“Now we have a clear formation with players who seem to understand what they’re being asked to do”

Matt from New York Talk drops in for a chat, with Rotherham enjoying a new lease of life under interim manager Matt Hamshaw

Apr 10, 2025

Thursday 10 April 2025

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NEXT HOME GAME: Rotherham United – Saturday 12 April, 3pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Peterborough United – Friday 18 April, 3pm

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Rotherham supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Rotherham were thrashed 4-0 at home to Crawley at the end of last month, which turned out to be the final straw for Steve Evans. The Millers, now in 12th, haven’t got anything to play for during these final weeks of the season, but don’t expect a walkover in SK3 on Saturday. Under Matt Hamshaw (who made 44 appearances for County in 2005-06) the Millers have won three out of three in April, including a 1-0 win at Bolton on Tuesday night. Matt from New York Talk discusses Rotherham’s new boss, as well as other important stuff like Yorkshire Tea and the Chuckle Brothers.

Today’s edition is sponsored by APL Locksmiths. A big thank you to Anthony. He’s offering a 20% discount for The Scarf My Father Wore readers on any key cutting this month. If you need anything doing, give him a call on 07712 657585 or email anthony@apllocksmiths.co.uk.

Thanks also to Rotherham Eats who sponsor our Rotherham United content on the website. Grab yourself a takeaway tonight!

If you’re not doing anything on Friday 25 April, the night before County’s final home game of the season, come along to Desmond’s Comedy Club at The Fingerpost! We’ve got the brilliant Sam Serrano opening the show, whose TV credits include Dave, Comedy Central and UKTV. Tickets are £15. Show starts at 7.30pm. Drop me a message and I’ll get you booked in.

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: £2,292

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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Three wins from three for Rotherham’s interim manager Matt Hamshaw (Photo credit: Rotherham United FC)

You’ve won your last three. What’s Matt Hamshaw doing that Steve Evans wasn’t?

Hamshaw has put some structure in place on the pitch. It felt under Evans that he picked his best players and asked them to play. Now we have a clear formation with players who seem to understand what they’re being asked to do and winning brings that belief which is obvious. If you believe what you read, the culture under Evans was bad, whereas Hamshaw is well thought of in the game so the fact that Evans has gone has also possibly lifted the mood.

Hamshaw’s in charge for the rest of the season. Would you give him the job on a permanent basis?

THE question at the moment. He’s done brilliantly so far, but the job in the summer is a big one. We have a decent budget so we’ll be expected to be in the play-off picture next season. With Hamshaw being so inexperienced we don’t know how he’ll recruit and what his preferred style is – and most importantly for me can he work with the chairman? Only Steve Evans and Paul Warne have been able to work well with him. We’re a club that doesn’t plan long-term so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stay if this form continues.

How does the atmosphere at the New York Stadium compare to Millmoor?

They’ve done a good job with the new place. They built the stands steep so it feels like you’re on top of the game and when it’s full, especially with a loud away following, the atmosphere is fantastic. The problem with League One is that half the teams bring under 1,000 so this does impact the atmosphere, whereas in the Championship the away end is full most weeks.

County took over 2,000 fans to Rotherham in December

What does a Rotherham away end look and sound like?

It will be louder this weekend than if we hadn’t changed manager. I think it will be close to a sell-out and I expect noise. We now have a team we feel like we can get behind and when us Millers have that things can get going.

What’s your prediction for Saturday?

We’ve had a lot of games in the last couple of weeks and Steve Evans left us with barely any players. We had 13 fit senior players on Tuesday at Bolton and the starting XI has barely changed in the three games Hamshaw’s had so far. I think Saturday will be a step too far (although I said the same before the Bolton game) and you’ll edge it 2-1. We’ll make life difficult for you, but I don’t think we’ll have enough in the tank.

Who’s been your best player this season?

Easy, Hakeem Odoffin. It hasn’t been a good season, but “Haks” has been a superstar. He’s naturally a forward thinking midfielder but has been asked to play centre-half and he’s been excellent. He’s a giant, so wins loads in the air, and his pace makes him difficult to get past. A top professional. In classic Rotherham United style we’ve let his contract run out so he’ll likely leave in the summer for free, but he’s been a great servant to the club and one of the few who can hold their heads up high this season.

Who was your favourite Chuckle Brother growing up – Barry or Paul?

Barry. He seemed to be the nice one.

Do you drink Yorkshire Tea?

I’m not a huge tea fan, but when I do drink it I try for Yorkshire Tea.

Which team in Yorkshire do you hate the most?

Sheffield Wednesday. Others might say Leeds but we all hate Wednesday.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County – A) the club B) the manager C) the fans?

A big club, especially for where you’ve been. I’ve always had a soft spot for County as we seemed to play each other on a regular basis when I was younger.

Dave Challinor has done fantastic wherever he’s been but especially at County. It feels like he’s gone under the radar in League One because of Birmingham’s money and Wrexham being Wrexham, but he’s done a brilliant job and I’m sure no one in the play-offs will want to face County.

As a kid I always thought County fans travelled well, and loud. This was confirmed again in 2021. Most teams we play in the FA Cup don’t bring 500, never mind over 2,000. You made a lot of noise that night.

Best moment as a Rotherham fan?

Probably promotion from League One in 2021-22. Final day of the season, away from home in the sun on the open terrace at Gillingham, and Georgie Kelly scores on his debut to clinch promotion. Then at full-time the fans were able to get on the pitch and celebrate and talk to the players. It was an incredible way to finish that season.

What’s the fan culture like at Rotherham?

I think we’ve lost that a little bit with the last couple of poor seasons we’ve had. But in general the culture’s positive, similar to most clubs. We’re proud to support and follow the club around the country. As Rotherham fans we know how to take a loss. As long as we see the players giving something for the club the fans will stick with them, even in the bad times.

➡️ Check out Matt’s YouTube channel for more Rotherham content.

Contact APL Locksmiths to make sure your van is secure

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Photo of the day

The Angel, Rotherham

Not many pubs are open on a Sunday morning in between Christmas and New Year. The Stockport Sippers Society will always sniff out somewhere for a pint, though. Here’s a few of them in Rotherham in December before County’s lunchtime kick-off at the New York Stadium.

Treat yourself to a dessert from Skoopz tonight!

Any Rotherham fans (or indeed any of our readers from South Yorkshire) joining us today? If you’re in the mood for a treat tonight, get stuck into a dessert from Skoopz – the latest place to open on Rotherham Eats.

From rich traditional sweets to creamy ice creams, gooey cookie doughs, and indulgent desserts that’ll satisfy every sweet craving – they’ve got it ALL!

➡️ Download the Rotherham Eats app to place an order.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) this evening. Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (12A) at 8.30pm.

➡️ Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £5.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £1.50, and 3 for £7 on Jägerbombs. Also, double up for £2 on premium spirits.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8).

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this month by popping in for a few drinks and a bite to eat.

Random snippets from old County programmes

#35 - County v Tranmere, 25 April 1986

County’s final away game of the 1985-86 season was at Wrexham. Whoever wrote the away day guide for the programme was intrigued by one or two aspects of the Racecourse Ground.

The floodlights at Wrexham are rather strange. There are over 40 lights on each and they are of differing sizes. The smallest lamps though are used only for European and International games.

The oldest stand at Wrexham is the Plas Coch Stand which is at the corner of the Mold Road Stand. It consists of wooden bench seats which have curious little handgrips for every spectator.