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

The latest instalment of our 2023-24 season review looks at Morecambe, the team County beat to seal automatic promotion to League One on a joyful afternoon at Edgeley Park

May 30, 2024

Thursday 30 May 2024

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⚽️ EURO 2024 SWEEPSTAKE ⚽️

£10 to enter. £100 to the winner, £40 to the runner-up, and £100 to Mentell. 24 teams drawn at random before the tournament starts. If you’d like a team, simply reply to this email (or drop Des Junior a message).

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

Mark Swindlehurst, the stadium announcer at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, joins us today for a look back at Morecambe’s season.

Today’s edition is sponsored by LM Stone Creative and Guerrilla Chicken Spirits. A big thank you to both Chris and Paul.

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: £1,716

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

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?

A friendly wave for sure! County is a proper club, with proper fans. We were the club you beat to ensure you were promoted (you're welcome!). We brought quite a few with us and it was a great atmosphere. Everyone we encountered was ultra friendly. A good old fashioned pitch invasion at the end to boot! Just a shame some of the fans were more focused on giving us abuse than celebrating with fellow fans, but none of them were wearing colours so I expect they were tourists for the day. I was really pleased you finished top and not Hollywood FC.

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

First half of the season, Michael Mellon. Second half, Joel Senior.

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 Morecambe fans react in a crisis?

A) Jacob Bedeau. Played nearly every game. Not afraid to get stuck in.

B) Our award-winning chicken, ham and leek pies. They are amazing! I get withdrawal symptoms in close season. I should buy a load and freeze them.

C) World War 3 is kicking off at Morecambe at the moment. Issues with the owner, no manager, five contracted players, recruitment freeze by HMRC. We’re in a massive battle to survive. The fans are amazing and united. The Shrimps Trust is doing all it can, as are the board to be fair. The owner is the issue.

Best moment of 2023-24?

Beating Bradford at home and watching the delight on Derek Adams’ face as he went fist pumping on the pitch.

Worst moment of 2023-24?

Derek Adams leaving, followed by the realisation that we were in massive trouble ownership wise at the end of the season.

Funniest moment of 2023-24?

For me it was Derek Adams walking over to the Bradford fans who had given him stick all match (their former manager) waving and smiling at them, and then doing the same to their board of directors who had fired him. I played up to it on the PA by shouting: “Let’s hear it for Derek Adams!”

Four Four Two said you’d finish 20th. When Saturday Comes said you’d finish 18th. You finished 15th. Discuss.

If we’d had stability at the club and an owner willing to back the manager we were heading for the play-offs. Derek Adams had a fantastic group of players on loan, on a shoestring budget, and we were top third for most of the first half of the season. Derek got us promoted to League One in 2020-21 under similar circumstances and we were all starting to believe once again. He left to go to Ross County, mainly due to not getting backed.

Morecambe 1 County 1 in December. County 2 Morecambe 0 in April. Thoughts?

We were pleased to get that draw in December, but really should have won as we gifted you a late equaliser. The club was still reeling from Derek Adams’ departure and the new untested manager Ged Brannan was only a couple of games in.

We were praying for a win in April, as incredibly, we still had a faint glimmer of hope for the play-offs. By that time we needed other teams to have a disaster and us to win every match. Our players didn’t turn up that day and you drove a bus through our midfield. Poor showing from us, but a confident display by County. A well deserved win.

Best and worst away days of 2023-24?

Best: Doncaster. We beat them 5-0. They were a different team from the one that went on that amazing run.

Away: Barrow. Miserable night. Miserable ground. Miserable result. Others would say the embarrassing 6-0 defeat to Hollywood FC which was our first match after Derek Adams left.

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LM Stone Creative: Revolutionising Stone Surfaces with Laser Templating Technology

In a world where precision and innovation go hand in hand, LM Stone Creative has emerged as a pioneer in the realm of bespoke stone surface and worktop solutions. With their recent website update, the company has taken a giant leap towards enhancing user experience for potential clients. The new and improved website lmstonecreative.com not only showcases their exquisite craftsmanship, but also highlights the cutting-edge technology they employ: laser templating with state-of-the-art software.

