“I always looked forward to Boxing Day football, but there was the odd Baileys after the Christmas dinner”
A Christmas Day treat for our readers, as we enjoy a festive chat with nine former Hatters
Sunday 25 December 2022
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I love using this new Substack platform, which allows me to send season’s greetings straight into your inbox. Although many of you have probably got your ‘out of office’ on until January, so you might not even see this for another week or so. Sod it, it’s the thought that counts.
I have actually been quite thoughtful today. I knew I wanted to pop a little something in your Christmas stockings to say thank you to everyone who’s subscribed to The Scarf My Father Wore, everyone who’s offered support, everyone who’s liked and shared articles, everyone who’s contributed articles, everyone who’s bought tickets to our live event. To do this, I thought I’d put together a few interviews with lots of former County players, so you’ve got something fun to read while you’re waiting for your turkey to cook, or you’re sat on the toilet for half an hour because your mother-in-law is doing your head in.
Once again, another quick plug for ‘A Curry with Colin Woodthorpe’ - our first live event of 2023. It’s taking place at Last Monsoon in Stockport on Monday 30 January at 7.30pm. We’ve now sold over 60% of the tickets, so we’re well on the way to a sell-out. Come and join us as we speak to one of Gary Megson’s first County signings ahead of our first season in Division One in 1997-98. Colin’s an absolutely lovely bloke, and having made 171 appearances for County, he’s got some fantastic stories from his five years at Edgeley Park.
You’ll also get poppadoms, mixed starters, curry, rice and naan breads. As well as a full colour souvenir programme. All for just £20. Fancy it? Send me a text or give me a call on 07816 111150, or you can email desmondhinks@hotmail.co.uk
Finally, today’s edition is sponsored by The Site Supply Company. A big thank you to Steve Cree. Check out hivis.net if you need any workwear or high visibility clothing, and get 10% off all orders with the code TSMFW.
Des Junior
1
Fredrik Bryngelsson
One of County’s Scandinavian imports under Andy Kilner at the start of the millennium
What’s your favourite Christmas tree decoration?
Things my kids have made. Not the prettiest, but cute!
What’s a typical Christmas like in Sweden?
Everyone puts up lights in their garden and when the snow falls it’s just gorgeous.
Who’d win in a fight, Father Christmas or Rudolph?
Father Christmas.
What’s your favourite drink at Christmas?
Gin and tonic with ginger beer.
What pre-match meal did you have as a footballer at Christmas?
Beans on toast.
2
Peter Thompson
Linfield’s goal machine who came to Edgeley Park in the summer of 2008
What’s a typical Christmas like in Northern Ireland?
Christmas in Northern Ireland is very family-orientated. It's all about visiting family before and on Christmas Day itself. Obviously the last few years have been strange but thankfully this year is more familiar. And one thing we definitely do over here is eat and drink too much at Christmas.
What time do you get up on Christmas Day?
We have two young boys, so there’s no lie-in for me. I’ll do well to get to 6am before being woken up!
What’s your opinion on mince pies?
I don’t mind mince pies, my eldest son loves them. I prefer cheese and crackers at Christmas.
What’s your favourite game to play on Christmas Day?
We normally play cards so something simple like Jack Change It so the kids can join in. We always get a board game as well for the kids. Pie Face was a favourite a few years back when the grandparents got covered in cream.
What was it like being a footballer at Christmas?
The games around the festive season always had a good atmosphere but I definitely had to eat a bit less than I do now. As an ex-manager once told us: “There is plenty of time to get fat after you stop playing!”
3
Paul Jones
Bolton legend who finished his career at County in 1989-90
Do you still believe in Father Christmas?
Yes.
What’s your favourite Christmas film?
Miracle on 34th Street.
What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received?
My Kate.
What’s your thoughts on brussels sprouts?
Love them.
How do you think County will do against Crewe on Boxing Day?
Win!
4
Liam Dickinson
Wembley winner (and goalscorer) in 2008
What was the last shop you bought a Christmas present from?
Selfridges.
Are you any good at ice skating?
Surprisingly, I am pretty decent.
If you could kiss anyone under the mistletoe, who would it be?
I’m going to have to say the missus or she won’t make my favourite pigs in blankets on Christmas Day.
What’s your favourite Christmas carol?
‘Silent Night.’
Which teammate wore the worst Christmas jumper during your playing days?
It was that long ago I can’t remember but if it was anything like their dress sense there would have been a few bad ones.
5
Matty Mainwaring
Injury-hit Hatter who went on to box professionally
What’s your favourite Christmas tree decoration?
Anything with chocolate on it!
