County 0 Swindon 0
For the second time in five days, we really should have nicked a winner, but failed to do so, as Mansfield take our place at the top of League Two
Monday 26 February 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: Newport – Saturday 9 March, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Colchester – Saturday 2 March, 3pm
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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Swindon supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Monday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
County fan Dave Schofield and Max Stringer, one of the regulars on The Loathed Strangers Podcast, reflect on Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Edgeley Park. Unfortunately another two big points dropped, added to the two we left behind in Kent four days earlier.
Our ‘Flynny at the Finger’ event is selling well at the moment – an evening with County legend Mike Flynn at The Fingerpost on Wednesday 17 April. Start time 7.30pm. If you’d like to join us, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com. Tickets are only £5 or £10.
Today’s edition is sponsored by CFN School of Motoring and Stockport Hero Hire. A big thank you to Craig and Johnny.
Give Craig a call on 07961 485818 or email craignicksonadi@gmail.com if you’re looking to pass your driving test this year.
And as for Johnny, he transforms into Spider-Man and puts a big smile on everyone’s face at various gatherings, from children’s parties to corporate events. Give him a call on 07753 275408 or email heroes@stockportherohire.co.uk if you’re planning a party or special event this year.
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: 97.67 miles
Total steps so far: 160,432
Total raised so far: £1,571
Total completed streets so far: 156 (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
✍️ Saturday’s match in one word
Dave: Disappointing.
Max: Stalemate.
🤔 Pre-match thoughts
Dave: Absolute must win game and a huge performance needed.
Max: It's been fairly negative recently. Our squad has a lot of holes and many of our better players are struggling for fitness. While I knew County were on a rough run, I knew the holes in our team and was expecting a loss.
🧐 Post-match thoughts
Dave: Our arrogance and complacency in the January transfer window has left the door open for others and the first one has stepped through…
Max: It's tough to say. A point away at County is great considering the form of Swindon this season, and it's our first away clean sheet since September. I think it's a good result in isolation, but given the collpase we've had this season it's tough to see the positives.
🔵 Verdict on County
Dave: First half was extremely nervy with the players very tentative and playing with fear and anxiety. Too slow, too safe, too obvious. Second half we did much better and on another day we take one or two of those chances and win the game.
Max: I thought County looked to be full of energy; they outbattled us in midfield particularly after Josh McEachran was forced off with an injury in the second half. I know there are a lot of injuries, but I was expecting you to create a few more quality chances. Seemed like a frustrating game from a County fan’s perspective.
🔴 Verdict on Swindon
Dave: They will be delighted. They’re not very good at all and didn’t need to be.
Max: It was fine. Our squad is very limited, and we essentially have no coaching team so to come away with a point is admirable. A lot of that is down to our goalkeeper, Jack Bycroft, who has impressed me a lot since his arrival in January.
🎩 Top Hatter
Dave: Man of the match was given to Horsfall and that was fair, but Powell was also very good considering the role he was asked to play.
Max: For me it would be Nick Powell. Everything in the middle of the pitch seemed to come through him and he did a great job of breaking up what little play Swindon had in their midfield.
🐤 Top Robin
Dave: Easy really. They had a very good keeper in Bycroft and he had a very good game. Looks the part him.
Max: Jack Bycroft, without question. Made all the saves you'd expect him to make, and had to deal with some calamitous defending in front of him at times.
👂 Atmosphere
Dave: Sad. The club deserve huge credit for attracting new fans and they have created a very good matchday experience (outside of the football) with a strong range of refreshments and entertainment… but those newcomers are ruining the atmosphere. The football has been crap over the last three months (with a few notable exceptions) so that’s not helped, and there’s nobody that really gets you out of your seat in the way Barry did.
Max: I missed being in the Railway End! The view from where we were was fine, aside from a pillar blocking my view of the goal at the Cheadle End for the first half. It's tough with Swindon fans at the minute, as the team haven't given us too much to shout about in recent months.
🙏 Hopes for the rest of the season
Dave: Automatic promotion. We’re in a mess, in poor form, suffering from poor recruitment, and Challinor has an enormous task on his hands, but a couple of back to back wins will make everything look different. However, if we drop out of the top three, I don’t think we’ll go up.
