Some might say they get battered everywhere they go… but Bolton will surely be knocking on the door this season
After two consecutive play-off defeats, can the Trotters return to the Championship this time around?
Tuesday 25 June 2024
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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Bolton 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. (If you’re only just joining us today, for no reason at all, I’m somehow trying to use Oasis songs for every single one of our League One season previews!)
Ryan Latham from Trotter Chatter joins us today, as Bolton prepare for their fourth consecutive season in League One.
EURO 2024 – DAY 12
5pm: Netherlands v Austria 🇳🇱🇦🇹
5pm: France v Poland 🇫🇷🇵🇱
8pm: England v Slovenia 🏴🇸🇮
8pm: Denmark v Serbia 🇩🇰🇷🇸
Here’s a list of the best places to watch today’s games…
Bask (SK1). All the action on two 75” screens.
Petersgate Tap (SK1). Table service during the England game. Pies and sausage rolls available to order at half-time.
Thread (SK1). If you’re wearing anything England related (shirt, hat etc) you’ll receive a complimentary shot on entry!
Crown (SK2). Buy a pint of Helles today and you’ll be in with a chance of winning 52 free pints! There’s also a special menu throughout the Euros.
Armoury (SK3).
Reddish Working Men’s Club (SK5). There’s four screens in the games room, a new projector in the lower games room, and a screen in the middle room where families and children can enjoy the match. Check out the Special Offer Wheel which will be offering a variety of great deals before, during and after each game.
Railway (SK6).
Marple Tavern (SK6). Food served at half-time such as burgers, hot dogs, pizza and chips.
Steelworks (SK6). Games shown downstairs (sound off) and upstairs (sound on).
Shady Oak (SK7). Food served during the games from the matchday menu. Pick up a loyalty card to receive a discount on certain drinks.
Three Tunnes (SK7). Buy a pint of Helles today and you’ll be in with a chance of winning 52 free pints! There’s also a special menu throughout the Euros.
Cross Keys (SK8). Bitter £2.30 a pint all day. Discounts on certain lagers 12pm - 6pm.
Railway (SK9). TVs in every room, and outside. Discounted doubles on spirits and 10% off four pint jugs.
Flute & Firkin (SK12). Call 01625 879181 to book a table, and quote “The Scarf My Father Wore” to receive 10% off your first round of drinks. (Not applicable for walk-ins.)
Friendship Inn (SK13). Five big screen TVs with surround sound, including one outside in the beer garden.
A big thank you to Daisy’s Delights and The Sleep Nanny for sponsoring today’s edition.
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: 148.94 miles
Total steps so far: 237,462
Total raised so far: £1,881
Total completed streets so far: 304 (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
Last win at our place: Wednesday 17 November 2021, FA Cup first round replay, 5-3 (AET)
Last win at their place: Saturday 18 December 1999, Division One, 1-0
Today’s Sky Bet title/promotion odds: Us – 20/1 7/1 Them – 10/1 10/3
Top story in the local news today: “Frustration and upset as couple’s bins keep being missed during collection rounds”
I’m sorry to start with a political question, but as Rishi’s chucked a general election slap bang in pre-season, I feel we’ve got to mention it. Who are you voting for? If that’s too personal just give us a flavour of the current political feeling in Bolton? And which person at your football club do you think would make the best prime minister?
There seems to be a bit of change around the Greater Manchester area as many people are losing confidence in Labour. This election is the first in which I won't be voting as I have no idea who I want in. (There is also a rise in Reform in the local area).
Prime minister would have to be our chairman Sharon Brittan. Her support for the lower tiers and the way she speaks out about change in football is inspiring.
Nigel Farage has had cement and a milkshake chucked over him recently. If he was to do a lap of the Toughsheet Community Stadium on a Saturday afternoon, what would Bolton fans be most likely to throw at him?
I think it would be a mixed bag of love and hate.
If you had to compare the ownership and daily operations of your club to a political party, which would it be?
Labour of old, caring about the people, the day to day of the working man.
On and off the pitch, what do you think your club’s manifesto should say for the next 12 months?
We have been a sustainably run club for a long time. We’ve now had considerable investment into the squad, which needs to be used properly. It's time for change: we need a braver, tougher Bolton Wanderers.
Right, that’s enough political stuff. Next question. “We’re all from Stockport, who the fuck are you…?”
We are one of the original founding Football League clubs, currently a big fish in a small pond desperate to get back to the sea.
Which team do you most want to beat this season?
Has to be Wigan. We’re sick of losing to them, and in a shocking manner. For us to break that hoodoo would be huge.
