Stranded in Shotton, Brewdog for breakfast, and one final League Two lift off Cashy… it’s Wrexham away!
For the final time this season, a trio of away day tales
Tuesday 7 May 2024
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, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
Our final away day of the season took us over the border into North Wales ten days ago. Ross Hall, Josh Marchbank-Smith and Des Junior were in the away end at Y Cae Ras. (Well, two out of three, as things turned out…)
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: 148.94 miles
Total steps so far: 237,462
Total raised so far: £1,686
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
🎶 “We go to all the away matches, by bus, by train, by car….. And we get so pissed before the game, we don’t know where we are!” 🎶
A lyric from a classic County song gave Des Junior a little bit of inspiration for this regular feature – why have one away day review when you can have three! So when County are playing away from home, The Scarf My Father Wore will be sending three intrepid reporters out into the unknown to share their tales from motorways and train stations across the country.
Ross Hall was on the Edgeley Con Club for the final trip of our title-winning season, Josh Marchbank-Smith got the train, and Cashy kindly stopped off in Chester to give Des Junior a lift.
⏰ Up
Ross: I'd travelled back from Germany the night before so I was up and out of bed at 9am to get everything ready.
Josh: About 8am.
Des: I literally cannot remember. It’s been a bloody long week. It’s been a bloody long few weeks. (In a very good way.)
🍳 Breakfast
Ross: A pint of Heineken in Edgeley Con Club waiting for our coach to arrive.
Josh: A Starbucks muffin and a four-pack of Brewdog Wingman on the train.
Des: I grabbed a bottle of Huel (chocolate flavour) and a water on my short walk from my house to the pub car park, where Cashy was waiting for me.
⬅️ Before
Ross: A few pints catching up with people I'd not seen since I was last back at the end of January, and agreeing with my dad that we weren't going to drink too much today. We were clearly lying to each other.
Josh: Ran the Bramhall Parkrun to try and make up for what would be a beverage-filled afternoon (and night).
Des: Uploaded our match preview. Ian Brown thought we’d win 5-1 whilst Andrew Barlow opted for a 6-0 defeat. To be fair, I don’t think anyone had a clue how the meaningless final day game would pan out.
👕 Clobber
Ross: Christ this is going to make me sound such a stereotypical football fan but there's only so much you can pack into a rucksack for a short trip back! Adidas Spezials, my ‘good for day out and night out' jeans, Stone Island jumper over a Pretty Green T-shirt and a Peter Storm lightweight waterproof.
Josh: Outfit was standard: this season’s stunning away strip and some blue jeans.
Des: I’m getting pretty adventurous as I approach middle age. Still wore a black T-shirt obviously, but this one had squiggly writing on it. Well, it was the final day of the season.
🛫 Outbound
Ross: Hmm… I would say three quarters of the journey went exactly to plan. We left just after the scheduled time and arrived in a place called Shotton where the police had agreed we could stop for a few pints in a social club before they’d give us an escort into Wrexham at 2pm. With the queue for drinks in plastic cups being three or four deep, me and nine others headed for another pub just up the road which was great and did a lovely Guinness. We left there at 1.45pm giving us plenty of time to walk back up to the coaches, at which point we saw them all drive past us as the police had changed their mind and decided to leave 15 minutes early. Of all the places I'd wanted to be that weekend, stranded in Shotton wasn't one of them. A failed ring round several taxi firms confirmed that we were properly stranded in Hillbillyville. Next plan was the train station, where we’d be able to get to Wrexham, but not before stopping at every place that had three L's in the name and not enough vowels.
Josh: Decent. Stopped off in Chester for a connecting train, and spent an hour having a couple of swift pints and some pub grub in The Square Bottle (Chester’s Spoons).
Des: Piece of piss. Straight down the A483 to Wrexham.
🍺 Pre-match
Ross: The 10 of us arrived at the ground about 10-15 minutes late, and at first headed to the wrong turnstile. They then sent us to another wrong turnstile. It was at this point I let a steward know that I might be quite upset about it not being the right place, and I might have gloated about being champions on the walk round to the away end. That meant on arrival the steward wouldn't let me in due to being too nasty which capped off a fantastic disasterclass.