Max: I've said this elsewhere, but we need to build on the squad we have (particularly those who will stick around for next season) and comprehensively plan what needs to be added during the summer. This summer is huge for Swindon Town, if we don't get our recruitment right (both players and manager) then we could be in serious trouble next season.
😀 Best part of the day
Dave: As always really, a beer and a chat with old friends and new and that feeling that anything is possible on the pitch. There are very few places in the world where I am happier than at EP.
Max: The balti pie I had at the ground – a thing of beauty!
😡 Worst part of the day
Dave: Being asked by some tourists in the Hardcastle Suite: “Why isn’t the rugby on the screen?” Thankfully (legend) John Rutter was on hand: “Because this is a football match!”
Max: Walking around Stockport for far too long trying to find a pub that would allow away fans in.
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 home to Swindon Town on Saturday 24 February 2024, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…
12.25pm: £4.20 a pint. I’m boycotting The Armoury now!
12.33pm: Try living down south.
12.34pm: Breweries are among the worst for large and frequent price rises, and Robbies are worse than most. They can't see why pubs are empty and closing. Sheer greed.
3.50pm: That all sounded a bit average.
3.53pm: I can’t face the play-offs AGAIN.
4.58pm: I’m losing faith that this team is good enough I’m afraid. We just don’t have the quality and application consistently enough to stay in the top three.
5.00pm: Their keeper has an average day at the office and we win that. Overall, not good enough from us, but they'll be delighted with that point.
Learn to drive in 2024!
Give Craig a call, who’s been a driving instructor for over 20 years. He offers a full and thorough driver education experience. Driving is a skill for life and must not be under-estimated. Craig provides a training environment to facilitate client centred learning, which will ensure that your driving lessons are tailored to suit your development requirements, helping you to develop at a pace that suits your ability and learning capacity. All of Craig’s customers leave his care as safe, competent and confident drivers!
Visit craignicksonadi.co.uk for further details.
A few words from Spider-Man!
Established in 2022 by ex-British gymnast Johnny Brown, Stockport Hero Hire have a mission to bring joy, excitement and an authentic superhero experience to every event. Whatever the occasion you’re planning, whether it’s a children’s party, christening, naming ceremony, bar mitzvah or corporate event, Stockport Hero Hire are ready to make it an unforgettable experience.
Having competed in gymnastics since the age of four and reaching British Championship level, Johnny noticed a gap in the market and set up the business performing as Spider-Man in 2022. Initially offering bespoke services tailored to each individual party, Stockport Hero Hire packages have now been defined to include a visit in full superhero costume, high level interaction and engagement, acrobatics, flips, tricks and handstand walking over the children with games, pictures, video opportunities and superhero training. Visits can be 30 minutes, 45 minutes, an hour, or two hours or more.
“Our aim is to provide an exciting, engaging, authentic superhero experience for any event we attend,” explains Johnny.
“When booked for a child’s birthday party, the expression on their face when they meet our heroes truly makes this job worthwhile. The goal is for them to leave feeling like they have met their hero, making memories to last. The feedback we receive from customers shows that we are consistently managing to achieve that. Families are trusting our brand to make their special day one to remember for all the right reasons and the reviews speak for themselves. We have also noticed an increase in repeat bookings for children and siblings, which is positive and shows how we have influenced their event.
“Over the past 18 months the business has steadily increased with more and more customers booking with us. As it stands we have over 50 five-star reviews on Facebook and we cover the entire Greater Manchester area. 2024 is already shaping up to be an exciting year with plenty of events booked in the diary. We also have plans to expand by offering more superheroes and additional entertainment services.”
Here’s a selection of reviews taken from the Stockport Hero Hire Facebook page.
“Absolutely brilliant! A visit from Spider-Man made our son’s 5th birthday party so special. The children were in awe of him and the parents enjoyed it too! From flips, tricks, presenting the cake and playing with them for an hour, everyone throughly enjoyed it and I would recommend it to any little superhero fan. Thank you so much Johnny!”
“Wow wow wow, what an amazing experience for our little boy’s 3rd birthday. Five stars! Spider-Man met us at the trampoline park where he bounced, played and entertained the kids with such enthusiasm and friendliness. There were obviously a lot of other children from other parties there who wanted to see the main man too and he dealt with this so well, he said hi to them so as not to disappoint but made a point of following the birthday boy around the trampoline area as he wished making a huge fuss of him and his friends. Would highly recommend this experience to any Spider-Man fans, he’s fantastic. Thank you for making our little boy’s (and in turn our) day so unforgettable.”
