County v Newport
Title hopes for the home side, play-off aspirations for the visitors, today’s County derby is a huge one for both sides
Saturday 9 March 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: Newport – Today, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Salford – Thursday 14 March, 8pm
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, Newport 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.
County haven’t won for four weeks. Never mind the title (for now…), we desperately need three points this afternoon to settle the nerves in terms of the automatic promotion race. Let’s not even think about a defeat, which could put us in the play-offs by 5pm, with Crewe and MK Dons both facing teams in the bottom six. Ed Chadwick, Jonathan Baker and Ian Brown join us to offer their opinions.
Our first live event of 2024 is taking place next month. ‘Flynny at the Finger’ – an evening with County legend Mike Flynn – is at The Fingerpost on Wednesday 17 April. Start time 7.30pm. Over half the tickets have already been sold. If you’d like to join us, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com. Tickets are £10 (or £5 for paid subscribers plus anyone who’s written an article for The Scarf My Father Wore). That includes a full colour souvenir programme, and even a little bit of stand-up comedy!
Today’s edition is sponsored by Bridge Computer Services and Beespoke Cleaning. A big thank you to both Mark and Vicky.
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: 136.36 miles
Total steps so far: 217,174
Total raised so far: £1,641
Total completed streets so far: 271 (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? 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 County seek revenge for Newport ending our 12-game winning run back in November.
Ed Chadwick, Stockport County Supporters Co-operative
County 1 Newport 0
Ahead of Mansfield v MK Dons on Tuesday, I did a quick poll on Twitter and County fans were fairly divided between backing Mansfield (so we can at least get top three secured) and MK Dons (to keep our title hopes going). What’s your reaction to MK Dons winning at Field Mill?
I'm having a detox from social media so I was absolutely oblivious to the game until I woke up on Wednesday morning.
Initially I was pleased that Mansfield had missed an opportunity to stretch their lead, but it dawned on me that MK are trying to crash the automatic promotion party. There simply isn't room for another team. Crewe have already soured atmosphere and, despite being made to feel very unwelcome, are refusing to take the hint, gather their coat and piss off while mumbling something about how they didn't want to be there anyway.
What I found particularly interesting is that MK play Mansfield AGAIN before the end of the season. I explained this to my wife and she said she found it less interesting.
MK will have a massive say in what happens at the top end, not only for their own perspective but also among the other contenders. They play Crewe, us and Mansfield in the space of a few weeks. Given the obscene way the club was founded, I would love to see them rot in the bottom half of League Two for a few years and then sink into non-league obscurity.
Newport seem to be the absolute definition of hot and cold. All I can confidently say is that they'll be difficult to break down. It seems like a lifetime ago they broke our 12-game winning run and I've only seen them play Man United since then but they always appear to put up a hell of a fight.
I'm trying not to sound pessimistic here but we're not at our best against well-organised, compact sides who do the physical things well and I think it's fair to say the rest of League Two knows that.
If we're going to get promoted, we'll have to battle through games like this. Based on nothing other than vibes, I am confident we WILL go up and so I predict a win by a single goal in front the Cheadle End.
Jonathan Baker aka Geordie Hatter, The County Away Day Show
County 2 Newport 1
The club held a fans forum for the kids at EP this week. What question would you have asked if you were of primary school age?
I think it depends on what age exactly. At Year One I'd be asking if I could have Vernon Bear's autograph, whereas by Year Three I'd be interested in the manager's close-season plans for replenishing our cover options on the left side of defence, and by Year Six I'd be launching into an exhaustive critique of the club's published stadium expansion plans, supported by a deck of PowerPoint slides. And at my present age? Vernon Bear's autograph again, definitely (I've met him twice, but never quite plucked up the courage, I get a bit tongue-tied when in the company of celebrities, also of man-eating mammals).
Prediction for today? The Exiles' form suggests to me they'll prove a tough nut to crack, and with the boy Evans in the goalscoring form of his life they've got a goal in them to boot. I think we'll bring enough though to edge it: 2-1.
Ian Brown, hedgegrower
County 2 Newport 1
I believe the Fingerpost Flyer was already in Coventry when the Colchester game got called off last week. Did you manage to salvage anything enjoyable from your Saturday or was it a complete write-off?
Whichever way you look at it, shake it about, analyse or mull over last Saturday’s abortive trip to Colchester, it was a disaster – one that might have been avoided, but a disaster none the less! This is no reflection on Lou or our excellent Flyer drivers, more another swipe at the EFL suits by yours truly.
The Flyer had a few seats to spare but those on board showed commendable stoicism, many queuing from 6.30 in their determination to support County in Essex, but some rather knew how this was going to work out and unfortunately they were proved to be correct as news came in some time after 9.30 that the game was postponed.
