“Most of our fans are demanding Waitrose purchases (because of all that Premier League and parachute cash) but that doesn’t seem to be happening”

Author and Luton fan Rob Hadgraft drops in for a chat

Jul 13, 2025

Sunday 13 July 2025

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.

THE SCARF MY FATHER WORE 2025-26 CALENDAR: Having been to all 56 County games this season, I’ve taken thousands of photos. I’ve put together calendars for next season, featuring some of my favourite photos from the last year, plus some other County bits and bobs. £10 each. Get in touch if you’d like one.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Luton 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.

Author and Luton fan Rob Hadgraft (click here to check out his books) joins us today for a natter on the Hatters. (The fake ones, obviously!)

Today’s edition is sponsored by Colourtone. A big thank you to Paul.

Thanks also to P&M Financial Ltd who sponsor our Luton Town content on the website. If you’re in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire or London and need expert mortgage or insurance advice, call 0800 634 9250 or email admin@pm-financial.co.uk.

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: 253.75 miles

Total steps so far: 418,084

Total raised so far: £2,312

Total completed streets so far: 474 (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

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Luton were winning at Everton in the Premier League in 2023-24, but following back-to-back relegations they’ll be kicking off in League One in August (Photo credit: Luton Town FC)

Last win at our place: Friday 29 November 1968, Division Three, 2-0

Last win at their place: Saturday 17 September 1966, Division Four, 3-0

Today’s Ladbrokes title/promotion odds: County: 12/1 7/2 Luton: 10/3 Evens

Top story in the local news today: ‘The 10 worst places for slow internet in the UK – full list’

AFC Wimbledon at home on the opening day. Bolton away on the final day. Thoughts?

We rarely get thrilling opposition on the opening day – even in the Prem they gave us Brighton away. At least the Bolton trip will be in sunny May and not a midweek night in winter. January, by the way, will be a Luton nightmare, with FOUR long away trips in 27 days: Plymouth, Exeter, Huddersfield and Doncaster!

Which team do you most want to beat this season?

If we don’t beat Stevenage and Wycombe (twice each) I will be highly disappointed.

We’re all from Stockport, who the fuck are you?

“We’re black, we’re white, we’re fucking dynamite, Luton Town, Luton Town!” (It’s an old Oak Road chant from yesteryear.)

There’s been a little bit of controversy at Glastonbury this summer. What’s the worst song/chant Luton fans have ever sung?

There’s been a few dodgy ones in years gone by. There was one about Elton John and a certain part of his anatomy, and another strange one about Tony Thorpe’s mother.

In terms of your summer transfer business so far, where have Luton been shopping?

As I speak, we’ve got a couple from Lidl, a couple from the Co-op and one from Sainsbury’s – but to be fair they all look like decent bargains. Most of our fans are demanding Waitrose purchases (because of all that Premier League and parachute cash) but that doesn’t seem to be happening.

Which Luton player is most likely to end up in League One’s team of the season?

Kal Naismith or George Saville – maybe both?

Which former Luton player is most likely to come back and bite you on the arse this season?

James Collins will probably come on as a last-minute sub for Lincoln and knock one in our net.

I’m a member of the Stockport Sippers Society, who always enjoy a trip away every season. Last year we had a fantastic weekend in Exeter. Why should we choose Luton for a couple of nights this season?

All things considered, perhaps you’d best save your cash until 2028 when we’re due to have a new stadium, which will dominate the town centre and have much more to offer than just football (apparently). Provided both clubs are still in the same division of course.

Spud Bros have been all over social media recently after sponsoring Preston’s shirts. If you could choose any food place in Luton to be on the front of your shirts, what would you go for?

Norm’s Curried Goat. Available outside our ground on matchdays.

What’s your early predictions for promotion and relegation in League One?

Haven’t got a clue to be honest. Refusing to publicly go for Luton as everyone else is doing that, and whenever I place a bet on us it always jinxes things.

“Luton Town Football Club is a historic English team known for its passionate fanbase, distinctive orange kits, and remarkable rise from non-league football to the Premier League in under a decade.” That’s what artificial intelligence said about you. Decent summary?

That’s all true, but the old cliché “rollercoaster ride” needs to be included somewhere! Also, I’m not sure if anyone has worked this out properly, but I reckon we must be the club that’s taken on the biggest range of opponents in league games: from Arsenal to Alfreton, Tottenham to Tamworth and Everton to Ebbsfleet – we’ve played the lot!

The world’s absolutely fucked at the moment. If you could choose one person at your club to sort everything out, who would you go for?

Mick Harford (currently on his thousandth job at the club as part of the
recruitment team). He’d certainly put the wind up the likes of Trump, Putin, Musk, Farage and Badenoch.

And finally, if World War 3 breaks out in March while County fans are in Luton, where’s the best place for us to hide?

Try the old Arndale shopping mall in St George’s Square. You’d be quite
safe as no invading enemy would fancy going in there.

➡️ Click on the links below for the other season previews we’ve published so far.

