“Many of us were sad to see the supporters have to lose control but realistically it’s very hard for fans to sustain a Fourth Division club without help”
Our regular Newport correspondent Ed Bridges joins us for the first time since Swansea’s former owner purchased a majority share at Rodney Parade
Friday 8 March 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: Newport – Saturday 9 March, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Salford – Thursday 14 March, 8pm
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, Newport supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Friday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore, which I’m just finishing off over a jacket potato at The Hinds Head, having ticked off another 10 miles on my charity walk this morning!
Newport were 20th before our trip to South Wales in November. Since then they’ve had an FA Cup run, a takeover, and head to Edgeley Park tomorrow in 12th place, just five points off the play-offs. Plenty to talk about with Ed Bridges from the Newport podcast 1912 Exiles.
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 half the tickets have already 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!
Today’s edition is sponsored by SK Podiatry and BGM Decorators. A big thank you to both Victoria and Ben.
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: 113.33 miles
Total steps so far: 184,956
Total raised so far: £1,641
Total completed streets so far: 202 (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
Swansea’s former owner Huw Jenkins purchased 52% of the shares in the club from your supporters’ trust in January. Early days I suppose, but how’s that all looking?
So far, so good. Many of us were sad to see the supporters have to lose control, and if we’d had the Man United cup tie a bit earlier it might have been avoidable, but realistically it’s very hard for fans to sustain a Fourth Division club without help. Mr Jenkins has said the right things and is focusing on sorting out a lot of the back-office stuff, which is what’s needed. We won’t be spending a fortune on players any time soon, but investment to make us more professional and sustainable is what’s needed.
That was a cracking cup tie against United, and I must say I rather enjoyed your equaliser after being 2-0 down. How was it?
What a night. When we scored the equaliser, it was one of those wonderful moments of pandemonium, hugging complete strangers and going mad. And for ten minutes or so after that, we really thought we might go on to win it. OK, it wasn’t to be in the end but a great occasion that will live with us for a while. And it has re-energised the supporters and the city at a time when we really needed it.
The last time we spoke, before our defeat at your place in November, you were 20th. This is what you said in the build-up: “The feeling is we’ll probably be OK. With players coming back from injury, potentially a bit of money to spend in January on one or two quality additions, and an ability to score goals, we’ll be lower third but clear from the drop zone unless something goes very wrong.” Well, you’re currently in the middle third, exactly five points off the top eight and the bottom eight. Which third are you ending up in?
Pretty prescient, wasn’t I?! We’ve spent a lot of the season in false positions – we had an early charge, an autumn slump, and our current status belies the reality too. We’ve had clusters of games against very bad teams, and are now in the midst of a spell against very good ones. We’ll finish in that middle third, somewhere between 13th and 16th. If you’d offered me that and a cup run at the start of the season, I’d have bitten your arm off. It’s been fun.
Who’s been Newport’s top performer this season?
Got to be Will Evans, aka The Milkman… because he used to work on the family dairy farm and he also keeps delivering the goals. Honourable mention to Shane McLoughlin at right wing-back who has been as steady as a rock, but will miss Saturday’s game through injury.
Why didn’t you beat Mansfield last weekend, you spiteful bastards? (I did point out that you beat Wrexham for us a few weeks ago, but my mate still told me to ask this.)
Yeah, sorry about that. We’ve generally done well this season against the top sides – beating you back in November was a real morale boost, and taking three points off the six-fingered North Walians was a great moment. But Mansfield just looked too good for us, and I suspect they’ll pip you to the post for the title now.
How do you think you’ll get on in SK3 this weekend?
An honourable loss – perhaps a 1-0 or 2-0 defeat where we play OK but you’ve got a little bit more quality. Just like last weekend against Mansfield.
What sort of songs will we hear from the away end on Saturday?
We’re not the most imaginative with our songs – few clubs are anymore, sadly. But you’ll probably get a chorus of “Sheep-sh*gging b*stards, we know what we are” should you lob any of the usual tired Welsh cliches our way.
Tommy Tynan. Discuss.
Spring chicken that I am, Tynan was a little before my time. But his achievement in scoring a brace during our greatest-ever moment, playing Carl Zeiss Jena in the quarter-final of the 1981 European Cup Winners Cup, is iconic. The anniversary of the away leg was this week, so the clips have been doing the rounds and the memories have been flooding back. The word “legend” gets bandied about too much in football, but in Tynan’s case it’s entirely warranted.
If you want a bit more about Tommy Tynan, I asked my pod colleague Ian (who’s a little older than me) and he sent through this:
Tommy Tynan was synonymous with arguably the greatest period in our history between 1979 and 1983. His partnership with John Aldridge will probably never be bettered.
He was a goalscorer in the old-fashioned mould. If you created the chances he would finish them. He signed in our promotion / Welsh Cup double winning season in 1979-80, scoring the goal to clinch promotion on the last day of the season, and three goals over two legs in the Welsh Cup final to take us into Europe. The goals continued in Europe as we memorably made the quarter-finals and Tommy scored both in the away leg but we failed to take advantage and crashed out at home losing 1-0.
