Saturday, 22^nd August 2026.

Matchday: Stockport County v Blackpool, League 1.

Keen to be at the ground early today, I was on the move by 12:45 and in the queue at Salty Towers 2 for a spot of lunch by ten past one. Having despatched most of the generous portion of chips and curry sauce and decided that the fish make a nice sandwich for tea, it was time to assemble the mobility scooter and trundle off down Hardcastle Road to the ground. As Suzanne Heath had promised, John the gate guard was expecting me and let me chain my steed to the fence in an ideal spot for a quick getaway.

I had a chat with Cath, Ian and Dave of the Co-op who were selling calendars near the ticket office and handed back the small stock of which I had sold precisely none at Plymouth. If you haven’t bought one yet you really should, they’re a bargain at a tenner.

Following on from the announcement of the Co-op’s partnership with Stockport Credit Union, Co-op Vice Chair John Giles welcomed members of the Credit Union’s staff and board to the game. Pictured below are Elaine Preece, Michelle Clegg, Joanne Kirkland and Helen Bradbury. None of them are confirmed County fans so far, and the result won’t have helped, but it’s early days yet.

Jim’s starting XI was exactly as I guessed, the only change being Che Gardner replacing Ryan Rydel on the bench.

An unexpected treat awaited me as I sat for a breather in LT1, an old Mirrlees colleague I hadn’t seen for donkey’s years; Harold Burgess. It just goes to show, you can’t go anywhere.

I was on my own today, so Peter Lambert, my former band mate from Fidler’s Fancy and the Ram Jam Ceilidh Band, sat with me for the afternoon. County set off like a house on fire, created loads of chances but couldn’t quite force the ball home. As so often happens in those circumstances, Blackpool had few chances but scored from two of them. Towards the end of the first half, it looked like Kyle Wootton was hauled down as he was about to shoot but the penalty appeals fell on deaf ears. County’s consolation goal deep into injury time was a nicely worked move from a Norwood free kick, Mandron bundling the ball home from Gardner’s cross.

A disappointing afternoon from a result point of view but it’s hard to imagine us scoring just once from so many good chances in future.

There were two puzzling aspects of the day, apart from the scoreline:

• A round of applause in the second half, presumably a tribute to somebody but I hadn’t heard a thing about it in advance.
• A lad with a trumpet on the pitch at half time, I couldn’t hear what, if anything he was playing.

Using the mobility chariot to get to and from the ground worked well, that’s going to be the way forward in future, I think.

Today’s tune is some sound advice for times of adversity from Skinny Lister, “Plough On”;

Sunday, 23^rd August 2026.

Matchday: Bradford City v Stockport County Women, Division 1 North, FAWNL.

Here’s how the Women lined up for the first away game under new management. The only change from last week was the addition of Tasmin Unwin to the bench.

Bradford went ahead after just nine minutes. A free kick just inside County’s half came back across goal and was headed home by Katja May. County gradually grew into the game but despite several attempts, a penalty shout and a goal disallowed for offside, they remained behind at half time.

County continued to press after the break but the first move of note was a substitution, Em Bradshaw replacing Meg Parker after nine minutes. A further change shortly afterwards saw Maddie Robinson replaced by Livvi Turkington. With half an hour to go, County drew level. Ellie Fletcher carried the ball down the right and crossed to Immy Porteous-Williams who fired home. Just five minutes later they were ahead when Em Bradshaw got round the back of the City defence to score. The blues were completely dominant now and Porteous-Williams made it 3-1 on seventy minutes. IPW claimed her hat trick three minutes later to make it 4-1. More substitutions followed, Tasmin Unwin and Abbie Podmore replacing Katie Anderson and Hannah Fishwick. The rout was completed on ninety-one minutes when Ellie Fletcher rounded the ‘keeper to make the final score 5-1 to County.

The league table means nothing at this early stage, but as County are top after two games, it would be churlish not to include it:

Attention now turns to the home FAWNL Cup tie on Wednesday against Manchester United Women PGA.