Josh: The Plas Coch wasn’t the worst boozer I’ve ever been in on a County away day, and the atmosphere was lively, but with a Neck Oil in a plastic cup setting you back £6.50, it’s not going to become a regular spot.
Des: Parked up at The Plas Coch. £8.05 for a Guinness and an orange juice. Bit steep I suppose, but the car park was free. Swings and roundabouts.
🏙 Destination
Ross: Myself and my dad retreated to a pub up the road which luckily was short on Wrexham fans and watched the game on my phone while drinking Guinness and tucking into a lovely steak and ale pie with chips. That part of Wrexham I don't have a grumble about.
Josh: Nothing too special (apologies to any Wrexham fans reading today).
Des: My ex-girlfriend is from Wrexham. It’s a shithole. Only messing. The town centre could do with a bit of investment but some of the surrounding villages are absolutely delightful.
🏟 Visitors
Ross: Looked great on telly! I did see the plane go over which was a great bit of shithousery.
Josh: The away end was OK, but minimal food selection and no chance of a drink on the concourse.
Des: I’ve never been in that lower tier before. Great view.
1️⃣ First
Ross: Argued with a ginger steward mostly.
Josh: Loved seeing us take the lead. You could really feel that champions buzz in the Wrexham Lager Stand.
Des: I went berserk when Evans popped one in right in front of their lot. Meaningless game, my arse.
🍿 Interval
Ross: Found a lovely gastro pub that looked safe from bumping into the wrong sort of Wrexham fan.
Josh: Stayed in our seats just next to the Wrexham fans and wondered what could've been if Sarce had taken that chance (7-0 to us on aggregate would have been the answer).
Des: I channelled my inner Snake from Metal Gear Solid, sneaked up behind a steward, and stamped on a balloon. He shit himself. A copper laughed.
2️⃣ Second
Ross: Drank Guinness and had that lovely pie and chips.
Josh: Wrexham won the second half 2-0 but we were still constantly letting the home fans to our left know that we were indeed the champions again. (Olé olé.)
Des: Watched Wrexham get giddy scoring a couple of goals. Calm down lads, it was a meaningless end of season dead rubber.
🔵 Us
Ross: Can’t really comment as we didn’t make the away end, but as always we sounded in fine voice.
Josh: County fans were great as always.
Des: Fantastic atmosphere. A brilliant selection of champions songs.
🔴 Them
Ross: They all smell like three-day-old socks.
Josh: Made a good bit of noise.
Des: Fantastic atmosphere. A brilliant selection of runners-up songs.
🍻 Post-match
Ross: Headed straight back to where the coaches were so we didn't get stranded for the second time that afternoon!
Josh: Hopped in with some friends for the journey home.
Des: Straight back to the car.
🛬 Inbound
Ross: Plain sailing on the Con Club – even managed to squeeze 40 winks in!
Josh: A quick drive back to the home of the champions.
Des: Drove past Chester, deciding to stick with Cashy to Stockport.
➡️ After
Ross: Continued with the theme of the day, Guinness (I make the most of it while I'm back in the UK as it’s almost impossible to find a decent pint of the black stuff in Germany), in The Royal Oak and The Jolly Crofter before finishing in Bask dancing with the likes of Paul Turnbull (in there with his Stockport Town lot), Fraser Horsfall and Ethan Pye whether they liked it or not.
Josh: Headed to the Northern Quarter in Manchester for one final night of celebrating a remarkable season.
Des: Stopped off for some lovely cuddles with my nephews. Pushed one of them to sleep in the garden (no, I wasn’t reading The Scarf My Father Wore to him) before heading down to Bask for a third consecutive Saturday night.
🛏 Bed
Ross: Eventually got a taxi home about 1.30am ready for hair of the dog the next day at the parade!
Josh: Arrived back home at 2am still with that champions feeling (and a kebab) despite Wrexham getting the better of us on the day.
Des: Fell asleep on the last train from Stockport to Chester, and then finally went to sleep properly at about 2am (after a McDonald’s).
💷 Cost
Ross: Slightly more than anticipated with the unexpected train fare (plus the pie and chips and additional pints of Guinness).
Josh: Ticket: £20. Train: £23. Chester beer: £14. Wrexham beer: £19.50. Total: £76.50.
Des: Probably did it all for £50 or so.
