“It’s more of a frenemies thing we’ve got going on, isn’t it?”
A catch-up with Gaz from Chips for a Quid ahead of the champions’ trip to North Wales this Saturday
Thursday 25 April 2024 – CHAMPIONS FORTNIGHT!
NEXT GAME: Wrexham A – Saturday 27 April, 3pm
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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Wrexham supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to CHAMPIONS FORTNIGHT on The Scarf My Father Wore.
It’s not every day Stockport County win a Football League title – in fact, the last time it happened was 57 years ago – so we’re shouting our success from the rooftops, with 14 champion-flavoured articles over 14 days. Today, we’re having a chat with Gaz from the excellent Chips for a Quid ahead of Saturday’s relaxing afternoon tea in Wrexham, which none of us thought would be the case just a few weeks ago.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Kingsway Carpets. As always, a big thank you to Neil.
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: 136.36 miles
Total steps so far: 217,174
Total raised so far: £1,666
Total completed streets so far: 271 (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
Two promotions in two years. Realistically, how far can you go?
First and foremost – congratulations on winning the title! I’m glad we could join you in League One, even if we did give you a year’s head start…
As for us, it’s no secret where the owners want the club to end up. After two successive promotions, the appetite for success has only increased among fans. Personally though, I think next season will be much tougher. It all depends on how the summer goes of course and who we bring in, but right now I’d take a mid-table finish.
I’ve been watching Wrexham for 24 years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen us finish higher than 10th in the third tier. So anything above that, I’d be absolutely chuffed!
Who do you think will lose interest first – Rob or Ryan?
Ha ha! All they have to worry about at the moment is getting bored of promotions. But OK, I’ll bite…
I’d be inclined to say Ryan given the fact he has dozens of other irons in the fire in terms of investments. Something will probably have to give at some point – not even Deadpool can spin that many plates forever.
But they’ve always come as a team. If one goes, I imagine the other would follow. It’ll probably be a joint decision when it comes to that day.
Right now, though… they’re probably having too much fun to be considering an exit strategy.
What’s your prediction for Saturday’s game?
I’m relieved and baffled there’s nothing riding on it. We’ve spoken for months about being nervous for this one haven’t we? I’m pretty chuffed we’re both already up.
Saturday is essentially a glorified friendly now but we can still get second, so that’s something for us to aim for at least.
I’m guessing goals galore and a fun way to end the season: 3-3!
Is Saturday going to be the start of a beautiful friendship between us?
I’d like to say yes. But probably not. It’s more of a frenemies thing we’ve got going on, isn’t it?
As long as Sarcevic (no surprise to see him jumping on the anti-Wrexham bandwagon – he’s ex-Ch*ster) and his pals are swaying on top of beer garden fences singing “Fuck you Wrexham”, we’ll always have a tasty fixture on our hands.
There always seems to be goals in Wrexham v County matches, too. This fixture has thrown up some wild results: our 3-0 at Y Cae Ras, your 5-0 at Edgeley Park this season.
It’ll be interesting to see what will be served up for us on Saturday.
A big part of our success is reliant on the UK property market at the moment. Yours, Hollywood blockbusters. Which do you reckon is more stable?
Oof, who knows. Maybe we could make a movie about how your owner got rich in the property market?
Ryan Reynolds could star as Mark Stott and it would be a taut, dramatic thriller that sweeps the board at the Oscars.
Jason Statham can play Paddy Madden. Tom Holland can play Paul Mullin.
How’s Andy Cannon done this season?
He’s been absolutely superb, you know. Many consider him to be our Player of the Season.
When he first turned up he looked like a tidy addition, but he’s evolved into one of the standout midfielders in the division.
He can pass, tackle, shoot and really rally the side whenever they’re flagging. A proper all-rounder of a player and he enjoys winding up the opposition fans when he scores (he’s not quite on McClean’s level in that department but it’s still fun to watch).
If you haven’t seen them already, be sure to catch the goals he scored at Blackburn and Grimsby this season. They’re absolute beauts.
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Photo of the day
Edgeley Park, Stockport
Your editor on Tuesday night, pictured with a bloody lovely bit of silverware! Thanks to Steve Bellis for popping down to County’s B-team friendly against Brentford so a couple of hundred fans could get their hands on the trophy. (And also to Jonesy, who kept Flynny the dog entertained while Bellis was busy!)
Today in SK
🍺 Food and drink
If you’re in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a couple of pints. Open till 11pm.
Pie Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Any pie or pudding and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £7.95. (Greenhalgh’s Pies £1 extra.)
🎶 Free jukebox
The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.
🎤 Karaoke
Enigma (SK1). 8pm.
100 random grounds that County have played at
#1 – Boundary Park, Oldham
Last visit: A 0-0 draw on the opening day of the 2009-10 season in League One.
One final thing before you go… if you’d like a spring clean for your car, carpets, house, oven or even your windows, get in touch with our brilliant bunch of sponsors!
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: A Star Clean Ltd
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈 Cat Flaps: That Cat Flap Company Ltd
👶 Child Health: The Sleep Nanny
🏠 Chimney Sweep: Three Shires Chimney Services
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
🔥 Fire Protection: Radial Fire And Security Limited
👟 Fitness: G Thomas Training
🍏 Greengrocers: Waterhouse’s Quality Food
🛁 Grout Refresh & Recolour: GroutGleam Stockport
💇♀️ Hairdressing: C West Hairstylist
💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
👨🍳 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🌳 Landscaping: PR Landscapes
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
🧤 Oven Cleaning: That Oven Girl
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
🚑 Personal Injury: Parkers Solicitors Ltd
📸 Photography: Holly Dwyer Photography
🎹 Piano Tutor: Sophie Grace Piano and Keyboard Tuition
🧱 Plastering: DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists
🚰 Plumber: GTG Gary the Gasman
🦶 Podiatry: SK Podiatry
📕 Publishing: Victor Publishing
🤳 Social Media Management: Believe Media
☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd
👨💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co
⚽️ Sports Coaching: UK Sports Coaching Ltd
🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative
🪵 Timber Supplies: Portwood Timber Division of Illingworth Ingham (Manchester) Ltd
☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
🪟 Window Cleaner: R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
🧘♀️ Yoga: Greenshoots Yoga