Sutton v County

Plus! Dan from Gandermonium joins us for the first time since he suffered his side’s 8-0 mauling at Edgeley Park in December

The Scarf My Father Wore

Apr 06, 2024

Saturday 6 April 2024

NEXT HOME GAME: Morecambe – Saturday 13 April, 3pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: Sutton – Today, 3pm

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, Sutton 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.

I’m not heading down to London today unfortunately, but for those Hatters currently heading south on trains and coaches, we’ve got a bumper edition for you today. Andrew Barlow, Jonathan Baker, Ian Brown and Ed Chadwick share their thoughts ahead of another huge game in the promotion hunt, and we’re also joined by Dan from Gandermonium.

Our first live event of 2024 is taking place this month. ‘Flynny at the Finger’ – an evening with County legend Mike Flynn – is at The Fingerpost on Wednesday 17 April. Start time 7.30pm. 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 Believe Media and PR Landscapes. A big thank you to both Kerry and Patrick.

Thanks also to The Robin Hood who sponsor our Sutton 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: 136.36 miles

Total steps so far: 217,174

Total raised so far: £1,666

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

Des Junior loves writing about County. But he can never be arsed doing match previews. They’re a bit dull, aren’t they? Paddy Madden’s out for two games with an ingrown toenail…blah blah blah…tomorrow’s referee has handed out more cards than Moonpig…blah blah blah…County haven’t won at Birmingham since 1672.

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 travel to South London in search of the first of three victories that would clinch promotion to League One.

Andrew Barlow, Hatters Matters

County to lose (see below!)

Sutton have won their last four games. How do we avoid a slip-up this afternoon?

So long as we do what we did against Forest Green and AFC Wimbledon over the Easter period then we should have more than enough about us to avoid a slip-up. By that I mean restrict the opposition’s attempts on goal, something we have done very well in our last two matches as Ben Hinchliffe hasn’t had to face anything on target.

I remember Dave Challinor was quite scathing after the 4-0 defeat at Tranmere back in February and was critical of the amount of clean sheets we had been keeping, but that criticism seems to have worked wonders as we have since kept six clean sheets in the following eight games played.

Whilst the Dons did show signs of an attacking intent before sticking 11 men behind the ball when out of possession, you couldn’t say the same of Forest Green in our game at The New Lawn, as they appeared to lack confidence when on the ball as well as any desire to get forward in numbers or win the ball back – that surprised me considering they need to start picking up points if they want to avoid dropping back down to the National League. County’s performance was totally dominant, and I walked out of the ground questioning if we were really good or were Forest Green really bad which then made us look so good? Their result at Crewe in the next game suggests that it was the former…

Sutton have won their last four matches so they should be high in confidence going into the game and you’d certainly expect them to want to try and cause County problems as they look for another three points to boost their battle against relegation. The first goal may be key as well, as it may become a frustrating afternoon if Sutton do take the lead and then sit back as there have been times this season where we have struggled to break down a team who stick men behind the ball.

As for my prediction, County are going to lose once again (see my MK Dons prediction…) and will NOT be seven points clear of second place by Saturday evening. We are NOT going to score two goals without reply.

Jonathan Baker aka Geordie Hatter, The County Away Day Show

Sutton 1 County 2

County are off to Gander Green Lane today. Where’s the most interesting place you’ve had a gander round?

I do love the concept of a “gander” – it strikes me as a definitive step up in curious exploration of a place from your mere “look around”, while a degree or two of downright nosiness short of a fully-fledged “snoop”, and with just enough suggestion of serendipitous yet observant meandering to distinguish it from your more officiously intentional “scout about”. I took a trip to the town of Barnsley last Wednesday which is fully worthy of the term “gander” I think.

