“No shit club should be permitted to win the FA Cup ever again, as it will make our achievement all the more unique”

Obviously we’re gonna be talking about Wigan’s Wembley win as part of this weekend’s build-up, as well as pies, piers and predictions with Mudhutter editor Martin Tarbuck

Oct 04, 2024

Friday 4 October 2024

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Wigan 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.

We had a great chat with Mudhutter editor Martin Tarbuck (click here to read) before County’s trip to Wigan in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy last season. With the two sides meeting in the league for the first time in over 20 years tomorrow, it’d be rude not to invite the Wigan wordsmith back for a catch-up.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Rub A Dubz Detailing. A big thank you to Grant.

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: 176.31 miles

Total steps so far: 284,130

Total raised so far: £2,001

Total completed streets so far: 399 (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

Looking at your results, you’ve had a shit August, a boring September with loads of 0-0 draws, and now you’re looking to kick on in October, starting with a 3-0 win over Peterborough on Tuesday night. Accurate assessment?

We’re a work in progress but seem to be settling in nicely. We have a very young side, but two cracking experienced centre-halves and the best young keeper in England, Sam Tickle. We’ve got a thin squad, packed full of youngsters from our own academy and Premier League loanees. There’s still a soft underbelly there somewhere which will re-emerge at some point, but I can’t fault them at the moment. Dogged at the back, and enthusiastic further up the field.

Who’s been your best player so far this season?

I’d probably say Will Aimson, who was Exeter’s captain last season. Between him and a fully fit Jason Kerr at the back they have looked solid and really turned us into a difficult side to beat. There’s bugger all experience elsewhere in the team, apart from 34-year-old Callum McManaman who is probably the biggest hothead of the lot. They must have a fantastic calming influence on the younger players in the squad which is really necessary given the lack of experience, though considering it’s his debut season, James Carragher at right-back is also very vocal. Can’t think where he might get that from.

You’ve not visited SK3 since 2002-03, when you won Division Two with 100 points. Do you recall singing “We’ll never play you again”?

Yes, that was a great improvised moment of self-deprecation and amazing foresight from our fans, in anticipation of us nearly going bust twice in the early 2020s before we had chance to renew acquaintances. Seriously, I hate that song. Something about being nice to people on the way up and all that…

Did it get any better than beating City at Wembley?

Nope, absolutely not. The only thing that even comes close was beating Reading to secure our place in the Premier League in 2005. It’s not something I expected when I got into watching Wigan Athletic in the mid 80s. I doubt it will ever be repeated by any other club of our size. Even though they don’t take it seriously, it seems to get sewn up by the top six clubs every year nowadays. I don’t mind that. No shit club should be permitted to win the FA Cup ever again, as it will make our achievement all the more unique.

Where do you hide when you come down to Edgeley?

Manchester probably. Since Oldham, Bury and Rochdale all simultaneously went to shit, we’ve not had much opportunity to quaff ales in the city centre en route to an away game. I believe Stockport has finally got lots of artisan bars and pop up street food venues now so I’m sure it’s lovely, but we’ve all seen pictures of your young ultras marching to the ground and we’re scared they might overpower us. Both physically and with the combined smell of burning sulphur and Lynx Africa.

Is that “1-0 Will Grigg, Up The Tics, Come On” lad still about?

I think I’ve seen pictures of him and I think he still goes to games. I suspect he’s a bit embarrassed about the whole thing and a bit camera shy, I mean he’s probably about 26 now.

What’s the best pie shop in Wigan?

That is an existential question. Ask that on one of those Wigan Facebook groups and there will be hundreds of comments and folk offering each other straighteners within minutes. Much blood, and pie gravy, has been spilled on this topic over the years. There’s a lad who runs Baldy’s Pies, an ex-Michelin star chef who makes the best pies around. They cost around £12, which you might expect Wiganers to baulk at, but they are truly fantastic and he’s developed a cult following. At the lower end of the market, Galloways are probably the main protagonist, along with Muffin Man and pricey Greenhalghs (Bolton bastards). Greggs got run out of town years ago.

Is it true your ground does the best pies in the Football League?

Nope, not a chance. I mean there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with the pies, they are supplied by East Lancashire pie giants Clayton Park, but they tend to come out of the oven hotter and harder than a hand grenade. I think I’d rather eat your pies. I’ve written a book about pies (Life of Pies) and I’m fairly certain that Ate Days a Week, Lord of the Pies and nearby Great North Pie would all wipe the floor with them.

How long is Wigan Pier?

It’s a little stump to attach a barge to. That’s it. No Hall of Mirrors, or darts games to win cuddly toys. No overpriced bar selling terrible ale while some old crooner murders 60s classics. No candy floss, kiss me quick hats, and no impromptu filming of scenes for a seaside crime drama featuring moody exchanges between a down on his luck detective and his estranged ex-wife. It’s a bit of a fraud pier-wise really.

It’s been a while, but what are your best and worst memories from previous games between County and Wigan?

The Autoglass northern final. Horrible tackle by Kevin Francis to break Dean Connelly’s leg in the first leg, and I think the same player powered home the winner at Edgeley Park past our feeble but loveable keeper Nigel Adkins to send you through. Absolute mayhem outside too.

I’m struggling to remember a good one, perhaps that last visit in 2002-03. The game finished 1-1 but it was a memorable season, our first ever third tier title. Much quieter outside that time.

Prediction for Saturday?

0-0 of course. We have more (k)nil(l)’s than a tall, ex-Swansea manager’s family reunion.

Whose turn is it to use the internet in Wigan after you’ve answered these questions?

I sometimes wish they’d turn it off for good, given the chronic tantrums aplenty from some of our more unhinged fanbase after three 0-0 draws.

Oh yeah, and finally, as I always open up question suggestions to my mates (but might stop doing so soon), how long would it take for you to realise that all birds were walking instead of flying?

You’re not allowed to call them that anymore!

Click here to buy the latest copy of Mudhutter.

Have your car looking shiny in the sunshine

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Photo of the day

Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence

TNS fans at Fiorentina last night for their UEFA Conference League group game. I wonder if County will ever get to have a taste of European football one day. Carry on this trajectory under Stott and you never know…

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Joker: Folie à Deux (15) at 6pm and 8.45pm. Click here for tickets.

💿 DJ

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

Happy Hour at Covent Garden Café (SK1) between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. If you spend £20 or more you get to roll the dice, and if you roll a 6 your bill is half price!

Treat yourself to lunch at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7, two courses for £11. 12pm - 2pm.

Pop in for a pint at Heaton Hops (SK4), CAMRA Pub of the Year for Stockport and South Manchester.

Enjoy a taste of Bavaria in Bredbury with Oktoberfest at The Steelworks (SK6). German beers, music and snacks.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

If you’re simply in the mood for a couple of pints today, pop along to one of our featured venues such as The Crown (SK2) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).

🎤 Karaoke

The Alexandra (SK3).

🎵 Live music

The Maddocks at AMP (SK1). 7pm. Tickets £12.

90 Proof at The Crown (SK6). 9pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#20 – Tony Dinning, Wolves

Tony Dinning made his County debut at home to Brentford in August 1994, and went on to score 30 goals in 226 games for the club during his first spell at Edgeley Park. (He later returned for a short spell under Jim Gannon.) None of us will ever forget that rocket at the Reebok or the penalty that clinched our one and only victory at Maine Road. His performances impressed Wolves, who paid £700,000 to take him to Molineux just a few weeks into the 2000-01 season.