Gone are the days of relying solely on manual measurements and traditional methods. LM Stone Creative has embraced the power of laser templating, revolutionising the way stone surfaces are crafted. By utilising the latest advancements in technology, the company ensures unparalleled accuracy and precision in every project.

So, what exactly is laser templating? Simply put, it is a process that involves creating precise digital templates of stone surfaces using laser scanning technology. This eliminates the need for cumbersome physical templates and allows for seamless integration with advanced software.

With laser templating, LM Stone Creative can capture even the most intricate details of a space, ensuring a perfect fit for their stone surfaces. The digital templates are then transferred to their state-of-the-art software, where skilled designers can manipulate and customise the designs to meet the unique requirements of each client. This level of precision and customisation sets LM Stone Creative apart from their competitors.

The user-friendly website now showcases this cutting-edge technology, allowing potential clients to understand the immense value and quality that LM Stone Creative brings to their projects. The updated design and intuitive navigation make it easier than ever for visitors to explore the range of stone surfaces and worktop solutions offered by the company.

From luxurious kitchen worktops to elegant bathroom vanities, LM Stone Creative's craftsmanship shines through in every project they undertake. The combination of their skilled artisans and advanced technology ensures that each piece is a work of art, meticulously crafted to perfection.

With a focus on customer satisfaction, LM Stone Creative goes above and beyond to exceed expectations. The updated website serves as a testament to their commitment to providing a seamless experience for potential clients. Visitors can now easily browse through a gallery of stunning projects, read testimonials from satisfied customers, and even request a personalised consultation.

LM Stone Creative's dedication to innovation and their investment in laser templating technology has positioned them as a leader in the industry. Their website update is a reflection of their forward-thinking approach and their commitment to delivering excellence in every project.

As the demand for bespoke stone surfaces continues to rise, LM Stone Creative stands ready to meet the needs of discerning clients. With their state-of-the-art laser templating technology and user-friendly website, the company is poised to redefine the standards of craftsmanship and precision in the industry.

By showcasing their expertise in laser templating technology, the company solidifies its position as an industry leader. With their unrivalled craftsmanship and dedication to innovation, LM Stone Creative is poised to shape the future of bespoke stone surfaces.

Visit lmstonecreative.com today to explore their stunning portfolio and call 0161 312 6864 to discuss your dream worktop projects.

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Stock up on spirits for your summer adventures, and enjoy a 10% discount!

Guerrilla Chicken Spirits has a range of four show-stopping spirits that challenge the industry by using a reusable flask and refill pouches rather then single use glass bottles.

They want you to enjoy their spirits and use their reusable flask forever. They would love that none of their bottles need to be recycled and certainly never hit the landfill.

Keep your bottle chillin’ in the fridge, ready for enjoying at home, or ready cold for taking to a picnic or a party in a park!

Visit guerrilla-chicken.com to see the full range of drinks and gifts, and don’t forget to use the code Scarf10 for a 10% discount!

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Photo of the day

Lancaster train station

As we’re talking about Morecambe today, I just had to dig this beauty out of The Scarf My Father Wore archives! Waiting for my connecting train to Morecambe at Lancaster train station back in December, I bumped into the High Peak Hatters, who were all full of good spirits. Unfortunately one of them, Cavan Bowden, was a little too full of spirits (namely, Jack Daniels) and vomited all over the steps and the platform. We’ve all been there before!

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Three films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. If (U) at 3pm, The Fall Guy (12A) at 5.30pm, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (12A) at 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

If you find yourself in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a pint or two. 12pm - 11pm.

Pie Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Any pie or pudding and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £7.95. (Greenhalgh’s Pies £1 extra.)

🎶 Free jukebox

The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.

❓ Quiz night

The Dog & Partridge (SK2). 8pm. If you fancy some food before the quiz, choose something from the pub’s new summer menu, such as their fish sharer starter or pulled pork burger! You’ll also receive 20% off your bill between 6pm and 8pm.

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100 random grounds that County have played at

#30 – Victory Park, Chorley

Last visit: Victory Park? Ha! Not for County. We lost four of our six trips there during our non-league years, including that awful afternoon when we thought we’d blown our chances of winning the title in 2018-19. Our most recent visit to Chorley was in September 2019, with Jim Gannon’s men losing 3-0.

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