“I always tell my girlfriend County was there long before her and it will be there long after she’s gone”
Jack Isherwood probably isn’t the best person to write Valentine’s Day cards, but he has written a cracking piece on his best and worst County memories
Monday 8 January 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: Walsall – Saturday 13 January, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Notts County – Saturday 20 January, 3pm
NOTTS COUNTY COACHES:
Bredbury Con Club: 10.30am – £20 – bookings can be made in the Con Club County Coaches group on Facebook
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 Monday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
Back in November, Jack Isherwood wrote a superb feature for The Scarf My Father Wore after returning from Japan, where he’d enjoyed fantastic hospitality from our Tokyo Hatters.
For his first piece of 2024, Jack’s the latest County fan to answer a load of questions in our ‘Meet the Subscribers’ series.
Today’s edition is sponsored by GroutGleam. A big thank you to Dave, who offers services such as grout refreshing and recolouring, shower glass restoration and protective coating. Give him a call on 07903 313005 or email davew@groutgleam.co.uk for further details.
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
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Jack Isherwood, 30, currently lives in Cheadle Hulme, although he’s looking to move back to Edgeley. He’s in a relationship with Ciara, and works as a tooling storekeeper for an airline.
Favourite thing about The Scarf My Father Wore?
The daily articles give me something to read in the morning.
Where do you normally read your daily dose of The Scarf My Father Wore?
Usually on my morning break at work.
How or why did you become a County fan?
The usual way. I went with my dad when I was younger and haven’t stopped since.
What does Stockport County mean to you?
I always tell my girlfriend County was there long before her and it will be there long after she’s gone. County means the world to me. They’re my team.
What was your first County match?
I honestly can’t remember. I know it would have been around pre-season in 1997-98 because I remember I lived in Offerton at the time and I was four then.
My first away game was Everton in 2003-04 when we lost 3-0 and Rooney put on Barlow's shirt. I remember that clear as day.
Where do you sit inside EP?
UT1 since about 2005. The upper tier ultras are definitely starting to catch on.
Who else is in your usual County matchday crew?
My dad’s the main man, and has been for the past 26 years along with my cousin and a couple of mates. But there’s loads of us now, as we’ve recently been joined by an uncle and a few more cousins. There’s about 12 of us in total.
Who is your favourite ever County player?
I'm going to have to go for Liam Dickinson because he gave me my first proper season of success. Before his 21 goals in 2007-08 I’d only really known relegations and bottom-half finishes.
Worst ever player?
Tim Flowers comes to mind. I remember walking to the game thinking: “Wow, Tim Flowers, ex Premier League.” Conceded four in his first game. What a let down.
Favourite current player?
Got to be Paddy Madden. Makes it easier to bring the missus if I mention he’s playing.
Who is your favourite ever County manager?
Jim Gannon. Not only did he bring me that first promotion but he stopped the rot, along with the fans, and got us back on that upward trend.
Best atmosphere you’ve experienced watching County?
I'm going to have to say Bolton at home in the FA Cup. There was something special about that night, you just knew we were going to win. Special mention for Halifax at home too.
Favourite ever game?
I think Nuneaton away. That was a big one. The start of the comeback; the end of the abyss.
Worst ever game?
For me, Bradford Park Avenue away on a Wednesday night. We still had a fighting chance of making the play-offs but we lost 2-0. I took the day off work with no pay. And after the game Bobby Lofthouse was rubbing his hands, smiling and saying he’d been waiting for these sandwiches all day. Safe to say the entire team got an earful.
Favourite ever goal?
I think it's hard to top the limbs after Gleeson hit that Puskas-esque volley at Wycombe.
If you could play in an exact moment from County’s history, which would it be?
Nuneaton away. It must have felt amazing as a National League North player being held aloft by that crowd. Can't imagine Fylde (EFL 2022!) having the same feeling when they won it.
What is the biggest sacrifice you have ever made to get to a match?
The usual stuff: missing education, and losing money from throwing sickies.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen at the match?
It’s got to be Moonbird being thrown out at Gillingham for putting a cig in his mouth. He didn't light it. It was just in his mouth but they weren't happy.
Favourite matchday boozer?
