Hello, Goodbye
No, it’s nothing to do with The Beatles song, it’s just Des Junior saying hello to 2024 and goodbye to 2023 with the help of various Hatters at the Bradford and Mansfield games
Thursday 4 January 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: Walsall – Saturday 13 January, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Notts County – Saturday 20 January, 3pm
NOTTS COUNTY COACHES:
Crofter: 11am – £20 (adults) and £16 (under-14s) – text Steve on 07983 580582 or message Crofter Coaches on Facebook
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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
County failed to beat Bradford and Mansfield, but I still think you’ll enjoy this one today. I attended our final game of 2023 at Valley Parade, as well as our first game of 2024 at EP, and I thought I’d have a chat with a few different Hatters about the year just gone and the year ahead.
One of the questions below features New Year’s resolutions. Mine is to produce The Scarf My Father Wore on a full-time basis. I literally cannot do that without the support of County fans, though. You’ll receive 365 editions of The Scarf My Father Wore this year. Actually, hang on, that’s wrong. It’s a leap year. You’ll receive 366 editions of The Scarf My Father Wore this year! If you believe that’s worth 17p a day (or just 13p a day if you sign up for the year) please click on that button and join our other paid subscribers.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Pro Clean Carpet Services. If your carpets are looking a little worse for wear after your Christmas celebrations and New Year’s Eve parties, call 07359 461781 or email info@procleancarpetservices.co.uk.
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: 46.68 miles
Total steps so far: 83,302
Total raised so far: £1,037
Total completed streets so far: 24 (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
Des Junior has just got off a train from Chester to Stockport. He needs to get over to Cashy the groundsman’s house in Bredbury to catch a lift to Bradford. Cashy’s not leaving for a couple of hours, however, and with the rain absolutely pissing down, Des Junior takes shelter in Bask. Dave Thompson’s in there having a quick pint before heading to Yorkshire with Crofter Coaches.
You make your living as a sport photographer. What’s your favourite photo from 2023?
I do quite a lot of work at Citeh, but I’ve been getting bored of their steamroller, so I’ve gone for this picture instead. It’s of Scouse away at Barrow. Steve has been brilliant in organising the coaches from the Crofter and also helped me through a very tough spell after the Yeovil defeat in the National League season. He’s another one of County’s greats.
You raised a phenomenal £10,000 for Mentell in 2023 with your boxing challenge. What was your favourite moment?
At 6.30am, I totalled up what we’d done so far in terms of minutes, and realised we’d completed both targets with seven hours to go. It will forever be one of the greatest experiences of my life. I loved every painful minute and seeing people come along to support those of us boxing for 24 hours was truly motivating.
What’s the nicest food you’ve had in 2023?
That will always be a Sunday Roast lovingly prepared by my wife Caroline.
Favourite County moment of 2023?
Spain was a great trip in the summer. Or, any minute spent with Simon Hewitt. A wonderful man.
Hopes for County in 2024?
Hopefully promotion, in any form, but also for the club to continue their progression on and off the pitch.
It’s still raining, but Des Junior decides to have a walk up to Edgeley. Jon Waterman and Simon Calvert are at Stockport station at the same time, waiting for a train to Manchester Piccadilly (before heading to Victoria for the Bradford train).
Favourite County moment of 2023?
Jon: I’d have to say the semi-final against Salford or beating Wrexham 5-0.
Simon: There’s been so many, you’ve put me on the spot! The Sutton 8-0 deserves a mention. And winning 12 games in a row was an incredible run.
Best away day of 2023?
Jon: Crewe was a good atmosphere.
Simon: Not Morecambe!
Best County player of 2023?
Jon: Horsfall second half of last season, Hinchliffe first half of this one. Croasdale’s been solid all year as well.
Simon: It was great watching Barry play. We’ve really missed him since his injury.
Hopes for County in 2024?
Both: Promotion!
Edgeley’s pretty quiet, so Des Junior wanders down to Wetherspoons instead. John King’s having a drink, and Mark Fletcher’s just finishing off his burger and chips, before they head off to catch their coach to Bradford.
Favourite County moment of 2023?
Kingy: Our third goal against Wrexham. Watching Barry just waltz right through them was something else.
Fletch: I remember seeing Wrexham in a huddle after that third goal went in. They looked absolutely terrified, couldn’t handle us at all.
Favourite non-County moment of 2023?
Kingy: Getting my hot tub fixed.
Des: That is a nice hot tub to be fair.
Best ground visited in 2023?
Kingy: Wembley was decent.
Fletch: Do you know what, I really enjoyed Carlisle on the Tuesday night. Great atmosphere up there from us and them.
Best away day of 2023?
Kingy: Charlton.
Des: That was 2022, John.
Fletch: Leyton Orient was a funny day at the end of the season. I got the train to London, but ended up in New Mills Mike’s car after the game. We’d only gone to find a shop to get some beers for the train home but somehow ended up in Essex, before Mike just drove us home instead.