“We hired Spider-Man for my son’s 5th birthday, and he was fantastic from his entrance to exit! He engaged so well with all the children, and made my son feel special on his birthday getting a visit from the 'real' Spider-Man. He entertained with amazing tricks, and was led by what the children wanted to do. We highly recommend, thank you so much Johnny.”
“If I could give more than five stars I would! Such a wonderful addition to our son’s 4th birthday party as a surprise! The kids and adults loved it. He did flips and trips over the kids and engaged with them so well. The little things made all the difference, like a party card for our son and we noticed he even tucked the little girls’ dresses under their legs before doing tricks over them for their modesty. Will definitely recommend to everyone who wants a Spidey visit! Thank you so much Johnny for making our son’s birthday so special.”
“I honestly can’t recommend this company enough. I originally met Spider-Man at my niece’s party, and my children thought he was amazing. My youngest son required some tests at the hospital. He has autism and I knew this would be a traumatic experience for him. I messaged and requested a video message as a little bit of support from Spider-Man. With only a day’s notice and not something they’d ever done, they sent the perfect message making my little boy’s day a much easier one. Amazing company and even more amazing people. Thank you.”
As you can see, Stockport Hero Hire are your go-to superhero entertainment company, who will truly make your event a special one that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
Visit stockportherohire.co.uk for further details.
Photo of the day
The Prince Albert, Edgeley
Brian McClair was at the Swindon game on Saturday, and then Castle Street afterwards. Might even be worth sticking on a short-term contract until the end of the season. He’s 60 now, but surely couldn’t do any worse than our current lot in front of goal…
Today in SK
🍽 Food and drink
Enjoy a delicious meal at The Dog & Partridge(SK2). You’ll also receive 20% off your bill. Just mention the discount at the till when paying!
🎶 Free jukebox
The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.
Random County fan of the day #57 – Steve Cash!
One final thing before you go… if you’re looking for a birthday present this month, how about a painting, or a cake, or a bottle of gin, or anything else from our fantastic sponsors!
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
💈 Barber: STUDIO26 Haircare
🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters
📚 Bookkeeping: Eleven Accounts Services Ltd
🍰 Cake Maker: Claire Green Bespoke Cakes and Catering
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: Pro Clean Carpet Services
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈⬛ Cat Sitting: The Crazy Cat Ladies Cheshire
📓 Celebrant: Elliot Dodd – Independent Celebrant
👶 Child Health: The Sleep Nanny
🤹♀️ Children’s Entertainment: Stockport Hero Hire
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🦮 Dog Training: Paws High Peak Dog Training
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
🔥 Fire Protection: Radial Fire And Security Limited
🍸 Gin: Hatters Gin
🛁 Grout Refresh & Recolour: GroutGleam Stockport
💇♀️ Hairdressing: C West Hairstylist
🛠 Home Improvements: Menzies Develop & Build
💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
👨🍳 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
🚐 Minibus Hire: Westfield Minibuses
🧤 Oven Cleaning: That Oven Girl
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
🚑 Personal Injury: Parkers Solicitors Ltd
🧱 Plasterer: Tate Plastering Services
🚰 Plumber: GTG Gary the Gasman
📕 Publishing: Victor Publishing
🛖 Roofing: ADM Roofing Services Ltd
☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd
👨💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co
⚽️ Sports Coaching: UK Sports Coaching Ltd
🖊 Tattooist: Heatons Tattoo Club
🪵 Timber Supplies: Portwood Timber Division of Illingworth Ingham (Manchester) Ltd
☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
👨💻 Web Design: SITEZO
⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
🪟 Window Cleaner: R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
🏋️♀️ Women’s Fitness: Sophie Pavey Fitness
🧘♀️ Yoga: Greenshoots Yoga
Second 0-0 in five days the worst thing about the match drunken loutish behaviour by the dicks in the sponsors seats thought it was about to kick off Ken our pa announcer needed to ring for stewards to sort it out not fair on season ticket holders having to put up with it sort it out County !