Salford 2 County 2
If you’re not a fan of cliches, look away now, because it’s impossible not to describe last night as a game of two halves
Friday 15 March 2024
NEXT HOME GAME: MK Dons – Saturday 23 March, 5.15pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Crawley – Monday 18 March, 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, Salford 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.
Salford fans are like waiting for a Northern Rail train to turn up. You wait for ages and then none come along at once. I’ve not been able to find an Ammie to speak to, but we do have Dave Philbin joining us today, to reflect on last night’s eventful local derby.
Our first live event of 2024 is taking place next month. ‘Flynny at the Finger’ – an evening with County legend Mike Flynn – is at The Fingerpost on Wednesday 17 April. Start time 7.30pm. Over half the tickets have already been sold. If you’d like to join us, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com. Tickets are £10 (or £5 for paid subscribers plus anyone who’s written an article for The Scarf My Father Wore). That includes a full colour souvenir programme, and even a little bit of stand-up comedy!
Today’s edition is sponsored by Victor Publishing and GTG Gary The Gasman. A big thank you to both Merv and Gary.
Merv has given us the code “scarf” which you can use at checkout to enjoy 15% off any order. On the website you’ll find Stewart Taylor’s story of County’s return to the Football League, Phil Brennan’s book on the players to make 100 appearances for County, and Chris Davies’ tales of taking Cheadle Town to football stadiums across the world.
If you’re in need of any heating or plumbing services, Gary’s a former British Gas engineer with 38 years experience, providing quality work at an affordable price. You can reach him on 07931 416165 or email garythegasman@yahoo.com.
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: £1,641
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
✍️ Thursday’s match in one word
Frustrating.
🤔 Pre-match thoughts
Knowing they'd only lost one of their last six at home I knew it'd be tough. Chuck Karl Robinson into the mix and it becomes harder. I did think we’d get three points following our last minute winner on Saturday and hoped that momentum would continue.
🧐 Post-match thoughts
Game of two halves, eh? First half we were absolutely woeful. We'll hear lots about the ref, from me more than anyone, but he wasn't at fault for our first half showing. We were awful and deserved to be down at half-time. Challinor did his job at the break, clearly gave the relevant bollocking and made necessary changes. Rico was an absolute menace and our Champions League winner was quality. Disappointed not to win but we're a point closer with a game in hand – just give us that second half for 90 minutes please County!
🔴 Verdict on Salford
They did what they had to do. They'd have expected to lose I assume, but found themselves two up at the break; say what you like about their Franchise manager, he knows how to not lose games of football.
🔵 Verdict on County
As above. Shite first half, quality second. Touray has had his critics this season, me included, but was great when he came on. Tanto took his goal extremely well and Paddy did well in a role he's not overly familiar with.
🔴 Top Ammie
Always hard to look further than Smith. He's fantastic.
🎩 Top Hatter
Kane off the bench.
👂 Atmosphere
Good. Hard to maintain with no drum but great at times.
🙏 Hopes for the rest of the season
Don't care how we do it, just get in that top three.
😀 Best part of the day
I was interviewing all day at work with barely any breaks. Best part was when a shite one rushed through the questions and gave me half an hour back.
😡 Worst part of the day
Being 2-0 down at Salford at half-time.
The British Library receives a copy of every single book published in the UK. In the same fashion, Des Junior believes a detailed record of every County game should be preserved for the history books. So here’s the full story of our 2-2 draw at Salford City on Thursday 14 March 2024, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…
8.08pm: Fuck.
8.10pm: ‘Twas a good hit though.
8.11pm: We didn’t do a lot wrong really. Needed to close it down quicker but it was an excellent hit.
8.39pm: Pathetic. Shite free-kick but we’ve got to defend loads better than that.
9.05pm: This is one of the most physical games I've seen in some time. It's like something you'd see from a bygone era on a random channel at 8am on a Sunday morning. Wonderful stuff for nostalgia lovers. Less so for modern fans, you'd expect. Ref Ollie Yates has his work cut out, it's safe to say.
9.15pm: Get in! Go on Ibby.
9.28pm: Yes!!! Lovely, lovely goal.
10.02pm: For all the valid, deserved criticism of the first half, there’s equal praise and things to be happy about for the second half. Good point? I don’t know, but I’d have taken it at half-time. Well done County
2.24am: Home. [Des: That was me. Aren’t rail replacement buses great.]
Enjoy a 15% discount off all orders with Victor Publishing
Victor Publishing is a Stockport-based independent publisher, producing titles from a wide range of genres. From biographies, memoirs, histories and photographic collections to spoken word and beautifully illustrated children's titles.
