Meet the Subscribers!
In the first of a new series, Bob Carey shares some of his best (and worst) County memories
Thursday 2 November 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Worksop – Saturday 4 November, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Swindon – Saturday 11 November, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
During the football season, the fixture list always presents an opportunity to publish at least three articles each week, with a match preview and a report, as well as a chinwag with an opposing fan. That number usually increases to four or five as I always like to write an article or two myself, such as walking every street in Stockport, or experiencing every part of a County matchday from start to finish, or even handing out Celebrations to fans at Edgeley Park!
In order to achieve the target of keeping County fans (and other readers) entertained seven days a week, it’s handy to have a regular selection of features on the go which can be slotted in from time to time. With almost 800 subscribers from across the world, I thought it would be interesting to shine the spotlight on some of you, and delve into your own stories and memories. Today, Bob Carey has the honour of joining us as our very first guest in this new series. If you’d like to be featured, get in touch.
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: 38.66 miles
Total steps so far: 67,558
Total raised so far: £910
Total completed streets so far: 15 (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
Bob Carey was born in Bramhall but now resides in Loughton in Essex, a place he describes as “part of the TOWIE triangle and full of orange women”. The 57-year-old has been married to Mary for 27 years and works in HR for the civil service, although his dream job was to be a stunt double for Danny DeVito.
Favourite thing about The Scarf My Father Wore?
The sheer breadth of articles and involving fans from other teams. It’s great to hear what other fans think about County and our magnificent fanbase.
Where do you normally read your daily dose of The Scarf My Father Wore?
Tends to be on the tube on the way home from work. Easy reading on the phone.
How or why did you become a County fan?
My dad took me for the first time when I was about eight or nine, so probably 1975-ish. We would go occasionally with a school friend and his dad. All three of them were Man United.
We went on and off for a few years but it was only me that became hooked. I was a regular from about 1979 until I left for university in 1984. I was part of Alan Kirk’s Stockport County executive committee along with Terry McCreery, Gary Kimber and a few others. We did a lot of fundraising. I was always trying to raise money for County, such as raffles, a phone-in using the Stockport Advertiser offices one evening, and other equally unsuccessful stuff!
At one meeting I presented my idea of County setting up a supporters club. It didn’t happen then but we got there in the end. Bear in mind these were the days of 1,800 attendances and Friday night games.
What does Stockport County mean to you?
Hard to describe. Just part of me and will be until my dying day. I go to all the games I can home and away. I love Edgeley Park and feel such excitement whenever I see the place. I loved seeing us in the Championship; I was proud to follow us in the National League North. I just love everything about the club. The fanbase is a great mix now, lots more women and children, which is great to see. Friendly fans and a great club spirit and culture.
What was your first County match?
No idea, seriously. My dad couldn’t remember so that’s that.
Where do you sit inside EP?
Usually LT5 in the Cheadle End.
Who else is in your usual County matchday crew?
The Stockport Sippers! Cashy, Stuart, Dave, Si, Linda, Bill, Don, Merv, Max, Fingers and whoever else turns up. Daughter Daisy is also becoming a regular as she’s living in Manchester now. I regularly bring others up from down south to taste the County experience.
Who is your favourite ever County player?
No contest. Oshor Williams. Legend.
Worst ever player?
I can’t name one. Seen some crap players in my time, but wouldn’t want to highlight any single one.
Favourite current player?
Myles Hippolyte for me. Glad he’s getting back from injury now. He was great last season.
Who is your favourite ever County manager?
Tough one. Probably Danny Bergara but I loved Jimbo who has been such an incredible part of our club’s history. Honourable mention too for Eric Webster. One minute our groundsman, then manager, then groundsman again. I tip Liam Cash to be our manager by the end of the decade.
Best atmosphere you’ve experienced watching County?
Bolton away in the FA Cup. Just amazing.
Favourite ever game?
I loved Wembley in 2008. At the fifth time of asking we finally won! That was such a brilliant day.
For pure exhilaration and celebration, winning the National League North at Nuneaton. West Ham at Upton Park deserves a mention as well. Cavacooo!
On my 50th birthday a group of us did an overnighter for Hednesford away. We went 1-0 down on 72 minutes, equalised on 93, before Odejayi bloody won it a minute later. Capped a brilliant day. I did feel just a little rough the next morning though.
Worst ever game?
2010-11. Start of the season. I travelled alone to see us play at Stevenage expecting we would cruise it. We were crap, lost 3-1, and the season got no better.
Favourite ever goal?
It was a crap goal but it is seared into my brain. Tommy Sword’s header / bundling the Sheffield United keeper into the net to give us a 1-0 victory. September 1981. Magic.
Best goal I failed to see? Frank Mulhern at Dover from the halfway line. I was getting a hot dog as I’m a greedy bastard who eats too much.
If you could play in an exact moment from County’s history, which would it be?
