Saturday 16 December 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Sutton – Today, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Barrow – Tuesday 26 December, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Sutton supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to today’s edition of The Scarf My Father Wore, ahead of our final Saturday game of 2023.
Whatever happens over the next week, Stockport County are guaranteed to be in the League Two automatic promotion places on Christmas Day.
Even if Stockport County lose to Sutton and Notts County, they’d probably still be top of League Two on Christmas Day.
Stockport County are currently 28 points clear of the relegation zone.
Stockport County have lost 1 of their last 16 games in League Two, picking up 39 points from a possible 48.
A little bit of perspective ahead of this afternoon’s game at Edgeley Park, which is going to be a tense affair if we don’t get an early goal to settle the nerves. It’s a huge game, don’t get me wrong, and in the context of a title race, it does feel like a must-win, especially with festive fixtures against 3rd, 4th and 6th coming up.
At the same time, however, let’s not lose sight of the fact that December’s been pretty miserable in recent years with FA Trophy exits at Stalybridge and Southport, and home defeats to Hyde and Harrogate on Boxing Day. As I’ve stated above, even if Sutton smashed seven past us and Notts notched up nine, we’d still be in the top three as you’re tucking into your turkey (or vegetarian/vegan alternative) on Christmas Day. We’d even have a positive goal difference.
My point is that we’re in a rather good position these days, both on and off the pitch. With investment comes expectation and even entitlement, but let’s not forget where we’ve come from, and also what’s made our fanbase extremely special over the years. We’re having a little bit of a wobble at the moment, but we’ve been absolutely decimated with injuries, and I feel some County fans have certainly started making mountains out of molehills. (Although in this social media age, every club has that I suppose.)
This blip isn’t even that serious when you really think about it. Granted, losing to a non-league team in the FA Cup is never nice, although we know from experience how tough the top of the National League is these days. But apart from that, nobody was arsed about Wigan. Morecambe doesn’t count in that weather. We battered Salford. And in terms of this blip, we’ve actually only lost ONE league game, at Newport.
Without wishing to exude my clearly superior footballing knowledge (😉) and say “I told you so”, I thought we’d slip up on Wednesday…
…but I’m adamant we’ll win today. It’s not as straightforward as you might envisage, however, from a top versus bottom clash. They’re unbeaten in five league games, and our midfield this afternoon might still consist of Kenny Boxshall, Steve Bellis and Vernon Bear, but Sutton have had their own injury problems and I don’t think they’ll fancy it one bit today. The atmosphere will be miles better than Wednesday night, but as Dave Challinor said afterwards, we’ve got to get right behind our battered and bruised team this afternoon, be patient for the opening goal, and I’m sure we’ll get back to winning ways. I might even buy every subscriber a pint. I’ve had a tenner on County to win 2-1 with Vernon Bear to score first.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean. I’m sure 99% of County fans will put on at least a pound or two over the next couple of weeks with all those chocolates and Christmas dinners. If you do, make sure you give Shlean a call on 07725 088549 or email shlean@sky.com. She runs a group in Bredbury every Monday, and Reddish every Tuesday.
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: 46.68 miles
Total steps so far: 83,302
Total raised so far: £1,027
Total completed streets so far: 24 (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
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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 look to end their run of six games without a win.
Ian Brown, hedgegrower
County 2 Sutton 0
What does Dave Challinor say to his team at 2.55pm today?
To start with, I assume that the current method of playing – namely the sideways / sideways back – is pressed on the team by the manager, so anything he does say will have needed to have been preceded by an honest exchange of views between team and manager as to the relevance of this style of play.
In my view, there is a crying need for a more positive attacking approach to games. Despite injuries we have three excellent forwards in Wootton, Madden and Tanto; others in the group should be instructed to get the ball to this trio at the earliest opportunity in games.
We are, after all, still six points clear at the top of the table. So let’s keep our cool, feed these three hungry tigers and we’ll be quids in!
Meanwhile, I’ll be keeping the blood pressure tablets with me…
Jon Keighren, Stockport County
County 2 Sutton 0
What needs to happen for County to win this afternoon?
It might be six games without a win but County (six points clear at the top) at home to Sutton (six points adrift of safety at the bottom) should have enough to win this game. Dave Challinor was suitably scathing about his players on Wednesday night and that will provoke a reaction, no question about that. We still look light in terms of midfield options, but Camps, Croasdale and Bailey should still be comfortably good enough for us to claim a crucial win and strengthen our grip on top spot.
Nick Lee, The Scarf Bergara Wore
County 2 Sutton 0
There's a problem with Spotify which means you have to upload all of your podcast titles for the next few months in advance today. What title are you uploading for your final podcast of the season?
A) Thank f*ck we won the league!
B) Thank f*ck we've scraped top three!
C) How the f*ck have we ended up in the play-offs?!
D) County finish outside the top seven. F*ck!
