The ultimate guide on what to buy for the Stockport County players this Christmas

If you’re looking to buy your favourite County player a little something this year, we’ve put together the perfect gift guide for you

Thursday 21 November 2024

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Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Something a little different for you today. As Christmas draws nearer, the internet is awash with festive gift guides for parents and partners. But there isn’t a detailed article with suggestions on what to buy for your favourite Stockport County player this year. Well, there is now…

Today’s edition is sponsored by Bridge Computer Services and DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists. A big thank you to Mark and David.

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

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Corey Addai

Anal beads. They might feel very uncomfortable, but this lad just loves arsing about at the back.

Odin Bailey

Handcuffs. You’ve told him he’s never leaving Edgeley Park through the medium of song. Now you can deliver an even stronger message by chaining him to the goalposts at the end of every game.

Louie Barry

Louie Barry likes to cut his own hair. A bit unorthodox, perhaps, but Louie Barry has already scored 12 goals for County this season which means Louie Barry can do whatever the hell he likes. Treat him to a mirror so he can at least see what he’s doing.

Lewis Bate

A year’s supply of tonic water. Bate wins a fresh bottle of Stockport Gin every single week for his man of the match performances; he’s gonna need an awful lot of mixers to go with it.

Will Collar

I’ve just been told Boots have got a fantastic offer on this Christmas: two for the price of one on mirrors. Make sure you go here when you’re buying Louie Barry’s present, and you can give the other one to Will Collar. That way he’ll never turn up to training again looking like Pat Sharp.

Ben Hinchcliffe

A T-shirt with “HinchLIFFE not HinchCLIFFE” emblazoned on the front and back, just to remind the various media gimps who continue to spell his name wrong. I’m also looking at you, The PFA Trophy Engraving Department.

Sam Hughes

17,000 protein bars. Should be enough to keep him going till Boxing Day.

Michael Mellon

By far the most expensive gift on the list, coming in at around £2,000, but for Michael Mellon we’re recommending a full body scan with Bupa. The poor lad’s been at Burnley for a few years, he could definitely do with a check-up.

Max Metcalfe

Max Metcalfe was born in Scotland, before spending his formative years in the North East, so he’s probably grown up on a diet of Irn Bru and chicken parmo. Having just moved to Eastbourne on loan, he’s now only 20 miles away from Brighton, meaning he might be getting confused and a little intimidated seeing things like avocado, kale and sourdough in his local shop. Get him a Pot Noodle multi-pack this Christmas to make sure he’s not wasting away while he’s down south.

Tanto Olaofe

Get yourself on Groupon and book a weekend at The Sports Science Institute tucked away in the Staffordshire countryside for Tanto. That’s where Mike Bassett took his England squad, including star striker Rufus Smalls, who was suffering with a lack of confidence. Might sort Tanto’s head out after he missed that sitter against Wrexham last week.

Nick Powell

Stick a tenner in a Christmas card. I don’t think he’s on much money so he could probably use the cash.

Ethan Pye

A pie. An actual pie. Bantz! (For added bantz, stick the pie in a Christmas cracker alongside one of Steve Bellis’s jokes.)

Macauley Southam-Hales

A pair of crutches. I mean, he’ll probably whack you round the head with them, but it’ll get a giggle at the dining table on Christmas Day.

Ibby Touray

A bunch of flowers and a box of Milk Tray. A little something to make him feel more appreciated, after we’ve probably taken him for granted a bit.

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6 reasons why you should update to Windows 11

Whether or not you should update to Windows 11 depends on various factors, including your current setup, your specific needs, and your willingness to adapt to changes. However, Windows 10 is reaching end-of-life in October 2025. Today, Mark from Romiley-based Bridge Computer Services shares six key points to consider when deciding whether to update to Windows 11.

1) MODERN INTERFACE AND DESIGN

Windows 11 offers a refreshed user interface with a centred Start menu, updated icons, and a more modern look.

2) IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY

Enhanced performance optimisations, including better handling of system resources and improved battery life for laptops.

3) ENHANCED GAMING FEATURES

Windows 11 includes DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and better integration with Xbox Game Pass, making it more appealing to gamers.

4) VIRTUAL DESKTOPS AND MULTITASKING

Improved support for virtual desktops and new multitasking features like Snap Layouts and Snap Groups.

5) BETTER SUPPORT FOR TOUCH AND PEN INPUTS

Enhanced experience for devices with touchscreens and stylus support.

6) SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS

Improved security features, including hardware-based security like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.

For further details, or any other IT queries you might have, give Mark a call on 0161 408 3201 or email info@bridgecomputerservices.co.uk.

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Time for a spruce up at home?

DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists are a reputable company offering specialist plastering and damp proofing services covering Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

If you’re looking to have a spruce up before Christmas, now’s a good time to think about external render repairs and render painting, with the photos above showing a fine transformation on a recent client’s house.

Visit dtplasteringanddampproofing.com for further details.

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Photo of the day

Edgeley Park, Stockport

A busy day at Edgeley Park today, with auditions for new Village People tribute act in full swing.

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

One film at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) this evening. Gladiator II (15) at 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8).

If you’re simply in the mood for a couple of pints today, pop along to one of our featured venues such as AMP (SK1), The Nelson Tavern (SK1), The Crown (SK2), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).

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Random photos of County players at other clubs

#51 – Peter Davenport, Sunderland

After spells with Forest, Man United and Middlesbrough, Peter Davenport signed for Sunderland in the summer of 1990. He went on to play in the 1992 FA Cup final, which Sunderland lost 2-0 to Liverpool. Following stints with Airdrieonians and St Johnstone in Scotland, Davenport signed for County at the end of the 1994-95 season. Made six appearances for the Hatters, scoring once in a 2-0 victory at home to Brighton.

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Need any of these products or services this November? Support the businesses that support The Scarf My Father Wore

🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds and Shutters

📚 Bookkeeping: Eleven Accounts Services

👷‍♂️ Builder: C E Building Services Ltd

🧱 Builders Merchant: MKM Manchester South

🧽 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

🧹 Cleaning: Beespoke Cleaning

🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd

🐶 Dog Trainer: Forever Home Dog Training

🐕‍🦺 Dog Walker: Luna Care

🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring

💡 Electrician: The Electrics Guy

🏠 Estate Agent: The Agency UK

💧 Exterior Cleaning: Impact Pro Clean Ltd

💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill

💐 Florist: The Flower House

🍦 Ice Cream Van Hire: Stevie’s Ices

💻 IT Services: Bridge Computer Services

🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd

🔌 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances

🍳 Kitchens: Kitchenwise

🌳 Landscaping: Dylan’s Developments

📮 Leaflet Distribution: Wolf Distribution

🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd

💪 Male Weight Loss: MAN v FAT

🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators

🚑 Personal Injury: Parkers Solicitors Ltd

📸 Photographer: Adam Edwards Photo

🧱 Plastering: DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists

🛖 Roofing: Pate & Lever Roofing Ltd

☀️ Solar Panels: Malbern Solar Ltd

👨‍💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co

🍹 Spirits: Guerrilla Chicken Spirits

💆‍♂️ Sports Massage: RobMcRunning

🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative

🚕 Taxi Hire: Lynx Taxis

☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd

👩‍🏫 Tutor: Conexus Tuition

📺 TV Aerials: SDS Aerials

🧰 Vehicle Repairs: C J Motors Stockport

⚖️ Weight Loss: Slimming World Reddish & Bredbury with Shlean