The purpose of my cross-Pennine excursion was to get my car serviced at the garage I’d bought it from the previous week, and as this was going to take a few hours, I wandered into the nearby centre of the settlement and had myself a right old wander. I can report to the County nation that the former mining town boasts a closed-down Marks & Spencer; a bargain-basement outdoor market with all the prices scrawled on cardboard labels in rain-smudged marker pen (‘Hotel Pillows – 3 for £5’); a two-storey indoor food hall featuring not one but three adjacent cafés selling steaming hot plates of no-nonsense kitchen-fare to snaking queues of hungry weekday shoppers; and a handsome concrete-and plate-glass-fronted library dating from the heady days of the Blair administration. I sampled the last two, and would rate each at a solid eight out of ten respectively for the deliciousness of their mince pies and their non-fictional paperbacks. The garage? That gets an 8.5, for diagnosing under cover of newly-minted warranty the problem with my second-hand Peugeot 208 and setting me back across the M62 for a safe journey home to Stockport (it was something to do with the catalytic converter, whatever that is).

Now if that lot doesn’t count as a gander, then I don’t know what does. Something else I don’t know is what the hell sort of game we’re in for today; with relegation-embattled Sutton having won four on the bounce, it feels a tough one to call despite the gulf in league positions. I’m going to stick my neck out, though, and say another 8-0 victory is off the cards. I think we’ll have enough about us to win, but by a tight margin this time: 2-1.

Ian Brown, hedgegrower

Sutton 0 County 1

Describe your emotions and feelings as Odin Bailey's winner hit the back of the net on Easter Monday.

Relief was the predominate feeling as Bailey’s glorious strike hit the back of the net, after County had struggled to find a way through a brilliantly organised Wimbledon side for 84 minutes or so.

There was also joy at seeing such a quality goal decide the game, and much pleasure too seeing the considerable assist that Ibby Touray made to the goal and the game – his pass to Bailey inch perfect.

The moment brought a measure of personal satisfaction as well. My decision (when it was not fantastically cold at EP) to add my lucky Wilko Johnson T-shirt to the already voluminous layers I was wearing for the game was fully vindicated! The downside on that happenstance is that the T-shirt is now in the wash and I cannot wear it for what will be a tough game at Sutton today.

I’ve identified this game as the most difficult for County in the run-in and nothing recently has made me think of changing my mind.

Gander Green Lane, in our National League days, was always a difficult ground to get a result at as Matt Gray set Sutton out to frustrate and was largely successful. It remains to be seen how Steve Morison will approach today’s game, though I don’t expect his team to be too gung-ho. I don’t expect another 8-0 either and maybe memories of that day will shape the U’s approach.

My forecast is for a close encounter. I think we’ll have enough in us to nick it by a single goal.

Ed Chadwick, Stockport County Supporters Co-operative

Sutton 0 County 2

Between 1 and 10, how many toes do County have in League One after Monday's win?

I would say we’ve got seven toes in League One. Of course, if we were Crewe/Stoke/Burnley (delete as appropriate) that would be 0.64 of their toes, representing a lesser certainty of promotion.

Talking of toes, I think we all enjoyed seeing Paul Mullin poking the ball over the line to try and pad out his statistics – even though it was already going in – only to get flagged for offside and cost Wrexham a point. He should play for Wales, you know.

My optimism around promotion is slightly tempered by a couple of tough away trips. Sutton are putting up a hell of a fight at the moment. It seems like we did them a huge favour by thumping them 8-0 and getting their last manager sacked. It would be nice if they showed a bit of gratitude and rolled over for us today. Instead I think we'll try to rely on being a better side.

Realistically, if we win either of the Sutton or Colchester games, I think we're up and it becomes all about the league title. On that basis, I don't think we have to rush anybody back from injury. Imagine the noise if we bring Barry or Collar on at home against Morecambe while we're cruising to a win.

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5 questions with Kerry from Believe Media

What was the most interesting moment with your business in March?

Meeting with the team. We’re always so busy working on content for our clients and ideas for our business that time flies by, so it was lovely to sit down for a coffee, catch up, and make some plans together!

What’s your plans for the business this month?

We want to work on reaching more small businesses to let them know about Believe Media.

What would you like to promote to our readers in April?

There’s so many small business owners that would really benefit from and love to have social media support but can’t afford or justify the cost. It’s become such an expensive industry – we want to change that! Get in touch for a chat if you feel we could assist you.

