County have only ever won once at Crystal Palace – Peter Snape shares his tale from that famous night in 1972
Plus! Steve Massey answers our Christmas questions
Friday 13 December 2024
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County have still got six matches to play before the FA Cup tie at Crystal Palace, but with the Hatters facing Premier League opposition in the competition for the first time since 2007 (apart from the West Ham game which was behind closed doors during Covid), we’ll be publishing a few special articles as part of the build-up. The first of those comes from Peter Snape, who shares an amusing tale from September 1972 – the only time County have won at Selhurst Park.
The County Advent Calendar has also got 1970s vibes today, as Steve Massey pops in to say hello.
Today’s edition is sponsored by SDS Aerials and Kingsway Carpets. A big thank you to Dylan and Neil.
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: 192.73 miles
Total steps so far: 311,804
Total raised so far: £2,192
Total completed streets so far: 469 (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
As it wasn't every day we played First Division opposition I swapped shifts as a booking clerk at Macclesfield station, used one of my five annual free passes, and was on the train to London by 3 that afternoon eagerly hoping for an unlikely victory. As the only train back to Stockport after the match was the 12.20am ‘Sleeper’ from Euston, followed hopefully by a taxi back to my home in Bredbury, it looked like being a long day, although Hughie Ryden's 30-yard thunderbolt seemed to make it all worthwhile.
As I was leaving the ground after the match I bumped into Dave Reilly, like me a regular in the County Club (then in the Cheadle End car park), who along with his mate offered me a lift all the way home.
All went well until after joining the M1 motorway. The temperature gauge started to climb and we soon came to a stop on the hard shoulder leaking steam and water. We were about 10 miles south of the Watford Gap services and Dave had the brainwave that if the three of us peed in the radiator we might make it to phone the AA from there.
Ever tried to pee in the radiator of a Ford Consul? Let’s just say there’s a height problem (at least in my case) and it’s important not to get too close to what was still a pretty hot radiator. What was worse of course was the fact that although the expression “boil my piss” is not unusual on the supporters’ message boards, the stinking reality of actually doing so is not to be recommended once the vehicle is in motion.
We got all of an uncomfortable three or four miles before once again coming to a halt. In that pre-mobile phone era we walked a further mile or so to an emergency telephone to summon the AA, who arrived after a couple of hours to find the three of us huddled together on the back seat in an attempt to keep warm, surrounded by the still pungent aroma of warm piss.
Arriving home after emergency repairs at around 9am I just had time for a quick bath before heading back to work after a long and smelly night. But we won didn't we? And beat West Ham in the next round too!
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The County Advent Calendar: Day 12 – Steve Massey
Steve Massey made 114 appearances for County in the 70s, three of which were alongside George Best. He moved to Cornwall at the end of his playing career, and he’s still down there to this day, currently at Helston Athletic as their director of football.
The Scarf My Father Wore also interviewed Steve back in 2022 ahead of his book launch. Click here to read the article.
First of all, Mr Massey, I’ve got a special hotline to Father Christmas. He’s asked me if you’ve been naughty or nice this year?
I’ve been very good/nice this year. Didn’t even pick up a speeding fine this year, which is a big win for me!
What was the best thing about being a footballer at Christmas?
Besides it being a very special time of the year, it was generally the biggest attendances you’d play in front of.
And the worst?
Training on Christmas Day for me, especially when I had my own family. And of course the amount of games played in such a short space of time meant you couldn’t really eat and enjoy the Christmas festivities.
What does a typical Christmas Day look like in your house?
When I had the children at home, we’d be up very early! One of the boys (I had two) always checked the lounge area to make sure Father Christmas had been, and then we had to queue outside, youngest first, before entering the room to start opening presents. Short and quick breakfast after that, before Christmas dinner around 2pm. The evening would be a relaxed one but the Christmas cake and the Red Leicester cheese would make an appearance, before going to bed early(ish) ahead of the Boxing Day game.
What’s your favourite Christmas film?
