County v Huddersfield
The Terriers come to town on Easter Monday
Monday 21 April 2025
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NEXT HOME GAME: Huddersfield Town – Today, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Wycombe Wanderers – Saturday 3 May, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Huddersfield supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Easter Monday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
Ian Brown, Dan Culverwell and Andrew Barlow join us today, with County going in search of the single point that will finally confirm a play-off place mathematically. Three points, however, would keep our automatic promotion hopes alive, until Saturday at least. As for Huddersfield, they’ve lost five of their last six, but could still sneak into that final play-off spot if they somehow win their last three. An interesting afternoon at Edgeley Park awaits.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Not Just Travel. A big thank you to Paul and Tracy.
Thanks also to Gag N Bone Man who sponsor our Huddersfield Town 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: 253.75 miles
Total steps so far: 418,084
Total raised so far: £2,302
Total completed streets so far: 474 (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, ahead of Huddersfield’s first trip to SK3 in the league since their 6-0 win in April 2010.
Ian Brown, All Things Stockport County
County 3 Huddersfield 1
Best and worst memories from previous encounters with Huddersfield?
The best memory probably comes from November 2004. We were bobbins in the league under Sammy Mac’s management but we made a real effort in the FA Cup (in this game anyway) and it showed what might have been that season.
Ash Williams lit County’s fuse with a rare headed goal very early on and two goals from Warren Feeney sent us in at half-time 3-0 up. However, the outstanding feature of the game for me was a terrific performance by much maligned and vastly underrated keeper Jamie Spencer who ensured County’s lead remained intact with a string of excellent saves. He was my man of the match by a mile – a rare highlight in a disappointing season. Town nicked a consolation goal as we were preparing to leave for home, but it did not matter a jot.
The worst experience was in 2010 when we were nearing the end of a disastrous season way adrift at the foot of League One. We knew we were already down but hoped for a “muck and nettles” rally from the Hatters, although it wasn’t to be. Feelings of utter dejection that had lingered throughout the season hit what I thought would be the nadir when former County hero from Jim’s time Anthony Pilkington scored for Town within a couple of minutes of the start, but worse was to follow.
We conceded again before the break, but held it at 2-0 until late on, before proceedings took another unfortunate turn. Under pressure from a welter of free-kicks County surrendered, tamely conceding three more goals plus a penalty at the death, continuing us on the road to hell in a handcart – a process begun with the senseless sacking of Jim Gannon by a rookie administrator and others of whom the least said the better.
➡️ 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.
Dan Culverwell, The Scarf Bergara Wore
County 3 Huddersfield 0
Has Jack Diamond’s last-gasp equaliser at Peterborough kept us in the running for 2nd?
County fans celebrate Jack Diamond’s late equaliser at London Road on Good Friday
No, I think we needed to win our final four and hope for a massive bit of luck to nick that 2nd spot. We’re still on a fantastic run – losing just three league games in 2025 – and I think we’ll complete the season without losing again. I don’t think we’ll get that little bit of luck to finish 2nd. However, I’m confident we’ll go all the way to Wembley for the play-off final.
➡️ Dan is part of The Scarf Bergara Wore team, hosting live County podcasts every Wednesday at 8pm. Click here for links.
Andrew Barlow, Hatters Matters
County 3 Huddersfield 0
Are we a dirty side? Peterborough (and quite a few others in League One) seem to think we are.
After each game I always like to go on our opponent’s message boards to read their opinions of the match and our team, and I’ve been quite surprised this season to see the number of opposition fans who have made comments that we’re a dirty side. We’ve had four red cards this season, each of them for two yellow cards in the same game, so it’s not like we’re committing ridiculous leg-breaking challenges to be deemed a dirty side.
As a defensive unit I think we can be quite hands-on and physical when challenging for the ball, but it’s only the same treatment that Kyle Wootton faces on a weekly basis from opposition defenders and most referees see no issue with him being manhandled. So yeah, we’re physical but not dirty.