Tommy set a post war scoring record in 1982-83 and alongside Aldridge they netted 50 goals between them as we looked to gain promotion to the Second Division for only the second time in our history. We missed out on the last day of the season and the team was broken up with Tommy moving to Plymouth where he’s also adored. Tommy's departure started the decline that we’re still coming back from. He was the first player to be inducted into our Hall Of Fame and is arguably the most iconic player to have pulled on the Amber and Black.
Would you rather Cardiff miss out on the play-offs, Swansea go down, or Wrexham miss out on promotion?
Good question, this. For older fans, the Cardiff rivalry is still the one that really matters – but we’re not even in the same stratosphere anymore, so most younger fans look elsewhere. Wrexham isn’t a derby match (it’s about three and a half hours by train) but there is a grudge element to it (North v South, parvenues vs perennially skint, plus they haven’t got over losing to us in the Conference play-off final). Plus, if they did miss out we’d get to play them twice again next season which would guarantee a high-profile game at Rodney Parade.
And finally, have you got your passport ready for tomorrow?
Ydw, a dw i’n edrych ymlaen at y gêm!
Happy Feet!
SK Podiatry was established by Victoria in 2020. Since then she’s been building her home visiting service, covering most SK postcodes and surrounding areas. These are available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Victoria is fully insured, DBS checked, qualified and experienced in treating patients with any of the following:
Diabetes / Rheumatoid / Osteoarthritis / PAD / Gout / Dementia / Alzheimer's / Parkinson's / MS and other nerve disorders / Hearing, sight and learning difficulties / In palliative care or medications such as "blood thinners" and steroids
Victoria’s home visits cover routine podiatry such as nails (thick, fungal, ingrowing), painful corns, callus/cracked heels, verrucas, athlete’s foot, sore ageing feet or toe deformities.
As well as routine podiatry, Victoria offers a new revolutionary treatment called Curacorn®.
Curacorn® is a unique and innovative treatment using specialised gel injections to cushion ‘inside’ the skin to prevent painful pressure lesions such as corns and calluses, making it the perfect treatment for busy patients who find themselves having to return for regular/frequent treatments (this is offered in a clinical environment).
Victoria carries a range of products and aides to help with day to day foot care. Also, she gives advice to keep your feet in the best condition between appointments.
For further details visit skpodiatry.com.
5 questions with Ben from BGM Decorators
What was the best moment with your business in February?
Landing a particular project I was hoping to bag. (Pays for the summer holiday!)
What’s your plans for the business this month?
As always, keep my head down and plough through. The grind never ends!
What would you like to promote to our readers in March?
We’re looking to take on more new work – extensions, refurbishments etc – so please get in touch if you have any upcoming building work that will need a final flourish from us.
As it’s Easter at the end of this month, what’s your favourite chocolate?
My favourite at the moment is a Terry's Chocolate Mint. It’s an undefeated taste sensation.
Have you booked your summer holiday yet?
Summer holiday with the wife and kids in Portugal is already booked. Ten days after I'm back I'm then off on a stag do to Barcelona! So two very contrasting holidays to come...
If you’d like to get a quote for any painting and decorating work, give Ben a call on 07816 589989 or email bgm.decorators@yahoo.co.uk.
Photo of the day
Nottingham, 1996
Every summer since 1996 (pretty much) County fans have taken part in a massive football tournament which sees supporters’ teams from all over the UK – and sometimes further afield, like a very fit and very handsome Inter Milan squad, or a cracking bunch of Arsenal fans from Nigeria – coming together for a weekend of football and beer (mainly football, if you’re Inter Milan, mainly beer, if you’re from anywhere else).
It’s been called WorldNET for well over 20 years, but the inaugural tournament in 1996 was called EuroNET, inspired by the Euros which were taking place in England that summer. Mad Hatters legend Sandy McGregor is pictured in this particular photo as part of a sponsored haircut which a number of players got involved with, as you can see.
“I was in a play that week,” said Sandy, who still does loads of stuff at Stockport’s Garrick Theatre to this day. “I had to ask the director if it was OK to be bald!”
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Dune: Part II (12A) at 5pm and 8.30pm. Click here for tickets.
💿 DJs
Stockport’s biggest party at the weekend is at Bask (SK1), with DJ Gareth Brooks playing till 3am. Last entry 1.30am.
The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have their resident DJ playing on a Friday night, with Dicko (Ian Dickinson) on from 8pm till 1am.
🍺 Food and drink
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.
Fish Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Lite bite fish and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.75.
Treat yourself to a delicious scone at All Things Nice (SK6), freshly baked each morning with love.
🎤 Karaoke
The Alexandra (SK3) with DJ Big Ace. 8pm.
🎸 Live music
The Harper Brothers at The Crown (SK6).
Dominic Paul at The Rectory (SK8).
Legato at The Albion (SK16). 9.30pm.
Random County fan of the day #65 – Gary Kimber!
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