“He hasn't played for a long time now and a lot of our fans fear we won't see him in a Wrexham shirt again”

Paul Mullin’s scored four times for Wrexham against County but thankfully we won’t be seeing him this weekend… probably

Mar 21, 2025

Friday 21 March 2025

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NEXT HOME GAME: Burton Albion – Saturday 29 March, 12.30pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Wrexham – Tomorrow, 3pm

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Wrexham 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.

Get ready for a lot of Wrexham content over the next few days, with County heading to North Wales tomorrow for an absolutely huge clash in this season’s League One promotion race. Our coverage kicks off with Gaz from Chips for a Quid.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Not Just Travel. A big thank you to Paul and Tracy.

Thanks also to Rough Hands Tap who sponsor our Wrexham content on the website.

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: 240.07 miles

Total steps so far: 392,922

Total raised so far: £2,287

Total completed streets so far: 474 (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

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Photo credit: Wrexham is the Game

Paul Mullin ‘MISSING’ posters have been spotted around Wrexham recently. Is he actually out of favour with Parkinson or is this just some sort of sick ploy and he’s gonna grab a hat-trick on Saturday?

Ha ha! I'd be surprised if he features this weekend. He hasn't played for a long time now and a lot of our fans fear we won't see him in a Wrexham shirt again. He had surgery in the summer and just hasn't found his stride at all this year, and he's been left out in the cold now alongside Palmer. I think it's probably Fletcher or Sam Smith you need to worry about. But you can never write Mullin off entirely. It'd be great if he does manage to force his way back into the team before the end of the season.

Who’s been your best player so far this season?

Ollie Rathbone. He has been superb. Keep an eye out for him on Saturday. Not that you'll miss him. He is absolutely everywhere and is the engine of our midfield. Big shout for Steven Fletcher as well who at the ripe old age of 104 is still coming off the bench to bag us winners.

Will your defence be terrified of Tanto on Saturday?

I certainly will be. I was at Edgeley Park for that 5-0. The guy haunted my dreams for a while. Whether or not he will make an impact depends on what kind of day our centre-back Eoghan O'Connell is having. He is formidable most of the time, but if he's woken up on the wrong side of bed, Tanto could eat him for breakfast.

Tanto smashed a hat-trick past the Red Dragons last season (Photo credit: Mike Petch)

This fixture has produced a home win on the last six occasions we’ve met? Why can neither of us seem to do anything away from home in this one?

Weird isn't it? Perhaps it's down to the home fans just cranking up the noise and scaring the away side? Fingers crossed that pattern continues this weekend...

When we spoke before the game at EP in November, you said you thought you’d end up in the play-offs. Are you sticking with that or do you think you can grab 2nd?

That Wycombe win was absolutely massive, but there's so much football left to play and we're a strange team this season. We grind out wins without being truly spectacular but we always seem to have a poor performance in us. I'm just hoping that win at Adams Park is the boost we need to really go for it now. Ask me again after Saturday!

How do you think you’ll do in the Championship next season if you do go up?

This current team would fight but ultimately struggle. However, if we do go up, we'll undoubtedly splash the cash and see a massive turnover of players. The old favourites like Ollie Palmer, Paul Mullin et al could head out the door and I wouldn't be surprised if many of this year's starting XI either leave or are relegated to impact subs. That's all a big IF right now, though.

Where’s good to drink in Wrexham for any County fans brave enough to have a mooch tomorrow?

Depends what you're up for! You can bang your head on the low ceilings at The Horse & Jockey with very cheap beers, or you can amble a bit further down and find a good variety of pale ales and IPAs at The Drunk Monk. Vault 33 is good, too. Wouldn't bother with Spoons, the bouncers get funny about away fans in there. There's also Hill St and The Fat Boar in town, which are very big footy pubs. But my recommendation would be The Maesgwyn. It's opposite The Turf (which is class but requires a long wait to get in unless you go early) and has a big wide open outdoor space with live music, decent lager on draught, and a good atmosphere. Plus you're within stumbling distance of the stadium. Always handy.

Has the city of Wrexham improved at all since the takeover?

100%. I'm a Wrexile who comes back regularly and for many years every time I returned to Wrexham, something else had closed down. Now, whenever I come back, it seems something new has opened up. Bars, restaurants, cafes, bakeries. It's getting better all the time. Is it nirvana? No. But it's on the up, that's for sure. You say "Stockport isn't shit" - and neither is Wrexham!

What’s the latest on your plans for the Kop?

Well we have the design - which looks fantastic - but it hasn't been officially confirmed yet when development will begin. The temp stand will have to do in the meantime!

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County - A) the club B) the fans C) the manager?

A great club with great fans. I've said it before, but it’s often like looking in a mirror whenever we go to Stockport. Similar supporters who love their football and back their players when the going gets tough. Now, you are enjoying the rewards. Challinor is not quite as likeable, given he seems to enjoy singing anti-Wrexham songs just as much as the rest of you do, but he is clearly an excellent manager. I bet you're chuffed with the job he's done.

What’s your rivalry with Chester actually like?

Very real and pretty horrible. If you think Wrexham-Stockport is a rivalry, you should have seen what it was like whenever we played that lot. Part of me is glad they're still rotting away in the regional leagues because those derbies could be nerve-wracking and/or nasty occasions. But the other part of me would love to draw them in the cup and batter them.

Best and worst memories as a Wrexham fan?

For me, the worst was relegation to the National League and best was promotion from it. Life is all swings and roundabouts. Diolch, Hollywood!

What’s your prediction for tomorrow?