Which Bolton player is most likely to end up in League One’s team of the season?
Aaron Collins. We’ve seen what he can do at Bolton in just half a season. He can get goals and assists and is a great footballer.
County haven’t been to Bolton in the league since April 2001. In just one paragraph, sum up everything that’s happened at your place since then.
It's been a rollercoaster. We went up to the top of the dip (as far as Europe) and have dropped right down since. We’re now travelling slowly back up again.
Bolton away. I think of Horwich Parkway train station, Paddy McGuinness, and a team that gets battered everywhere they go. Do I need to educate myself further, or is that fairly accurate?
You aren't far off. We've come a long way since the dark days but we've had dark days since. We are a team at a seismic tipping point which will no doubt come to light before Christmas.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Stockport County?
Sarcevic. He’s not a popular man around these parts.
Rotherham play at the New York Stadium. NFL star Tom Brady is involved at Birmingham. Wrexham are plastered all over Netflix or Nickelodeon or whatever it is. League One has a bit of an American flavour this season. What’s the most American thing about Bolton?
Erm, Antonee Robinson and Stuart Holden used to play for us. We don’t have much American influence to be honest; we’ve very in touch with the northern culture.
I’ve been watching Football Cops on Channel 4 recently, featuring Sunderland fans kicking down barriers after the game at Coventry, and loads of little Crewe rapscallions playing up at home to Walsall. On a scale of 1 to 10, how naughty are Bolton fans these days, and how safe will our lot be when we make the trip to Lancashire this season?
6 or 7. There’s always the loud minority who spoil it. In terms of coming to our ground it's incredibly safe and family friendly.
Who or what needs to be top of Bolton’s shopping list before the new season starts in August?
We desperately need some depth in the wing-back positions. We also need someone who can drag the team through the tough games in midfield. Until we know of any exits that's all I can say.
What’s your early predictions in terms of the promotion and relegation places?
This is so early I haven't really thought about it. There’s a lot of teams with money and a point to prove. The teams coming up and down will all be really difficult: Brum, Hudderfield, Rotherham, Wrexham and even County.
I think Burton, Cambridge and Crawley will struggle, maybe a Steve Evans free Stevenage too.
Click on the links below to read the other 2024-25 season previews we’ve published so far.
Crawley / Huddersfield / Leyton Orient / Lincoln / Rotherham / Wigan
With the weather getting warmer, treat your dog to an ice cream!
What’s your favourite ice cream? Personally, I love a nice Mr Whippy with a Flake and some raspberry sauce on a nice summer’s day. I’m sure lots of our readers will be tucking into a Magnum or a Solero over the coming weeks. And if you’re out and about with your dog, they can enjoy a treat as well!
Daisy’s Delights offer ice cream bites for your canine friends. Each box contains 30 bites, with flavours such as banana, strawberry and banana, or peanut butter and honey.
Call or text 07834 898739 to place an order.
Book a £49 SOS call this month
Lisa Foster is a sleep consultant who helps families with their children’s sleep problems. Waking in the night, early rising or stressful bedtimes can be difficult for parents, but Lisa can support you to resolve the issues. She has a range of packages to suit every budget so please feel free to get in touch, to see how she can best get you the results you need.
This month, Lisa’s offering a £49 SOS call. This is a 30-minute call where you can speak to Lisa to look at making important changes to your child’s bedtime routine to help them sleep better.
Visit lisafoster.sleepnanny.co.uk for further details.
Photo of the day
The wonderful man from Uruguay.
Today in SK
🎬 Cinema
One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. The Bikeriders (15) at 7pm. 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.
If you’re wearing anything England related (shirt, hat etc) get yourself down to Thread (SK1) for a complimentary shot on entry! Open from 3pm.
Treat yourself to lunch at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7, two courses for £11. 12pm - 2pm.
10% discount on food at The Shady Oak (SK7) for NHS card holders.
Discounted doubles on spirits and 10% off four pint jugs at The Railway (SK9).
100 random grounds that County have played at
#47 – Elland Road, Leeds
Last visit: We’ve only been to Elland Road five times in our history. County were victorious first time around, with a 2-0 win in 1920-21, but we’ve lost the other four without scoring a goal. Most recently, Gary Ablett’s side lost 2-0 at Leeds in September during the 2009-10 relegation season.
One final thing before you go… if you need any of the following products or services this month, get in touch with our fantastic bunch of advertisers!
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds and Shutters
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: A Star Clean Ltd
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
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🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
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