Wigan 2 County 0
The road to Wembley ends at the first knockout stage in front of 22,082 empty seats
Friday 8 December 2023
NEXT HOME GAME: Aldershot – Wednesday 13 December, 7.45pm
NEXT AWAY GAME: Morecambe – Saturday 9 December, 3pm
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Wigan supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Friday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
I don’t think many of the 588 travelling Hatters will want to relive Wednesday night (it was cold and we were crap) but for any masochists or County fans who decided to spend their evening doing something warmer like checking into the Ice Hotel in Sweden, we’ve roped in Simon George to reflect on our midweek trip to the DW.
Today’s edition is sponsored by Kate O’Brien Art. My thanks as ever to Kate, who produces some fantastic County items, as well as lots of other hand-painted distinctive artwork and gifts featuring scenes around Stockport and beyond. Go and check out her website for some cracking Christmas present ideas: kate-obrien.co.uk.
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: 46.68 miles
Total steps so far: 83,302
Total raised so far: £1,027
Total completed streets so far: 24 (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
✍️ Wednesday’s match in one word
Simon: FREEZING!!! 🥶
🤔 Pre-match thoughts
Simon: I always want to see a County team win in whichever competition but the "hurt in defeat" is a true measure of the importance of the match. This competition brought us two of the four Wembley appearances during our Bergara years and therefore brings back fond memories, but in all honesty Wednesday’s defeat won't hurt that much. We have bigger fish to fry this season.
🧐 Post-match thoughts
Simon: Wigan as “The Centre Of The World For Pies” is wrong. I obviously planned to have a pie from Wigan for my tea. Upon arrival at the ground I eagerly ushered Timmy Brown towards the pie and beer counter (why eagerly I don't know as it was my round) where we both procured the meat and potato option. The result? Very, very bland compared to EP. I should probably mention my second pie. This was purchased at half-time upon the recommendation of stalwart County photo guru Andrew Machin. "Try the steak,” he whispered, and try the steak I did. The result? Much better than the meat and potato with a lovely pepper aftertaste.
Wigan may go on and win the Car Cup but we’re all from Stockport and we don't need to win cars as we have far too many already. And we’ve got better pies than them.
Oh… the football? Typical game of two halves.
🔵 Verdict on Wigan
Simon: Started strong… ended weakly.
⚫️ Verdict on County
Simon: Started weakly… ended strong.
🥧 Top Latic
Simon: First half, most of them; men against boys. Second half, their keeper.
🎩 Top Hatter
Simon: We ALL played a part on the day as it's a team effort and the fans are a massive part of that team.
👂 Atmosphere
Simon: If I'm honest, we started and ended with chants of gallows humour. They had GOAL MUSIC, which made me feel slightly sick.
🙏 Hopes for the rest of the season
Simon: Get our squad fit and ready – please no more injuries. The world is ours. Now, on to Morecambe, where I’m off to today for a night out with my good lady.
😀 Best part of the day
Simon: Being handed one of Mark Love's Danny Bergara quote hats on an IOU in order to keep my bonce warm.
😡 Worst part of the day
Simon: Arriving home and realising that between leaving Westhoughton* and landing in Offerton I'd managed to lose my Danny Bergara hat and my head was cold.
*This was the second worst thing as the Fingerpost Flyer seemed to have been directed to park up somewhere on the outskirts of Bolton.
The British Library receives a copy of every single book published in the UK. In the same fashion, Des Junior believes a detailed record of every County game should be preserved for the history books. So here’s the full story of our 2-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic on Wednesday 6 December 2023, as told from his County-related WhatsApp groups…
7.19pm: Bollocks. 1-0 Wigan.
7.25pm: 2-0. That was a bit simple. Shall we just resign from the competition and take the 3-0 now? Deary me.
7.28pm: I would rather not be in it at all.
7.51pm: What a rubbish half. And two really crap goals to give away. Still our impressive following are nice and loud.
8.39pm: Powell’s gone off injured.
8.40pm: Fractured eyelash?
Are you going to be singing and dancing like Eric Morecambe tomorrow afternoon or Tyson Fury-ous if County make it five games without a win? Whatever the outcome on the Lancashire coast, if you fancy sharing your thoughts for our match report, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.
Let’s talk Christmas with Kate O’Brien!
What's it like for your business around Christmas time?
