Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!

55 photos from County’s first trip to Blackpool for 20 years

Aug 19, 2024

Monday 19 August 2024

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, Blackpool supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Monday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

What a weekend that was! We’ll have two big Blackpool features on the website over the next few days, but for today just sit back with your morning brew and enjoy all 55 photos I took during my mooch around the seaside on Saturday.

I’ll chuck one of my tweets from yesterday in as well. Even being able to write something like this feels so bizarre, considering just six years ago our opening month of the season included league fixtures with Guiseley, Bradford Park Avenue and Alfreton Town.

A big thank you to MAN v FAT for sponsoring today’s edition. You can register for just £1 using the code TSMFW. Scroll down for a list of their local venues.

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: £1,981

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

We’re looking for one Blackpool fan with a business to be featured as part of our Football Family section, and you’ll also have your logo, photos and editorial included alongside any Seasiders content we publish. It’s £45 for the year. If you’re interested, email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com for a chat.

North West men shifting the pounds!

With the new EFL season underway, and County sitting proudly on top of League One, Dave Challinor’s men aren’t the only ones who have been getting themselves in shape this summer.

Men of all ages have been shedding the pounds as part of local MAN v FAT clubs, with a host of locations around the Greater Manchester area including Stockport, which is held at Lambeth Grove on a Tuesday night.

The 81 lads currently participating in Stockport shifted a remarkable 205kg in their most recent 14-week season whilst just down the road in Bury, the members there cast away 364kg of unwanted timber in their inaugural MAN v FAT season.

MAN v FAT regional manager for the north of England, Stuart Normansell, who lives in Stockport, said: “Our MAN v FAT clubs in Greater Manchester are among the most established and most vibrant MAN v FAT communities nationally.

“The lads in the area just seem to get what it takes to succeed in MAN v FAT. That is partly their weight loss efforts but there’s so much more to it and there are some fantastic communities of lads who build friendships and relationships outside of their club sessions.

“Undoubtedly, there are some huge wellbeing and confidence outcomes too and I take great pleasure in seeing the lads rediscover themselves during their time with us.”

MAN v FAT, who will be sponsoring The Scarf My Father Wore in the 2024-25 season, have a host of clubs in the area and are welcoming new starters – you can join at any stage of the year and you just need to be 18+ and have a BMI of 27.5 or higher!

Here's where they’re based locally – you can register for just £1 using the code TSMFW.

Bolton
Wednesdays at St Catherine’s Academy Sports Centre
https://manvfatfootball.org/bolton

Bury
Tuesdays at Radcliffe FC
https://manvfatfootball.org/bury

Macclesfield
Thursdays at Lifestyle Fitness
https://manvfatfootball.org/macclesfield

Manchester
Mondays at MEA Central
https://manvfatfootball.org/manchester

Rochdale
Mondays at Cardinal Langley RC High School
https://manvfatfootball.org/rochdale

Salford
Thursdays at Ordsall Leisure Centre
https://manvfatfootball.org/salford

Stockport
Tuesdays at Lambeth Grove
https://manvfatfootball.org/stockport

Wigan
Wednesdays at Standish Leisure Centre
https://manvfatfootball.org/wigan

Photo of the day

Somewhere in Blackpool on Saturday night

This is John Lee. I’ve no idea who he is but his tweet yesterday tickled me.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Despicable Me 4 (U) at 3.45pm, followed by Twisters (12A) at 6pm and 8.30pm. Click here for tickets.

🍔 Food and drink

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

10% discount on food for NHS card holders at The Shady Oak (SK7).

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), The Armoury (SK3), Reddish Working Men’s Club (SK5), The Steelworks (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).

🎶 Free jukebox

The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.

🎤 Live music

Open mic session at Bask (SK1). Hosted by Will Edgar. If you’d like to perform, sign up at 7pm.

100 random grounds that County have played at

#89 – Deva Stadium, Chester

Last visit: Not including friendlies (which is where this photo’s from) our last visit to the Deva Stadium was in 2018-19. April, to be precise, and a real promotion-style night out towards the end of the campaign, with Jim Gannon’s men running riot to move to the top of the National League North. Nyal Bell and Sam Walker both scored twice, with Darren Stephenson and Jordan Keane also on target in a memorable 6-0 victory.