I remain convinced that we'll win it by at least six points. Of course it doesn't matter either way as long as we finish top three, but it'd be nice to show the class we all know we possess at our best. That said, it'd also be nice to have a relatively normal episode title. Cases in point: 'S7 E18: Yak Wanking In The Himalayas', 'S7 E41: When Tes Bramble Went Down', and ‘S8 E41: It Was Good Until The Paedophiles Took Over'. If you think they all sound like weird fever dreams, then congratulations, you're correct and you take home the star prize (what's the star prize Des?).
2-0 this afternoon. Not pretty but ultimately the three points will be ours and we'll all forget about Wednesday night. Luckily for head injury reasons I've already forgotten it. Come 5pm so will everybody else.
Andrew Barlow, Hatters Matters
County 3 Sutton 0
What was it like watching that horror show on the BBC on Wednesday night? Were you hiding behind your sofa?
Yes, I was disappointed with how things went on Wednesday night but I don’t think I would personally describe it as a “horror show”. It was an average performance which culminated in us bowing out of the competition but over the two games you have to give Aldershot a lot of credit as they looked just as good as a number of teams we have faced in League Two this season. On the night they pressed us really well and didn’t let us get a foothold in the game. One of my gripes about the match was that we reverted back to some of last season’s performances where we just couldn’t break down a well-organised side and at times looked out of ideas going forwards.
In my pre-match prediction I said I expected home advantage to be a factor in the outcome of the game in our favour but a lack of fans inside Edgeley Park meant the atmosphere wasn’t exactly intimidating for the visiting Shots players.
Dave Challinor has made his own views known about the team’s performance and said that nobody came out of the game with any credit so there should be a reaction on the pitch as we face bottom side Sutton United this afternoon. I do expect us to return to winning ways before we may have to batten down the hatches ahead of a tough run of fixtures over the festive period. After six games without a win we’ll hopefully get an early goal to settle any nerves and put us on our way to a morale boosting 3-0 win.
Treat yourself to a present this Christmas!
You’ll obviously be purchasing chocolates and perfumes and books and toys and Lynx Africa gift sets for friends and family at the moment. But include yourself on your present-buying list this year by achieving your weight loss dreams in 2024 with Slimming World.
Shlean runs groups in Bredbury and Reddish 52 weeks of the year and she’d love to see you there!
Mondays: Bredbury St Marks Cricket Club. 5pm and 7pm.
Tuesdays: Houldsworth Working Men’s Club. 9.30am, 11am, 5pm and 7pm.
Give Shlean a call today on 07725 088549 to get yourself booked in for January.
Photo of the day
Nelson Tavern, Stockport
Fifty years on from seeing their side clinch promotion at Edgeley Park, Aldershot fans Ian Read and Jan Clout enjoy a pre-match pint before another memorable night (for them, anyway) in SK3.
Today in SK
🎶 DJ
Bask (SK1) have recently been granted an extended license, which means you can now party until 3am on a Saturday night! Last entry 1.30am.
🍟 Food and drink
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 - 6.30pm.
🎤 Karaoke
Lee at The Nelson Tavern (SK1). 8pm - 1am.
🎵 Live music
Jason Flint at Puss in Boots (SK2). 9pm.
The Emperors of Rhythm at The Crown Inn (SK6). Rock ‘n’ roll, and plenty of 60s too! 9pm.
Christmas party night at Platform 5 (SK8) with We Are Spartacus. 8pm.
Christmas party night at Rainbow 88 (SK8). Sarah Barron will be performing songs from the theatre from 9pm, with karaoke until 1am.
Jamsalana at The Chiverton Tap (SK8). 6.30pm.
The Scarf My Father Wore works closely with venues on a daily basis to bring you the most comprehensive guide to all of the best offers and events taking place across the whole SK region. Click on the links below for full details of everything taking place in your area over the next few weeks.
SK1 / SK2 / SK3 / SK4 / SK5 / SK6 / SK7 / SK8 / SK9 / SK10 / SK11 / SK12 / SK13 / SK14 / SK15 / SK16 / SK17 / SK22 / SK23
Join SAFCO at the 2024 ‘Giving Back’ Gala Dinner
Stockport Armed Forces Community Organisation (SAFCO) was formed in June 2023 and is currently applying for Charitable Incorporated Organisation status with the Charities Commission.
SAFCO is made up of a number of organisations who come together with the aim of making Stockport the best place to be a veteran. This year they delivered the first Armed Forces Day event in Stockport town centre, a successful day enjoyed by all ages, but next year they’re hoping to make it even bigger and better, involving more people and organisations whilst delivering other initiatives and events for their armed forces and veterans community.
You can show your support by purchasing tickets for the ‘Giving Back’ Gala Dinner at Edgeley Park on Friday 16 February. A great evening is planned with food, music and comedy. Ticket details are in the flyer above.
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I agree with Hedgegrower. We spent more time passing the ball backwards than forwards on Wednesday night.