The panel for tonight’s TSBW Match Review pod consisted of Jimmy Harmer, Dan Culverwell, Steve Bardsley and Rob from the “Rob Talks County” vlog.

Their verdict on the defeat to Blackpool went like this:

• Creativity: County played really well and created loads of chances but just couldn’t put the ball away. Much of that was down to the away team’s keeper, who had a cracking game. Had one of those chances, Wood’s shot or Diamond or Glover’s headers perhaps, gone in it would have changed the way Blackpool played and we might well have scored more.
• Their goals: We were sloppy in defence, allowing the ball to bounce is a cardinal sin under the circumstances.
• A blueprint for visiting teams?: While their low block allowed Whatmuff and O’Connell licence to play the ball around at the back, it stifled our attempts to get into their final third at times. We might do better away from home, where teams will feel obliged to come at us more.
• Booing at half time: I assumed it was aimed at the Ref, Wootton had been dragged down in the act of shooting a couple of minutes before and there were appeals for a penalty. I hope it was that, because the overall performance certainly didn’t deserve booing.
• Ollie Norwood: He hasn’t hit the heights yet this season but we know from experience that he can take a while to get going.
• Harry Wood: He gets better and better as he adjusts to the pace of League 1.
• Jack Diamond: He continues to perform like a player reborn.
• Malik Mothersille: Rumours abound. Whichever you believe, the fact that our record signing can’t even make the bench is an issue that needs sorting out for the benefit of all concerned.
• Man Of The Match: There were votes for the Blackpool ‘keeper, Harry Wood and Ryan Glover.

I’ve given you the bare bones of the thing but for all the nuance, watch it here:

Today’s tune is for all those trying to work out the Mothersille enigma. It’s ace guitartrix Joanne Shaw Taylor with a stripped-down version of “Dyin’ To Know”;

Monday, 24^th August 2026.

County’s highlights of Saturday’s match are available with commentary by John Keighren. Worth watching for the parade of chances we failed to put away and how dodgy our defence looked at times.

A number of issues cropped up on Saturday as a result of recent changes to the ground:

First, the new media gantry above the Pop Side. It seems a new gantry was vital as the old one was hanging off the roof and was unsafe as a result. Unfortunately, the new arrangement obstructs the view from the back rows of the Pop Side:

The club say that the new gantry is actually 3.74 inches higher than the old one. If that’s the case, the poor view from the back rows of the Pop Side can only be due to them changing from seats to safe standing. I’m not at all convinced about that. It makes me wonder where that very precise 3.74” is measured from, I find it hard to believe it’s from the floor of the Pop Side to the lowest point of the gantry, which is what matters to supporters watching the match.

The view isn’t the only issue with the new gantry. Access to it is via a drawbridge or gangway that lifts out of the way when not in use.

It appears that a supporter was touched by the gangway as it was being lowered on Saturday, despite the operation being overseen by a member of staff. In any other environment, raising and lowering that would involve barriers, flashing lights, sirens and all sorts of other precautions. I’m not advocating for all that, but it needs much more thought than it seems to have received so far. The Co-op have put the club in touch with the fan involved, so you would hope that some sort of investigation will be underway.

The other issue that reared its head on Saturday concerned the new dugouts, which obstruct the view from the lower rows of seats in the Bergara Stand.

The dugouts needed renewal, not least because there were issues last season with opposition staff overflowing the old arrangement and coming into conflict with fans as a result. Personally, I reckon the club should have thought about the word “dugout” and what it means before putting a structure in the way of supporters, but it’s done now.

In their defence, for both the Pop Side and the Bergara Stand, the club have now labelled some seats as “restricted view,” offered fans concerned discounts on their season tickets and continue to work with those who want to move seats. Nevertheless, I’d be pretty unhappy if I was given the choice of moving away from the friends I’ve made in the stands or staying put and not being able to see the football. All this speaks to the fact that Edgeley Park is an older stadium increasingly at odds with modern requirements and uncomfortable compromises are having to be made at times.

