Doncaster, Wimbledon, Colchester, Crewe, let’s have a catch-up with you… and Tranmere too
After finishing 12th last season, can a familiar face returning to Prenton Park help Tranmere push on for a play-off challenge this time around?
Wednesday 12 July 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Huddersfield – Saturday 22 July, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Altrincham – Saturday 15 July, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Tranmere supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Wednesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
Our great big 2023-24 preview continues with Tranmere today, as we’re joined by Ethan Hoijord to discuss everything from crossbars to Connor Jennings, with a couple of digs at Wrexham and MK Dons thrown in for good measure.
A big thank you to Beespoke Cleaning for sponsoring today’s edition. They supply all aspects of cleans, from regular to one-off and general to end-of-tenancy. Give Vicky a call on 07445 256191 or email info@beespokecleaning.com if you’ve got a house or office that needs a good clean.
Enjoy today’s issue.
Des Junior
Our place: Saturday 28 October 2023, 3pm
Their place: Saturday 17 February 2024, 3pm
Last win at our place: Saturday 4 February 2023, League Two, 3-2
Last win at their place: Monday 12 October 2009, League One, 1-0
Today’s Sky Bet title/promotion/relegation odds: Us – 6/1 11/8 50/1 Them – 33/1 6/1 11/1
Are you glad County lost the play-off final, or would you rather be playing Carlisle this season?
In all honesty, I wasn't too bothered. I've not been to Carlisle before but I've heard it's a great away day, and I like going to County as well, dating back to that time we stayed up and broke the crossbar! It would have been nice for Dave Challinor to have further success though; he's quite rightly a Rovers legend.
In terms of your summer transfer business, where have Tranmere been shopping?
So far we've signed two strikers from promotion-winning teams: Stevenage's Luke Norris and Carlisle's Kristian Dennis, who used to always show his talent in games against us. We've brought Connor Jennings back too, a player County fans will be familiar with, and we've signed Regan Hendry on a permanent basis after a loan spell from Forest Green last season. A lot of work will need to be done to turn us into a promotion-winning side but we're looking relatively strong in attack so far. Defensively, we’ve got to make improvements though. If I had to describe us as a shop looking at what we’ve currently got in stock, we’re probably somewhere between a Poundland and a Waitrose. Is that a Tesco?
With the current energy crisis, the government have ordered all Football League clubs to switch off one thing that uses power for the whole season. What are you choosing?
I’d probably say the ovens. The food at Prenton Park has improved a little bit, but I still prefer to grab a meal deal from Tesco before I go into the ground.
Which team do you most want to beat this season?
It's gotta be Wrexham hasn't it? The love-in with them makes me feel uneasy. It’s nice to see a working class town have some success, but did it have to be them? The games against them will capture great interest. I'd say I hope we go into the games against them on a winning run but if we do and they get the better of us that will only add to the defeated feeling. A couple of massive games for sure.
County haven't played MK Dons since 2009-10, so we're a little out of the loop. What's your current thoughts when it comes to MK Dons away – boycott the game, happy to attend, or reluctantly go without spending any other money on food, drink, programmes etc.
My uncle’s best mate is Wimbledon legend Neal Ardley, thus I don't think too highly of The Franchise. I'd be reluctantly going without spending money on anything.
The Conservative party are in disarray at the moment. They've contacted your club and asked your chairman and manager to join them, to bring some new ideas to the table. Which roles would they be most suited to?
A Tranmere connection to the Tories? I'd rather not. I'm not a massive fan of Labour's Keir Starmer, so I'd give our technical director Nigel Adkins a good role there. He’d bring some new ideas. He’d provide lots of positivity as well; he’s always tweeting videos of him walking in the morning telling everyone to have a great day. It’s been great having him back around the club.
There's a huge game at Prenton Park this season. You're 1-0 up with 15 minutes to go when Just Stop Oil protestors invade the pitch and get the game abandoned. How are Tranmere fans reacting?
Well, we wouldn't be too happy, but who would be? There's great issues in the world at the moment, and that’s one that needs looking at closely. I respect the work the protestors do to get their message across. You've got to disrupt to create noise.
Newport County, Notts County, Stockport County. Snog one, marry one, avoid one.
Snog Newport. They’ve got some good looking fans!
Marry Stockport. It’s near Merseyside so I'd get to stay on the Wirral. I quite like County too, a good club with loyal passionate fans.
Avoid Notts. I've got nothing against them though.
Ryan Reynolds gets in touch and says he wants you to take him on a Hollywood-style night out when Wrexham visit. He wants the nicest meal in town, followed by the swankiest bar, and then the best hotel. What are your recommendations?
I'm not spending time with him! If he wants the best meal in town, there's a great Italian restaurant just outside the ground called Villa Venezia.
There’s quite a lot of bars in the area, but I’d tell him to just make great use of the beer tent outside the ground, even though he might get some dirty looks.
He doesn’t need a hotel. I’ll make him get a taxi back to Wrexham while he’s drunk. I’m nice like that!
There's a quote saying "Stockport Isn't Shit" which has taken off around our town, with the words proudly displayed in bars and on various bags and t-shirts. What quote would you use to promote Birkenhead to people who think it's not that fashionable?
“Ubi Fides Ibi Lux Et Robur.” Where there is faith there is light and strength. A phrase that Mark Palios loves, but a phrase that should also be used around the area as it goes through a great rebuild.
Which Tranmere player is most likely to end up in League Two's team of the season?
Kieron Morris is back from a long injury. He didn’t perform as well as he can before he was sidelined, so there will quite rightly be eyes on him to provide the goods, which we know he's capable of. He's direct, quick and clinical. I'm looking forward to seeing him back as well as young forward Charlie Jolley who is also returning from a long injury. We've definitely got goals in the side.
Early predictions for 2023-24?
It really is early days. I'll say Tranmere will finish in the top 10 but we need to sort ourselves out defensively in this transfer window – we're far from finished.
There's some good clubs in the division. Notts County and Bradford should be in with a shout of getting promoted. I'll be surprised if yourselves, Wrexham and Mansfield aren't up there too.
Click on the links below to read the previous 2023-24 previews we’ve published so far.
Crawley / Grimsby / Mansfield / Newport / Wimbledon
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Today in SK
🍟 Food and drink
Fancy a few midweek drinks tonight? Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including a Doubles Bar for just £4.50, a comprehensive range of shots for £2, and 3 for £6 on Jägerbombs.
For those on a gluten-free diet, finding a nice portion of fish and chips to tuck into can be quite difficult. But on a Wednesday at Fishers of Cheshire (SK2), gluten-free meals are available. Open till 9.30pm.
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 - 7.30pm.
Wine Wednesday at TRUNK (SK7) from 5pm. 50% off all bottles of wine from 7pm. Call 0161 222 9260 to book a table, and mention “The Scarf My Father Wore” to receive a 15% discount off the normal tapas menu.
❓ Quiz night
Sophie Sveinsson from Radio X hosts the latest Baskmaster quiz at Bask (SK1). There’s loads of prizes to be won including booze and gig tickets. 7.30pm. Tickets £3.
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
Photo of the day
Prenton Park, Birkenhead
County fans with smiles on their faces in the Cowshed last season, despite a rainy Tuesday night with no goals.
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