Doncaster, Wimbledon, Colchester, Crewe, let’s have a catch-up with you… and Swindon too
The Loathed Strangers Podcast host Rich Pullen joins us today, who thinks Swindon’s hopes this season are resting firmly on Charlie Austin’s shoulders
Thursday 13 July 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Huddersfield – Saturday 22 July, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Altrincham – Saturday 15 July, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Swindon supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
I wrote that little snippet for a half-term report we published on 21 January. Swindon went on to finish 10th, which looks OK on paper, but points-wise they were closer to exiting the division via the bottom two rather than the top three. If you think my prediction was bad, last summer When Saturday Comes had Swindon down to finish as champions.
In my defence, Swindon were 6th when I wrote the above, and Charlie Austin did contribute a healthy 9 goals in 20 games upon his return to Wiltshire (I’m going to leave out the fact that four of them came in one game at Rochdale), but it appears his teammates weren’t really up for a promotion push, winning just 5 of their final 20 games.
Swindon are a fairly big club at this level, but they were far too inconsistent last season to have any chance of getting back to League One, and nobody’s entirely sure what they’re going to do this time around. Even Rich Pullen, host of The Loathed Strangers Podcast, is sitting on the fence when it comes to Swindon’s chances in 2023-24, and thinks a big part of how they’ll get on will depend on how Charlie Austin performs. We should have a better idea how the Robins will do this season by the time County visit the County Ground in November.
Finally, a big thank you to Carrie Burke Tutor Work for sponsoring today’s edition.
Enjoy today’s issue.
Des Junior
Their place: Saturday 11 November 2023, 3pm
Our place: Saturday 24 February 2024, 3pm
Last win at their place: Saturday 25 March 2023, League Two, 1-0
Last win at our place: Saturday 5 November 2022, FA Cup first round, 4-0
Today’s Sky Bet title/promotion/relegation odds: Us – 6/1 11/8 50/1 Them – 25/1 5/1 14/1
Are you glad County lost the play-off final, or would you rather be playing Carlisle this season?
I am absolutely elated that a side capable of coming back stronger failed to go up against a club who were very much “it’s now or never” – hooray!
In terms of your summer transfer business, where have Swindon been shopping?
Town have simply popped into the public library, because at the time of writing (11 July), the only transfer we’ve completed is a loan deal for QPR goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney.
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?
The CD player. How hard is it to compile a half-decent matchday playlist?
Which team do you most want to beat this season?
Milton Keynes Dons because I’m an angsty fan rapidly approaching 40 and that’s the mindset we’re supposed to have, right? Plus Dean Lewington is going to break Town legend John Trollope’s appearance record – BOOOOOO!
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.
They are here so you do what you’ve got to do. Nobody beyond Wimbledon protests in numbers any more.
The big difference between 2009-10 and now is that they aren’t convincing anyone with their aspirations to reach the holy land of the Premier League. They’re a League One/League Two yo-yo side at best. Hope it was worth it, Pete?
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?
Clem Morfuni as chancellor of the exchequer, as much of his tenure has been about sorting out the finances of the club.
Michael Flynn as minister without portfolio as he’s got a lot to do, so dedicating his time to one department won’t be enough.
There's a huge game at the County Ground 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 Swindon fans reacting?
Much like society, I imagine the louder fans will be frothing at the mouths and utterly bewildered at the events happening before their eyes whilst the rest just sit there and politely wait for it to all get sorted.
Newport County, Notts County, Stockport County. Snog one, marry one, avoid one.
Snog Stockport, marry Notts, avoid Newport.
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’ll take him to Fratello’s where the staff can regale anecdotes of former Swindon players and the mischief they used to get into, before taking him to some subpar karaoke night in the Old Town. Really classy stuff. He’s paying and I’ll probably leave early.
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 Swindon to people who think it's not that fashionable?
“The Swindon lot aren’t all slugs.”
Which Swindon player is most likely to end up in League Two's team of the season?
Charlie Austin. His efforts will probably dictate how the season unfolds so if it’s good then he’ll be a League Two team of the season candidate.
Early predictions for 2023-24?
Bradford, Gillingham, Wrexham and yourselves to go up. Crawley and Morecambe for the drop.
Click on the links below to read the previous 2023-24 previews we’ve published so far.
Crawley / Grimsby / Mansfield / Newport / Tranmere / Wimbledon
Help your child figure out the answers
If you’re a County mum or dad, now that our fixtures have been released for the new season, your child might have some burning questions surrounding some of the new teams joining us.
Where exactly is Forest Green?
Why are all 46 of Wrexham’s league games on Sky?
Should I boycott MK Dons away?
Why not hire a tutor to help your child with all of these complicated issues? Allow us to introduce you to Carrie Burke Tutor Work.
I mean, Carrie’s not really there to teach your child about Nailsworth, Ryan Reynolds or that curly-haired twit in Buckinghamshire, but she is on hand to help in many other ways.
The business caters for Key Stage 1-4 children and young adults who either need extra support in their English and maths learning, or to help prepare them for entrance examinations.
Carrie and her team deliver quality primary school teaching and learning via group, individual and online delivery. All teachers are fully qualified with extensive experience and love educating children!
They progress your child academically with increased self-confidence and belief, through connecting and creating successful relationships with children and parents. Using creativity to plan fun, exciting lessons they help children to solve challenges with support and positivity.
Visit carrieburke.com for further details.
Photo of the day
Edgeley Park, Stockport
The last time Swindon came to SK3, I purchased a box of Celebrations and handed them out to County fans. (Don’t ask. Although here’s the reason if you do want to ask.) There’s some good photos if you click on the link, but I think my favourite reaction was this one, from a Bounty-loving Phil Brennan (who wrote this cracking article on Bury’s Gigg Lane return for us this week).
Today in SK
🍽 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 - 7.30pm.
Taster Thursday at TRUNK (SK7). Three tapas dishes and a glass of sangria for £20 from 5pm. 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.
🎶 Free jukebox
Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.
🎱 Free pool
The George & Dragon (SK7). 6pm - 9pm.
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.
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