Tuesday 3 October 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Forest Green – Tonight, 7.45pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Salford – Tuesday 10 October, 7.45pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Forest Green supporters joining us today (well, those with enough strength to lift up their mobile phones to read this anyway), a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
Apologies, that’s an awful joke, even if I have seen at least a dozen comedians do exactly the same one in comedy clubs across the country. I’m a vegetarian myself, so I have no ill feeling towards any vegans. If it wasn’t for cheese butties and McDonald’s milkshakes, I might even be part of your crew.
Any carrot crunchers making the long trip up from Gloucestershire might not receive the warmest welcome from County tonight. Dave Challinor’s men have been positively carnivorous in recent weeks, feasting on Franchise flesh and gorging on Welsh blood. Chally’s beasts might just smell the fear in a Forest Green side that’s lost four on the trot, and rip them apart this evening as the hunt for promotion continues.
Ian Brown, Jonathan Baker and Paul Thompson have all predicted a County win tonight, which would guarantee us a place in the top seven by the time Cashy switches off the floodlights.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Kate O’Brien Art. My thanks as ever to Kate, who produces some fantastic County items, as well as lots of other hand-painted distinctive artwork and gifts featuring scenes around Stockport and beyond. Go and check out her website: kate-obrien.co.uk.
Finally, I’m starting my charity walk in the next few days, walking every street in Stockport to raise money for men’s mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.
Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.
COME ON COUNTY!
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? Paddy Madden’s out for two games with an ingrown toenail…blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham since 1672.
Fortunately, he has a number of fellow County content creators to call upon. Here’s their thoughts, general chit-chat and score predictions, as Forest Green come to SK3 for the first time in the Football League.
Ian Brown, hedgegrower
County 2 Forest Green 1
October feels like a big month, with five of our six games against teams in the bottom half. Where do you think we’ll be by the end of the month?
Our October fixtures are not the toughest we could be facing. In fact, had Challinor ordered a month’s worth, he would have plumped pretty much for these.
Apart from Crewe they all languish towards the bottom of the league and I see us winning most of them relatively comfortably. I even see us picking up at least a point at Gresty Road, although with their ticket prices in mind, hopefully the team can produce another Wrexham-esque performance three weeks tonight as payback!
One caveat concerns our use of substitutes which could be better. The last 15 minutes at Accrington were unnecessarily stressful. Was the plan at that point to defend deep? With so few options up front as a result of the changes, it looked like it, and against a stronger team we could have seen our lead slip away. Meanwhile, Cody Johnson continues to languish on the bench unused; I’m not quite sure why.
Back to the question, I think we’ll be in the top three by the end of October, starting with a 2-1 victory tonight.
Jonathan Baker aka Geordie Hatter, The County Away Day Show
County 3 Forest Green 0
We’ll chuck something in for Dale Vince to read if he’s bored at half-time tonight. What’s your favourite vegetarian/vegan food?
As a devotee of The Smiths during the late 80s/early 90s it was inevitable that along with the second-hand cardigans, Doc Martens shoes and Johnny Marr-esque carpet fringe, I would complete the 'look' with a further affectation signalling my Mancunian jangle pop bona fides, in the form of a flirtation with militant vegetarianism.
This brief meat-free interlude coincided with a spell living in the famously carnivorous country of Spain (and spending most of my waking hours within that country's licensed premises), so I would likely have faded away from wanton ill-nourishment had it not been for the ready availability on every bar room menu nationwide of the humble ‘tortilla patatas' – the simple potato and onion omelette that is the first recipe learnt by any Spaniard who ever picks up a flying pan.
Eventually, after much trial and error (some of it involving half-made efforts clumsily 'flipped' onto the kitchen lino), I managed to master the creation of a passable version myself. I needn't really have bothered, because nowadays you can buy a perfectly-formed one shrink-wrapped and ready to eat from the big Lidl in Offerton. Freshly made or pre-processed, this unofficial national 'tapa' is comfort food beyond compare, and a single bite will always transport me back to the Castilian bar rooms of my youth.
Prediction for tonight: a ravenous County forward line to feast with frankly bloodthirsty lust on the rich pickings presented by a tremulous and obligingly porous Forest Green rearguard. 3-0.
Paul Thompson, Stockport County Supporters Co-operative
County 2 Forest Green 0
Why do you think County have had a fantastic September after such a poor August?
September was indeed a great turning point for County on the pitch. With an ever depleting squad and up against some big hitters in the league it all started with a lot of woe, concern and even hysteria. It seems to be widely agreed that County always get off to a slow start (just like last year) and August seemed to roll into September, starting with a draw against Crawley, although who at the time thought that would now look like a half decent result?!
The turnaround seems to be with the management team working hard on their new expensive playing style, key players back towards their best in midfield (welcome back Will and Sarce), and Tanto and Louie (“Louie, Louie, whoo baby, he's goin' to score now”) literally on song and building a partnership that’s firing us up the league.
Can I also thank those who contributed to the Chelwood Food Bank Plus collection that took place prior to Wrexham. A hugely impressive amount of generosity was on display, that blew the Chelwood folks away would even make Wrexham's defence look Scrooge like! It even included a donation from one season ticket holder, who could not make the game, but still took the time to come along pre-match with a donation.
Looking for early Christmas present ideas? Check out this set of four County coasters
It’ll be Christmas before we know it. Ah, don’t have a go at me, the tubs of Celebrations have been in the supermarkets for weeks now. I’m sure there will be County fans reading this who do all their shopping on Christmas Eve. But for our readers who like to be slightly more organised, if you’re looking for a nice gift idea for the County fan in your life, how about this set of four County coasters?
Priced at £18, the coasters feature four of Kate’s stunning County designs.
Visit kate-obrien.co.uk for a wide range of brilliant gift ideas.
Photo of the day
A big chair somewhere
🎵 They’ve got Curly Watts as a celebrity fan
Oh, City are a massive club 🎵
The tallest floodlights in the Football League… salt and pepper on their hot dog stands… the widest pitch in the land… I used to bloody love that City piss-taking song back when we were beating them every season we played them in Division One. No context for the photo, I just saw it online last night and it reminded me of the song. Fair play to Kevin Kennedy for a sober quarter-century.
Today in SK
🤣 Comedy
Bask In Laughter comedy night at Bask (SK1). Tonight’s line-up includes Live At The Apollo star Tez Ilyas. 7.30pm. Tickets £6.
🇺🇾 Danny Bergara statue switch-on
County’s club president Steve Bellis will officially be switching on the lights for the Danny Bergara statue this evening, with members of Danny’s family coming along to watch. 7pm.
🍺 Food and drink
The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £4.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £2, and 3 for £6 on Jägerbombs.
Lite bite meal deal at The Friary (SK3). Cod or haddock, served with chips, and a side of peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.95. 11.30am - 7.30pm.
Tapas Tuesday at TRUNK (SK7) from 5pm. All tapas dishes are 3-for-2 (cheapest dish free). Call 0161 222 9260 to book a table, and mention “The Scarf My Father Wore” to receive a 15% discount off the normal tapas menu.
🎱 Free pool
The George & Dragon (SK7). 6pm - 9pm.
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