County v Exeter

Plus! There’s a man with magic toes behind window number seven on The County Advent Calendar…

Dec 07, 2024

Saturday 7 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, Exeter supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Saturday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Storm Darragh is currently causing havoc across the country, but your favourite County correspondents are reliable as ever. Ian Brown, Nick Lee, Jonathan Baker, Russ Johnson and John Giles have all checked in safe and sound with their predictions.

Former County player Michael Rose also joins us today for a festive chat.

Today’s edition is sponsored SW Appliances and Kate O’Brien Art. A big thank you to Steven and Kate.

Thanks also to Pro-Tech Print who sponsor our Exeter City content on the website.

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

Des Junior loves writing about County. But he can never be arsed doing match previews. They’re a bit dull, aren’t they? Will Collar’s out for a month with diarrhoea… blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham for a thousand years.

Fortunately, he has a number of fellow County content creators to call upon. Here’s their thoughts, general chit-chat and score predictions, as County aim to bounce back from Wednesday’s defeat at Birmingham.

Ian Brown, All Things Stockport County

County 1 Exeter 2

I think most County fans would agree we’re not quite good enough for the top two this season. But are we good enough to make the play-offs?

We’re certainly good enough for the play-offs in my view. Yes, we’ve lost games, but to Birmingham, Lincoln, Wycombe and Leyton Orient – all decent sides.

It was always going to be a difficult ride in what is a tough league, but our results and form, on the whole, have been better than many expected before the season commenced.

Really, I hate the play-offs, but if we qualify for them it will have been by dint of our own efforts in our first season back at this level, and I wouldn’t bet against us going up as a result.

As far as today is concerned I have a feeling that Millenic Alli will come back to EP and make us regret letting him go.

➡️ Ian follows County home and away, producing detailed match reports every week, along with lots of other great content. Head over to hedgegrower.blogspot.com.

Nick Lee, SK3 TV

County 3 Exeter 1

We’re entering Christmas works do season. At the SK3 TV jolly-up, who’d be most likely to do the following out of you, Hannah, Will and Jonathan:

A) Photocopy their arse

B) End up passed out in the toilets

C) Get fired for doing something inappropriate

D) Snog someone they shouldn’t in the stationery cupboard

Let's face it, they're all going to be me aren't they? Although as co-founder Hannah is the only one who can fire me. And what she'll fire me for is passing out with my arse out on the photocopier in the stationery cupboard. All bases covered.

➡️ Nick’s one of the co-hosts of SK3 TV, a new podcast for the 2024-25 season, with live episodes every Monday at 8pm. Click here for links.

Jonathan Baker, The County Away Day Show

County 1 Exeter 1

I know you’re enjoying a weekend back in Newcastle, so I won’t lumber you with a question this week. Just give us your prediction.

I’ve conducted a small straw poll of Geordie family members as to this afternoon’s outcome. They actually all think we’ll win, albeit narrowly. I'm slightly less confident though, and can see the conditions proving a levelling factor.

➡️ Jonathan, aka Geordie Hatter, hosts The County Away Day Show on selected Saturday mornings during the season, when the Hatters are on the road. All episodes can be found at the-geordie-hatter.mixlr.com.

Russ Johnson, The Scarf Bergara Wore

County 3 Exeter 1

Providing Horsfall comes back into the team this afternoon, who makes way for him?

For me it's Touray, and we go back to the back three that has served us well.

➡️ Russ is part of The Scarf Bergara Wore team, hosting live County podcasts every Wednesday at 8pm. Click here for links.

John Giles, Stockport County Supporters Co-operative

County 2 Exeter 0

Did we pay Birmingham too much respect in the first half on Wednesday night?

I don’t think so. Birmingham set up very well which enabled them to dominate possession and force the mistakes that cost County the goals. Back to winning ways today.

➡️ Joining the Stockport County Supporters Co-operative costs £12 a year for adults, £3 for those aged 16-25 or £1 for under-16s. Click here for further details.

Today’s other prediction

Hatters Matters: County 2 Exeter 0

Black Friday may be over, but 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 winter 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.

If you’re looking for a gift for the County fan in your life this Christmas, Kate’s got you covered!

Kate O’Brien – an artist based at Stockport Market – has some excellent County products to buy on her website, from coasters and cushions to magnets and mugs.

With Christmas less than three weeks away, you’ll already be shopping for various relatives. For your parents or grandparents sitting down to watch a film or two on Christmas Day, why not give them some extra comfort with this Stockport County cushion.

Priced at £35, this beautiful velvet cushion features Kate’s original artwork, and has a concealed zip so that the cover can be removed and washed in the washing machine.

Kate’s stunning artwork features on lots of other great products as well. If you’ve got County fans to buy for, it’s definitely worth spending a few minutes perusing her website!

➡️ Have a look at kate-obrien.co.uk for some brilliant Christmas gift ideas.

The County Advent Calendar: Day 7 – Michael Rose

Michael Rose made his County debut at home to Hereford on the opening day of the 2006-07 season and went on to make 123 appearances for the club, including the 2008 League Two play-off final at Wembley. The full-back scored nine goals for County, including some belting free-kicks, which led to “Michael Rose has got magic toes” being sung on the terraces!

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

Nice. Always nice!

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

The amount of games for me. I never liked training, I’d prefer to play a game. Not sure why all these players today moan about the amount of games. Just get on with it!

And the worst?

Well I like a nice drop of red these days so probably no drinking on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Today it’s a different story…

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

Chaos! Presents everywhere, lots of food and drink. An early start with my 8-year-old daughter but that’s probably me being more excited than her. I’m still a big kid and will never grow up.

What’s your favourite Christmas film?

Has to be Home Alone.

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

I’ve seen a lovely watch that I’m saving up for but as long as my family is around me I’m happy to wait.

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

Three tough games there. Got to be aiming for six points though, maybe seven.

Where do you get your Christmas tree from?

Our Christmas tree is a few years old now, as you can tell by the amount of tape wrapped round the box. I’ve been informed by the missus we’re getting a new one for next year in the sales. Can’t wait!

What’s your best Christmas cracker joke?

What do snowmen have for breakfast?

Frosties.

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

Never organised. It’s always a last minute one day do everything. Not a petrol station but I’ll rush round and grab what I can.

Personalised mugs from Pro-Tech Print

Pro-Tech Print have a great range of Christmas mugs if you’re still looking for a stocking filler or two. Their Grinch and Stitch mugs are pictured, but they can also print a variety of different characters, football teams and any personal messages you might have. All mugs are priced at £6.

➡️ For any enquiries, please call 07714 999832 or email chris@pro-techprint.co.uk.

Photo of the day

Mark Stott’s new plane. It’s alright, but it’s no 192.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Wicked (PG) at 2.30pm and 8.15pm, and Conclave (12A) at 5.45pm.

➡️ Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

Pop in for a pint at Heaton Hops (SK4), CAMRA Pub of the Year for Stockport and South Manchester.

All pints £2.50 at The Cross Keys (SK8) from 6pm till 9pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as AMP (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), 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 Nelson Tavern (SK1) with Lee. From 8pm.

🎸 Live music

Trilogy at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). Two course meal served at 7pm. £15 per person.

The Harper Brothers at The Crown Inn (SK6). 9pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#66 – Millenic Alli, Exeter

After joining from Ashton United, Millenic Alli only made one appearance for County, coming off the bench during the second half of our FA Trophy fifth round victory at home to Cheshunt in February 2022. He later joined Halifax, before signing for Exeter in the January transfer window last season. Alli’s scored five goals for Exeter so far this season, which will no doubt be six or seven by 5 o’clock this afternoon.