We’re all going on a League One tour, but what have Accrington made of 23-24…

Next stop on our review of 2023-24: The Wham Stadium

May 24, 2024

Friday 24 May 2024

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

Adam Scarborough joins us today as we take a look back at Accrington Stanley’s campaign.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Greenshoots Yoga and Forever Home Dog Training. A big thank you to both Claire and Gareth.

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: 148.94 miles

Total steps so far: 237,462

Total raised so far: £1,696

Total completed streets so far: 304 (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

John Doolan was appointed as Accy’s new manager back in March (Photo credit: Accrington Stanley FC)

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we’re all going on a League One tour! Are you going to give us a friendly wave off at the airport, or are you glad to see the back of us?

I thought you were worthy winners of League Two and a lot of Stanley fans thought it was funny how you finished above Wrexham with all the media attention they receive.

I’m also pleased for those County fans who stuck by the club whilst they were mid-table in the National League North.

Gareth Southgate needs a last minute replacement for his Euro 2024 squad. Which Accrington player deserves the nod based on their performances this season?

Our loan signing from Norwich, Brad Hills. Obviously he’s gone back now but he has a bright future in the game and I expect him to be starting for Norwich next season.

With World War 3 getting closer with each passing day, the government have asked me to pass on the following questions:

A) Who’s been your toughest player in 2023-24, most suitable to stick on the frontline?

B) What’s the best food you’ve had at a ground in 2023-24, that we can use for the troops in the trenches to keep morale up?

C) If World War 3 does kick off, how will Accrington fans react in a crisis?

A) Super Shaun Whalley. Mr Reliable. He’ll never shy away from battle even though he’s probably old enough to be in Dad’s Army.

B) Morecambe’s chicken, ham and leek pies will surely keep morale up and bring in some much needed income to the Shrimps. They’re not cheap and may bankrupt the country but we’ll have happy, well fed soldiers.

C) Well there’s not many of us so I’m hoping we’ll all stick together. Back in 2009 our club was very close to going bust and we had a big SOS (Save our Stanley) campaign which many people got behind.

Best moment of 2023-24?

We had a very good start to the season which included winning at Salford in August. This put us in the top three and we were thinking League Two would be a short stay. Plus Gary Neville was watching!

Worst moment of 2023-24?

The sacking of John Coleman and Jimmy Bell. After 22 years service over two spells, when their departure was announced it was a two line statement on the website. The split between the fans after this was not nice to see but new manager John Doolan is a very positive influence and has managed to get the fans onside.

Funniest moment of 2023-24?

Probably some of the bizarre fancy dress outfits in the away end at Edgeley Park for our final away game of the season. Watching Mario, Shrek, and various pilots, nuns and aliens trying to wind up fans in the Railway End was quite funny.

Four Four Two said you’d finish 13th. When Saturday Comes said you’d finish 10th. You finished 17th. Discuss.

To be fair we were around mid-table at Christmas and always just a few wins from the play-offs. However, injuries and the change in manager saw us slide a bit in the last couple of months, although we were never in any relegation danger.

Accrington 1 County 3 in September. County 4 Accrington 2 in April. Thoughts?

I remember the County fans getting very wet at the Wham Stadium. There have only been a handful of games where we’ve needed to open the Coppice End but County brought a big following. I’ve forgotten most of that game now.

As for the match at Edgeley Park, I was pleased we made a game out of it. Some of us thought we may be due a bit of a thumping but we scored a couple of good goals to give ourselves a chance.

Best and worst away days of 2023-24?

I always enjoy trips to new grounds which included Harrogate and Sutton this season. Both small, but welcoming grounds which reminded me of ours.

Worst was MK Dons. It’s a nice stadium but far too big for them. They wanted £40 to park the coach, shoved us up in the top tier and there was no atmosphere at all despite them scoring a last minute winner. It also didn’t help that our supporters coach had a blow out on the way home.

That’ll probably be our first away trip next season…

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5 questions with Claire from Greenshoots Yoga

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

Learning more about EFT tapping therapy and the impact on helping to ease anxiety. The funniest moment of the month was being addressed as “Yoga” by a reception child at the school I work at!

What’s your plans for the business this month?

Going online with my yoga and mindfulness sessions for teenagers, meaning more people can join us.

What would you like to promote to our readers over the next few weeks?

On Friday 14 June we have a yoga and meditation session at St Paul’s Church Hall in Heaton Moor for children and parents/carers. These sessions are fun, playful, strengthening and nurturing. It involves good tunes, yoga and beautiful bonding partner postures.

County fans have still got at least another couple of months to get through before the new football season starts. What hobby or pastime would you recommend to help them pass the time this summer?

Challenge your mind and body with either yoga, tennis, pilates or dance. Join an adult team sport just for the joy of it!

Let’s finish with a fun game of Snog Marry Avoid! As it’s May, you can have the following: Brian May, James May and Theresa May.

Avoid all… with compassion!

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Gain some extra training and guidance on taking your dog for a walk this summer

With summer on the way, you might be planning new adventures with your dog such as a long walk in the country or even a holiday on the coast. You might find it beneficial to join Gareth for one of his courses, which will give you extra training and guidance before taking your canine chum to a brand new place.

On Sunday 16 June, there’s a loose lead workshop – a four hour masterclass in working on your dog’s lead walking skills. This is a practical course, with lots of different exercises, and you’ll receive a certificate and workbook at the end.

Then on Sunday 30 June it’s their first ever canine body language masterclass. This is ideal for dog owners who want to know more about how their dog communicates and displays when they are happy, stressed, worried or over aroused. Gareth will help you understand what different types of body language mean in different breeds and why it happens – not just looking to see if the dog’s tail is wagging.

Visit foreverhomedogtraining.com for further details.

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Photo of the day

Probably somewhere in North London

Crewe fans after losing at Wembley last weekend. Aww.

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Three films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. If (U) at 12.15pm and 3pm, The Fall Guy (12A) at 5.45pm, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (12A) at 8.30pm. Click here for tickets.

💿 DJs

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

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have their resident DJ playing on a Friday night, with Dicko (Ian Dickinson) on from 8pm till 1am.

🍺 Food and drink

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

Treat yourself to lunch at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7, two courses for £11. 12pm - 2pm.

Fish Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Lite bite fish and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.75.

🎤 Karaoke

The Alexandra (SK3) with DJ Big Ace. 8pm.

🎸 Live music

Soulplay at The Crown (SK6). 9pm.

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100 random grounds that County have played at

#25 – Plainmoor, Torquay

Last visit: Where did Dave Challinor lose his first league game as County manager? That’s a pretty good quiz question innit. The date was Saturday 11 December 2021, with 268 County fans in Devon witnessing a 2-1 defeat. There was absolutely nothing to worry about, however, as County won 20 of their next 21 games in all competitions, on the way to ending their 11-year stay in non-league football.

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