances from a County fan
I don’t want to be accused of slander by a man with significantly more money than me, but I reckon Jeff Bezos has never set foot inside Edgeley Park. On that basis alone, don’t buy your kitchen appliances on Amazon. Get them from SW Appliances instead, a business owned by County fan Steve Gibbons.
Whether you visit Steve’s showroom on Castle Street, or purchase online, SW Appliances have hundreds of products in stock. You won’t get a personal service from Bezos if you buy a kettle off him, but you will if you do business with Steve. He’s the appliance version of a train spotter and what he doesn’t know about appliances simply isn’t worth knowing. (That’s not an insult by the way, it’s on his website.)
There’s loads of kettles and fridges and ovens on Steve’s website if you’re currently in the market for any of those. It’s not just the public he sells to, however. He also deals with trade enquiries so if you’re a landlord or a builder or a kitchen installer, get in touch with your requirements.
Visit swappliances.co.uk for further details.
Today in SK
👀 Bingo 👀
Bask Bingo Bank Holiday Special. Enjoy the bank holiday at Bask (SK1) with another big bingo party, with some fantastic prizes to be won, including food, drinks and gig tickets! 3pm. Tickets £5.
☕️ Food and drink ☕️
How do you fancy a nice iced cappuccino today? Head down to Coffee Block (SK1) for their CUBO espresso over ice, filled with shaken milk and topped with chocolate! Open till 5.30pm.
Bottomless Saturday at TRUNK (SK7). £30 per person (includes 1 breakfast item) from 10am till 12pm. Bottomless lunch £35 per person (includes 3 tapas dishes) from 12pm till 4pm. T&Cs apply and 90 minutes of selected bottomless drinks.
🎤 Karaoke 🎤
Lee at the Nelson Tavern (SK1). 8pm - 1am.
⚽️ Live football ⚽️
Is it going to be a double celebration for the Hatters at Wembley this weekend? The Armoury (SK3) will be showing live coverage of Luton’s Championship play-off final against Coventry at 4.45pm. They’re also serving food from 12pm.
🎶 Live music 🎶
90 Proof at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). 8pm.
Mark Griffiths (3pm - 5pm) and John McKinnie (5pm - 7pm) in the beer garden at The Alexandra (SK3).
🎭 Theatre 🎭
Tonight is your final opportunity to see PORT by Stockport-born playwright Simon Stephens at Stockport Garrick Theatre (SK3). Simon, born in Stockport in 1971, has received both an Olivier Award and a Tony Award. He is one of the most prolific contemporary playwrights in the UK. PORT is his love letter to Stockport – in a way that can only make sense in Stockport! 7.30pm. Tickets £12.
The Scarf My Father Wore works closely with venues on a daily basis to bring you the most comprehensive guide to all of the best offers and events taking place across the whole SK region. Click on the links below for full details of everything taking place in your area over the next few weeks.
SK1 / SK2 / SK3 / SK4 / SK5 / SK6 / SK7 / SK8 / SK9 / SK10 / SK11 / SK12 / SK13 / SK14 / SK15 / SK16 / SK17 / SK22 / SK23
Photo of the day
London might not be Lanzarote when it comes to holiday destinations, but I’m sure County fans will be just as excited laying out their Wembley clothes on their beds. Decisions will be made on bucket hats and scarves and County shirts ahead of the journey south. One girl who’s already decided on her weekend attire is Georgia Flynn. And if there’s an award for the best dressed County fan at Wembley, she’s probably already got it in the bag. I don’t think any of us can compete with Mike Flynn’s (Georgia’s dad) Wembley shirt from 1994.
Never mind Google or Yell.com, we’ve got you covered
STOP! That got your attention, didn’t it? Just a quick one… I’d hazard a guess that at some point in May, all of our readers will use Google or Yell.com at some point looking for a particular product or service. But before you do, please have a quick look at our own directory to see if we have what you’re looking for. A number of great businesses support The Scarf My Father Wore, allowing us to publish fresh content every day, so let’s send a few enquiries their way in return.
Click here to have a look at all the businesses in our directory.
“You’ve done our club proud”
As part of WEMBLEY WEEK, we’ve emailed seven questions to our subscribers, and we’ll choose a different one each day this week, hearing the thoughts of a number of our readers.
Today’s question: What message would you give to Dave Challinor and the lads ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Just make sure you enjoy yourselves. We so rarely get to do this, you might never do it again. Whatever happens, the last couple of years (after Rusk) have been amazing and you've done our club proud. We're behind you no matter what.
Josh Cooper
Go and enjoy it. Take nothing for granted, keep positive and believe in yourselves.
Tony Joannou