The County fan born “dangerously near Burnley”!
Fortunately, Matthew Ashmore was brought up in Woodsmoor so grew up white and blue rather than claret and blue
Tuesday 12 December 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Aldershot – Wednesday 13 December, 7.45pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Barrow – Tuesday 26 December, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
I’m off to Liverpool later today to watch a Stockport County side play at the iconic Goodison Park for (probably) the last time. I’ll cheer on our youth team and take some final photos of one of the best old school stadiums in this country, but before I jump on the Merseyrail I have to say a big thank you to Mike Bell. Mike became our latest paid subscriber yesterday, which enables us to make The Scarf My Father Wore even bigger and better, and give you even more County content to enjoy on a daily basis. If you’d like to offer your support as well, it’s £5 a month to do so, which only works out at 17p a day! (And even less than that if you pay for the year.)
So far in December, we’ve only brought you one instalment of our new ‘Meet the Subscribers’ series so I thought we’d have another of those today, before turning our attention to the Aldershot replay tomorrow. Matthew Ashmore went to his first County game in 1966 and has some brilliant memories to share with us. If you’d like to be featured in a future edition, drop me a message.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Greenshoots Yoga. As always, a big thank you to Claire, who runs yoga and mindfulness sessions for children, young adults and families. Most County kids are brought up on a Saturday afternoon can of Coke and a packet of crisps on Castle Street, which there’s nothing wrong with at all, but yoga is probably a little more conducive to their development. If you’ve got your own little County nippers, it’s definitely worth giving Claire a call to see what it’s all about. You never know, get them into yoga from a young age and they could be banging in the goals for County when they’re older!
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: £1,027
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
Matthew Ashmore, 67, was born in Whalley (“dangerously near Burnley”) before being brought up in Woodsmoor. He’s lived down south ever since going to college in Brighton in 1974, and currently resides in Deal on the Kent coast. Having worked in the pub game for 30 years, he’s now retired, and watches County whenever he can with his wife of 42 years Sue (“she’s a Mad Hatter too”) and his three children, now all in their 30s.
Favourite thing about The Scarf My Father Wore?
Reading about other people’s passion for County and also opposing fans’ thoughts before and after the game.
Where do you normally read your daily dose of The Scarf My Father Wore?
On the sofa with a coffee.
How or why did you become a County fan?
My elder brother Geoff kindly took me to see County play York City on a Friday night in 1966. Stood in the Railway End, we won 3-1 and the rest is history. He took me to a few away games that season too and most memorably the match at Wrexham where we drew 2-2 and clinched the title. Pre-match we had lunch at a Wimpy which I thought was very sophisticated. What a top day out!
What does Stockport County mean to you?
It’s certainly a big deal in my life and part of my DNA. I love Stockport and of course County; they make a great team.
Where do you sit inside EP?
Usually the Cheadle End and occasionally the Pop Side. Depends on ticket availability and how many of us are going.
Who else is in your usual County matchday crew?
Mostly me and the missus. I sometimes meet up with my siblings at EP.
Who is your favourite ever County player?
Alun Armstrong. Classy.
Worst ever player?
Nobody springs to mind. You have to be pretty good to have played for County don’t you…
Favourite current player?
Kyle Wootton. I love his goals and swashbuckling enthusiasm. Sadly missed at the end of last season. Shoutout for Ryan Rydel too, fantastic free-kicks and crosses.
Who is your favourite ever County manager?
Has to be Jim Gannon, what a brilliant servant he’s been for County. I hope Challinor can take over his mantle, he’s building quite some record.
Best atmosphere you’ve experienced watching County?
When we beat Citeh 3-1 in 1997, the first half was sensational and when all their fans went home at half-time, well that just put the tin hat on proceedings. Sat in the Pop Side with my mum so great for her to experience the occasion. What a goal from Paul Cook!
Favourite ever game?
Has to be beating West Ham 2-1 in the League Cup back in 1972, Bobby Moore and all. That Alan Ogley save and the Tommy Spratt penalty into the roof of the net. Closely followed by the final game of the season against Halifax in 2021-22 when we clinched the title and gained our place back in the Football League. Those goals by Madden and Collar were special moments and the scenes at the end… the stuff of dreams.
Worst ever game?
Seeing County lose 7-0 in the League Cup at Selhurst Park in 1979 was pretty gruesome but the worst for me has to be the 4-0 defeat at Kidderminster in 2013 which consigned us to the sixth tier. Thankfully I wasn’t there but the impact was so depressing. I think some County fans let the side down too that day which just added to the misery. Desperate days.
Have to mention the Burnley play-off final in 1994 too, 1-0 up after two minutes then two red cards and a game we should have won became a nightmare.
Favourite ever goal?
Andy Kilner’s piledriver against Torquay in 1991. A cracking first time volley from the corner of the box into the Cheadle End goal to win the match. Cue wild celebrations.
Closely followed by the Gleeson volley at Wycombe in 2008 in the play-off semi. More recently, Odin Bailey’s scorcher at Swindon to put us 3-2 ahead was a thing of beauty.
If you could play in an exact moment from County’s history, which would it be?
It has to be the 1996-97 season. I’ll go for just before the final whistle in the quarter-final replay at The Dell against Southampton just to savour being part of a brilliant winning team. Matt Le Tissier… who are you?!
What is the biggest sacrifice you have ever made to get to a match?
It’s never a sacrifice watching County. For the Halifax game at EP in May 2022 I had to stand on the train all the way from Euston to Stockport and then all the way back but boy was it worth it!
What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen at the match?
West Ham and Iain Dowie’s own goal in the League Cup replay at EP in 1996. It was a great header, thanks Iain.