That’s a tough one, there’s so many good ones. I always like to watch Scrooge, A Christmas Carol and Home Alone. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is always good for a laugh too.
What would be the best Christmas present underneath the tree for you this year?
Besides the awful cliché – three points for Helston Athletic on Boxing Day (I’m their Director of Football) – I’d have to say all my family being well and having the perfect Christmas. Although I’m sure I’ll also end up with the usual socks and outrageous ties!
County have got Huddersfield away, Rotherham away and Birmingham at home over the festive period. How many points are we getting?
I think there’s a great chance of picking up seven points.
Where do you get your Christmas tree from?
Since my divorce 12 years ago, because I’m on my own now I don’t actually put a tree up!
What’s your best Christmas cracker joke?
Who is a Christmas tree’s favourite singer?
Spruce Springsteen.
Are you organised when it comes to Christmas shopping or are you a Christmas Eve petrol station sort of guy?
Pretty well organised. I usually have everything bought, but I do always leave the wrapping till the last minute.
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Photo of the day
Somewhere in Kuala Lumpur
A recent holiday snap from David Shasha, one of our paid subscribers. I’m still convinced that’s Lancashire Hill in the background, but David assures me it’s Malaysia.
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) this evening. Wicked (PG) at 8.15pm.
🍺 Food and drink
Pop in for a pint at Heaton Hops (SK4), CAMRA Pub of the Year for Stockport and South Manchester.
Bitter £2.30 a pint all night at The Cross Keys (SK8).
A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as AMP (SK1), The Nelson Tavern (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), 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.
🎤 Karaoke
The Alexandra (SK3).
🎸 Live music
The Still at The Crown Inn (SK6). 9pm.
Random photos of County players at other clubs
#72 – Paul Cook, Wolves
Paul Cook made over 200 appearances for Wolves before signing for Coventry, Tranmere, and then County, during our first season in Division One under Gary Megson. Cook scored the winner on his debut, at home to Wolves, and later scored one of County’s most iconic goals of all time, smashing a left-foot screamer past Manchester City goalkeeper Martyn Margetson on that memorable afternoon in November 1997. County fans went berserk; Les Battersby also, albeit in a very different way.
Do you need any of these products or services this December? Support the businesses that support The Scarf My Father Wore
🖼 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds and Shutters
👷♂️ Builder: C E Building Services Ltd
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🍰 Cake Maker: BB’s Kitchen
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: A Star Clean Ltd
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈 Cat Flaps: That Cat Flap Company Ltd
👶 Child Health: The Sleep Nanny
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🐶 Dog Trainer: Forever Home Dog Training
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
💡 Electrician: The Electrics Guy
🏠 Estate Agent: The Agency UK
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
💐 Florist: The Flower House
💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
🔌 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🍳 Kitchens: Kitchenwise
🌳 Landscaping: Dylan’s Developments
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
💪 Male Weight Loss: MAN v FAT
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
📸 Photographer: Adam Edwards Photo
🧱 Plastering: DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists
🚚 Removals: M34 Removals & Maintenance Services
🛖 Roofing: Pate & Lever Roofing Ltd
👨💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co / Parkers Solicitors Ltd
🍹 Spirits: Guerrilla Chicken Spirits
💆♂️ Sports Massage: RobMcRunning
🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative
🚕 Taxi Hire: Lynx Taxis
🀄️ Tiler: Top Marks Tiling
☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
👩🏫 Tutor: Conexus Tuition
📺 TV Aerials: SDS Aerials
🧰 Vehicle Repairs: C J Motors Stockport
⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
A mate of mine played with Steve in a team called Reddish Lane Colts (I think) Steve’s dad was the manager he was the only lad any of us knew that actually made it he did say he was a top lad who worked really hard to make the grade at County
30-yard thunderbolt!!
It was a flick form inside the 6-yard box! I was there, the lone County fan to run onto the pitch to congratulate the players, as witnessed by the Stockport Express photo of that time.