We’d reached Corley services (less than five miles outside Coventry) by then, but unlike in 2006 when Torquay postponed the game as we alighted the Flyer outside Plainmoor, and we opted to watch Tiverton v Rugby, nobody wanted anything other than a return to Stockport. There were a few contemplating Buxton v Scarborough, although I venture to wager that the 0-0 result might have added to any lingering feelings of depression – there really is no substitute for watching County!
For me the solution to clubs avoiding this constantly recurring nightmare is for the sleeping suits at the EFL to wake up and instruct clubs that pitch inspections for matches in doubt should take place no later than the morning before the day of the match, and the visiting club should be kept fully informed.
Too much to ask? Probably. After all, do football supporters (especially those that travel distances to games) really count? Apparently not.
Rant over, duff score forecast imminent… County 2 Newport 1.
Give Mark a call if your laptop needs a new screen
If your laptop needs a new screen give Mark a call at Bridge Computer Services. One of Mark’s clients had a broken screen recently. The following day the laptop was fitted with a new screen and delivered back to the client.
Based in Romiley, the business also provides computer workshop and callout services to residential and business customers across Stockport. Their callout and workshop engineers are trained to fix computers, laptops and servers on site (where possible) as well as setting up new computers and wireless networks, plus maintaining existing networks and removing viruses.
Visit bridgecomputerservices.co.uk for further details.
If you haven’t yet sorted out a Mother’s Day gift for tomorrow, treat your mum to a clean from Beespoke Cleaning!
Don’t just grab a last-minute box of chocolates or bunch of flowers if you’ve not sorted anything out for tomorrow – treat your mum to something a little bit different by booking a clean with Beespoke Cleaning. You’ll even receive a 10% discount to use yourself!
You can choose between a general clean, a house blitz or a deep clean, and each one will also come with a present, ranging from wax melts up to a hamper.
Give Vicky a call on 07445 256191 or email info@beespokecleaning.com to book.
Photo of the day
Somewhere in Heaton Norris
I came across this on my walking travels yesterday. Come on, who’s going to own up to taking a dump on the pavements of Heaton Norris? I sincerely hope the Phantom Shitter isn’t one of our readers.
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Dune: Part II (12A) at 1pm, 4.30pm and 8pm. Click here for tickets.
💿 DJs
Stockport’s biggest party at the weekend is at Bask (SK1), with DJ Gareth Brooks playing till 3am. Last entry 1.30am.
DJ Brinner at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). 9pm.
DJ Matt at The Crown (SK6).
🍺 Food and drink
If you’re in Stockport before or after the match today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a pint or two.
Fish Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Lite bite fish and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.75.
🎤 Karaoke
The Nelson Tavern (SK1) with Lee. From 8pm.
🎸 Live music
Song Birds at The Flying Coach (SK7). 9pm.
Random County fan of the day #66 – Mark Love!
One final thing before you go… if you’re in need of any of these products or services this month, get in touch with our brilliant bunch of sponsors!
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
💈 Barber: STUDIO26 Haircare
🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters
📚 Bookkeeping: Eleven Accounts Services Ltd
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🍰 Cake Maker: Claire Green Bespoke Cakes and Catering
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: Pro Clean Carpet Services
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈⬛ Cat Sitting: The Crazy Cat Ladies Cheshire
👶 Child Health: The Sleep Nanny
🤹♀️ Children’s Entertainment: Stockport Hero Hire
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🗣 Counselling: Time and Space Counselling
🦮 Dog Training: Paws High Peak Dog Training
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
🔥 Fire Protection: Radial Fire And Security Limited
🍸 Gin: Hatters Gin
🛁 Grout Refresh & Recolour: GroutGleam Stockport
💇♀️ Hairdressing: C West Hairstylist
🛠 Home Improvements: Menzies Develop & Build
💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
👨🍳 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
🚐 Minibus Hire: Westfield Minibuses
🧤 Oven Cleaning: That Oven Girl
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
🎈 Party Supplies: Step Into Fun Events
🚑 Personal Injury: Parkers Solicitors Ltd
📸 Photography: Holly Dwyer Photography
🎹 Piano Tutor: Sophie Grace Piano and Keyboard Tuition
🚰 Plumber: GTG Gary the Gasman
🦶 Podiatry: SK Podiatry
📕 Publishing: Victor Publishing
🛖 Roofing: ADM Roofing Services Ltd
☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd
👨💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co
⚽️ Sports Coaching: UK Sports Coaching Ltd
🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative
🖊 Tattooist: Heatons Tattoo Club
🪵 Timber Supplies: Portwood Timber Division of Illingworth Ingham (Manchester) Ltd
☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
👨💻 Web Design: SITEZO
⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
🪟 Window Cleaner: R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
🏋️♀️ Women’s Fitness: Sophie Pavey Fitness
🧘♀️ Yoga: Greenshoots Yoga