More Tales from Olden Times

Another wonderful trip down memory lane with John Snellgrove

May 19, 2024

Sunday 19 May 2024

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Sunday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore, just as Crewe have lost the League Two play-off final!

It means Crawley Town are the final team to complete next season’s League One line-up. I’m just finishing off an article relating to that which I’ll probably share with you tomorrow. But today, I’m thrilled to share another nostalgic piece from John Snellgrove. At the start of this month, John took us back to December 1960 and his first ever game at Edgeley Park. Part 2 takes us further into the 60s as John joins the Junior Supporters Club before going on his first away day.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Stockport Hero Hire and Three Shires Chimney Services. A big thank you to both Johnny and Perran.

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: 148.94 miles

Total steps so far: 237,462

Total raised so far: £1,686

Total completed streets so far: 304 (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

As there haven’t been any demands to stop following my first article (thanks Dosser Jacket for your kind remarks) I have decided to put my finger to the keyboard to continue my memories of County in the early 60s.

Having got off to a great start with victory over Mansfield in my first ever County game, a further victory followed later against Gillingham, before losing 3-0 at home in a dismal display against Accrington – the originals I hasten to add. This team was to add to my woe the following season when they dumped us out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win at Edgeley Park. Not only that but it was their last season in the Football League and County had done the double, but both results were removed as they didn’t finish the season.

Looking back, what strikes me now is the lack of jeopardy there seemed in those days. Never threatening promotion but always just enough points to avoid having to apply for re-election. Despite the poor league positions I do not recall any clamour to have the manager sacked. We just seemed to accept that was our fate. Can you imagine that today? I suspect County would have gone through five or six managers.

It amuses me on the forums how people start questioning the manager after a couple of bad results. Think Crewe and Tranmere this season. Probably best not to.

Strange to relate but I don’t ever recall seeing any away fans at County home games. Certainly not in any numbers, or congregating together. Maybe they sneaked in and merged with the rest of the spectators. Definitely no singing or police escorts to the station. Maybe they were just lulled into the general malaise.

I do wonder how good those players were: Charlie McDonnell, Tony France, Colin Parry the ever loyal Trevor Porteous and Graham Beighton to name but five. How close would they have got to the present team? No videos of matches but they must have been good to play at that level. We admired them and they were heroes to us.

After matches we would go through the main entrance to collect autographs. So close to the players who looked so old to us youngsters. One player in particular I remember was Johnny Simpson, goalkeeper for Gillingham, who spent ages signing his name in beautiful handwriting. Imagine our joy when we got to Edgeley station to catch our train back to see the Gillingham team on the same platform waiting for the London train.

One other aspect of County back then was the reserves playing in what was known as the North Regional League. Needless to say the results matched – or I suspect were even worse – than the first team. The one joy was a cheap afternoon’s entertainment. Well maybe not so much entertainment. 5d return bus fare, 1d for the programme, a single typewritten sheet with the teams and the day’s half-times, and free entrance! Less than 3 pence in today’s money. It seemed a poor man’s companion to the Central League but looking at the fixtures maybe not as bad as we thought.

We later joined the Junior Supporters Club. Meetings were held in a room above some pub or other in Edgeley. Not really sure why we went or where it was advertised but the main outcome was our first away trip. A charabanc (a coach to us all, but I do like that word) trip to Southport.

The big day arrived and it was sunny as we got on the coach. Such excitement. I remember us singing the following:

🎶 Daisy, daisy, give me your answer do

I’m half crazy all for the love of you

It won’t be a stylish marriage

I can’t afford a carriage

But you’ll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle made for

2 4 6 8 who do we appreciate

C-O-U-N-T-Y COUNTY! 🎶

Before I am committed it does sound pretty pathetic now. It did back then on about the 20th rendition, but simple pleasures for simple minds…

Anyway, what a day. Fish and chips and football on the beach. (Unfortunately, County lost.)

The other Junior Supporters Club meeting I remember was when a player had been invited to give a talk. The unfortunate victim at the end of the 1963-64 season was David Johnston. Sadly for him he had just been released after 27 appearances at full-back. We were very upset and told him so, saying how unfair it was and could we do anything. As 14-year-olds we were rather hopeful but he was delightful. I wonder where he went to next.

Around that time we met Basil D’Oliveira at a charity cricket match in Cheadle Hulme. What a lovely man. He spent ages talking to us, even managing to smile when a rather naive person asked him why he didn’t play for South Africa. One guess who that person was.

We’re now at the end of the 1963-64 season. County finished 17th but at least ended with a 2-0 win at home to Darlington. The manager in his programme notes wondered how many would turn up for a meaningless end of season game. The answer was 2,086 of us. The true diehards.

Only seven of that squad would be there the following season. As would I. What a season it would turn out to be. Maybe a part three…

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Introducing… Panther!

If you want a hero who can leap, creep, bounce and move with super speed then come and get your paws on this guy!

He’s the latest character to join the Stockport Hero Hire team. If your kids love the Marvel movies, imagine the smiles on their faces when Panther turns up for their birthday party or any other celebration!

Visit stockportherohire.co.uk for further details on all of the different heroes you can book for your child’s party.

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Does your log burner, stove or chimney need some TLC? Give it a summer service!

Warmer weather means less time in front of the fire and more time outside in the garden. It’s the perfect time to give your chimney or flue a good clean and service. Removing soot built up over the winter prolongs the life of flue liners, validates your home insurance and ensures your safety.

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Any chimney sweep in an SK postcode is currently £75 and includes a certificate and smoke test, to give you peace of mind.

Visit threeshireschimneyservices.com for further details.

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Photo of the day

Edgeley Park, Stockport

David Mossman thinks he’s equalised against Telford in November 1985, but the ball rebounds off the post, as the visitors hold on for a 1-0 win and an FA Cup upset.

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. If (U) at 5pm, followed by The Fall Guy (12A) at 7.30pm. 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.

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100 random grounds that County have played at

#20 – Broadhurst Park, FC United

Last visit: January 2019, on our way to winning the National League North title. County were a goal down early on, but Frank Mulhern equalised on the stroke of half-time, before Jamie Stott sent the travelling Hatters into a frenzy with an 88th minute winner, on his final appearance for the club during that particular loan spell from Oldham (he was back at EP a weeks later). We’re now four divisions above FC United; those days are long gone.

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