If you could choose any celebrity to switch on the Christmas lights in your hometown, who would it be?
Peter Kay. He’d make it one big laugh.
Who’d win in a fight, Father Christmas or Rudolph?
Father Christmas - too big!
What’s your favourite drink at Christmas?
I don’t drink so I’d have to go with a nice big calorific hot chocolate with cream.
What pre-match meal did you have as a footballer at Christmas?
The usual - chicken, rice, veg etc. The festivities are limited when you’re a footballer.
6
Andy Dibble
County keeper sent off at Norwich after 48 seconds in our final game in Division One
What’s your favourite thing about Christmas Day?
Training. Then listening to music, eating and having a drink. Opening presents, too.
Did you ever play any parts in your school nativity?
I played all sorts of parts, although more often than not I was a shepherd.
Who cooks the turkey in your house?
It depends on which part of the UK I’m in. Normally I’m in Wales, so it’s my sister or mother. This year I’ll be in Wilmslow so not too sure yet. We train on Christmas morning at Accrington.
Where do you get your Christmas tree from?
The common in Wilmslow.
What was it like being a footballer at Christmas?
Now I’m a coach it’s a bit more enjoyable than when I was playing. As a player you have to watch what you eat, and there’s definitely no wine. I’m still sensible as a coach, but a few glasses of wine don’t go amiss.
7
Ian Moore
Until Mark Stott wires a few million over to a bank account in Paris for Lionel Messi to finish his career at Edgeley Park, Ian remains County’s record signing, arriving in SK3 in 1998 for £800,000 from Nottingham Forest
Are you organised when it comes to Christmas shopping or are you a Christmas Eve petrol station sort of guy?
I’ve never been organised at Christmas. I’m a Last Minute Larry at the Trafford Centre on Christmas Eve!
What’s your best Christmas cracker joke?
I’ve just opened one actually. What do you get when you combine a Christmas tree with an iPad? A pineapple.
How would you rate your Christmas present wrapping skills out of 10?
Probably an 8. Not perfect, but a good standard.
Did you cry when you first watched The Snowman?
Of course, I was about eight or nine. Remember it like it was yesterday.
What’s the worst thing about being a footballer at Christmas?
Not being able to pile your food sky-high, and being away from your family on Christmas Day when you’re travelling to away games.
8
Paul Turnbull
County’s youngest ever league player at 16 (while still at school), who went on to win promotion at Wembley and Nuneaton
Are you organised when it comes to Christmas shopping or are you a Christmas Eve petrol station sort of guy?
Definitely not. I start off buying a few bits and then always leave it until the last minute to buy the rest, usually on a Christmas Eve visit to the Trafford Centre. [Des - EXCLUSIVE! Ian Moore and Paul Turnbull are having a secret affair with each other.]
What’s your best Christmas cracker joke?
What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck? A Christmas quacker.
How would you rate your Christmas present wrapping skills out of 10?
I’m actually alright at wrapping presents. I’ll give myself a 6. Or if I can’t be bothered I take them to my mum’s!
Did you cry when you first watched The Snowman?
No.
What’s the worst thing about being a footballer at Christmas?
To be honest it’s not too bad. I always looked forward to Boxing Day football, but there was the odd Baileys after the Christmas dinner.
9
Michael Raynes
Defender who rose through County’s youth ranks, before making his debut just after his 17th birthday in 2004, the first of 159 appearances for the club
What was the last shop you bought a Christmas present from?
Smyths Toys in Stockport.
Are you any good at ice skating?
For a tall lad, I’m surprisingly quite good.
If you could kiss anyone under the mistletoe, who would it be?
Anything other than my wife is the wrong answer.
What’s your favourite Christmas carol?
‘Fairytale of New York.’
Which teammate wore the worst Christmas jumper during your playing days?
I can’t remember anyone wearing a Christmas jumper but the worst-dressed was definitely Owain Fôn Williams.
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Matt Walker ‘eats’ the World Cup
🇨🇭 No 26 - Switzerland (The White Haus) 🇨🇭
“Alpine touches in The White Haus included 1936 beer, the Geneva brew, several Swiss clocks, stacks of skis and a cable car. I proudly wore my St Gallen scarf, a fine present from my Europe United tour in 2017-18.”
One of my favourite football books is Matt Walker’s Europe United, in which the author and Fulham fan spends a whole season taking in a game in all 55 UEFA countries. Well he’s back with another fun challenge, to experience Qatar 2022 in restaurants and bars across London which represent all 32 competing nations. Matt has kindly allowed me to use his photos and I’ll bring you one each day, giving you a tasty flavour of the World Cup, in more ways than one.