From Chicago to Edgeley

Britton Barthold shares the tale of his very first County game

Thursday 19 October 2023

NEXT HOME GAME: Grimsby – Saturday 21 October, 3pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Crewe – Tuesday 24 October, 7.45pm

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Back in February, Britton Barthold wrote this cracking piece for the website, explaining how an American from Chicago fell in love with County. At the time he told me he was hoping to make the journey across the pond in the not-too-distant future to experience his first taste of Edgeley Park, and he managed to do just that for the Doncaster game at the start of this month. Britton’s back with us today to share the tale of his first ever trip to SK3.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Riks Fencing & Landscaping. We’ve got a 10% discount available for readers, which might come in very handy with these storms on the way. Further details below.

Finally, I’m starting my charity walk this week, walking every street in Stockport to raise money for men’s mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

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I spent five days in London earlier this month on vacation. One of the highlights of the trip? Travelling up to Stockport to see County beat Doncaster.

However, I must include this immediately: it’s important to note that all I really am is some American who stumbled upon Stockport County some time ago and decided that was going to be the football club I followed for life. Now granted, I didn’t discover them on some Disney+ show – but I am still someone who isn’t from Stockport, who doesn’t live anywhere remotely close to Stockport, so thus, I’m not a truly qualified Stockport County fan. I’m a tourist, some could say, who has no business being at Edgeley Park in the first place. 

And I agree with that, 100%. True County fans come first at Edgeley Park. They always should. No ticket allotment should ever be held out for “international fans” just coming over for a visit and in no way should my experience come before any true County supporter. And yet, that’s what I love so dearly about the sport of football and the passion inside a community like County’s. They live and die by their hometown club, no matter how fast they fall or how quickly they rise. They are there every Saturday, not every few years when the club is good. They pack the ground in the National League, they pack it again in League Two. They are faithful until the end, which again is what I find so beautiful about the sport. They are staunch defenders of their mighty Hatters and will stand firm in the Cheadle End until the final whistle, not leaving early to catch a train or beat the traffic. They love their boys in blue, no matter what.

It was absolutely beautiful to see that in-person recently. After spending five days in London on vacation, I decided it was time to do a day trip and experience a County matchday for the first time. I tried my best to keep a low profile, in order to see the true reality of the Stockport County faithful. And boy oh boy, did I see it. It was unlike any sporting experience I’ve seen in America. All ages coming together for one single purpose: to watch County smash Doncaster.

And those who did recognise me even as I tried to stay somewhat quiet? The absolute nicest people I’ve ever met. From Benji and his staff at Bask to those in the club shop, I don’t think they could have been nicer and more welcoming. They took me in with open arms, discussing anything and everything with me when it came to County. They took great care of me as if I was one of their own, something I never expected. It was magnificent all around, and a testament to their character and love surrounding their club.

So that really brings it full circle. Football should not be a tourist attraction – a “one-time” thing to grab a picture in front of the ground or buy a scarf as a souvenir. To me, you must respect those who belong there in the first place. You must understand why there is a County in the first place and why these clubs across England exist in the first place. Don’t treat it as an attraction; treat it with the respect it deserves. If you support a club, support it with all you’ve got. If you do that, if you show respect, they will return the favour. And when they return the favour, you truly get to realise what makes the beautiful game so beautiful.

Thanks again for all the hospitality. Onward County!

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Have your fences blown over? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered

It’s a little bit wet and windy at the moment isn’t it? Weather that might even send your fence crashing to the ground. If that happens, be sure to get in touch with Riks Fencing & Landscaping.

The business offers a fantastic range of composite decking and fencing. Unlike wooden fencing and decking which needs to be maintained, stained and sealed regularly, composite decking and fencing is made from a composite of recycled plastics and real wood fibres that is very low maintenance and resistant to stains, mould, mildew, cracking, splitting and warping.

For a free survey and quotation, call 0161 494 0469 or 07745 720463, mentioning “The Scarf My Father Wore” to receive a 10% discount.

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Today in SK

🍽 Food and drink

Lunch deal at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7 or two courses for £11. 12pm till 2pm.

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

The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.

🎱 Free pool

The George & Dragon (SK7). 6pm - 9pm.

🎵 Live music

Jersey Budd at Bask (SK1). Support from French Coriandah and Jacob Coley. 7pm. Free entry.

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Photo of the day

Someone’s telly

Accrington in League One. Northampton in League Two. I appreciate mistakes can happen from time to time, but if you’ve been trusted to broadcast the live FA Cup draw, surely you can spare a few minutes to double check you’ve done your graphics properly. I bet ITV wouldn’t make the same mistakes for any Premier League clubs…

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