County are hopefully going to be promoted in April, and might even win the league. What’s the best prize you’ve ever won?

In 2005 I won flights to New York! It was such an amazing trip. I’ve never won anything before or after that so surely I’m due for a lottery win soon…

It’s St George’s Day this month. What’s your favourite place in England?

One of my favourite places to visit is Formby beach. I'm always happy beside the sea and love the landscape at Formby. However, I’ve got to say my favourite place, not just in England but in the world, is at home in Manchester with my family. There’s no place like home!

If you’d like to discuss how Kerry can help your business, call 07790 134926 or email believemediauk@gmail.com.

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A few words from our new sponsor PR Landscapes

Welcome to PR Landscapes, where every blade of grass tells a story of beauty and precision. With a passion for crafting outdoor sanctuaries, we specialise in transforming ordinary spaces into lush, vibrant landscapes that captivate the senses and elevate the soul. From meticulously manicured lawns to enchanting garden retreats, we bring your vision to life with creativity, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Step into a world where nature's canvas meets our artistry, and let us turn your landscape dreams into breathtaking reality.

As we stride into the future, PR Landscapes stands poised to embark on an exciting journey of growth, innovation, and continued excellence in the realm of landscape design and maintenance. With a steadfast commitment to our clients and a passion for environmental stewardship, we envision expanding our reach and enhancing our services to meet the evolving needs of our community.

One of our primary objectives is to further integrate sustainable practices into every aspect of our business. From utilising eco-friendly materials and implementing water-saving irrigation systems to promoting native plant species and reducing carbon emissions, sustainability will remain at the forefront of our operations. By prioritising environmental responsibility, we not only minimise our ecological footprint but also contribute to the long-term health and vitality of the landscapes we create.

In addition to refining our existing services, we aim to diversify our offerings to cater to a broader range of needs and preferences, introducing specialised maintenance packages tailored to different types of landscapes. We are constantly seeking new opportunities to add value for our clients.

As we look ahead, we are excited about the possibilities that lie on the horizon for PR Landscapes. With our unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability, we are confident that we will continue to thrive and make a positive impact in the years to come.

If you’re looking to transform your garden for this summer, give Patrick a call on 07793 084808 or email prlandscapes22@gmail.com.

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Sutton beat Swindon 3-1 on Easter Monday, their fourth win on the bounce (Photo credit: Sutton United FC)

“It won’t be a re-run of the game at yours, we’re a bit less shit these days”

Dan from Gandermonium joins us for a chat about Sutton’s revival (and a big giraffe)

I don’t mind Sutton, I really enjoy reading about some of your away trips on Gandermonium, and you and I have always got on rather well, but I have to say you really were awful at our place in December. I had you down as relegation certainties after that, but ahead of today’s return fixture, Sutton are out of the bottom two. How have you turned things around?

Really awful? That’s one way of putting it.

Broadly speaking, we’ve stopped conceding soft as shit goals every week, cut out stupid mistakes, added a player we’ve been crying out for all season in midfield, and just stuck at it to be honest. Oh, and a bit of luck. To be fair, the performances since Christmas under Jason and then Steve have been much better than before and since then it’s just been about fine margins. Turning defeats into draws and draws into much needed wins. Morison’s big on his psychology too, so he’s clearly been working on mindset and belief as much as tactics on the training ground.

Some had a feeling that if we could get two wins on the spin, we could turn it into a run and it’s been proven correct. The only question is whether it’s come too late. But we’ll see.

I’m sure there’s a few bums still squeaking in Salford and Swindon, but it’s looking like two from four for the drop. If Sutton stay up, who would you choose to join you – Grimsby, Colchester or Forest Green?

Frankly, I don’t care. If we stay up, that’s all that’ll matter. None are earth shatteringly good away days, so whatever.

Why do you have a giraffe for a mascot?

Mainly, when we dreamt it up back in the early 2000s, we wanted something a bit different to the usual dogs/bears etc you see literally everyone else with these days. And giraffes sort of have similar colours to us as well. But at the time, we did also have a link to a side in the Gambia who an expat had sponsored for a season or two on the proviso that they changed their name to Sutton United! No idea who the geezer was, but it was an odd little story and we ended up sending ‘em a couple of kits and stuff. So having that African connection just helped cement the choice.

