Notts County v County
Promotion already in the bag, Dave Challinor’s men head to Nottingham tonight in search of a first Football League title for 57 years
Tuesday 16 April 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: Accrington – Saturday 20 April, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Notts County – Today, 7.45pm
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, Notts County supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
With three games remaining, County need just one more victory to clinch the League Two title. The first of those opportunities comes in Nottingham this evening. Ed Chadwick, Jonathan Baker and Ian Brown join us ahead of what could be a famous evening at Meadow Lane.
Today’s edition is sponsored by That Oven Girl. A big thank you to Fay.
Also, a big thank you to Crafty Crow, who sponsor our Notts County content on the website. I’ve actually been in there before. It’s a cracking city centre bar right opposite Nottingham Castle. If any of our readers are in Nottingham tonight, pop in for a pint or two!
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: 136.36 miles
Total steps so far: 217,174
Total raised so far: £1,666
Total completed streets so far: 271 (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
Des Junior loves writing about County. But he can never be arsed doing match previews. They’re a bit dull, aren’t they? Paddy Madden’s out for two games with an ingrown toenail…blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham since 1672.
Fortunately, he has a number of fellow County content creators to call upon. Here’s their thoughts, general chit-chat and score predictions, as County head to Meadow Lane looking for the League Two title.
Ed Chadwick, Stockport County Supporters Co-operative
Notts County 1 County 3
Away fans heading to Nottingham usually opt for one of two establishments: Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem or Hooters. One offers an enriched cultural experience in England’s oldest pub, while the other offers, well, something completely different. Where will you be going for your pre-match pint?
I've had a look at the Google reviews to see if I can get to the bottom of the appeal of Hooters. From what I can see it seems to attract a diverse customer base of leery divorced dads and apprentice serial killers, as well as some people who inexplicably have kids' parties there. If I was that desperate to see real life women in the flesh, I'd cut to the chase and go to a strip club where I didn't have to pay for what looks like pretty average food.
However, my wife joins me for tonight’s trip to Meadow Lane. If I tried to take her to Hooters she would embark on a lengthy rant about how men are disgusting even though I've heard her objectifying Neil Byrne every time she sees him at EP. Looking at male footballers is basically womanhood's equivalent of Hooters isn't it?
So I'd head to Ye Olde Trip. I'd like to point out the title of England's oldest pub is much disputed because I've visited about three different establishments making that claim.
In reality I suspect we'll head to a fairly average chain restaurant before the game. Anyway I'm going to stay off the pop for the simple reason that I'm training hard for Saturday's pitch invasion. I embarrassed myself at the weekend so it's sprint work twice a day so I can get myself across the turf before all the players get mobbed. I have vague recollections of a sweaty hug with you on the pitch on Saturday but I'd had a few pints by then.
Let's get the league title wrapped up tonight. We've nothing to lose, so I'd love to see us absolutely fly at them out of the traps. Saturday's game was played at the tempo of a friendly after we scored so we should be fresh enough.
Jonathan Baker aka Geordie Hatter, The County Away Day Show
Notts County 2 County 2
Let's go for a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? style question today. Where do you think County are going to clinch the League Two title? A) Meadow Lane B) Edgeley Park C) Racecourse Ground or D) we won't win it.
I can't wait for tonight, not least because in a rare turn of events I've managed to sort myself a ticket, and am getting myself off to an away game! I'd obviously love to see us clinch the title at Meadow Lane, but I’ve got an inkling that despite their remarkable slump of late, the other Magpies – so impressive even in defeat at EP over Christmas let's not forget – may retain just enough desire and quality to frustrate us on their home turf.
I see a ridiculously open 2-2 draw reminiscent of last season's basketballesque late-season thriller at Brunton Park, and the lofting of the trophy thereby postponed just another few days, to be confirmed via a sumptuous thrashing of a sorry Accrington Stanley in front of a sell-out SK3 audience. I do of course very much hope I'm wrong (not about the thrashing, which sounds lovely, but very much about the pent-up frustration beforehand, which sounds ever-so-slightly more jeopardy-inducing than any of us have the patience for right now, surely). Let's get the damn thing in the bag and get this party properly rolling already, I say!
