“The packed run of games playing under the floodlights was always a favourite of mine”

We’ve got one of County’s Wembley heroes waiting behind the window on today’s advent calendar…

Dec 03, 2024

Tuesday 3 December 2024

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🎵 We beat Palace and West Ham too! 🎵

County have never beaten Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, but we did knock the Eagles out of the League Cup twice in the 70s. The first of those – courtesy of Hugh Ryden’s winner at Selhurst Park on Tuesday 5 September 1972 – became a lyric in one of County’s best terrace chants, which is still sung to this day. Fingers crossed for another upset we can all sing about when Dave Challinor’s men head to London for their FA Cup third round tie in January.

Back to December business, we’re joined by Liam Dickinson today, as it’s time to open window number three on The County Advent Calendar.

Today’s edition is sponsored by B.J. McKenna & Co Solicitors and Parkers Solicitors. A big thank you to Adam.

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: 176.31 miles

Total steps so far: 284,130

Total raised so far: £2,027

Total completed streets so far: 399 (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

Just five minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute, Liam Dickinson scored on his County debut in January 2006, in a 2-2 draw with Cheltenham. The former Woodley Sports striker went on to score crucial winning goals at Chester and Bury as County pulled off an incredible escape under Jim Gannon. Dicko made 121 appearances for the club (over two spells), scoring 36 goals, including our third at Wembley in the 2008 play-off final.

First of all, Mr Dickinson, I’ve got a special hotline to Father Christmas. He’s asked me if you’ve been naughty or nice this year?

Come on Des, you know me. I’m always nice!

What was the best thing about being a footballer at Christmas?

There were lots of good things about being a footballer at Christmas. The packed run of games playing under the floodlights was always a favourite of mine, but one of the nicest things for me was getting to go into the local hospitals, taking in gifts and being able to put a smile on some of those brave children’s faces.

And the worst?

Probably having to leave your family and children on Christmas morning to go training, and then a hotel in the evening if you had an away game on Boxing Day.

What does a typical Christmas Day look like in your house?

These days Christmas Day is all about getting up early and spending the whole day playing games with the kids and family, whilst grazing on pigs in blankets and drinking Buck’s Fizz.

What’s your favourite Christmas film?

Has to be Elf at Christmas.

What would be the best Christmas present underneath the tree for you this year?

Just all my family together… and maybe a nice big bottle of Jack Daniel’s!

County have got Huddersfield away, Rotherham away and Birmingham at home over the festive period. How many points are we getting?

With the quality and depth in the squad you wouldn’t be surprised with us walking away with nine points but I’d be happy with seven.

Where do you get your Christmas tree from?

We actually get our tree from a local farm every year. You can’t beat a real tree.

What’s your best Christmas cracker joke?

Why did The Grinch rob the off licence?

Because he needed some Christmas spirit.

Are you organised when it comes to Christmas shopping or are you a Christmas Eve petrol station sort of guy?

I myself have spent many a Christmas Eve power walking round Tesco trying to get 10,000 presents. This year, however, my missus has smashed it, and we’re pretty much done already, which is a record in our house!

Sponsor Spotlight: B.J. McKenna & Co Solicitors and Parkers Solicitors

The Scarf My Father Wore is proud to have two firms of Stockport solicitors who sponsor and support us: B.J. McKenna & Co Solicitors and Parkers Solicitors, who are both part of the McHale Group.

B.J. McKenna & Co Solicitors, with offices in Heaton Moor and Heaton Chapel, are a specialist firm dealing with property, wills, probate and lasting powers of attorney. They can assist with any residential or commercial property matter as well as drafting your will, lasting power of attorney or dealing with the death of a loved one.

Parkers Solicitors, with its office on the A6 in Stockport (opposite McDonald’s), specialise in personal injury. They can represent you in any kind of accident such as a car crash, trip or slip, medical negligence, or an injury at work. They can also represent you in any general litigation matter such as an owed debt or dispute.

Both solicitors are part of the McHale Group who have three other offices in Altrincham, Heywood and London. They have over 90 staff and can take care of absolutely any legal matter you have.

➡️ Visit bjmckenna.com or parkers-solicitors.co.uk for further details.

Photo of the day

Edgeley Park, Stockport

Well, it’s Crystal Palace away in the FA Cup. First time we’ve faced Premier League opposition in the competition since January 2021, when Jim Gannon’s men held West Ham for 83 minutes before Craig Dawson headed the winner.

It’s quiz night at The Steelworks (SK6) this evening

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. Lee (15) at 5.45pm, followed by Gladiator II (15) at 8.15pm.

➡️ Click here for tickets.

🥪 Food and drink

Happy Hour at Covent Garden Café (SK1) between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. If you spend £20 or more you get to roll the dice, and if you roll a 6 your bill is half price!

Enjoy a coffee and a cake for only £6 at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). 12pm - 4pm.

Pop in for a pint at Heaton Hops (SK4), CAMRA Pub of the Year for Stockport and South Manchester.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Nelson Tavern (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this festive season by popping in for a few drinks.

⁉️ Quiz night

The Steelworks (SK6). 7.30pm. £1 per person. Tonight’s rounds include audio, pictures, general knowledge, acronyms and Yorkshire!

Random photos of County players at other clubs

#62 – Andy Preece, Crystal Palace

Andy Preece scored one of County’s most iconic FA Cup goals of all time in January 1994, smashing a left-foot volley into the Railway End goal which dumped Premier League QPR out of the competition. That was one of 54 goals Preece netted for County, before Crystal Palace paid £350,000 to take him to Selhurst Park in the summer of 1994.