USE THE CODE “SCARF” AT CHECKOUT TO GET 15% OFF ALL ORDERS!
They help unpublished (and previously published) authors, photographers and illustrators get their work out into the marketplace and all of their titles are available worldwide on Amazon in paperback, hardback and Kindle format as well as online in major book retailers such as Waterstones. It is notoriously hard to get a publishing deal, but they believe everyone who has taken the time and energy to write a book should have the chance to showcase it to the book-buying public.
They take care of every stage of the process from the design of the inner and covers to proofing, editing, and on final publication, they promote your book on their website, social media channels and other media such as radio, podcasts etc. Many of their authors have been interviewed on BBC radio about their books.
There’s also a great selection of County books available to buy on the website, plus other teams like Millwall and Plymouth, and other topics such as music and non-league football. You’ll be able to pick up some great gifts on there, and if you enter the code “scarf” at checkout you’ll receive 15% off your order.
Visit victorpublishing.co.uk for further details.
Is it time for a new boiler?
You might have an old boiler in your house that isn’t as efficient as it once was. Perhaps now would be a good time to give GTG Gary The Gasman a call and have it replaced.
Gary has replaced old systems with new A-rated boilers recently for lots of happy customers.
The boilers are all fitted with protective magnetic filters and standard wireless controls or smart controls for better efficiency leaving customers with reliable and well-functioning boilers!
If you’d like a quote for any work, give Gary a call on 07931 416165 or email garythegasman@yahoo.com.
A Thursday night at Gary Neville’s gaff (after a few pints at Victoria)
Photo of the day
Colchester Community Stadium, Essex
Ahead of County’s trip to Colchester next month, I’ve had a wonderful range of The Scarf My Father Wore buckets and spades designed. Come and see me at the next home game to place an order.
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. The Zone Of Interest (12A) at 6pm, followed by American Fiction (15) at 8.30pm. Click here for tickets.
💿 DJs
Stockport’s biggest party at the weekend is at Bask (SK1), with DJ Gareth Brooks playing till 3am. Last entry 1.30am.
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
There’s a new craft stout at The Dog & Partridge (SK2) this month. Euphoria is a 4.5% ABV dark, easy drinking kegged stout with a subtle punch of coffee, chocolate and a deep, rich malt flavour.
Fish Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Lite bite fish and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.75.
🎤 Karaoke
The Alexandra (SK3) with DJ Big Ace. 8pm.
🎸 Live music
Andy Lee at The Crown (SK6).
Random County fan of the day #71 – Tim Beard!
One final thing before you go… if you’re in need of any of these products or services this month, get in touch with our brilliant bunch of sponsors!
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
💈 Barber: STUDIO26 Haircare
🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters
📚 Bookkeeping: Eleven Accounts Services Ltd
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🍰 Cake Maker: Claire Green Bespoke Cakes and Catering
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: Pro Clean Carpet Services
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈⬛ Cat Sitting: The Crazy Cat Ladies Cheshire
👶 Child Health: The Sleep Nanny
🤹♀️ Children’s Entertainment: Stockport Hero Hire
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🗣 Counselling: Time and Space Counselling
🦮 Dog Training: Paws High Peak Dog Training
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
🔥 Fire Protection: Radial Fire And Security Limited
🍸 Gin: Hatters Gin
🛁 Grout Refresh & Recolour: GroutGleam Stockport
💇♀️ Hairdressing: C West Hairstylist
🛠 Home Improvements: Menzies Develop & Build
💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
👨🍳 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
🚐 Minibus Hire: Westfield Minibuses
🧤 Oven Cleaning: That Oven Girl
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
🎈 Party Supplies: Step Into Fun Events
🚑 Personal Injury: Parkers Solicitors Ltd
📸 Photography: Holly Dwyer Photography
🎹 Piano Tutor: Sophie Grace Piano and Keyboard Tuition
🚰 Plumber: GTG Gary the Gasman
🦶 Podiatry: SK Podiatry
📕 Publishing: Victor Publishing
🛖 Roofing: ADM Roofing Services Ltd
☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd
👨💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co
⚽️ Sports Coaching: UK Sports Coaching Ltd
🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative
🖊 Tattooist: Heatons Tattoo Club
🪵 Timber Supplies: Portwood Timber Division of Illingworth Ingham (Manchester) Ltd
☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
👨💻 Web Design: SITEZO
⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
🪟 Window Cleaner: R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
🏋️♀️ Women’s Fitness: Sophie Pavey Fitness
🧘♀️ Yoga: Greenshoots Yoga