Middlesbrough away in the second leg of that League Cup semi-final. As long as I got to score a second goal for us to take us to penalties which we would obviously have then won.
What is the biggest sacrifice you have ever made to get to a match?
A 3-2 defeat at home to Blackpool in 1981-82. Not much of a sacrifice but me and my best mate Brun missed the bus so had to half run, half walk at speed from Bramhall to get to the game late. I was young and vaguely fit then.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen at the match?
I can’t give you a date or the details but it was a cup game at home to Crewe some time in the 80s. Went to pens and I reckon someone made County use a beach ball as they all sailed over the bar and the wall at the Railway End. It probably didn’t really happen like that but in my head it did.
Favourite matchday boozer?
The Armoury.
Favourite matchday tipple?
Dizzy.
Favourite County song?
“The Scarf My Father Wore” obviously.
Worst County song?
The “County’s Going Up” song to the tune of “Give It Up” by KC and the Sunshine Band.
What do you like the most about Edgeley Park?
Still a proper ground in the community. Love the Cheadle End.
Best thing about being a County fan?
I have met so many mates through football, mainly the members of the Stockport Sippers Society. One chance meeting at Harrogate away has led to loads of trips home and away since then, as well as a few foreign jaunts. All down to wearing a County shirt.
Worst thing about being a County fan?
For me, the cost of getting up to home games from Essex, and never getting to watch a run of games.
Most despised rival club and why?
Burnley and Stoke. McMinn and Stein. Wembley. Tossers.
Most despised rival player and why?
No one really but Paul Mullin is a bit of a knob. Good player though.
Do you collect any County/football related memorabilia?
Not really. I have quite a few programmes I held on to and the odd press cutting. Nothing exciting.
Any chance encounters with County players?
I wish. I did bump into Oshor Williams’ childhood best friend in a bar in Italy a few years ago. Can’t remember where now. Turin? Bergamo? He had a Celtic shirt on though.
Have you ever decked an opposing fan?
No no no. No.
If you could invite any five people round for a chippy tea, who would it be?
Kylie Minogue, Oshor Williams, Jimbo, Taylor Swift and Des Hinks Junior.
Tell us something impressive about yourself without sounding stupid.
I can’t think of anything much. I did set up a YouTube channel in lockdown and did lots of quizzes and some food things – Breakfast with Bob, Bob’s Bites etc. I enjoyed doing the quizzes, stuff like trying to sing a pop song with a mouth full of beer or sausages, which you then had to guess. It kept me amused even if it made lockdown even harder for others!
Can you play football to any sort of standard?
No. I was shit.
Describe a perfect day.
A lie-in, followed by a big cooked breakfast. (No hash browns though, they have no place there.) Off to The Armoury for a few pints. County win 10-0 against the odds. Drinks in Stockport market and a huge takeaway pizza. I am easily pleased and not living anywhere near Stockport now means this is always my choice.
Anything you’d like to say to finish?
I’m up for the Worksop game on Saturday. Already excited. The Armoury ran out of Dizzy when I was up last weekend. Hopefully not this time.
Oh yeah, I also had a drink and a chat with Thomas Turgoose from This is England after the Grimsby game in The Cocked Hat. Lovely bloke but still not sure why he got his cock out in the pub when someone told him to.
And finally, here’s a few of Bob’s favourite things to finish with…
TV programme: The Walking Dead
Film: The Godfather
City: Stockport. Not a city I know. Otherwise, London. I know it’s obvious but so much to do there gig wise, bars, football if County are in town.
Food: Spag Bol
Drink: Red wine. Malbec. Yes, I am so cultured these days.
Book: Hard to name one. I do like a music or football biography. Who Ate All the Pies? by Mick Quinn was good despite the lack of County references. Carlton Palmer’s was good too.
Band: Currently a brilliant ska band called Death of Guitar Pop. I saw Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine more live than any other band, but The Smiths are my all-time favourites.
It’s time to get a new carpet
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Today in SK
🍽 Food and drink
Lunch deal at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7 or two courses for £11. 12pm till 2pm.
Lite bite meal deal at The Friary (SK3). Cod or haddock, served with chips, and a side of peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.95. 11.30am - 7.30pm.
Taster Thursday at TRUNK (SK7). Three tapas dishes and a glass of sangria for £20 from 5pm. 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.
🎶 Free jukebox
The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.
🎱 Free pool
The George & Dragon (SK7). 6pm - 9pm.
🎵 Music
Radio X presenter Sophie Sveinsson at Bask (SK1). Expect to hear QOTSA, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, No Doubt, LCD Soundsystem, Placebo, Royal Blood, Foo Fighters, The Rapture and more. 8pm. Free tickets.
Photo of the day
Louie Barry rests up in hospital following his hamstring operation. Fingers crossed he’s on the mend sooner rather than later.
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