Favourite matchday boozer?
It was The Florist in Shaw Heath for decades but that sadly closed a few years ago. Our last few trips to EP we’ve been to The Arden Arms on Millgate near the market pre-match. Lovely pub, Robbies beer and a great beer garden. Also enjoy the walk from there through the town centre to the ground. Good stuff.
Favourite matchday tipple?
Pint of foaming Unicorn for a home game or any good ale at a lively pub for an away match. Had a pint of Ringwood Forty Niner at a pub in Old Town Swindon recently which was pretty glorious. Nearly as tasty as the match.
Favourite County song?
“After the turn of the century in the clear blue skies over Edgeley…”
Worst County song?
“Your support is f*****g shit” and years before that “you’re gonna get your f*****g heads kicked in” are both pretty brainless ubiquitous football chants. I used to hate hearing the latter and the former is just crass.
What do you like the most about Edgeley Park?
It has been our spiritual home since 1902, a proper old school football ground set amongst streets of terraced houses, the railway line and Sykes “Rezzer”. The atmosphere on matchdays is something special, you can’t beat the Cheadle End when it’s bouncing.
My fingers are crossed for the planned ground redevelopment – exciting times or what?
Best thing about being a County fan?
It’s all about identity for me, supporting my hometown club and feeling a real sense of pride in that. Love that togetherness feeling you get at away games with all the other County fans.
Worst thing about being a County fan?
Dealing with the many lows over the years and of course there have been plenty. The stagnation of the 1970s and 1980s punctuated by the odd cup giant-killing then the bullshit ownership of Cheshire Sport and the club eventually being put into administration in 2009. Dreadful times when we all feared for County’s future.
Most despised rival club?
Despised is probably a bit strong but I never liked Stoke City during those early 90s games in the third tier and of course the Autoglass Trophy final at Wembley in 1992. Look forward to renewing league hostilities with the Potters in the next year or two!
Most despised rival player?
Mark Stein of Stoke City for scoring the winner in that Autoglass final and for being an all-round little shit.
Do you collect any County/football related memorabilia?
Not really but I do possess some random “quality” County branded items including a wall clock, signed football, notepad and pen, club tie, garden gnome and the current fans’ calendar which is rather good.
Any chance encounters with County players?
Len Allchurch at Stockport Swimming Baths over 55 years ago. He was a top-notch player and I was completely gobsmacked.
Have you ever decked an opposing fan?
You’re having a laugh!
If you could invite any five people round for a chippy tea, who would it be?
Might as well be a County chippy tea fest so Mark Stott, Steve Bellis, Michelle Keegan, Jon Keighren and Dave Challinor. If I can invite Oliver Holt as well to report on proceedings then so much the better.
Tell us something impressive about yourself without sounding stupid.
I used to be able to throw a cricket ball about 80 yards. How useful is that?
Can you play football to any sort of standard?
With my knees? I peaked early playing for the 1st Davenport Cubs team. I was captain and we got to the cup final and… lost. Bit of a forerunner for our first four Wembley appearances. Ouch!
Describe a perfect day.
A lie-in, tasty breakfast before winning a Wembley final in the sunshine after an exciting pre-match build-up with goals to spare, all of them belters, then celebrating afterwards with pints at The Grand Junction in Harlesden with our County loving family and friends. Bring it on!
Anything you’d like to say to finish?
Thank God for Mark Stott, he has given us all so much more to look forward to and long may it continue. Cheers, thank you!
And finally, here’s a few of Matthew’s favourite things…
TV programme: Blackadder.
Film: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
City: Edinburgh. Loads to see and some fine bars and restaurants.
Food: Fish and shellfish.
Drink: Hard to beat a pint of Robbies’ Unicorn.
Book: Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky which is a take on life during the Nazi occupation of France. Brilliantly observed and beautifully written.
Band: Has to be the Beatles who have been a constant in my life for the last 60 years. Also love Van Morrison and the last concert I went to was Primal Scream at Dreamland in Margate during the summer. Bobby Gillespie is a legend!
Click on the links below to read our previous interviews with The Scarf My Father Wore subscribers.
John K Bilsbury / Phil Brennan / Bob Carey / Graham Hall / Des Hinks Junior / Peter Jaquiss / Nick Lee
Take the kids to yoga
Now, you might not have thought of doing this before. But Claire Ash from Greenshoots Yoga runs fantastic yoga and mindfulness sessions for children, young adults and families. During term time, yoga and mindfulness classes for children take place every Friday at St Paul’s Church Hall in Heaton Moor. It’s £8.50 for children aged 8-12 (4.30pm - 5.25pm) and £7 for those aged 5-7 (5.30pm - 6.15pm). Claire also runs parent and child sessions a couple of times each term.
In addition to the above, Claire also runs tween/teen sessions on Saturdays during term time, from 11.20am till 12.20pm, suitable for young people aged 10 or above. Classes take place at The Heatons Centre on Thornfield Road. An opportunity to pause, reflect and connect through yoga and breathwork, journalling and meditation. If it’s something you’re interested in, Claire’s currently offering a free trial.
Last but not least, Claire has also started to teach yoga to academy football players, which helps prevent injury, as well as helping balance, flexibility, and faster recovery time. She also talks to the footballers about keeping calm and bringing a joy and control to the game.
Visit greenshootsyoga.co.uk for further details.
Photo of the day
JJB Stadium, Wigan
Carlton Palmer getting stuck in during our one and only league visit to Wigan’s new place (now the DW) in 2002-03.
Today in SK
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The George & Dragon (SK7). 6pm - 9pm.
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