“Stockport County is life, everything else is just details!”
Phil Brennan shares 55 years of County memories with us
Friday 1 December 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Sutton – Saturday 16 December, 3pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Aldershot – Sunday 3 December, 2pm
December is upon us, but unfortunately the festive month is starting on a tragic note. It’s been an extremely sad couple of weeks for the County family. I’d only just finished writing a tribute to Ian Duncan last night (which I’ll share with you tomorrow) when news came through that Lisa Braithwaite had also passed away, following a short illness. Like Ian, Lisa was another County face you’d instantly recognise home and away. My heartfelt condolences go out to Les this morning, along with all of Lisa’s friends and family. A minute’s applause for Lisa will be taking place at our next home game against Sutton.
Phil Brennan joins us today in the latest instalment of our ‘Meet the Subscribers’ series, taking us back to some iconic County goals at the likes of Roker Park and Old Trafford.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Kingsway Carpets. As always, a big thank you to Neil.
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: 46.68 miles
Total steps so far: 83,302
Total raised so far: £1,017
Total completed streets so far: 24 (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
Favourite thing about The Scarf My Father Wore?
The content!
Where do you normally read your daily dose of The Scarf My Father Wore?
On my phone in the office.
How or why did you become a County fan?
County are my local team, I’ve lived in Stockport most of my life. The fact that they were presented with the Fourth Division champions trophy at my first ever game as a 10-year-old back in 1967 played a big part. I had been taken to the game by a local journalist and I spent the following summer expecting more of the same sort of celebratory football but as history shows the club didn’t win another promotion for 24 years during which time they were mostly a bottom-of-the-entire-league team.
What does Stockport County mean to you?
As the saying from back in The Tea Party days goes… Stockport County is life, everything else is just details! (I’ve probably still got the T-shirt somewhere.)
What was your first County match?
As mentioned above, the last day meeting between County and Lincoln City in 1967 with the visitors winning 5-4. In a strange coincidence the next time nine goals were scored at Edgeley Park came at my son’s first ever game at EP 30 years later as County beat Mansfield 6-3 in August 1997.
Where do you sit inside EP?
These days I sit in LT1 in The Glorious Cheadle End.
Who else is in your usual County matchday crew?
David (The March Organiser) Schofield.
Who is your favourite ever County player?
Terry Park, obviously! Nobody has yet come anywhere close, although Louie Barry was getting there until his unfortunate injury.
Worst ever player?
I don’t really like it when people say the worst ever because I don’t believe that anyone who puts on a County shirt wants to play badly. However, over the years we have had to endure some awful goalkeeping displays – Carl Muggleton, Tim Flowers, Chris Adamson to name a few.
When I wrote for the County programme a few years ago I described former County and Rochdale defender Graham Smith as deceptive. I said that he was slower than he looked. Members of his family were at the game and complained about the article.
Favourite current player?
I loved watching Louie Barry and hopefully he gets fit in time to play another part this season. I also really like the way that Kyle Wootton has come back better and stronger than last season.
Who is your favourite ever County manager?
Has to be Danny Bergara. He not only delivered that first promotion in over 20 years, but he built the platform for the club’s supporters to enjoy so many years of exciting football which took County to what is now the Championship. (It would have been Trevor Porteous if he had taken me on as an apprentice.)
Best atmosphere you’ve experienced watching County?
I’ve been fortunate to have witnessed so many great atmospheres on County matchdays in my 55 years of following the team. Beating West Ham and QPR at Edgeley Park are probably my favourite ‘homes’. The win at First Division Sunderland in the League Cup in 1980 is probably my favourite ‘away’ and even though we lost the game, the atmosphere at the Autoglass final in 1993, with “Danny Bergara’s Blue and White Army” echoing around Wembley was an incredibly special feeling.
Favourite ever game?
So many to choose from. If I could relive only one game, it would be that night at Chesterfield in 1997. If only to be prepared for how long we would have to hold our nerves until the final whistle.
Worst ever game?
The robbery at Old Trafford in 1978. I think any County supporter who was there is still suffering. The game itself was fantastic, County coming from behind to lead against United in their own backyard only for that bastard Peter Willis to realise that he had been paid to referee a home win. (Bitter me? Not at all.)
Favourite ever goal?
Terry Park’s solo effort in the aforementioned robbery at Old Trafford. Mentions also to Paul Ware’s goal at Carlisle and Paul Cook’s screamer against City.
If you could play in an exact moment from County’s history, which would it be?
The last minute of the play-off final against Peterborough at Wembley. No way would Ken Charlery have made it anywhere near our box!
What is the biggest sacrifice you have ever made to get to a match?
Lost my job for queuing up for tickets for the home game against Arsenal having been given a written warning for throwing a sickie to attend the game at Sunderland in the previous round. My boss warned me not to take time in the morning to queue up and he sat in his car watching until I got to the ticket office before telling me that I was sacked.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen at the match?
An extremely drunk Phil Everton hanging upside down in the net at Torquay whilst the game carried on.