🏅 Rating
Ross: I think we have to deduct ourselves a couple of points for missing the game, but still a funny County away day. 8/10.
Josh: A good away day, even with a defeat against Wrexham, with a few drinks and laughs with the (always) remarkable County fans. With a night out in Manchester after to really milk our title celebrations. 8.5/10.
Des: It’s never nice losing at The Racecourse but still an enjoyable end to a fantastic season. 8/10.
So there you have it folks, three tales from Wrexham away, and it’s a victory for… THE TRAIN!
A big thank you to everyone who’s shared away day tales with us this season. We’ll be back with more travel adventures in August!
If you’re looking to install a stair runner at home, get in touch with Kingsway Carpets
This is pretty smart, isn’t it? If you’re looking to install a stair runner at home, or you’ve got any other flooring ideas, give Kingsway Carpets a call on 0161 225 7294 or email info@kingsway-carpets.co.uk.
Kingsway Carpets is a family-run business with over 40 years experience. They offer a free measuring service, repayment plans, and guarantee to beat any like for like quotation!
Visit kingsway-carpets.co.uk for further details.
Photo of the day
A pub in Burslem
County fans at Port Vale on St George’s Day in 2011.
Today in SK
🍟 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 tonight, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a couple of pints.
Pie Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Any pie or pudding and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £7.95. (Greenhalgh’s Pies £1 extra.)
100 random grounds that County have played at
#11 – Goodison Park, Everton
Last visit: A 3-0 defeat in the second round of the League Cup in 2003-04. Duncan Ferguson scored twice for the Toffees, with Nick Chadwick also on target, who’d later play for County in the Conference. A young Wayne Rooney came off the bench in the second half.
I’d love us to pay one final visit to Goodison Park next season before Everton move to their new place on the docks. If you didn’t catch my feature back in January, after County’s kids played there in the FA Youth Cup, click on the link above.
As it’s May, may I introduce you to our fantastic advertisers! Please get in touch this month if you require any of the following products or services 👍
🎨 Art & Gifts: Kate O’Brien Art
🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South
🧁 Cake Maker: Baked By Leah
🧽 Car Valeting: Rub A Dubz Detailing Ltd
🧼 Carpet Cleaning: A Star Clean Ltd
🏠 Carpets & Flooring: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd
🐈 Cat Flaps: That Cat Flap Company Ltd
👶 Child Health: The Sleep Nanny
🤡 Children’s Entertainment: Stockport Hero Hire
🏠 Chimney Sweep: Three Shires Chimney Services
🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning
🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd
🧽 Commercial Cleaning: JFC Cleaning Solutions
🐶 Dog Trainer: Forever Home Dog Training
🦴 Dog Treats: Daisy’s Delights
🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring
💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill
🔥 Fire Protection: Radial Fire And Security Limited
🍏 Greengrocers: Waterhouse’s Quality Food
🛁 Grout Refresh & Recolour: GroutGleam Stockport
💇♀️ Hairdressing: C West Hairstylist
👷♀️ Handyman: Apt Property Maintenance
💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services
🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd
👨🍳 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances
🌳 Landscaping: PR Landscapes
🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd
🧤 Oven Cleaning: That Oven Girl
🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators
🚑 Personal Injury: Parkers Solicitors Ltd
📸 Photography: Holly Dwyer Photography
👨⚕️ Physiotherapy: Fountain Square Physiotherapy Clinic
🎹 Piano Tutor: Sophie Grace Piano and Keyboard Tuition
🧱 Plastering: DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists
🚰 Plumber: GTG Gary the Gasman
📕 Publishing: Victor Publishing
🚚 Removals: ASAP Clearances
🤳 Social Media Management: Believe Media
☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd
👨💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co
🍹 Spirits: Guerrilla Chicken Spirits
⚽️ Sports Coaching: UK Sports Coaching Ltd
🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative
🖊 Tattooist: Bancroft Tattoos
🪵 Timber Supplies: Portwood Timber Division of Illingworth Ingham (Manchester) Ltd
☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd
🧰 Vehicle Repairs: C J Motors Stockport
⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean
🪟 Window Cleaner: R ‘N’ B Window Cleaning
🧘♀️ Yoga: Greenshoots Yoga