County v Forest Green

The road to Wembley starts with a visit from the vegans

Nov 02, 2024

Saturday 2 November 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, Forest Green 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.

Nick Lee and Ian Brown join us today ahead of County’s first ever cup tie against Forest Green. Let’s hope it’s not a banana skin…

Today’s edition is sponsored by A Star Clean and Conexus Tuition Cheadle Hulme, Handforth & Wilmslow. A big thank you to Patrick and Lauren.

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

County were 2-0 winners the last time Forest Green came to SK3 (Photo courtesy of Mike Petch)

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’s FA Cup campaign kicks off with a potentially awkward first round tie against a side currently 2nd in the National League.

Nick Lee, SK3 TV

County 3 Forest Green 1

It’s Bonfire Night! Rank the following bits and bobs: bonfire, fireworks, sparklers, toffee apples.

In ascending order as always:

4) Fireworks. Shite. Absolute whopper lanterns, get them banned.

3) Toffee apples. Shite. Don't try and force fruit on me by stealth. I'll get my five a week one way or another, just leave me to it.

2) Treacle toffee. Shite. Unfathomably shite. Get it banned.

1) By process of elimination sparklers have come out on top. I like writing rude words in the air with them, so that's something.

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.

Ian Brown, All Things Stockport County

County 2 Forest Green 0

Best and worst memories from previous games against Forest Green?

Our short history of games against Forest Green did not start well. In fact, in picking my worst experience I have to settle for a two-way tie for awfulness! Both games were in County’s first season in the Conference.

Didi Hamann was County manager when we travelled to Nailsworth on the opening weekend in August. His team started a seemingly endless stream of 1-1 draws in front of a massive following from SK3, and even larger numbers watching on TV.

I remember wondering if it was oxygen debt with The New Lawn atop a long hill, but whatever the explanation County looked second best. Yes, the referee was abysmal, and we had to defend loads of iffy free-kicks, going behind from one in the first half, but there was a total absence of spark in our game. Nick Chadwick equalised with a close-range header late on but the mood on the returning Fingerpost Flyer was not good. Two points lost.

County were still struggling for form when the return fixture came round in October. Any County fans hoping for some improvement we’re disappointed. Despite the visitors arriving late having been stranded on the M6 following an accident, a County team sent out at home by Didi with just one up front duly lost to a decent strike by Yan Klukowski, with County keeper Matt Glennon a hero having kept the Hatters in the game longer than they deserved to be.

Within a few weeks Didi was gone!

The best experience is much more recent, with County pushing for promotion last season. A trip to Gloucestershire looked beforehand to be an away banker, and the result mirrored our expectation. In fact, I think Ben Hinchliffe may, even now, be waiting for a shot to stop!

It was well worth the trip this time and County fans spread out all along one side of The New Lawn Stadium were in fine voice. They were well rewarded by top quality goals from Callum Camps and Rico Richards before the break, and Connor Evans in the second half, which gave County three valuable points from a resounding 3-0 win.

Regarding today, I’m not remotely kidding myself that County will stroll into the next round. I think Rovers will give us a game. That said, there was enough on view in County’s display against Reading on Tuesday to suggest that, even taking into consideration Forest Green’s current good form, we should win the game.

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.

Today’s other predictions

County Supporters Co-operative: County 4 Forest Green 0

Hatters Matters: County 2 Forest Green 1

The County Away Day Show: County 3 Forest Green 0

Give those carpets of yours a clean

A Star Clean offer professional carpet cleaning for £35 a room, or three rooms for £90, with sofa cleaning starting at £50. If you’ve had a spring clean recently, give your carpets a little TLC as well.

Give Patrick a call on 07395 642066 or email patglee78@icloud.com.

A few words from Lauren, one of our new sponsors

Hello and welcome to Conexus Tuition Cheadle Hulme, Handforth and Wilmslow. I’m Lauren, and it’s a privilege to be the Principal Director here!

I can give you peace of mind knowing that we are all here to help your child build confidence, self-esteem, resilience and gain the skills and knowledge to bridge the gaps in learning. We do this by providing a safe, engaging, inclusive and creative environment.

We offer weekly after-school classes in GCSE English, Maths and Science; Primary English and Maths classes; and online sessions of the highest quality.

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If you are a parent/carer looking to support your child with their education please do not hesitate to contact me for more information on 07405 516142 or email lauren@conexustuition.co.uk.

Photo of the day

Julie’s Café, Droitwich

The Stockport Sippers Society enjoy a hearty breakfast in the Midlands, en route to Forest Green the last time we met, back in March.

Today in SK

🔥 Bonfire Night

Bonfire, fireworks and fair at Stockport Cricket Club (SK3). Gates open at 5.30pm. Bonfire lighting at 7pm. Fireworks display at 8pm. Tickets are £8 for adults, £6 for OAPs, £4 for under-16s and free for under-5s. It’s £22 for family of four.

🎬 Cinema

Three films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. The Wild Robot (U) at 1pm and 3.15pm, The Room Next Door (12A) at 5.30pm, and The Apprentice (15) at 8pm. Click here for tickets.

💿 DJ

Fright Night Weekend at AMP (SK1). Music throughout the night, along with a fancy dress competition and Halloween games! 7pm - 1am.

🍺 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.

If you’re simply in the mood for a couple of pints today, pop along to one of our featured venues such as The Crown (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Steelworks (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).

🎵 Karaoke

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) with Lee. From 8pm.

🎙 Live music

Dr Uke at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). 8.30pm.

Soulplay at The Crown (SK6). 9pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#38 – Ash Palmer, Chesterfield

Ash Palmer won the National League title with County in 2021-22, then did the same with Chesterfield a couple of years later. Sadly, he hasn’t featured for the Spireites in League Two yet, after picking up a serious knee injury during pre-season.