“The away end is functional and basic and you’ll have an unobstructed view that includes an imposing brick wall which reminds many of 1950s Eastern Europe”
As County prepare for their first ever trip to (the new) Plough Lane, who better to have a pre-match natter with than stadium tour guide, Ray Armfield
Thursday 26 January 2022
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Wombles joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore. After Tuesday night’s humdrum encounter with Bradford, I was planning to look ahead to Wimbledon away with a lively and upbeat introduction for you, getting you pumped up for an exciting game in London, but the Dons have drawn their last two games 0-0, so I’d better not. Another close game could be on the cards in SW17 this weekend, although I’d take a point now, as long as we then win at Crewe on Tuesday. Whenever I write about AFC Wimbledon, I always get in touch with the lovely Ray Armfield, and I’m delighted to be joined by him once again today.
There’s not long to go until ‘A Curry with Colin Woodthorpe’ - our first live event of 2023. It’s taking place at Last Monsoon in Stockport on Monday 30 January at 7.30pm. Come and join us for an entertaining evening with one of Gary Megson’s first County signings ahead of our first season in Division One in 1997-98. Colin’s an absolutely lovely bloke, and having made 171 appearances for County, he’s got some fantastic stories from his five years at Edgeley Park.
You’ll also get poppadoms, mixed starters, curry, rice and naan breads. As well as a full colour souvenir programme. All for just £20. Fancy it? Send me a text or give me a call on 07816 111150, or you can email desmondhinks@hotmail.co.uk
Finally, a big thank you to Paul and all the team at Colourtone for sponsoring today’s edition.
Des Junior
You're currently 13th, but only five points off the play-offs. What are your chances of making the top seven?
As County fans will know, half the division are currently chasing a play-off place, probably down to Tranmere in 15th, who are only six points adrift. I feel we might fall a bit short and I’d probably take a top 10 finish after constantly looking down the table and worrying for the last few years! That said, if we pull a rabbit or two out of the hat before the transfer window closes then who knows…
AFC Wimbledon’s last 10 seasons
2012-13: League Two, 20th
2013-14: League Two, 20th
2014-15: League Two, 15th
2015-16: League Two, 7th (won play-offs)
2016-17: League One, 15th
2017-18: League One, 18th
2018-19: League One, 20th
2019-20: League One, 20th
2020-21: League One, 19th
2021-22: League One, 23rd (R)
“He does seem wedded to 3-5-2 and there are a few grumbles that we overplay at the back instead of going a bit more direct.” That was your assessment of new manager Johnnie Jackson when we last spoke in September. Thoughts now?
Happily it sounded like he listened, although I’m sure Jackson is his own man. The 3-5-2 and the tippy-tappy at the back have gone in favour of 4-4-2 (or a variation thereof) and some welcome directness. It’s certainly worked as Jackson’s picked up a Manager of the Month award since we last met and we look much more resilient and harder to beat now. We’ve lost our best loanee in Bristol City central defender Ryley Towler (since sold to Portsmouth) and are about to lose Ayoub Assal for £1m and they will undoubtedly leave holes that need filling.
You work as a stadium tour guide at Plough Lane. What can County fans expect on their first ever trip to your new home?
Probably not many of the treats that home fans enjoy! Our fan zone has a pub, some excellent food trucks and a great pre-match atmosphere in a stadium where we’re constantly adding yellow and blue touches to make it feel like home. The away end is functional and basic and you’ll have an unobstructed view that includes an imposing brick wall which reminds many of 1950s Eastern Europe. But I hope you won’t complain too much for a fiver!
When County run offers such as ‘Footy for a Fiver’ we get quite a few whoppers turning up to Edgeley Park, like annoying local City and United fans wearing their own hats and shirts. What’s the atmosphere going to be like on Saturday at a packed Plough Lane. Also, will this be a record attendance at your new place?
Attendances at Plough Lane shot up 74% last season despite relegation and a 26-game winless run and we are averaging over 7,500. We’ve had several 8,000 crowds and while Saturday may not quite be a record – as we’ve slightly reduced the capacity of the away end – it won’t be far off a full house. Great ain’t it?! And if being hemmed in by 600 apartments has one plus, it’s that it tends to hold in the noise.
County fans are saving £20 on tickets for the away end on Saturday. How should they spend that £20 in the local area?
Knowing the beer prices in nearby Earlsfield where your designated pubs are (The Earlsfield and The Halfway House, both adjacent to the railway station) I’d say it might just cover three ‘artisan’ pints pre-game. Or probably five or six normal pints if you go to the Wetherspoons in Tooting!
Best and worst memories following AFC Wimbledon?
With six promotions to get us into League One it’s been a quite a ride post-2002 and has offered countless memorable moments, but I guess the sight of Danny Kedwell thumping home the winning penalty that got us (back) into the EFL in just nine years, will be indelibly positioned in the minds of every Wimbledon supporter present at the Etihad that day.
The worst? Every time we have to play that team from Buckinghamshire.
You’ve got to spend all day watching tennis at Wimbledon, or a whole day on your sofa watching The Wombles. Which one do you go for?
It’s got to be our furry brethren from the Common over the posh boys from Southfields! We have a good relationship with the Elizabeth Beresford Estate who oversee all things The Wombles and have been allowed to create two specially-commissioned Wombles as mascots – Wandle (who was the WFC version and named by my then 10-year-old daughter who won a competition, although Daddy might have helped a little…) and now Haydon (the AFCW version), both named after local landmarks.
What's your prediction for Saturday's game?
We’ll have a couple of new faces on show in Sam Pearson and Armani Little who gave encouraging performances on their debuts last time out. We’ve just added striker Saikou Janneh as well, who sounds fast and unpredictable, so I think we may see some goals. I’ll go with a lively ‘Desmond’. (2-2).
What’s your own score prediction for County’s trip to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday? How would you spend a spare £20 in London? And would you rather watch tennis or The Wombles all day? Drop a comment below.
Today in SK
🥧 At Bask tonight, there’s 100 free pints of their own Export Lager on offer, plus 100 free pies from Ate Days A Week. DJ Zigo is also on from 7pm.
Give your car a lick of paint
Granted, Stockport used to be a little rough around the edges. But the town’s getting a good old lick of paint these days, with fancy new offices, apartments, bars and restaurants springing up. You can’t be driving up and down the A6 in a tatty car with chipped paintwork, so give your car a nice lick of paint too. Colourtone is your go-to company for that. They’ve been servicing the automotive and industrial markets in Cheshire and Greater Manchester for decades, and carry an extensive range of car paint and industrial paints.
I would like to see Wombles play tennis. 7 of us southern Hatters are going and with £20 beer enhancer I reckon I will be thinking I can see Wombles playing tennis by the time I get back to Essex
Enjoyed the article. Cheers for posting in Wimbledon Fan Group.