“Come all without, come all within, you’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn!”
John Snellgrove takes us back to the 80s, with an iconic striker banging in the goals for County
Wednesday 26 March 2025
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NEXT HOME GAME: Burton Albion – Saturday 29 March, 12.30pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Exeter City – Saturday 5 April, 3pm
Anddddd… relax! Our Wrexham stuff is done and dusted for another season (well, until we inevitably meet them in the play-offs in May). It’s been an eventful and stressful few days in the world of County, following Saturday’s defeat in North Wales. Today, I felt like we could all do with a warm, fuzzy, nostalgic piece to reset our equilibrium. Enter John Snellgrove, with another wonderful piece for us. Make yourself a brew, put your slippers on, get comfy on the sofa, and let John transport you back to the 1980s.
Today’s edition is sponsored by SW Appliances. A big thank you to Steve.
You’ll also see the advert for my comedy night this Friday. If you’ve not got any plans, come and join us! We’ve got a fantastic line-up, including Mike Newall (Britain’s Got Talent) and Chris Washington (Live from the BBC, Mock the Week, Richard Osman’s House of Games). Drop me a message if you’d like to come along.
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: 253.75 miles
Total steps so far: 418,084
Total raised so far: £2,292
Total completed streets so far: 474 (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
The legendary Micky Quinn
Looking back over the period of these articles I’ve written (25 years by the end of this one) County only finished in the top half of a division five times - and three of those were 11th, 11th and 12th. People would seriously wonder about your state of mind. Why? I was asked on so many occasions and to be fair it was often difficult to come up with a rational reason as to why. I asked myself the same question many times but I just couldn’t let go. It wasn’t a pleasure but it was my club.
I remember a quote from Adrian Chiles or Ted Lasso: “It’s the hope that kills you.” Well as I’m still here, hope must have been in short supply!
Goals were once again lacking in the 1981-82 season. Oshor Williams was top scorer with nine in the league. What a player he was. Next was Tony Coyle, bought from Albion Rovers, with seven - a highly talented but at times frustrating winger. Further down the list, with three goals, was a player who stood out like a colossus in defence, Tommy Sword, but whose season ended with a broken leg against Mossley in the FA Cup. I met him once and he seemed half the size of when he was on the pitch. A fine and loyal servant.
I’m pleased to recall there was no more getting lost on housing estates this season! A special offer on British Rail gave us a cheap trip to the North East. A bit of culture with a visit to Durham Cathedral (no, I’m not a total heathen) followed by a visit to the mighty Feethams, home of Darlington. An interesting start having caught the train from Stockport to Stalybridge. Not like today with only one train a week. Standing on the platform as the train arrived I was greeted with a mouthful of abuse from my fellow cricketer and opening bowler whose head was stuck out of the carriage window. Don’t ask why!
Having seen photos of the away support at County games today, away games back then bore no resemblance whatsoever. The crowd at Darlington was 1,556. Not sure how many County fans made the trip but I would have thought no more than a couple of dozen. Another ground that is no more but one I really liked. You entered by walking past the cricket ground, no segregation at all and we stood behind one of the goals.
It’s strange looking back. I’ve seen County play at 18 grounds that are no more, plus three others not involving County, and that’s almost 25% of grounds that have disappeared since 1960. The more observant amongst you may remember I said 16 grounds in a previous article but I had forgotten to include the old Wembley and Rushden and Diamonds. Apologies. You may be wondering about the actual game after all this preamble but I wouldn’t bother. Little to tell. Lost 2-0. Same old story again. Time to catch the train home.
One more away game to reflect on from this season. We had been managing the Stockport Boys under-11s team for a few years and it had become a tradition to do a North East tour at Easter. We played the representative teams from Newcastle and Sunderland amongst others and we got some good results, especially as a number of those 11-year-olds went on to play in the Football League. Sunderland games were a big event on a decent ground and were well attended. Somehow they managed to persuade Football League referees to officiate. George Courtney is one I remember. Anyway I digress.
Part of the trip was to watch a Football League game and the clubs provided highly discounted tickets. Having already done Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, our cup runneth over (well, for the two County supporters involved) when we discovered County were playing at Hartlepool that Easter. To say we were treated royally is an understatement. For a club that was in similar financial straits to County we were given free tickets to the Main Stand and welcomed by the club chairman at the gate. I have always kept a soft spot for Hartlepool since then. Not only that but County drew 2-2 and we witnessed Andy Stafford’s only ever goal for the club.
The next couple of seasons followed the same predictable pattern. 16th in 1982-83, then a touch of acrophobia the following season as we reached the dizzying heights of 12th.
My first and only visit to Wigan’s Springfield Park came in September 1982 as we stood behind the goal to witness a 1-1 draw in the League Cup, before losing on penalties. Only memory of the ground was how slippy the grassy bank behind our bit of terracing was. I didn’t, but I witnessed others suffer embarrassing falls.
Another former ground was Sealand Road, home of Chester, where we played over the Christmas period in 1982. We didn’t get lost to or from the ground and witnessed what had been a fairly rare event, a comfortable County away win. 2-0 the final score, with goals from Mike Power and inevitably Micky Quinn.
Another first was at Saltergate in October the following season. I don’t have Des’s fond memories of the ground (in fact I don’t recall much about it whatsoever) but I do remember being behind one of the goals when their keeper launched a kick into the County half which bounced over our goalkeeper into the net. Box ticked but not in a positive way! Another 2-0 defeat.
