Our 2025-26 season preview kicks off today… and there’s only one place to start!

Bolton Wanderers come to town on day one

Jun 30, 2025

Monday 30 June 2025

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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, Bolton 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.

There’s only one place to start with our 2025-26 League One season preview: our opening day opponents Bolton Wanderers. Could be a tasty one after County thrashed the Trotters 5-0 at Edgeley Park last season, and the game’s already been switched to Sunday lunchtime for the Sky Sports cameras. Bolton fan Chris Evans stops by for a chat for the first time this season.

Today’s edition is sponsored by BGM Decorators. A big thank you to Ben.

Thanks also to Luke and Hannah at LBL Roofing & Building Ltd who sponsor our Bolton Wanderers content on the website.

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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Fraser Horsfall headed County’s third goal in the 5-0 rout of Bolton last season (Photo credit: Mike Petch)

Last win at our place: Saturday 9 November 2024, League One, 5-0

Last win at their place: Saturday 15 March 2025, League One, 1-0

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

Top story in the local news today: ‘The number of people expected to live in Bolton in coming years revealed’

County away on the opening day. Luton at home on the final day. Thoughts?

Edgeley Park should fill me with dread after last season, but it will be two very different teams on the pitch going into the new season. Disappointed it’s on the Sunday with no trains. Disappointed our first away game will have a tiny away allocation so will end up in the home end again (with hundreds of other Wanderers). At the time of writing, I really worry about the squad, so this will be a very difficult opening fixture. However, if we get three or four more in before August, who knows. Hopefully, the recruitment so far will at least ensure we battle and don't completely fold when the going gets tough.

Luton are an unknown really. Parachute money means they may already be promoted by the time we play them. Or, will they continue their dive back down the pyramid? Way too early to know what that fixture will mean. Hopefully we will still have a chance of reaching the top six by that point, and at home you would hope we can get three points should we need them.

Which team do you most want to beat this season?

Would normally have said Wigan but we did that last season to end the hoodoo. From a breaking patterns point of view, County. From a local to where I live bragging right, Bradford and Huddersfield.

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

A much larger club, with a far greater history. However, admittedly playing second fiddle in recent years!

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

From a bad taste point of view, the Munich chants (they largely seem to have disappeared now). Some fans also seemed to have a fascination with the size of certain players’ private parts. Always seemed odd to be singing about how large Josh Magennis', Ricardo Santos' or James Trafford's manhood is, especially when some of those players have been quite outspoken about the fact they disliked the chants.

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

Given that so far we have made more from sales (namely Aaron Collins) than incoming free transfers and undisclosed fees, it’s got to be Cash Converters.

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

Got a feeling that Richard Taylor, the new signing from St Mirren, may be a gem of a signing. Beyond that, nobody of note stands out based on what we saw last year.

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

Dion Charles has now gone over 20 games without a goal since moving to Huddersfield. Odds on for him breaking his duck against us.

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 Bolton for a couple of nights this season?

If you have been into Bolton town centre in the last 15 years, you will already know that this question is impossible to answer. I would suggest you look at Barnsley instead if you want a good night out – cracking little town.

The Stockport Sippers Society paid a visit to The Old Three Crowns after last season’s victory at Bolton

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

Got to be Carrs Pasties.

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

I think Huddersfield have recruited well. Cardiff and Plymouth have fairly strong squads already, along with Luton, but you never know how a side will react when they have dropped down.

At the bottom, Burton did the great escape last year but are on borrowed time. Peterborough seem to have sold many of their best players and already struggled last year. Unless they can pull more rabbits from hats, I think they may go. Wimbledon will struggle and maybe someone like Mansfield might drop into trouble.

“Bolton Wanderers Football Club is a storied Lancashire side with a rich history, including top-flight success and FA Cup triumphs, now striving to reclaim past glories amid a passionate and enduring fanbase.” That’s what artificial intelligence said about you. Decent summary?

Change the word passionate for “quick to complain” and it’s pretty much spot on.

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?

Julian Darby. Always smiling, had the entire squad and fanbase behind him when he stepped in as caretaker last year. Would not be beyond the realm of possibility to see it happen again if Schumacher can't stop the form we had in the second half of last season. (I’m confident that Schumacher will do what is needed though.)

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

I would recommend joining the queue for a pie and a pint in any of the stadium kiosks. By the time you have been served, the war will have long ended.

Leave the painting and decorating to the professionals

Don’t be like this random stranger Des Junior found on the internet. He thought he could decorate his living room himself. But now look at him, sat forlorn on his floor covered in a tin of Dulux. His wife’s left him, and his evenings are now occupied by microwave meals and old repeats of The Sweeney. You know what he should have done, don’t you? He should have called BGM Decorators.

BGM Decorators is a family business that has been in the trade since 1988. They’ve been built on hard work, honesty, and a high quality service that has consistently enhanced their reputation. They provide a painting and decorating service on a domestic and commercial basis across Stockport, Greater Manchester and Cheshire, as well as offering tenant turnover services and working alongside estate agencies and private landlords.

➡️ Give Ben a call on 07816 589989 or email bgm.decorators@yahoo.co.uk.

Photo of the day

Toughsheet Community Stadium

As the scoreboard shows, a fantastic victory for County at Bolton last season.

LBL Roofing & Building

Any Bolton fans (or indeed, any County fans living in that neck of the woods) joining us today? If you need any roofing work doing at home, LBL Roofing & Building are dedicated to providing top-notch services with an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

With extensive experience serving Bolton and the North West, their team of skilled professionals specialise in all aspects of roofing, from minor repairs to complete roof installations. They understand the importance of a durable and reliable roof, which is why they focus on precision, attention to detail, and using the highest quality materials in every project.

Whether you're a homeowner in need of a roof repair or a business requiring a full roof replacement, they offer tailored roofing solutions that are built to last. With LBL Roofing & Building, your roof's integrity is their top priority, ensuring that their work not only meets but exceeds your expectations.

➡️ Visit lblroofingandbuilding.co.uk for further details.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. F1: The Movie (12A) at 4.30pm and 7.30pm. Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

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

If you’re heading out for a few beers today, pop into one of our featured venues such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7) and Flute & Firkin (SK12).