“Danny Bergara and County gave me my chance to be a footballer which I will never forget”
An exclusive interview with Chris Beaumont, one of only four County players to score at Wembley
Thursday 25 May 2023 - WEMBLEY WEEK!
🎶 Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Wem-ber-lee, que sera sera 🎶
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, a very warm welcome to WEMBLEY WEEK on The Scarf My Father Wore!
There’s only one man on the planet who’s scored a first-half goal for County at Wembley (technically Nathan Stanton has as well but he was wearing a Rochdale shirt at the time…) and I’m delighted to be joined by him today. Chris Beaumont stops by for a chat with The Scarf My Father Wore before heading off to London himself at the weekend.
Finally, a big thank you to Arron from Stockport Smart Repair for sponsoring today’s edition.
THREE SLEEPS TO GO! 💤💤💤
Des Junior
PS) All subscribers should have received an email on Monday morning about one of the Wembley features we’re publishing every day this week. We’re still looking for a few more contributions to include over the next three days if you’d like to pop something across. Cheers, thank you!
You played at Wembley four times with County. Talk us through your experiences.
Mixed memories with four defeats.
The first game against Stoke seemed to fly by; the game is still a blur even now. I just remember a tear in my eye singing the national anthem.
The Peterborough fixture wound me up because their keeper was so disrespectful walking out on to the Wembley pitch wearing a Freddie Kruger mask. That was a really warm afternoon but we constantly attacked in the second half, finally getting an equaliser through Big Kev late on. I feel we threw that game away because Peterborough were dead on their feet, but instead of waiting for extra time, we pushed forward, getting a corner in the last minute only for them to break away and score.
Port Vale was another game where we did everything we could in the second half, but couldn’t find an equaliser sadly.
As for the Burnley game, that was a day of extremely high and low emotions for obvious reasons.
How does the build-up to a Wembley final compare with a normal game?
Because it’s a one-off, the Wembley games are extra special. The build-up tends to be different, as it’s more intense with the players and staff being in a hotel for a few days away from their family and friends.
You’re a Sheffield lad but you’re off to Wembley with your son Oliver on Sunday, with the two of you often seen in County away ends across the country. Your final game for County was 27 years ago (sorry mate!) but supporters still sing your name to this day. Why do you think you’ve had such a special relationship with the club and the fans over all these years?
I think that's a question for the fans. From my point of view, I love the club and the supporters. Danny Bergara and County gave me my chance to be a footballer which I will never forget. That's why I love the club, and attending away games with the true fans. Maybe I’m a bit too vocal but it’s all positive for the players. I want this club back where it belongs in the Championship.
Speaking of Oliver, anything you want to include here to embarrass him?
The County fans will tell you, every away game he’s becoming the “Stockport Tango” more and more with his shirt off in all kinds of weather, singing his heart out supporting the players. I saw a social media post of Oliver after the Salford game, shirt off (obviously) and running across the pitch screaming “Wem-ber-lee”. I have never seen him run that quick.
What’s your plans for the final?
Tickets have been bought. Oliver, me, and four mates are catching the 8am train to London from Sheffield. Just need to buy some bottles of water for the journey…
How do County beat Carlisle on Sunday?
Believe in themselves. There’s unbelievable ability in that dressing room, they just need to play the game, not the occasion. The fans will carry them over the line.
If I could guarantee County would go up, would you choose to do it in 90 minutes, in extra time, or on penalties?
I’m not going through that Salford game again, so 90 minutes, or even better 4-0 at half-time please.
If an angry Chinese man jumps all over your car in London on Sunday, give Arron a call when you get home
Some of the early trains out of Stockport station on Sunday morning are sold out. The Fingerpost Flyer was fully booked days ago. But there will still be thousands of County fans driving to the capital this weekend. As we all know, it’s a nightmare to park in London, and with the game kicking off at 1.30pm you might be desperate to find somewhere to dump the motor in order to make the game on time. You might even park in front of an alleyway outside a Chinese restaurant and return to find an angry man jumping up and down on your bright yellow Fiat Cinquecento.
Don’t worry County fans, we’ve got you covered. When you get back up north, give Arron a call from Stockport Smart Repair. He runs a mobile car repair company which specialises in minor dents, bumper scuffs and machine polishing. He’ll have your car looking as good as new in no time, ready to hit the road for long trips to Charlton and Portsmouth next season…
Click here for contact details.
“Other than my County blue the room was an endless ocean of claret”
As part of WEMBLEY WEEK, we’ve emailed seven questions to our subscribers, and we’ll choose a different one each day this week, hearing the thoughts of a number of our readers.
Today’s question: What are your memories from watching County at Wembley?
When we played Burnley at the old Wembley Stadium in 1994 we were greatly outnumbered fan-wise (not just in terms of how many more fingers and thumbs they each had). As you walked up Wembley Way there was a big public toilet for pre-match beer expulsion. I felt resplendent in my County shirt but in urgent need of instant bladder relief after half a pint of London “ale”. In I went. The urinal went halfway round the large room. So full that you had to jostle for position. As I got ready to commence my ablutions I looked up. Other than my County blue the room was an endless ocean of claret. I was spotted, and then the singing began. To be fair it was good humoured but it was all focused on me amidst much laughter. Could I piss? Could I fuck! I pretended to before leaving via what I imagine looked like a professional backwards moonwalk. I don't remember where and when I then peed. Sorry, that would have really completed this epic tail. I do remember Ted Expletive McMinn. And our two sendings off. I don't recall the score. We probably won 4-0. Like we will this weekend against Carlisle.
Bob Carey
I remember thinking how dreadful the Harrow schoolmaster (Elleray) was in his officiating and wrote a strongly worded letter of complaint to the FA afterwards.
Tony Joannou
Photo of the day
The Green Man, London
Your editor before the Rochdale game in 2008, very drunk, and very drenched in vodka and Coke. A few other Wembley photos for you today as well, including a couple featuring the wonderful Chrissy Thompson. 💙
Today in SK
🍰 Based at Bugsworth Basin on the Peak Forest Canal, Cafe Kirianna (SK23) has now reopened for the summer season. If you find yourself having a stroll in that neck of the woods today, be sure to stop by for a cake and a coffee. Open 10am till 4pm.
🎶 Free jukebox at the Nelson Tavern (SK1) from 6.30pm.
☕️ How do you fancy a nice iced cappuccino today? Head down to Coffee Block (SK1) for their CUBO espresso over ice, filled with shaken milk and topped with chocolate! Open till 5.30pm.
🍹 The Armoury (SK3) have just launched their new cocktail menu. Mark Stott definitely wouldn’t mind a Red Wine Cobbler, and Lee Todd’s going to be getting stuck into a Lounge Lizard or two. There’s eight cocktails to try in total; head down today to see which one tickles your tastebuds!
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
ChatGPT’s Wembley build-up: Part 4 - Fingers Crossed
Never mind Google or Yell.com, we’ve got you covered
STOP! That got your attention, didn’t it? Just a quick one… I’d hazard a guess that at some point in May, all of our readers will use Google or Yell.com at some point looking for a particular product or service. But before you do, please have a quick look at our own directory to see if we have what you’re looking for. A number of great businesses support The Scarf My Father Wore, allowing us to publish fresh content every day, so let’s send a few enquiries their way in return.
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