County 3 Brackley 1

Plus! It’s time to open another window on The County Advent Calendar!

Dec 02, 2024

Monday 2 December 2024

If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Brackley 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.

As I got off the train on Saturday afternoon, I saw a group of Brackley fans having a drink outside Bask. I thought I’d get a nice photo for the website, so I popped over to say hello.

I didn’t realise at the time, but one of them (the guy in the blue and yellow coat) was Richard Turvey, who made over 200 appearances for Brackley in the late 80s / early 90s. Born in the Northamptonshire town, Richard moved to Manchester for work 25 years ago, and he’s lived in Heaton Chapel with his family for the last three. Richard’s put together the Brackley stuff for us today.

Jack Street provides the County view from the weekend. He didn’t play for Brackley, although he was a tough-tackling defender for The Mad Hatters, County’s supporters team, back in the day. He’s also a mean musician with The Beavers. If you’re looking to book a quality rock and pop covers band in the North West, check out their website.

It’s a busy afternoon at The Scarf My Father Wore HQ today, as we’ve also got another window for you to open on The County Advent Calendar! On day two, it’s Matty Mainwaring, who made 85 appearances for County before going on to box professionally. More recently, he’s worked as a model and actor, appearing in a number of episodes of Emmerdale.

Today’s edition is sponsored by B.J. McKenna & Co. A big thank you to Adam.

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: 176.31 miles

Total steps so far: 284,130

Total raised so far: £2,027

Total completed streets so far: 399 (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

Jack: Forgettable.

Richard: Exciting!

🤔 Pre-match thoughts

Jack: We've played Brackley quite a few times in recent years haven't we? And usually not done well. I was hoping this would be different given how much we’ve moved on since those days, and the strong team being put out suggested that the club was taking the game seriously. I was looking forward to getting a comfortable win and then seeing who we could get in the third round.

Richard: Apprehensive. Having lived in Manchester and Heaton Chapel for 25 years, I know how successful County have been in recent years, though as my Hatters friends kept reminding me, we did used to be your bogey team. Technically, this Brackley side is as good as I have ever seen, but we have multiple injuries currently. I still felt that the result could go either way (especially when I heard Louis Barry wasn’t playing!).

🧐 Post-match thoughts

Jack: Well, we got there, but made bloody hard work of it. Not a game that will be going in the highlights reel, unless you want to watch ‘hilarious’ own goals over and over again.

Richard: Disappointed that we lost, but proud of our players and the supporters. The gulf in league status was clear in the first half, you were by far the better side. However, in the second half, we went toe to toe with you and I was surprised our second was disallowed – it came off your goalie’s gloves? Had it stood, who knows! I must be gracious though. On balance, County deserved the win.

🔵 Verdict on County

Jack: Started very strongly, and it really did look like two teams who were three divisions apart. However, there were signs in the first half that County were being a bit shaky at the back, although Brackley's lack of pace did for them. Of course, the own goal allowed Brackley back in and then they really put us under some pressure – during which, of course, we obligingly wobbled. I was a bit alarmed to see Dave Challinor making subs regularly, seemingly with the intention of resting players, when the game was still at large. However, it was two subs in Adaramola and Tanto who combined for the best move of the game to seal it at 3-1, so what the hell do I know.

Richard: I was impressed with you in the first half. You played good possession football, were patient in the build-up, and opened us up too many times for my liking. However, in the second half, you looked vulnerable.

🔴 Verdict on Brackley

Jack: Gutsy. They moved the ball around really well and found gaps in our defence quite easily. With some pace up front they would have caused us a lot more problems. They looked fit, too – didn't wilt at all and kept pressing us. I suppose it was the sort of performance we've come to expect from Brackley!

Richard: At half-time, disappointed. One of our best players, Morgan Roberts, pulled out before the game and that upset our shape. We missed his pace but I still felt we had a couple of chances we might have done better with. The second half though was a different story. We played with real conviction and far better quality. I felt we gave a good account of ourselves and as I said, had the goal been allowed, it could have been a nervy last 15 minutes for you.

🎩 Top Hatter

Jack: It was a tough one as no one really stood out but I think the sponsors probably got it right in going with Callum Camps.

Richard: There were two who stood out for me. Will Collar was the best. He was constantly finding space and looks a quality footballer – very comfortable on the ball. I liked Macauley Southam-Hales too. He was playing on our side of the pitch in the first half and I was mindful he’d been injured recently. Despite that, he never stopped working and distributed the ball well.

🔴 Top Saint

Jack: Their number 11, Lowe, looked useful. Good on the ball, quick and mobile.

Richard: Alfie Bates. He has the ability and confidence to win games and works hard to make it happen – Saturday was no exception. I felt of all our players, he looked most at home on the bigger stage. I must mention Gaz Dean too, our long-standing captain and centre-half. He shut you down and blocked more shots than I could count (and I’m an accountant!).

👂 Atmosphere

Jack: I was in the Cheadle End as we’d been turfed out of the Pop Side. For the first round I went in the Main Stand but didn't enjoy that experience at all. I was in LT6 on Saturday so the atmosphere was a bit quiet, although the lads in UT3 made a good fist of trying to keep the singing going. There were lots of grumbles about Addai for the own goal but that felt harsh at the time and on watching the replay it felt even harsher – Connolly to blame for me. I moved from the Cheadle End a few years ago due to the incessant moaning (to be fair, that was when we were still non-league) and I can't say that it’s changed that much in that regard…

Richard: Excellent. It was a special day for our club and the fans came together as one. The singing didn’t stop in the second half. Your stewards were welcoming, but as I understand it you did run out of lager! Finally, I don’t know if you or any County fans listened to our manager’s post-match interview? Gavin Cowan referenced how respectful Dave Challinor and everyone at your club had been towards him and our players, despite you playing three leagues higher. That’s class. Thank you, County.