It’s now The Grange Club on Edgeley Road. Nice and quiet, no queue for the bar, and no riff-raff.
Favourite matchday tipple?
It’s got to be a pint of Guinness.
Favourite County song?
“It was early one morning we went to Torquay, we wanted a drink so we got there early…”
Worst County song?
Couldn't name them but we’ve had a few naff ones recently.
What do you like the most about Edgeley Park?
The old school nature of the ground, but my favourite part has to be the Stockport County AFC sign on the Main Stand.
Best thing about being a County fan?
The highs and the lows. I’ve seen three promotions and five relegations. Give me that over finishing mid-table in the Premier League every season any day of the week.
Worst thing about being a County fan?
There’s nothing bad about being a County fan, it's great. But if people could stop coming to Edgeley Park in Citeh and United gear that would be lovely.
Most despised rival club?
I wouldn’t say I despise other clubs but there are a few I don't like. Fylde (EFL 2022!) and FCUM get a special mention.
Most despised rival player?
Danny Rowe can get in the bin.
Do you collect any County/football related memorabilia?
Not really but we do have a few items. We’ve got a £1 share from 1920 that's pretty cool, and a couple of match-worn shirts.
Any chance encounters with County players?
Used to see Gannon walking his dog behind The Jolly Sailor when we played footy on Sunday mornings. I asked him if I could play for County every week. He said no every time. Can’t imagine why.
Have you ever decked an opposing fan?
No, but I've come close to hitting a Fylde fan (EFL 2022!) and an FCUM fan in The Armoury.
If you could invite any five people round for a chippy tea, who would it be?
Karl Pilkington, James May, Joanna Lumley, Brian Cox (the scientist) and David Attenborough.
Tell us something impressive about yourself without sounding stupid.
I can drive an M5000 tram.
Can you play football to any sort of standard?
I’ve been retired a while. The knees can’t take it anymore.
Describe a perfect day.
An early morning walk up Kinder followed by a Sunday roast and a pint of Guinness.
Anything you’d like to say to finish?
Shepherd’s pie and cottage pie are horrible. Can we all agree to stop eating it?
And finally, here’s a few of Jack’s favourite things…
TV programme: Only Fools and Horses. No matter what mood I’m in, I always like having that as background noise.
Film: The Lord of the Rings.
City: It’s got to be Tokyo, hasn’t it.
Food: Ramen or pizza.
Drink: Dr Pepper.
Book: The Lord of the Rings.
Band: Rammstein. Best live band you’ll ever see.
Click on the links below to read our previous interviews with The Scarf My Father Wore subscribers.
Matthew Ashmore / John K Bilsbury / Phil Brennan / Bob Carey / Graham Hall / Des Hinks Junior / Peter Jaquiss / Nick Lee
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Photo of the day
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
4,861 Aldershot fans at West Brom yesterday. Fair play. And our blank weekend might do us the world of good in the long run.
Today in SK
☕️ Food and drink
Whether you like it hot or cold, head down to Coffee Block (SK1) to get your matcha fix. 8am - 5.30pm.
Lunch deal at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7 or two courses for £11. 12pm - 2pm.
Med Monday at TRUNK (SK7) between 12pm and 9pm. Enjoy three tapas dishes for £15. T&Cs apply. 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.
Start your week in style by enjoying some delicious tapas dishes (with a cheeky cocktail or two!) at La Cueva (SK8).
❓Quiz night
The George & Dragon (SK7). 7.30pm.
The Scarf My Father Wore works closely with venues on a daily basis to bring you the most comprehensive guide to all of the best offers and events taking place across the whole SK region. Click on the links below for full details of everything taking place in your area over the next few weeks.
SK1 / SK2 / SK3 / SK4 / SK5 / SK6 / SK7 / SK8 / SK9 / SK10 / SK11 / SK12 / SK13 / SK14 / SK15 / SK16 / SK17 / SK22 / SK23
Random County fan of the day #8 – Scott Tonson!
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Great article but Dr Pepper?
Tbf I have never had it but I imagine medicinal liquid seasoning
I'm loving meeting the subscribers! Jack seems like a lovely bloke and I was already very impressed with him and his County Story even before the revelation that he can drive a tram! That is a niche skill/achievement that is going to take some beating...