“I've enjoyed watching my team play football this season more than I ever have”
Crawley almost went down last season, but there’s something stirring in West Sussex this year, as Dan Jones explains
Sunday 17 March 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: MK Dons – Saturday 23 March, 5.15pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Crawley – Monday 18 March, 7.45pm
If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Crawley supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Sunday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
Crawley fan Dan Jones joins us today ahead of County’s long trip down south tomorrow.
Our first live event of 2024 is taking place next month. ‘Flynny at the Finger’ – an evening with County legend Mike Flynn – is at The Fingerpost on Wednesday 17 April. Start time 7.30pm. Over 60% of the tickets have now been sold. If you’d like to join us, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com. Tickets are £10 (or £5 for paid subscribers plus anyone who’s written an article for The Scarf My Father Wore). That includes a full colour souvenir programme, and even a little bit of stand-up comedy!
A big thank you to The Crazy Cat Ladies Cheshire and Claire Green Bespoke Cakes and Catering for sponsoring today’s edition.
If you need to leave your feline friends at home when you’re at work or on holiday, you can be sure they’ll be well looked after. Just call 07478 697605 or email thecrazycatladiescheshire@gmail.com.
If you’re celebrating anything soon (a League Two promotion maybe…) and you’d like a special cake for the occasion, give Claire a call on 07821 880638 or email clairegreen930@gmail.com.
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: £1,641
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
You finished 22nd last season. A win tomorrow night puts you in the play-offs. I don’t think this was in the League Two script this season was it?
It certainly was not. Seeing every experienced head flee the club to be replaced by unknown names from as far down as the eighth tier did not inspire confidence, and I couldn't really argue with 90% of all relegation bets pre-season being placed on us. It has been beyond my wildest expectations how this squad has pulled behind the manager and I'm sure that at least a few of them are destined for greater things than League Two.
“He came in at the height of hostilities between the fans and owners and not only secured survival in difficult circumstances but has been able to transcend the hatred of ownership and forge a trust in the playing squad that had been absent since the John Yems saga unfolded. He could crash and burn next season and there would still only be fond feelings towards the gaffer (presuming that he does so without being accompanied by a dossier of racial abuse).” That’s what you said about Scott Lindsey back in June when you joined us for our season review. I’m guessing those feelings are even stronger now aren’t they?
100%. With the style of play he's installed and the bond he's found with the fans, I can honestly say regardless of how it all ends that I've enjoyed watching my team play football this season more than I ever have. We could sink like a stone back into mid-table between now and the end of April and I still think the consistently positive environment he's managed to build would trump any of our promotion or League One seasons. Scott Lindsey, you have my heart forever.
What about those crypto owners of yours?
The best compliment I can give them is that they've managed to be far less visible this season. Obviously I'd much rather us be run by people with a more sustainable income stream than worthless cartoons, but I think by trial and near catastrophic error they've realised that running a football club isn't quite as easy as Ryan Reynolds or Ted Lasso make out and it's sometimes wise to delegate to more experienced heads.
What do you think of Stockport County – A) the club B) the manager C) the fans?
I'm slightly frustrated that my favourite piece of River Mersey related trivia is soon to be rendered null and void, but I do appreciate how Stockport provide a good platform for football in the region outside of the bloody handed two.
My first encounter with Challinor was away at Hartlepool in the first in-person Crawley game following lockdown. They frustrated us defensively all match and picked us off with an 89th minute winner. It does not surprise me whatsoever to see him excelling with a far superior squad.
I remember first going to Edgeley Park for a tight 1-0 win against Woking after our game against Salford had been postponed on the same day, and it has always impressed me that in every subsequent encounter with us your fans have remained in just as good voice regardless of the result.
Last season, you said the best League Two food you’d experienced was the pie, mash, peas and gravy at our place on Valentine’s night. What’s tickled your tastebuds on your travels this season?
The steak and ale pie with mash, peas and gravy at Harrogate last weekend was excellent (even if it was on the steep side) but as long as they're in this league nothing will hold a candle to the chicken, ham and leek at Morecambe.
Where the fuck is Crawley?
The stock answer is "halfway between London and Brighton". The more accurate answer is "one of the stops on the Thameslink that nobody ever gets off at".
Do all roads in Crawley really lead to the County Mall?
They really do – ideal for anyone urgently needing a soulless food outlet or clothes at a significantly inflated price than their online equivalent.
Are Crawley fans creepy?
On the whole I like to think that we're a nice bunch, although our chairmen certainly don't paint the best advertisement for us.
