“Every club in the country wants you to lose, so winning means that much more”

Liam Connolly from The MK1 Podcast gives us an insight into what it’s like supporting the most controversial club in the Football League

The Scarf My Father Wore

Mar 22, 2024

Friday 22 March 2024

NEXT HOME GAME: MK Dons – Saturday 23 March, 5.15pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Forest Green – Friday 29 March, 3pm

If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, MK supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Friday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore, ahead of tomorrow’s game of the day in League Two.

I’ve produced fanzines, blogs and websites my entire life but I don’t think I’ve ever interviewed an MK Dons fan before. The national football magazine When Saturday Comes still excludes MK from their season preview each summer. If you’re in the same division as MK, however, it’s difficult to completely ignore them. I’ve always been interested to ask a few specific questions, so with County taking on Winkelman’s lot tomorrow, now feels like a good time to do so. Liam Connolly from The MK1 Podcast joins us for a chat.

Our first live event of 2024 is taking place next month. ‘Flynny at the Finger’ – an evening with County legend Mike Flynn – is at The Fingerpost on Wednesday 17 April. Start time 7.30pm. Over 60% of the tickets have now been sold. If you’d like to join us, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com. Tickets are £10 (or £5 for paid subscribers plus anyone who’s written an article for The Scarf My Father Wore). That includes a full colour souvenir programme, and even a little bit of stand-up comedy!

Today’s edition is sponsored by That Oven Girl. A big thank you to Fay.

Also, a big thank you to Three Counties Spirits Co, who sponsor our MK Dons content on the website. If you need to stock up your drinks cabinet at the moment, you can get a 10% discount off all orders on their website. Simply enter the code SCARF10 at checkout.

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: 136.36 miles

Total steps so far: 217,174

Total raised so far: £1,666

Total completed streets so far: 271 (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

The Sky Sports cameras are in town for a juicy one tomorrow with at least one of us guaranteed to finish the day in the top three, or both if we draw and Wrexham lose. What’s your prediction?

I imagine Saturday will be very cagey based on the magnitude of both teams’ situation. Dons will likely be aggressive to impose their football on County and will try to take an early lead; County will bide their time I reckon and wait for quality chances.

Ultimately, both teams know it could be a point or three closer to promotion, but it would be a damning game to lose at this stage. If one team is going to win it, I think MK has the better chance of doing so.

You’re 26 now, so you’d only have been six or seven when MK Dons were officially formed in 2004. What’s it like as a younger fan, who presumably just started following their local team as a youngster?

I lived in between Northampton and Milton Keynes as a kid, with no real family connections to any clubs in the area. Dons became my local team when Wimbledon FC made the move to Milton Keynes, so I’ve supported Wimbledon, and now MK Dons, since I was a young lad.

As a fan who goes home and away, it’s honestly one of the most enjoyable experiences. The highs are real highs and the lows are catastrophic but every club in the country wants you to lose, so winning means that much more. A lot of younger fans are attracted to that image, which is something the club tries to shy away from.

Why didn’t you support the club that already existed in Milton Keynes?

It was either Northampton or Wimbledon (when they moved to MK) as a kid. I was geographically on the border of both. Most people in Milton Keynes will say that the previous club in the area had no real purpose in the town. Wimbledon, and then MK Dons, gave the town (and now the city) something to shout about.

Do you think it’s appropriate to keep using the name Dons?

Absolutely. MK Dons is the original Wimbledon FC whether football likes it or not. Besides that, the Dons is part of the club’s history and losing it would seriously impact its current fanbase more so than people think

AFC Wimbledon have their own story, as do we. It’s all about ownership and getting rid of the very thing you are does not play into that.

If The Jeremy Kyle Show came back on telly, with MK and AFC Wimbledon fans on the first episode, how do you think that would pan out…

Not very well! I myself, as well as many MK fans, have been asked to do “open discussion conversations” about such topics but there is zero to gain from our side. Our stories in the media are supposedly told and the majority will always see it with rose-tinted glasses.