🙏 Hopes for the rest of the season

Jack: As it was a cup game, I'll focus on that – a really good third round draw please. Someone like Everton would be marvellous.

Richard: Promotion. We’ve lost in the play-offs the last three seasons – once in the semis and twice in the final. We’re currently 9th in the league but only six points behind leaders Curzon Ashton, with a game in hand. With a fit squad, I think we can beat anyone in this league. We’ve a good manager too: he’s a great communicator who’s got us all believing in him and this group of players.

😀 Best part of the day

Jack: I was quite hungover after the works Christmas do the day before, so the chips and gravy from Shaw Road Chippy pre-match was very welcome and easily the highlight of the day.

Richard: Seeing the club I grew up watching and played for take on the club I live closest to and being able to share that experience with my brother, cousins and friends from Brackley.

😡 Worst part of the day

Jack: The own goal, and thinking "oh christ the BBC are going to have fun with that".

Richard: Losing!

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 3-1 victory at home to Brackley Town on Saturday 30 November, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…

2.07pm: Strong side. Wasn't expecting Pye, Collar or Wootton to be starting today.

3.15pm: 1-0 Collar. Good play down the left. Into the box. Pings about a bit. Whacked home from about eight yards.

3.18pm: 2-0. Wootton stoops to conquer. Camps shot blocked. Recycled. Deflected ball into box bounces and Wootton dives in front of a defender to head home.

4.12pm: Connolly own goal from about 40 yards. I can't even begin to describe how fucking terrible that was.

4.13pm: Serves us right for laughing at Celtic the other night.

4.42pm: 3-1. Quick ball down the left. Low cross. Tanto slid it home.

What is probate and when is it required?

Probate is the process of dealing with somebody’s estate when they die.

A Grant of Probate is obtained where a person held a will and a Grant of Letters of Administration is the equivalent if the person did not have a will.

Obtaining probate proves that the will is valid and confirms who has the authority to deal with the estate.

The executor named in the will or the next of kin under the rules of intestacy if there is no will are the people entitled to obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. They are also the people responsible for dealing with the estate.

A Grant of Probate is usually required when a person owns property, bank accounts, investments or other assets in their sole name. The executor or next of kin under the intestacy rules will require a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration before they can sell or transfer property, close the bank accounts or investments and obtain the funds or to deal with transfer of any assets of the estate.

If the person had a will, the will explains how the estate is to be distributed and the executors will gather all of the funds and distribute in accordance with the will. If the deceased did not hold a will, the estate will be distributed in accordance with the rules of intestacy.

➡️ For further information please call 0161 432 4325 or email michaela@bjmckenna.co.uk.

The County Advent Calendar: Day 2 – Matty Mainwaring

First of all, Mr Mainwaring, I’ve got a special hotline to Father Christmas. He’s asked me if you’ve been naughty or nice this year?

I fully expect to be up there on the nice list!

What was the best thing about being a footballer at Christmas?

To be honest, for me it was the fact that most people were off work around the festive period so you could always expect a good, loud crowd. And the Christmas do of course – a group of loose cannons running riot in a random city in England. What chance have you got?!

And the worst?

It had to be the frozen pitches and freezing cold weather. Edgeley Park was partial to a bit of frost on the surface. Still a mould though, as Dicko would say.

What does a typical Christmas Day look like in your house?

Usually get up around 7 or 8, go down to check if he’s been, open gifts, and then just simply sit and anticipate the wonderful meal that awaits (I contribute nothing towards making it!). Christmas is about family time for me, so I just spend time with loved ones.

What’s your favourite Christmas film?

As a film purest, they don’t do anything for me, but if I had to pick one I’d go with The Holiday. Great film and cast!

What would be the best Christmas present underneath the tree for you this year?

Happiness, good health and safety to my close loved ones and everyone else. Oh, and Usyk vs Fury 2 to live up to the first fight!

County have got Huddersfield away, Rotherham away and Birmingham at home over the festive period. How many points are we getting?

The footballer in me says 5-7 points from those would be great, considering the games are a few days apart and Christmas is always a tough period. Of course, 9 would be amazing though!

Where do you get your Christmas tree from?

Sore subject at the minute. It was ordered last week, I was told it was coming Thursday, the missus waited in all day – nothing! The same Friday. Beginning to think I’d be better planting one…

What’s your best Christmas cracker joke?

Pain in the arse this insomnia. Oh well, look at the positives, only two more sleeps until Christmas.

Are you organised when it comes to Christmas shopping or are you a Christmas Eve petrol station sort of guy?

I thought Santa sorted it all.

Photo of the day

Goodison Park, Liverpool

The draw for the third round of the FA Cup takes place tonight. Obviously loads of County fans will want City or United, or a trip to the capital to take on Arsenal or Chelsea. As for me, I must admit I’d absolutely love one last trip to Goodison Park before the Grand Old Lady closes her doors for the final time. One last chance to revisit the scene of County’s unforgettable third round tie in January 1996, when Alun Armstrong and Ian Helliwell sent almost 5,000 travelling fans absolutely bonkers on Merseyside.

An ode to Goodison Park, the beautiful sporting arena where my greatest FA Cup memory was played out

The Scarf My Father Wore

January 7, 2024

Read full story

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Small Things Like These (12A) at 6pm, followed by Emilia Perez (15) at 8.15pm.

➡️ Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

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 festive season by popping in for a few drinks.

🎶 Free jukebox

The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#61 – Harry Cardwell, Forest Green

Harry Cardwell failed to score on his return to Edgeley Park last month, but he has found the back of the net three times for Forest Green so far this season. They’re currently 3rd in the National League, two points behind leaders York.