Stevenage v County

Jingle bells, jingle bells, we’re off to Broadhall Way

Dec 14, 2024

Saturday 14 December 2024

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

“Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to see County win away, HEY!” Will the away end be singing that classic in Hertfordshire this afternoon? To do so, County will have to do something they’ve never done before. We’ve lost all three of our previous trips to Stevenage. Still, our County correspondents are in a confident mood this morning with Dan Culverwell, Ian Brown, Jonathan Baker, John Giles and Nick Lee all backing Dave Challinor’s men to return home with three festive points.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters. A big thank you to Karmen and Aaron.

Thanks also to Our Mutual Friend who sponsor our Stevenage 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: 192.73 miles

Total steps so far: 311,804

Total raised so far: £2,192

Total completed streets so far: 469 (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

Callum Camps gave us the lead on our last outing at Stevenage back in August 2022, but we went on to lose 2-1 late on (Photo courtesy of Mike Petch)

Des Junior loves writing about County. But he can never be arsed doing match previews. They’re a bit dull, aren’t they? Will Collar’s out for a month with diarrhoea… blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham for a thousand years.

Fortunately, he has a number of fellow County content creators to call upon. Here’s their thoughts, general chit-chat and score predictions, as County hit the road for the final time before Christmas.

Dan Culverwell, The Scarf Bergara Wore

Stevenage 1 County 3

What’s your gut feeling on the fate of Louie Barry in January?

How do you solve a problem like ~~Maria~~ Louie?

I firmly believe that whatever the future holds for Louie Barry this season, it’s already been planned, discussed and agreed with all parties involved in the conversation. As fans we want to see players like Louie wearing a County shirt for as long as possible but I also want him to play at the highest level – both domestic and international – with the knowledge that our little club played a big part in getting him there.

The Stockport Sippers Society grabbed a nice picture with Louie at half-time on Tuesday night

I personally think all this speculation and paper talk regarding his future is unsettling for both clubs and more importantly the player himself. As such it would be great for both clubs to inform fans over the Christmas period what the plan is regarding the loan deal for the rest of the season, as if Louie is to be recalled it will give fans the opportunity to say farewell to him appose to a sudden recall between fixtures. If all parties agree that County is the right place for his development for the remainder of the season then a statement confirming such will put the focus back on the team and we can really kick on.

Until then we all need to enjoy the moment, celebrate his goals like they’re his last in a County shirt, and sing his name aloud.

➡️ Dan is part of The Scarf Bergara Wore team, hosting live County podcasts every Wednesday at 8pm. Click here for links.

Ian Brown, All Things Stockport County

Stevenage 1 County 2

There seems to be a feeling that we've got a pretty strong starting XI at the moment, but nothing really doing in terms of the second string so to speak. Has recruitment this year not been as good as we thought, or do some of these fringe players need to start taking more responsibility for their performances?

It’s a widespread belief that there is a growng gulf in terms of ability to turn on a performance for the team when required, twixt those currently starting and those not. To some extent that’s always going to be the case but we should not just sit back and accept it as being normal.

The game against Bradford on Tuesday showed up much of our difficulties in one unsatisfactory 90-minute bundle.

Tanto is a 20 goal a season striker, but he languished unsung and unsupported by anyone in blue the whole game, and sadly that was no surprise as he’s faired similarly on the few occasions this season that he’s started.

Yes, Tanto has scored less frequently this season, but when he has look at what’s happened. He scored at Blackpool early in the season, but was back on the bench the following week. His two goals against Everton Under-21s weren’t enough to earn him a place in the starting XI. Likewise, his tidy finish at Lincoln made no impression on Challinor, who put him back on the bench against Reading three days later.

Tanto linked up brilliantly with Louie Barry last season, but that partnership has not been tried at all and with Louie about to leave that ship will have sailed.

My point, admittedly made rather laboriously, is that it’s not so much that we have poor quality second string players, it’s more we don’t use some of them to their best advantage. I long to see Tanto running onto a neat through ball… alas next time he’s on he’ll be chasing ill-considered offerings aimed at shoulder height and above.

As for today, I note with alarm that Alex Chilowicz (ex MLS ref) is in charge, and he played a significant part in a 4-0 reverse at Tranmere last season. More in hope than expectation then, I’m going for 2-1 County today!