Favourite matchday boozer?
These days I spend pre-match in the Hardcastle Lounge. (I can hear those “You’ve changed” comments.)
Favourite matchday tipple?
I usually have one of those lovely fruit ciders with my pre-match meal. (Bugger me I’ve changed!)
Favourite County song?
“The Scarf” (sung properly).
Worst County song?
Anything that isn’t about County. Don’t mind if the opposition on the day are getting abused using a ‘nicked/standard’ chant but I’m not a fan of us singing about a team that we’re not playing that day. (Not counting “Those Were the Days” obviously.)
What do you like the most about Edgeley Park?
That it’s Edgeley Park, and it’s still here after all these years.
Best thing about being a County fan?
Supporting your town’s team through thick and thin.
Worst thing about being a County fan?
Being told by Trevor Porteous that I wasn’t being taken on as an apprentice.
Most despised rival club?
Crewe and Rochdale (it’s an age thing).
Most despised rival player?
Ted McMinn.
Do you collect any County/football related memorabilia?
I have pretty much every home and away programme from 1966 to 2014 and still have a copy of over 30 books that have been written about the club.
Any chance encounters with County players?
I did once bump into Frank Worthington in a pub of all places.
Have you ever decked an opposing fan?
No comment!
If you could invite any five people round for a chippy tea, who would it be?
George Best, David Bowie, George Orwell, Groucho Marx and Anne Hegerty.
Tell us something impressive about yourself without sounding stupid.
I am featured in books about two of Belfast’s favourite sons – George Best and Alex Higgins.
Can you play football to any sort of standard?
At 65 I would struggle to play a full 90 minutes every week, although I’m up for a last-minute sub appearance at Wrexham on the last day when we are proclaimed champions.
Describe a perfect day.
I wake up in the morning, have a brew, enjoy the day and then get a good night’s sleep.
Anything you’d like to say to finish?
Peter Willis and David Elleray are both twats.
And finally, here’s a few of Phil’s favourite things…
TV programme: Brassic, After Life, Banshee (if you haven’t watched it, get it watched).
Film: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Godfather (all of them), I Cento Passi.
City: Dublin, Edinburgh, Palermo.
Food: Italian and/or Greek.
Drink: Guinness (and that nice little fruity cider in the Hardcastle Lounge).
Book: 1984, The Miracle of Castel di Sangro (the best football book ever).
Band: Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars.
Click on the links below to read our previous interviews with The Scarf My Father Wore subscribers.
John K Bilsbury / Bob Carey / Graham Hall / Des Hinks Junior / Peter Jaquiss / Nick Lee
Photo of the day
Lisa Braithwaite RIP.
It’s time to get a new carpet
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Today in SK
🎶 DJ
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
Lunch deal at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7 or two courses for £11. 12pm - 2pm.
Lite bite meal deal at The Friary (SK3). Cod or haddock, served with chips, and a side of peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.95. 11.30am - 8pm.
Fish Friday at Platform 5 (SK8). Joseph Holt’s beer battered fish with chips, salt and vinegar scraps, tartare sauce and your choice of Manchester caviar and peas. Served with a drink. 12pm - 8pm. £14.95 per person.
🎤 Karaoke
Alexandra (SK3) with DJ Big Ace. 8pm.
🎸 Live music
Lee Perry at The Red Bull (SK1). 8.30pm.
Live acoustic sessions at The Jolly Sailor (SK3).
The Driscols at The Crown Inn (SK6). 9pm.
Friday Fiesta at TRUNK (SK7). Great company, tasty tapas and flowing drinks – what more could you want? Call 0161 222 9260 to book a table, and mention “The Scarf My Father Wore” to receive a 15% discount off the normal tapas menu.
Christmas party night at Rainbow 88 (SK8) with vocalist Hannah Louise. Three course meal and entertainment. A raffle on the night will be raising money for Parkinson’s UK. Starts at 7pm, with a late license until 1am. £26 per person.
Edward Jones at Rectory (SK8). 8.30pm. Free entry.
Christmas party night at The Cheshire Line Tavern (SK8). Arrival drinks from 6pm, three course meal served from 7pm, live entertainment at 9pm from Lauren Kate Brown singing classic disco hits with a festive twist, and then late night disco till 1am. £35 per person (or £10 just to watch the show).
The Scarf My Father Wore works closely with venues on a daily basis to bring you the most comprehensive guide to all of the best offers and events taking place across the whole SK region. Click on the links below for full details of everything taking place in your area over the next few weeks.
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What a great trip through the many decades of support of one of our most ardent and committed supporters. So many memorable snippets in there, but the mention of meeting Frank Worthington 'in a pub, of all places' is just priceless. Great stuff. Also I've definitely seen Phil in the Courtyard so he hasn't changed that much!
Great piece that , very sad about Lisa , a proper character , some fond memories of her and les at games and in the Albert , I don’t understand why you didn’t like David ellerary . 😂😂 after all he did ref the famous victory over QPR that frosty day at EP . 😂😂