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

The Alex remain in League Two after defeat in the play-off final at Wembley

May 26, 2024

Sunday 26 May 2024

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

Stuart Price from The Railwaymen Podcast joins us today for a look back at Crewe’s season.

A big thank you to Bancroft Tattoos and Daisy’s Delights for sponsoring today’s edition.

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?

Hope you enjoy it. At the risk of getting a splinter I'll say neither option. I didn't expect Crewe to have another season with such a quick trip to Greater Manchester. So that was a bonus this season, but the reality is I just want to win games against whoever we play, I'm not too fussed who that is. Like I say though, hope you enjoy it next season.

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

Probably Rio Adebisi, as I believe left-back is a bit of a problem position. There's an argument to be made though that he won't be a Crewe player much longer.

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 Crewe fans react in a crisis?

A) Mickey Demetriou.

B) The pies at the Alex. Good for throwing too.

C) With a roll of the eyes and a head tilt, before getting on with it.

Best moment of 2023-24?

Seeing Crewe play at Wembley.

Worst moment of 2023-24?

Seeing Crewe lose at Wembley.

Funniest moment of 2023-24?

I avoid using Twitter for arguments myself but seeing various fans from various clubs throw their toys out the pram after little old Crewe leave an away day with all three points will never not be funny.

Four Four Two said you’d finish 19th. When Saturday Comes said you’d finish 16th. You finished 6th. Discuss.

Too many people focused on players we'd lost and not on players we signed. Lee Bell was seen as a negative, rather than the undoubted positive he is. Never underestimate Crewe Alex's academy.

Tanto celebrates at Gresty Road (Photo courtesy of Mike Petch)

Crewe 0 County 2 in October. County 1 Crewe 3 in February. Thoughts?

The home game we were beaten by a good team riding the crest of a wave in terms of ability and form.

The away game was the closest we came to a perfect performance this season. We dominated from start to finish and there was real belief we could go on and win promotion. Unfortunately injuries, a small squad and burnout all had something to say.

Best and worst away days of 2023-24?

Best was Doncaster away in the play-off semi-final. What more can I add. Every Crewe fan experienced everything football is capable of doing to you that night.

Worst, probably Salford. In a league of bad officials Thomas Kirk's performance that day was unbelievably bad.

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Be in with a chance of winning a free tattoo by following Bancroft Tattoos on social media

Dean from Bancroft Tattoos is celebrating his birthday this month, and he’s set a challenge for The Scarf My Father Wore readers. If we can add 150 followers to his Facebook and Instagram pages, Dean’s going to offer a free tattoo (three hours, worth £240) to a lucky follower.

While it’s fresh in your memory, go and follow Dean now! He’s under Bancroft Tattoos on both Facebook and Instagram. At the same time, send him a message quoting “The Scarf My Father Wore” and then if we hit our target, Dean will do a random generator selection from those names.

If you’re looking to book a tattoo appointment at the moment, Dean charges £80 per hour or £400 for a full day session (six hours). He’s recently moved from Cheadle to Marple and the new studio is much more spacious offering an even better customer experience.

For any enquiries, please email deanbancroft@outlook.com.

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With the weather getting warmer, treat your dog to an ice cream!

What’s your favourite ice cream? Personally, I love a nice Mr Whippy with a Flake and some raspberry sauce on a nice summer’s day. I’m sure lots of our readers will be tucking into a Magnum or a Solero over the coming weeks. And if you’re out and about with your dog, they can enjoy a treat as well!

Daisy’s Delights offer ice cream bites for your canine friends. Each box contains 30 bites, with flavours such as banana, strawberry and banana, or peanut butter and honey.

Call or text 07834 898739 to place an order.

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Photo of the day

Gresty Road, Crewe

An absolute belter last season from Ben Walker. Check out his website stockportcountyshirts.co.uk for some shirt belters that you can wear to the match. (Or the pub.)

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Today in SK

🍺 Food and drink

If you’re in Stockport this evening, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a pint or two. Open till 9pm.

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100 random grounds that County have played at

#27 – St James Park, Exeter

Last visit: We’ve not made the long trip to Exeter since the last time we were in League One, back in 2009-10. Our 46 league games only produced five victories, one of which came in Devon in February. Jemal Johnson, on loan from MK Dons, scored the winner in the 77th minute.

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