➡️ Ian follows County home and away, producing detailed match reports every week, along with lots of other great content. Head over to hedgegrower.blogspot.com.

Jonathan Baker, The County Away Day Show

Stevenage 1 County 2

It’s County’s final away game before Christmas. Go on then, give us your top three Christmas songs.

1) “Card from a Multipack” by The Just Jones

A pitch-perfect bittersweet indie classic on a relatable retail theme. Deserves to be globally celebrated, and will reduce you to sighs of admiration, possibly tears.

2) “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

To be honest I listen to this all year round. I’m relieved when Advent arrives as I can do so in polite company. The harmonies are to die for.

3) “Step Into Christmas” by The Wedding Present

A 1992 cover that blows away the Elton John original. Such irresistible energy.

➡️ Click here for Geordie Hatter’s Christmas County Compilation!

➡️ Jonathan, aka Geordie Hatter, hosts The County Away Day Show on selected Saturday mornings during the season, when the Hatters are on the road (there’s a Christmas special for you to enjoy today!). All episodes can be found at the-geordie-hatter.mixlr.com.

John Giles, Stockport County Supporters Co-operative

Stevenage 1 County 2

You had your AGM the other night. For any County fans who haven’t seen it, give us the new board line-up.

From left to right, the new Co-op board includes Dave Marchbank (chair), Paul Thompson (finance), John Giles (vice chair), Cath Shanley (independent secretary), Dave Wetters (membership) and John Bilsbury (communications). Terry Arnold has joined the board too.

➡️ Joining the Stockport County Supporters Co-operative costs £12 a year for adults, £3 for those aged 16-25 or £1 for under-16s. Click here for further details.

Nick Lee, SK3 TV

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Stevenage away in the middle of December. This is one for the egg butty brigade isn’t it?

In terms of egg butty accreditation it's right up there and unmatched by anything except a midweek trip to Gillingham or Colchester, I'd say.

➡️ Nick’s one of the co-hosts of SK3 TV, a new podcast for the 2024-25 season, with live episodes every Monday at 8pm. Click here for links.

Today’s other prediction

Hatters Matters: Stevenage 1 County 1

If you’re looking for some new blinds or shutters, have a look inside the new Bauhaus showroom on the A6

Bauhaus Blinds & Shutters is a family run business, based in Poynton. They have a long and distinguished track record of happy customers, providing high quality blinds and shutters which are expertly fitted.

They specialise in turning your house into a home, having a solution to suit every room and window. Your blinds are provided and installed by their expert team of fitters. If you have any custom requests, let them know and they’ll find a solution.

You can pop along and have a chat with Karmen and Aaron in person if you’d like some more information, as their new showroom on Buxton Road opened recently.

➡️ Visit bauhausblindsandshutters.co.uk for further details.

Fancy winning a 1996 Stevenage home shirt?

If you’re heading to the match today, pop into Our Mutual Friend (Broadwater Crescent, SG2 8EH) before the game for the chance to win this 1996 Stevenage home shirt. It’s £5 to enter with all proceeds going to Mind in Mid Herts.

Photo of the day

Somewhere in Chesterfield

I’ve seen worse Christmas jumpers!

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Four films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Paddington In Peru (PG) at 12pm, Wicked (PG) at 2.30pm, Red One (12A) at 5.45pm, and Die Hard (15) at 8.30pm.

➡️ Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

Pop in for a pint at Heaton Hops (SK4), CAMRA Pub of the Year for Stockport and South Manchester.

All pints £2.50 at The Cross Keys (SK8) from 6pm till 9pm.

Cocktails are 2 for £12 at Flute & Firkin (SK12) till 7pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as AMP (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Steelworks (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this festive season by popping in for a few drinks.

🎵 Karaoke

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) with Lee. From 8pm.

🎸 Live music

The Northern Lights at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). 8pm.

Soulplay at The Crown Inn (SK6). 9pm.

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#73 – Carl Piergianni, Stevenage

Carl Piergianni – a League Two promotion winner with Stevenage in 2022-23 – has made 125 appearances for the Boro, even chipping in with 13 goals. He’s only missed one league game this season, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing him this afternoon.