Has your time in the Football League (three seasons so far) met your expectations?

I guess so. We largely reckoned it to be like playing the top 7-10 of the National League every week and that the football would be broadly similar just with slightly better players and that there’d just be way more up their own arse – nose thumbing BELT nonsense from massive sides that have never been above the third tier in living memory and are all one shit season away from non-league. That and we’d be going out of Euston or Kings Cross pretty much every other week.

We were correct on all counts.

Do you have much of a genuine fanbase, or are most people really Chelsea fans?

Sounding dangerously like a Womble there. If you start showing an unnatural interest in litter on largely grassy areas or burrowing, go see a doctor.

It’s genuinely a mix to be honest. Thanks to Sutton being dull South London commutersville, there’s certainly a lot of other ‘fans’ in there from various London clubs, including Chelsea. Some Fulham, West Ham, Arsenal and so on who have either lost interest in the top end of the game, simply can’t afford it or were never actual regulars there to begin with and us being in the Football League on their doorstep has proved attractive.

There is a definite generation of younger fans coming through now though that have never watched anyone else, which is why going down this year could be a real kick in the nuts as we could lose that momentum. I hope not. As for ‘genuine’ fans, the old non-league hardcore is about 5-600 or so out of the current crowds. We were never a massive club, nor claimed to be, but always had steady support for that level. Do well, get 900+ in. Do shit, 500 average. These days us old sad bastards that have been here forever never fail to shake our heads at regular 3.000 attendances. Getting a pint in the bar after is murder as well.

What’s the Robin Hood pub like in Sutton?

Former Youngs boozer where the U’s were formed in 1898 that we used to frequent quite a lot in the early 2000s until the long standing landlord retired. Youngs sold it about 18 months ago and it’s a Punch Taverns gaff now. Not been in since the sale myself, but heard good things about the place. It’s run by a couple from Manchester now, pretty sure the landlord’s a City fan and he’s more than happy to have a football crowd in from what I’m told.

Worth a punt and only a short walk from the away end at Gander Green Lane if nowt else!

Name the first five things you can think of that rhyme with Sutton.

Is this some sort of “they’re all Cockneys down there so rhyme stuff with everything all the time” lazy stereotype cobblers? You should be ashamed of yourselves, practically a hate crime that is. Anyway…

Mutton. Button. (David) Prutton. Cotton. Glutton.

What do we win? Three points, yeah? Cool.

What’s your prediction for today’s game?

It won’t be a re-run of the game at yours, we’re a bit less shit these days. Sorry about that. It’ll be tight though and I think Steve will go to try and win the game, simply because we kinda have to. Would take a draw though to keep the momentum going into the last three games, but obviously wouldn’t say no to a horrific, undeserved smash and grab, scruffy bundler 1-0 for all three.

C’mon, we go way back, do us a favour! And look, you’ve got loads of points already, so you don’t really need ‘em do you?

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If you’re heading to Sutton today, grab a bite to eat at The Robin Hood

The Robin Hood pub has an indulgent menu which features seasonally fresh flavours, decadent pub classics and tender cooked meats, that all feed the soul.

Their traditional burgers and classic dishes are a sure favourite and if you’re in need of something to nibble on whilst you ponder the menu their new bar snacks are the perfect taster.

Food served from 12pm till 9pm.

Address: 52 West Street, Sutton, SM1 1SH

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Photo Tweet of the day

There’s no photo today, but a tweet. And not just one tweet, but 19 of them! It’s time to relive County’s 8-0 victory over Sutton back in December, but from the away end…

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG) at 12.30pm, 2.45pm and 5pm, followed by Bob Marley: One Love (12A) at 7.15pm. Click here for tickets.

💿 DJ

Stockport’s biggest party at the weekend is at Bask (SK1), with DJ Gareth Brooks playing till 3am. Last entry 1.30am.

🍺 Food and drink

If you’re in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a pint or two.

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.)