AFC Wimbledon / Bolton / Huddersfield / Lincoln / Reading

Give your car a lick of paint

Granted, Stockport used to be a little rough around the edges. But the town’s getting a good old lick of paint these days, with fancy new offices, apartments, bars and restaurants springing up. You can’t be driving up and down the A6 in a tatty car with chipped paintwork, so give your car a nice lick of paint too. Colourtone is your go-to company for that. They’ve been servicing the automotive and industrial markets in Cheshire and Greater Manchester for decades, and carry an extensive range of car paint and industrial paints.

➡️ Visit colourtone.com for further details.

Photo of the day

Kenilworth Road, Luton

The final day of the 1996-97 season, with County fans already celebrating after clinching automatic promotion to Division One earlier in the week.

If you’re currently planning to buy a house, here’s a guide to boosting your deposit

The UK property market can be daunting, especially for first-time buyers who are looking to get onto the property ladder. One of the biggest obstacles for many is saving for a deposit. However, there are several government-backed savings schemes available to help make homeownership more accessible.

1) Lifetime ISA (LISA)

The Lifetime ISA is a flexible savings account that allows you to save up to £4,000each year, with the government adding a 25% bonus (up to £1,000 per year). This makes it a very popular option for first-time buyers. The funds can be used either for buying your first home or for retirement.

Key Features:

You must be aged between 18 and 39 to open a LISA.
The property you are purchasing must be worth £450,000 or less.
You can use the funds after 12 monthsof saving, but there are restrictions if you use the funds for anything other than your first home or retirement.
The bonus is paid annually, and any money you withdraw from your LISA for other purposes (e.g. non-property-related) will incur a withdrawal penalty.

This scheme is ideal for younger buyers who are planning ahead and want to benefit from the 25% government bonus.

2) Help to Buy: ISA

The Help to Buy: ISA was a popular option for first-time buyers until it closed to new applicants in November 2019. However, those who already have a Help to Buy ISA can still benefit from it. The government will add a 25% bonus to the savings you’ve made towards your first home, up to a maximum bonus of £3,000.

Key Features:

You can save up to £200 per month into a Help to Buy ISA, and the government will contribute £1 for every £4 you save.
The bonus can be used towards properties costing up to £250,000 (or £450,000 in London).
You must be a first-time buyer, and the funds must be used for a property purchase.

Although the scheme is no longer open to new applicants, it remains a useful option for those who opened an account before the deadline.

3) Shared Ownership Scheme

The Shared Ownership Scheme allows you to buy a portion of a property (usually between 25% and 75%), and pay rent on the remaining portion. This can make it easier to get onto the property ladder, as you only need a smaller mortgage and deposit.

Eligibility:

You must be a first-time buyer or someone who used to own a home but cannot afford to buy one now.
The property must be within your local authority’s shared ownership scheme.
Your household income must be £80,000 or less (or £90,000 in London).

This scheme is particularly beneficial for buyers in expensive areas, where full ownership of a property might be out of reach.

4) The First Homes Scheme

The First Homes Scheme is a government initiative that aims to provide new homes for first-time buyers with a discount of at least 30% off the market price. In some areas, the discount could be higher, depending on local needs and affordability.

Key Features:

Available to first-time buyers and key workers.
The homes are sold at a discount compared to local market prices.
There are restrictions on reselling, with the discount remaining in place for future buyers.

This scheme is designed to make homeownership more affordable for first-time buyers, particularly in high-demand areas.

5) The Deposit Unlock Scheme

The Deposit Unlock Scheme is a newer option that helps buyers with a deposit of just 5%. This is particularly beneficial for those struggling to save a larger deposit. The scheme offers a mortgage guarantee to lenders, allowing them to offer loans to buyers with a smaller deposit, reducing the amount buyers need to save upfront.

Key Features:

Available for both first-time buyers and home movers.
Buyers only need to provide a 5% deposit.
Available for newly built homes.

This scheme is a great option for buyers who have a smaller deposit but want to access the benefits of a standard mortgage.

In addition to government-backed schemes, there are also some innovative options from lenders that can help homebuyers secure a mortgage with less upfront capital.

For example, one lender offers a 100% mortgage, meaning you can borrow the full value of the property based on the historic rent payments you’ve made as a tenant. This can be a great opportunity for renters who have a strong payment history but may struggle to save for a traditional deposit.

Another lender offers a 95% mortgage, with the remaining 5% being provided in the form of a loan. This reduces the deposit amount you need to save, making homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers.

Some lenders also allow landlords to gift the deposit as equity towards your mortgage. This is an excellent option for buyers who have family members willing to assist with their deposit but don’t want to provide the funds outright.

These flexible options can be invaluable in helping you reach your homeownership goals, especially if you’re struggling with saving a large deposit. Be sure to discuss all available options with a mortgage advisor to determine which route best suits your financial situation.

P&M Financial can help you navigate these saving schemes and choose the one that’s best for your circumstances. If you’re looking for expert advice on saving for your home, securing a mortgage, or understanding which schemes you’re eligible for, get in touch today and let them guide you every step of the way.

➡️ Visit pm-financial.co.uk for further details.

Today in SK

🍴 Food and drink

Enjoy a delicious Sunday roast at The Crown (SK2) or The Three Tunnes (SK7) with homemade Yorkshire puddings and all the trimmings. Served till 6pm.

If you’re finishing your weekend with a few pints today, pop into one of our featured venues such as The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Crown Inn (SK6) or The Cross Keys (SK8).