Bradford. A few minutes after the game gets the green light. Des Junior’s in The Lord Clyde with some of the Stockport Sippers Society. One of them, Stuart Mackinlay, is making a night of it by staying over in Bradford (with his good friend Don Cain).
How’s your hotel?
Superb! There’s a late bar and a curry house as well.
Favourite County moment of 2023?
Beating Wrexham 5-0. I don’t think any of us expected that but we completely annihilated them. It felt like the team was coming of age that day.
Worst County moment of 2023?
The FA Cup replay against Aldershot. They deserved their victory to be fair, but we were so poor on the night.
Best away day of 2023?
I thought the atmosphere at Crewe was fantastic, and it was also our best away performance of the season so far.
Do you have a New Year’s resolution?
I want to tick off a number of grounds I’ve not yet been to. I’ve been inspired by County fans who travel everywhere to support the team, spending a phenomenal amount of money in doing so.
Valley Parade. A few minutes before kick-off. Stuart Holt stops for a quick chat.
Best County player of 2023?
Ben Hinchliffe.
Favourite County moment of 2023?
Being at Wembley for the sixth time with my son Daley to watch County.
Best away day of 2023?
The 3-0 win at Leyton Orient in April.
Best film or TV show you watched in 2023?
TV: Shetland. Film: The Great Escaper.
Hopes for 2024?
Promotion for County and peace in Gaza and Ukraine.
It’s 0-0 at the break. Pete Mellor’s on the concourse with his daughters Maisy and Dotty, plus another girl who jumps in for the photo!
Who’s been the best passenger on Crofter Coaches this year?
Pete: Liam Root. Legend!
And the worst?
Pete: Chris Roberts. Miserable!
Best away day of 2023?
Pete: I quite liked Accrington.
Dotty: I enjoyed Swindon.
Pete: Yeah she enjoyed Swindon but I didn’t get in!
Best thing you’ve watched in 2023?
Dotty: Elf The Musical.
New Year’s Day. We’re back in Stockport. Paul and Jake Connolly, father and son, are sitting on “the friendly bench” outside Edgeley Park before the Mansfield game. The perfect location for Des Junior to stop and ask them a few questions.
Favourite County moment of 2023?
Paul: There’s loads to choose from but it’s got to be Wrexham hasn’t it?
Best County player of 2023?
Jake: I’d say Horsfall, with Pye our best young player.
Paul: You’ve got to mention Barry, too.
Do you have a New Year’s resolution?
Paul: Lose weight for his wedding this summer!
Hopes for County in 2024?
Jake: I’d like to stay where we are at the top. But this is Stockport County we’re talking about.
Paul: We’ll have a bit of a wobble but we’ll make it.
A house in Edgeley. After the 2-0 defeat at home to Mansfield, Des Junior is being cheered up with homemade vegetable lasagne, raspberry ice cream from Morrisons, and lots of lovely cuddles with his two adorable nephews, Evan and Myles. Lauren Hinks has had her hands full with those identical twin boys. But once they nod off, she can’t escape her big brother’s questions…
You became a mum in 2023. What’s the best thing?
Being able to create an amazing life for two little boys, plus I get to relive my childhood as I’m a big kid at heart! Pantos, theme parks, meeting Santa Claus, you name it!
At this very early stage, if you had to make a prediction, who’s most likely to play for County – Evan or Myles?
1000% Myles. Ever since pregnancy he’s had a cracking right foot! He has this season’s County kit and our own number 21 gave me inspiration for his name. Plus his middle name is Daniel, named after the man from Uruguay, NOT my brother Daniel! He’s destined to score at the Cheadle End.
Do you have a New Year’s resolution?
To stop stressing and needing everything so perfect like a tidy house. Remembering none of it matters in the grand scheme of life and to just live in the moment.
Favourite TV show of 2023?
Because I currently have a 10% concentration span and two babies to look after, I’m currently rewatching all the Netflix shows I love. Orange Is the New Black, Suits and Lucifer. Easy watching!
Danny Hinks is on the sofa nursing a hangover after being at a New Year’s Eve house party until 5am. But that’s no excuse to escape his big brother’s questions…
Best away day of 2023?
Has to be Orient, 2-0 up away at the champions in the first 10 minutes. The sun was shining and the atmosphere was top!
Best pub of 2023?
The Church Inn, Cheadle Hulme.
Favourite game of 2023?
In terms of County, it would have to be Orient again.
Non-County has to be the Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla. It wasn’t the greatest game on the pitch, but to witness the atmosphere in person was next level.
Best night out in 2023?
Don’t remember any of them.
How are Carnforth going to do in 2024?
I think we’ll have our most successful season since reforming in 2015. I predict a treble!
A big thank you to all of our interviewees, and Happy New Year to all of our readers and subscribers!
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Today in SK
Are you giving Dry January a go? The Crown Inn (SK6) have a great selection of non-alcoholic beers and ciders, plus nozeco!
Random County fan of the day #4 – Steve Bellis!
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