As for today’s game I think we should be comfortable and secure our place in the play-offs with a fairly routine win over an out of sorts Huddersfield side. I’m going to go for a 3-0 win for County!
➡️ Andrew runs Hatters Matters, a comprehensive guide to the history of Stockport County with more facts and figures than you can shake a stick at. Visit hattersmatters.co.uk to have a butcher’s.
Today’s other predictions
SK3 TV: County 4 Huddersfield 1
The County Away Day Show: County 2 Huddersfield 0
Contact Paul and Tracy Franklin for your next holiday
It’s definitely time to start thinking about your summer holiday if you haven’t booked anything just yet. Before you commit to anything, it’s worth getting in touch with Paul and Tracy Franklin as they can price match any trip you’ve found with On The Beach, Tui, EasyJet Holidays or Jet2Holidays.
As a team, Paul and Tracy Franklin are dedicated to delivering for their customers. They recognise that holidays are often the biggest outlay for people and so their top priority is finding them the perfect getaway. Whether you know exactly what you want or are looking for some ideas and inspiration, they can help!
With in excess of 450 suppliers they can find your dream trip. They have a number of key trade partners which allow them to organise anything from city breaks and fly and flops to cruises, weddings, honeymoons and sporting events across every corner of the globe. From high street names such as TUI, Jet2 and Easyjet to bespoke travel arrangements they can meet your requirements. They pride themselves on exceptional, personable service and for peace of mind all bookings are ABTA and ATOL protected.
Using Paul and Tracy as your personal travel consultants means that they can take all the legwork of finding and planning your trips. They can also deal with any bumps in the road should there be any. There are so many variables to a trip and so many places to look most of their customers are so relieved to have someone do that for them! Others are just glad to be able to support a smaller business that delivers a personal touch, as opposed to some of the travel giants out there. Whatever an enquiry looks like they are always keen to get their teeth stuck in, adding value where they can and learning along the way – the world is a big place!
➡️ Visit paulandtracyfranklin.notjusttravel.com for further details.
Photo(s) of the day
John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield
A few snaps from County’s trip to Huddersfield on Boxing Day.
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Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. A Minecraft Movie (15) at 1.15pm and 3.30pm, followed by Mr Burton (12A) at 6pm.
🍺 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 month by popping in for a few drinks or a bite to eat.
🎶 Free jukebox
The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.
Random snippets from old County programmes
#37 - County v Cambridge, 1 November 1985
A tough week for the club ahead of the Friday night clash with Cambridge in 1985-86.
Good evening everyone. Welcome to Edgeley Park after what has been a traumatic seven days at the club.
As you know manager Colin Murphy has received an offer in Saudi Arabia and he has been thinking over the lucrative two-year contract. The manager has promised to give a definite answer in the next couple of days.
Then after a board meeting last week chairman Alan Kirk resigned after more than five years in the chair. Mr Kirk has been a loyal and devoted servant to Stockport County and he will continue to sit on the board in his old capacity as club president. We thank him sincerely for his time as chairman.
Back in the chair vacated by Mr Kirk’s resignation is our former chairman Dragan Lukic, who our older supporters will remember was chairman of the club for a number of years in the 70s. We wish him well.
Sad news last week was that former chairman Victor Bernard had died at his home in Prestbury aged 65. During his time at Edgeley Park, Mr Bernard brought success to the club and in less than two years the Fourth Division championship trophy was nestling on the Edgeley Park sideboard.
To his wife Marjorie, and his daughter and son, the club sends its deepest sympathy on their great loss.
Taxis, travel and TV aerials… Support the businesses that support The Scarf My Father Wore!
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💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
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☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
📺 TV Aerials: SDS Aerials
🧰 Vehicle Repairs: C J Motors Stockport
We're currently 9th in the “fair play” table. Meanwhile Peterborough are the joint 3rd dirtiest team in the league. I don't think we have anything to be ashamed of, especially not compared to them!
https://www.transfermarkt.com/league-one/fairnesstabelle/wettbewerb/GB3