Looking back, we had some very good players representing the club, two of whom were to play First Division football with a lot of success. What a player Micky Quinn was, joining County as a raw 20-year-old from Wigan before going on to score an incredible 41 goals in 70 games. So wholehearted he often trod the line and occasionally went over it. A sending off at Crewe springs to mind but he was destined for better things. Transferred to Oldham and eventually Newcastle where he scored four goals on his debut against Leeds United. A player who I feel lucky to have seen play.
In the same team was Dean Emerson. A red-haired midfielder who oozed energy and class. His enthusiasm shone through but with County in their usual financial distress he was sold to Rotherham. He later went to Coventry and only injury prevented him playing in their FA Cup final triumph over Spurs in 1987.
Looking back it’s hard to recall many of County’s games from that era. I was probably in some sort of stupor for a lot of them, or the conversation on the terraces was far more interesting than what was happening on the pitch.
I’ll finish my latest piece with the 1984-85 season. Having defeated Rochdale in the League Cup we drew Liverpool in round two. Dreading a hammering we were shocked to get away with a 0-0 draw at home in the first leg, before travelling with little hope to Anfield for the second leg a fortnight later. Astonishingly, County were all square after 90 minutes only to concede twice in extra-time. Three visits to the two Merseyside giants and I have not seen County lose in normal time. The attendance at Anfield was a mere 13,422, only 2,000 more than the crowd at EP.
It seems appropriate to close the curtain on these articles with the home game against Southend in February 1985. Competing with a live game on television (if I recall correctly) a mere 1,039 could be bothered to turn out to watch a depressing 2-1 defeat. Looking around the ground from a near-deserted Railway End you had to ask yourself what was the point. We finished 22nd, re-elected yet again, but times were soon to change and an another form of jeopardy was to be introduced.
That’s a quarter of a century watching County within this series. More lows than highs. Interestingly enough I have seen County play 18 of the current Premier League teams. I’m just waiting for Newcastle and Chelsea. I hope you have enjoyed reading these articles as much as I have loved writing them.
As a postscript, certain games were omitted, not because of any other reason than I overlooked them. The most obvious one was the first appearance of George Best against Swansea. I was lucky enough to be standing behind him as he took the corner for the opening goal.
Secondly was the memorable 1-0 win at Bury in April 1981 when County were forced to start the game with nine men due to players being stuck in snow on the other side of the Pennines. Incredibly, a second-half thunderbolt from Martin Fowler was enough to give County the points.
Finally, I recently discovered this in the middle of some old programmes. Hopefully a reminder of how far we have come and let us hope, not to return.
The SW Appliances sale is still on
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.)
And now’s the time to order that new appliance you need, as Steve’s offering some great discounts in his latest sale.
1) Electrolux KGS6424W 60cm Gas Hob White – £119.99 £94.99
2) Zanussi ZWF91483WR 9KG 1400 RPM Freestanding Washing Machine – £349.99 £299.99
3) Beko CFG1552W Frost Free 55cm Fridge Freezer Frost Free – £329.99 £299.99
4) Zanussi ZBB28441SV 70/30 Integrated Fridge Freezer – £499.99 £399.99
5) Zanussi ZCI66050BA 60cm Electric Cooker with Double Oven Induction Black – £649.99 £549.99
The showroom is open from 9am till 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am till 4pm on a Saturday (closing at 2pm if the Hatters are at home).
➡️ Visit swappliances.co.uk for further details.
Photo of the day
Edgeley Park, Stockport
In September 1998, a Coronation Street side (including former Hatters Asa Hartford, Les Chapman and Paul Jones) took on their rivals from EastEnders in front of over 5,000 fans at Edgeley Park. Corrie won 3-2.
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) this evening. Mickey 17 (15) at 8.30pm.
🍺 Food and drink
The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £5.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £1.50, and 3 for £7 on Jägerbombs. Also, double up for £2 on premium spirits.
Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8).
A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this month by popping in for a few drinks and a bite to eat.
Random snippets from old County programmes
#30 - County v Huddersfield, 29 September 1998
John Grogan shared the tale of his recent trip to Wolves, which didn’t start too well!
This is the first time, and hopefully it will be the only time, that I have to say the day was almost ruined by the pre-match trip to the boozer. For once the Bank Holiday weather was spot on and the conditions were perfect to sup a few pints in the beer garden of a country pub. Andy Gosling, our very own statto and dodgy pub picker, promised a beautiful place serving food and ale; the only drawback being it was well off the beaten track. We arranged to meet him there. Unfortunately, the track was fine and it was the pub that looked as though it had taken the beating. There was no food, the Stella and Carling Premier were off. It was a disaster that was almost funny, The Pub That Beer Forgot.
If you’re in need of any of the following this month, please use our sponsors as your first port of call
🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds and Shutters
👷♂️ Builder: C E Building Services Ltd
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈 Cat Flaps: That Cat Flap Company Ltd
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🐶 Dog Trainer: Forever Home Dog Training
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
🏠 Estate Agent: The Agency UK
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
💐 Florist: The Flower House
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
🔌 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
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Lovely to see Micky Quinn's Newcastle debut mentioned! I was at that game- the opposition was also notable, a Leeds team including the likes of Strachan (who ran the show in midfield for large portions and could count himself unfortunate to come out on the wrong end of a 5-2 scoreline)- along with others who would feature, following promotion that season, in Leeds' top-division title-winning campaign just a couple years later.
Oh and also worth mentioning from a County perspective Quinn's strike partner that day... one Mark McGhee. Sets up one of Quinn's goals with a lovely shimmy and through ball... causes another Newcastle strike to be disallowed due to standing in an offside position.