Christmas gets very busy! Not just with sales of prints and gifts but more so with special commissions such as paintings of people’s pets and homes. A lot of customers order personalised portraits as Christmas gifts as it’s something really special and unique that will last forever.
What's your favourite thing about Christmas?
I love the decorations, lights and music. Just the general feeling of warmth and happiness you get from sitting next to the Christmas tree with a lovely mug of hot mulled wine!
Best Christmas present you've ever received?
Both my kids were born at Christmas, my son on the 20th and my daughter on the 23rd. So there’s your answer!
And finally, I’m sure County fans are still needing a gift idea or two. What should they pick up from you?
The County coasters are really popular with fans (pictured above). A set of four costs £18.
Visit kate-obrien.co.uk for a wide range of brilliant gift ideas.
Photo of the day
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
A young Carlton Palmer lines up for the Baggies ahead of the 1985-86 season.
Today in SK
🎶 DJs
Bask (SK1) have recently been granted an extended license, which means you can now party until 3am on a Friday night! 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
Lunch deal at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). One course for £7 or two courses for £11. 12pm - 2pm.
Lite bite meal deal at The Friary (SK3). Cod or haddock, served with chips, and a side of peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.95. 11.30am - 8pm.
Fish Friday at Platform 5 (SK8). Joseph Holt’s beer battered fish with chips, salt and vinegar scraps, tartare sauce and your choice of Manchester caviar and peas. Served with a drink. 12pm - 8pm. £14.95 per person.
🎤 Karaoke
Alexandra (SK3) with DJ Big Ace. 8pm.
🎸 Live music
Blues With a Feeling at The Red Bull (SK1). A north-west band playing up-tempo Chicago style and 60s British blues. 8.30pm.
Live acoustic sessions at The Jolly Sailor (SK3). Featuring a variety of local musicians, from solo artists to duos and bands.
The Still at The Crown Inn (SK6). A five-piece band from Manchester playing classic material from the 60s through to the present day. 9pm.
Friday Fiesta at TRUNK (SK7). Great company, tasty tapas and flowing drinks – what more could you want? Call 0161 222 9260 to book a table, and mention “The Scarf My Father Wore” to receive a 15% discount off the normal tapas menu.
Christmas party night at Rainbow 88 (SK8). Sarah Barron will be performing songs from the theatre from 9pm, with karaoke until 1am.
🍺 Pub crawl
If you fancy “plenty of laughs and a mooch around Stockport” head down to Enigma (SK1) at 8pm!
The Scarf My Father Wore works closely with venues on a daily basis to bring you the most comprehensive guide to all of the best offers and events taking place across the whole SK region. Click on the links below for full details of everything taking place in your area over the next few weeks.
SK1 / SK2 / SK3 / SK4 / SK5 / SK6 / SK7 / SK8 / SK9 / SK10 / SK11 / SK12 / SK13 / SK14 / SK15 / SK16 / SK17 / SK22 / SK23
We’ve got everything from Art & Gifts to Yoga
We might not have found a psychic from Poynton or a dominatrix from Davenport just yet, but we’ve pretty much got you covered for all other products and services you might need across Cheshire and Greater Manchester. Just take a look at this little lot…
Art & Gifts - Bookkeeping - Carpets & Flooring - Child Health - Cleaning - Coach Hire - Coatings - Dog Walking - Electrician - Financial Services - Fire Protection - Garage Doors - Gardening - Grout Refresh & Recolour - IT Services - Kitchen Appliances - Locksmith - Minibus Hire - Painter & Decorator - Party & Event Services - Plasterer - Publishing - Recruitment - Security Equipment - Solar Panels - Sports Coaching - Timber Supplies - Tutoring - Web Design - Women’s Fitness - Workwear - Yoga
On a serious note, our sponsors help us to keep The Scarf My Father Wore completely free of charge for everyone (rather than paying for a subscription, like most Substack websites) so if you do enjoy our daily offerings, please support them whenever you can. Make a mental note to yourself that whenever you need a cleaner, or a plumber, or a solicitor (or if you are looking for a dominatrix, send me a private message as I know a cracking lady in Heaton Moor…), check out our own directory before you head over to Google or Yell.com. Loads of the businesses we work with are County fans, and we’ve often got great offers for our readers as well.
Click here to have a look at all the businesses in our directory.
Love the fractured eye lash comment , we both have bigger games coming up , a nothing competition unless ur BWFC and treat it like winning the champions league , good luck , Wigan fan