Can you understand why the majority of football fans enjoyed the last minute goal by AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane a few weeks ago?

We’re happy being Public Enemy No. 1 and if anything we embrace it.

Best and worst memories supporting MK?

Some of my best memories are the away days from the 2021-22 season. Whilst the Dons ultimately missed out on promotion, losing in the play-offs, the victories at Rotherham, Sunderland and Plymouth to name just a few really were a high for the dedicated core of our fans who follow the Franchise up and down the country. Many weekends were spent celebrating three points and upsetting the odds, which is what this club is all about and why we all fell in love with the Dons.

Worst was probably relegation last season. One of those moments which you hope will never happen, and it really shouldn’t have with all the revenue generated from player sales. Some harsh lessons were hopefully learned after our chairman said we’d never return to this level after our previous stint.

What do you think of Stockport County – A) the club B) the manager C) the fans?

I think County have ambitions higher than the Fourth Division which has been shown over the last few years, especially this season where it’s fair to say you’re the best side in the league. To still be up there with the quantity of injuries highlights this point further.

Dave Challinor is doing a fine job and the fans at Edgeley Park have had a big part to play in that with the team’s home record this campaign. Hopefully we can spoil the party temporarily, however!

How is Dean Lewington still playing for the club? Isn’t he about 61 now?

It certainly feels like it! Lewie is a legend of the English game, whether football fans like it or not. To be the remaining piece of our club’s original history and still playing to this day is a remarkable achievement. His career will be remembered for a long time, at least in our parts. A top bloke and our captain, leader and legend.

Tell us about your podcast.

The MK1 Podcast is in its fourth season and is the audio hub for everything Milton Keynes Dons. We have previews, reviews, interviews and many more elements. We release weekly episodes so it’s well worth a listen if you’re after some insight into us ahead of Saturday’s game.

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Let’s play a game of ‘Spot the Difference’!

Can you spot the difference between the two photos above? It’s not exactly the hardest game you’ll ever play, is it? That’s because Fay from That Oven Girl is very good at what she does!

The “before” photo is your oven on a Sunday afternoon, after it’s taken a battering with roast chicken and potatoes and vegetables.

The “after” photo is your oven once you’ve given Fay a call, and she’s got it looking brand new for you once again.

Book your oven cleaning slot by calling Fay on 07487 252758 or email thatovengirl21@gmail.com.

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Enjoy a 10% discount from Three Counties Spirits Co

Three Counties Spirits Co was founded by husband and wife team Luke and Fiona Garnsworthy. With Luke's culinary expertise and a legacy rooted in hospitality, they craft exceptional small batch spirits. Their journey began with Landlocked Rum, and their vision extends to diverse spirit styles.

Luke’s kindly provided a 10% discount for The Scarf My Father Wore readers. Simply enter the code SCARF10 at checkout.

Visit threecountiesspiritsco.com to have a look at their full range of rums, liqueurs and cocktails.

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Photo of the day

Last night on the A6 (and some of the pavement)

Sorry, Not in Service. Yeah, when you’ve crashed your bus into Stockport’s Garrick Theatre, the phrase “No Shit Sherlock” springs to mind. (The driver was fine.)

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Wicked Little Letters (15) at 6pm, followed by Maestro (15) at 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.

💿 DJs

Stockport’s biggest party at the weekend is at Bask (SK1), with DJ Gareth Brooks playing till 3am. Last entry 1.30am.

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have their resident DJ playing on a Friday night, with Dicko (Ian Dickinson) on from 8pm till 1am.

🍺 Food and drink

If you find yourself in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a pint or two.

There’s a new craft stout at The Dog & Partridge (SK2) this month. Euphoria is a 4.5% ABV dark, easy drinking kegged stout with a subtle punch of coffee, chocolate and a deep, rich malt flavour.

Fish Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Lite bite fish and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.75.