County v Rotherham

Three points today and Dave Challinor’s men could secure a play-off place at Peterborough on Good Friday

Apr 12, 2025

Saturday 12 April 2025

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NEXT HOME GAME: Rotherham United – Today, 3pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Peterborough United – Friday 18 April, 3pm

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Rotherham 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.

Ian Brown, Nick Lee, Andrew Barlow, Dan Culverwell and Jonathan Baker are all with us today, as County look to reach the 77-point mark, which I reckon would guarantee a play-off spot this season, even though mathematically speaking, we’d have to wait until the Easter weekend to confirm it.

Today’s edition is sponsored by CE Building Services. A big thank you to Chris.

Thanks also to Rotherham Eats who sponsor our Rotherham United content on the website. Grab yourself a takeaway tonight!

If you’re not doing anything on Friday 25 April, the night before County’s final home game of the season, come along to Desmond’s Comedy Club at The Fingerpost! We’ve got the fantastic Tony Burgess headlining the show, a previous winner of City Life Comedian of the Year (also won by Peter Kay and John Bishop). Tickets are £15. Show starts at 7.30pm. Drop me a message and I’ll get you booked in.

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: £2,292

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

Ian Brown, All Things Stockport County

County 3 Rotherham 0

Matt Hamshaw’s back at EP this afternoon. Do you remember any of his County moments from 2005-06?

To be honest, any recollections from the 2005-06 season are thin on the ground. I was at all the games but recalling specific details becomes ever more difficult as time passes.

Matt Hamshaw was only with us for one season and my memory was jogged this week by a YouTube video of what was probably Matty’s standout moment of the season with us – his stunning volley from outside the box that gave County the lead against Wycombe at Adams Park. We couldn’t hold onto that lead but that was no fault of Matt’s, who covered every inch of the pitch for the County cause that day. He must have been hell to play against, but a firm favourite with me and many County supporters.

I was ready to forecast a comfortable County win today until I saw the ambush that the EFL had in store for us in the form of match referee Lee Swabey. He’s already cost us a match in this season’s run-in and I would not bet against a repeat today.

However, I have a reputation as The Scarf My Father Wore score predictor to look after so I’ll go for a 3-0 County win – but I’ll make sure I have the blood pressure tablets with me!

➡️ 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 Rotherham 1

Kyle Wootton’s come in for a bit of stick this season. After his brace at Exeter last Saturday, would you like to use your platform to give him a bit of love?

I find that someone's opinion of Kyle Wootton is usually an accurate barometer of whether they know anything about football or not.

A strong contender for our greatest manager picks him week in week out, which should be more than enough for some people. It's nice having a new toy in Beno and he's got a bright future ahead of him, but the fact is that without Wootton we'd be a much weaker team.

I can't even say I'm surprised by the criticism. As a fanbase we've historically had a large number of people who have a blind spot when it comes to target men.

It's fair to say he should have more goals than he has, I've no problem with that. What really boils my piss, however, is the constant references to him being “shit” and “useless”. So weird.

➡️ 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.

Andrew Barlow, Hatters Matters

County 3 Rotherham 1

If Wrexham draw a couple of away games, and lose at home to Charlton, we could still nick 2nd. Is that a realistic possibility, or should I just let it go?

Sorry Des, but my advice is to let it go. I’d love us to be involved in the shake-up on the final day of the season, but for me only Wrexham or Wycombe are capable of taking that second automatic promotion place now based on the number of games left and current standings. For us to make up seven points on Wrexham we’d have to have a perfect run of results between now and the end of the season and hope that Wrexham’s form takes a massive nosedive, but I just can’t see that happening. Phil Parkinson’s side have a habit of grinding out positive results even when they are perhaps second best in games, so they should be able to accumulate enough points to stay ahead of us.

Looking at the fixtures for today I can’t see Wrexham or Wycombe dropping any points against Wigan or Stevenage, but I also expect County to maintain that fourth position in the table by doing the business at home to Rotherham. The Millers have been in good form since they parted company with Steve Evans, but I fancy County to make it four wins on the spin to end Matt Hamshaw’s own winning streak as caretaker manager.

➡️ 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.

Dan Culverwell, The Scarf Bergara Wore

County 2 Rotherham 0

County fans have been voting for their Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season and Goal of the Season this week. Who are your winners?

So the lads had a good debate about this on Wednesday’s live show and to be honest it would have been easier asking the guys: “What’s your favourite breakfast cereal?”

The guys all picked out Ethan for Young Player of the Season although I do wonder if that would have been a harder decision to make had Barry or Hills completed a full season with us. And did we all disregard Bate for the award because he’s captain?

We’ve come to a census of opinion that Ollie Norwood would be our TSBW vote for Player of the Season, having been involved in over 40 games this season. He’s been a crucial link pin in all that’s been good with a pass completion rate of over 80%.

I ranked all 10 of County’s Goal of the Season contenders

The Scarf My Father Wore

Apr 9

Read full story

Goal of the Season is again based on the majority voting for Tanto’s winner at Bolton, although Louie Barry gets 16 special mentions.

County to win 2-0 today (and my favourite cereal is Honey Nut Corn Flakes).

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

Jonathan Baker, The County Away Day Show

County 1 Rotherham 2

After backing Exeter to win last weekend, you're now six points off the top in the Prediction League. Have you blown your title hopes?

Well I’m afraid to say that, having pinned all my hopes for personal silverware this season on The Scarf My Father Wore Prediction League, I do seem to have shot myself in the foot over the past few weeks, mainly through the untimely development of a self-defeating tendency for forecasting our high-flying County to lose eminently winnable football matches. My initial instinct this morning was to return to my previously positively-inclined ways and plump for the comfortable home victory that the League One placings surely point towards.

On reflection, however, I’m calculating that at this late stage my only realistic opportunity of closing the gap on the leaders may be through tactical departure from the expected consensus – and with today’s visitors having belied their mid-table status by posting a maximum points return for their newly-installed manager over his first three outings, today may just be the day to unveil this possibly foolhardy gambit. I’m therefore going to go for a narrow away win, in the fervent hope that (those personal silverware aspirations notwithstanding), I’m proved by teatime to have been very wrong indeed.

➡️ 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.

Thinking of having an extension in 2025?

Adding an extension to your home not only provides you with additional living space but can add considerable value to your property.

Whether it’s an extra bedroom, larger kitchen, utility room, or sun lounge, CE Building Services will work together with you to guide you through the process, and help you assess the best options to suit your budget and requirements.

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An extension is often a cheaper option than moving house. Adding an extension can increase the value of your home whether it’s a single storey extension, or a double storey wrap around.

➡️ For a free, no obligation quote, give Chris a call on 07813 025854 or 0161 282 5968. Alternatively, you can email chris@cebuildingservices.co.uk.

Photo of the day

New York Stadium, Rotherham

A young County fan sticks it to the locals during our 1-1 draw at Rotherham back in December.

Treat yourself to a dessert from Skoopz tonight!

Any Rotherham fans (or indeed any of our readers from South Yorkshire) joining us today? If you’re in the mood for a treat tonight, get stuck into a dessert from Skoopz – the latest place to open on Rotherham Eats.

From rich traditional sweets to creamy ice creams, gooey cookie doughs, and indulgent desserts that’ll satisfy every sweet craving – they’ve got it ALL!

➡️ Download the Rotherham Eats app to place an order.

Today in SK

🍺 Food and drink

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 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 and a bite to eat.