Ian Brown, hedgegrower
Notts County 1 County 2
For you personally, how does our latest promotion compare to 2018-19 and 2021-22?
All three triumphs represent immense achievements by our club and its manager at the time.
In many ways it’s odious to make comparisons twixt eras or decades drawing conclusions that for a large part can only by subjective in nature. In this respect you will probably suspect me of being a tad more subjective than the average County fan but that does not make my conclusions wrong – it’s just my opinion!
For me the 2018-19 triumph under Jim Gannon was epic in every respect – hewn out of adversity, strapped by limited resources, and yet producing so vital a reversal of fortunes after years of mis-management off the park.
At last, after six years at level six, on that brilliant afternoon at Nuneaton, Jim’s team brought us back from the abyss ready to start climbing the pyramid in the National League. That was no mean feat and the emotions shown by thousands that afternoon only gave a hint as to the depth of feeling after so much heartache.
If Jim Gannon is a hero creating this masterpiece whilst existing on a tight budget, there are two more County heroes, directors Richard Park and Gary Burton, who kept County alive against a background of hostility and doubt from the fanbase. They brought Jim back to the club – perhaps the best decision ever taken at board level at the club in my view.
Enter Mark Stott, and substantially better funding for the County management team. We’ve all seen managers who exist solely by spending the chairman’s money, but I see no evidence that Challinor is a manager who can’t manage without his cheque book.
Both the National League title win of 2021-22 and this current triumph speak volumes for Dave’s approach and deserve the utmost praise. But whilst watching this season pan out with great pleasure, that edge of emotion so much in evidence in 2018-19 isn’t there for me.
That said, I am gratified to note that the legacy established has not been wasted and I will cheer as loud as anyone in blue come 27 April.
Let’s play a game of ‘Spot the Difference’!
Can you spot the difference between the two photos above? It’s not exactly the hardest game you’ll ever play, is it? That’s because Fay from That Oven Girl is very good at what she does!
The “before” photo is your oven on a Sunday afternoon, after it’s taken a battering with roast chicken and potatoes and vegetables.
The “after” photo is your oven once you’ve given Fay a call, and she’s got it looking brand new for you once again.
Book your oven cleaning slot by calling Fay on 07487 252758 or email thatovengirl21@gmail.com.
Photo of the day
A TV studio in Liverpool
The doctor will see you now…
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (12A) at 6pm, followed by Back To Black (15) at 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.
🍟 Food and drink
The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £4.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £2, and 3 for £6 on Jägerbombs.
If you’re in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a couple of pints.
Pie Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Any pie or pudding and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £7.95. (Greenhalgh’s Pies £1 extra.)
Random County fan of the day #97 – Stewart Taylor!
One final thing before you go… if you’d like a spring clean for your car, carpets, house, oven or even your windows, get in touch with our brilliant bunch of sponsors!
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: A Star Clean Ltd
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈 Cat Flaps: That Cat Flap Company Ltd
👶 Child Health: The Sleep Nanny
🏠 Chimney Sweep: Three Shires Chimney Services
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
🔥 Fire Protection: Radial Fire And Security Limited
👟 Fitness: G Thomas Training
🍏 Greengrocers: Waterhouse’s Quality Food
🛁 Grout Refresh & Recolour: GroutGleam Stockport
💇♀️ Hairdressing: C West Hairstylist
💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
👨🍳 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🌳 Landscaping: PR Landscapes
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
🧤 Oven Cleaning: That Oven Girl
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
🚑 Personal Injury: Parkers Solicitors Ltd
📸 Photography: Holly Dwyer Photography
🎹 Piano Tutor: Sophie Grace Piano and Keyboard Tuition
🧱 Plastering: DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists
🚰 Plumber: GTG Gary the Gasman
🦶 Podiatry: SK Podiatry
📕 Publishing: Victor Publishing
🤳 Social Media Management: Believe Media
☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd
👨💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co
⚽️ Sports Coaching: UK Sports Coaching Ltd
🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative
🪵 Timber Supplies: Portwood Timber Division of Illingworth Ingham (Manchester) Ltd
☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
🪟 Window Cleaner: R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
🧘♀️ Yoga: Greenshoots Yoga