I'll go with 2-2. Think this could be a great one.

And finally, you’ve been a regular on The Scarf My Father Wore for a couple of years now, but I can’t remember if I’ve ever asked you this. Why’s your Substack called Chips for a Quid?

Ah, a long-standing fanbase joke, especially on the forums. We had a prospective owner once upon a time (Stephanie Booth - her life story is a wild one if you want to look her up) who promised to deliver all sorts for the club, including selling chips for a quid in the stadium, as if that would be enough to convince fans she was the best choice of owner. I believe that is the origin of the expression, but in any case it has stuck ever since, and has remained a joke among Wrexham fans. Niche, yes - but so is the Substack!

Contact Paul and Tracy Franklin for your next holiday

It’s definitely time to start thinking about your summer holiday if you haven’t booked anything just yet. Before you commit to anything, it’s worth getting in touch with Paul and Tracy Franklin as they can price match any trip you’ve found with On The Beach, Tui, EasyJet Holidays or Jet2Holidays.

As a team, Paul and Tracy Franklin are dedicated to delivering for their customers. They recognise that holidays are often the biggest outlay for people and so their top priority is finding them the perfect getaway. Whether you know exactly what you want or are looking for some ideas and inspiration, they can help!

With in excess of 450 suppliers they can find your dream trip. They have a number of key trade partners which allow them to organise anything from city breaks and fly and flops to cruises, weddings, honeymoons and sporting events across every corner of the globe. From high street names such as TUI, Jet2 and Easyjet to bespoke travel arrangements they can meet your requirements. They pride themselves on exceptional, personable service and for peace of mind all bookings are ABTA and ATOL protected.

Using Paul and Tracy as your personal travel consultants means that they can take all the legwork of finding and planning your trips. They can also deal with any bumps in the road should there be any. There are so many variables to a trip and so many places to look most of their customers are so relieved to have someone do that for them! Others are just glad to be able to support a smaller business that delivers a personal touch, as opposed to some of the travel giants out there. Whatever an enquiry looks like they are always keen to get their teeth stuck in, adding value where they can and learning along the way – the world is a big place!

➡️ Visit paulandtracyfranklin.notjusttravel.com for further details.

Photo of the day

Racecourse Ground, Wrexham

We’ve had two intense title battles with Wrexham in recent years (County winning both of them, obviously). Neither side will be champions this season - Birmingham have seen to that - so we won’t be seeing any planes flying over North Wales (or Cheshire). But tomorrow’s game at the Racecourse could have a significant bearing on who’s going to be joining the Brummies in the Championship next season.

Pop into Rough Hands Tap for a pint this weekend

Any Wrexham fans (or indeed any of our other readers from North Wales) joining us today? Enjoy a pint or two at Rough Hands Tap this weekend, Wrexham’s newest craft beer bar.

Located at Chapter Court on Queens Street, everyone’s welcome for good chat and cracking craft beer or bangin' coffee.

➡️ Visit roughhands.co.uk for further details.

Bits and bobs

👣 A LONG WALK TO WREXHAM

“I’m prepared for all weather. I’ve got a new coat and the pants I’ve got have zips at the knee so if it’s a bit on the warm side I can make them into shorts!”

Leon Ryder - who raised over £1,000 for Mentell by cycling to Wrexham last season - sounds like he’s ready to go ahead of his long walk to North Wales this weekend. He’s leaving Edgeley Park at lunchtime today, hoping to arrive at the Racecourse in time for kick-off tomorrow. Best of luck, mate!

➡️ Click here to make a donation.

🚌 WREXHAM COACH INFO

Edgeley Con Club: Full.

Fingerpost Flyer: 1pm. £20 adults, £16 juniors. Email hedgegrower@gmail.com to book.

SK6 County Coaches: Full.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Mickey 17 (15) at 5.45pm, followed by Captain America: Brave New World (12A) at 8.30pm.

➡️ Click here for tickets.

🎶 DJ

Friday Night Disco with DJ Kal at The Nelson Tavern (SK1). 8pm.

🍔 Food and drink

Happy Hour at Covent Garden Café (SK1) between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. If you spend £20 or more you get to roll the dice, and if you roll a 6 your bill is half price!

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this month by popping in for a few drinks and a bite to eat.

🎤 Karaoke

The Alexandra (SK3).

🎸 Live music

One Day at The Crown Inn (SK6). 9pm.

Jack Broughton at The Steelworks (SK6). 8pm.

Random snippets from old County programmes

#25 - County v Swindon, 9 March 1999

County director Dave Jolley outlined the club’s plans for the Railway End. It would have been some sight had it come to fruition!

As you may have read in the local press it has been a momentous week for the club off the field with our plans for the next phase of development here at Edgeley Park being put to the local council for outline planning permission.

Our plans for the Railway End are indeed ambitious and include a 90 bed hotel, a banqueting suite for 600 people, a leisure complex, swimming pool and a pub - not forgetting of course the 5,500 seats for our supporters.

Whilst our on-field activities will always take preference, no one can run a football club on turnstile receipts alone. You can only do it by having other activities that are cash generators.

The project will be an imposing gateway type building which will make an impact on the town. It will be of benefit to the Edgeley area and the economy of the borough, but we clearly can’t do it on our own. We need goodwill and help, principally from the local authority and our neighbours.

We are trying to mix with the big boys like Sunderland whose facilities are incredible, the best I’ve seen, and they must be generating a huge amount of money. We too work hard to create a profit at Stockport County and we then reinvest it into the club’s two main assets - the stadium and the team.