If you were forced to have a Sutton or Wimbledon tattoo on your arm, which would it be and why?
Sutton, as they're hopefully descending back into non-league anonymity, although I wouldn't mind Wimbledon sticking around as long as we continue to take points off them at their place.
Did you watch Salford v County on Sky on Thursday night?
I unfortunately did not – I was in the pub playing darts and couldn't wrestle control of the TV away from the Europa League matches that were on.
What’s your prediction for Monday’s game?
We have a few injury concerns that have been exacerbated by Jay Williams being called up to the Saint Kitts and Nevis squad. Writing before the Saturday games have been played I'm hoping that a point will keep us in the hunt for a play-off place but I'm also very aware that you have plenty of tools that could carve us open at a whim.
If you need to leave your cats at home, enjoy the peace of mind knowing they’ll be well looked after by The Crazy Cat Ladies Cheshire
If you’re away from home for a lengthy amount of time, you want to be safe in the knowledge that your cats are being well looked after. As you can see from the review above, The Crazy Cat Ladies Cheshire will do exactly that for you.
They have a full range of packages available, starting from just £9 per day.
For further details, please call 07478 697605 or email thecrazycatladiescheshire@gmail.com.
Are you having a baby this year?
How good do these look!
Claire Green Bespoke Cakes and Bakery regularly provide a delicious range of cakes for baby showers across Stockport and the surrounding areas. If you’re expecting a new arrival this year, order some tasty treats for your own baby shower!
To discuss any catering requirements, give Claire a call on 07821 880638 or email clairegreen930@gmail.com.
Photo of the day
The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham
Those little Birkenhead scamps are starting to grow on me, I won’t lie. I didn’t think I’d be saying that so soon after getting smashed 4-0 at their place, but after beating Mansfield and Wrexham this week, they’ve certainly done us a massive favour in the League Two promotion race.
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. The Taste Of Things (12A) at 4.30pm, followed by All Of Us Strangers (15) at 7.15pm. Click here for tickets.
🍺 Food and drink
If you’re in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a pint or two. Open till 9pm.
There’s a new craft stout at The Dog & Partridge (SK2) this month. Euphoria is a 4.5% ABV dark, easy drinking kegged stout with a subtle punch of coffee, chocolate and a deep, rich malt flavour.
🎶 Free jukebox
The Nelson Tavern (SK1). 3pm - 6pm.
🎤 Live music
Niamh Finan (4pm) and Matty James Cassidy (6pm) at Bask (SK1).
Random County fan of the day #73 – Boris Johnson!
One final thing before you go… if you’re in need of any of these products or services this month, get in touch with our brilliant bunch of sponsors!
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
💈 Barber: STUDIO26 Haircare
🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters
📚 Bookkeeping: Eleven Accounts Services Ltd
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🍰 Cake Maker: Claire Green Bespoke Cakes and Catering
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: Pro Clean Carpet Services
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈⬛ Cat Sitting: The Crazy Cat Ladies Cheshire
👶 Child Health: The Sleep Nanny
🤹♀️ Children’s Entertainment: Stockport Hero Hire
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🗣 Counselling: Time and Space Counselling
🦮 Dog Training: Paws High Peak Dog Training
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
🔥 Fire Protection: Radial Fire And Security Limited
🍸 Gin: Hatters Gin
🛁 Grout Refresh & Recolour: GroutGleam Stockport
💇♀️ Hairdressing: C West Hairstylist
🛠 Home Improvements: Menzies Develop & Build
💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
👨🍳 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
🚐 Minibus Hire: Westfield Minibuses
🧤 Oven Cleaning: That Oven Girl
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
🎈 Party Supplies: Step Into Fun Events
🚑 Personal Injury: Parkers Solicitors Ltd
📸 Photography: Holly Dwyer Photography
🎹 Piano Tutor: Sophie Grace Piano and Keyboard Tuition
🚰 Plumber: GTG Gary the Gasman
🦶 Podiatry: SK Podiatry
📕 Publishing: Victor Publishing
🛖 Roofing: ADM Roofing Services Ltd
☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd
👨💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co
⚽️ Sports Coaching: UK Sports Coaching Ltd
🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative
🖊 Tattooist: Heatons Tattoo Club
🪵 Timber Supplies: Portwood Timber Division of Illingworth Ingham (Manchester) Ltd
☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
👨💻 Web Design: SITEZO
⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
🪟 Window Cleaner: R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
🏋️♀️ Women’s Fitness: Sophie Pavey Fitness
🧘♀️ Yoga: Greenshoots Yoga