Today’s tune, apropos of nothing, is “You Can’t Please All The People All The Time” by Nine Below Zero:

Tuesday, 25^th August 2026.

County have announced today that Gavin Bailey has been promoted from Chief Operations Officer to Chief Executive Officer. I wish Gavin well in his new post, I’ve had a few dealings with him via the Co-op and always found him friendly and approachable. He took over from Tom Mahon as COO in January 2005 and replaces Simon Wilson in his new position.

The Scarf Bergara Wore’s Wycombe match preview emerged blinking into the sunlight today. Steve Bardsley spoke to the excellent Dan Clark of the Heroes Of HP12 podcast about the prospects for Saturday:

• Pre-season: Their friendlies were promising but highlighted their need for a striker.
• Recent transfers:
  • Steve Cook: Experienced centre half from QPR, who they hope will provide the leadership they’ve been lacking.
  • Conor Hazard: A ‘keeper from Plymouth.
  • Silko Thomas: Right winger from Leicester.
  • Emre Tezgel: The young centre forward, who did well at Crewe last season, is on loan from Stoke.
  • They are rumoured to be after Jayden Wareham from Exeter.
• Expectations for this season: Their ultimate aim is to stabilise in the Championship, so they’re looking for promotion this season.
• The manager: Everyone seems to be behind Michael Duff after their experience with Mike Dodds last season.
• Season so far: Lost 2-1 in the Carabao to Stevenage after dominating but failing to score, drew 1-1 in their other three games against Plymouth and Blackpool in the league and Reading in the EFL Trophy.
• Formation: Generally 4-2-3-1, they like to play from the back using their wide players.
• Key players:
  • Fred Onyedinma: Popular right winger.
  • Aaron Morley: Ex-Bolton midfielder.
  • Steve Cook: Experienced centre half.
• Score prediction: Dan reckons another 1-1.

Another recommended watch, Steve is first class in these previews and Dan is always good value:

I’m not a fan of Country music as a rule but Dolly Parton, whose death was announced today, transcended the genre. She was witty, generous, glamorous, self-deprecating and talented so she gets to feature in today’s tune with “Tennessee Homesick Blues”:

Wednesday, 26^th August 2026.

Matchday: Manchester United PGA v Stockport County Women, FAWNL Cup.

Here’s the Women’s team for tonight’s cup tie:

County’s prospects were hampered by an early injury to Immy Porteous-Williams, who was replaced by Meg Parker after ten minutes. United took the lead five minutes later through Emma Smith, and despite the home team’s best efforts the score remained 0-1 at half time.

Luke Beardsmore made further substitutions as the second half progressed, Ellie Fletcher and Tasmin Unwin replacing Abi Podmore and Maddie Robinson respectively. County had plenty of the play but it was the away team’s Martha Allington who scored to make it 2-0 after seventy-six minutes. Another County change saw Millie Tutton take over from Meg Parker. It was all in vain though, and United made the final score four-nil with further goals from Poppy Jayne Holt and a second from Allington. Club President Steve Bellis made Meg Boydell his Player Of The Match.

The next game for the Women is against Halifax at home on Sunday.

The Men’s U21 team were in action tonight as well, playing Charlton in the Premier League Cup at the Tameside Stadium, home of Curzon Ashton. The team included the permitted three over-age players in the shapes of Josh Dacres-Cogley, Tom Wilson-Brown and Callum Camps:

Despite JDC hitting the inside of a post early on, it was Charlton who went ahead after nineteen minutes through Ellis McMillan. County equalised seventeen minutes later when Callum Camps created an opportunity for Joe Astles to score. Honours remained even until half time.

Tom Wilson-Brown was replaced by Michee Dialundama at the start of the second half. County engineered a couple of decent chances in the first fifteen minutes of the half but it was Charlton who took the lead again on the hour mark through Ethan Brown. The last of the first teamers were substituted after sixty-five minutes, Josh Dacres-Cogley, Callum Camps and Che Gardner making way for Jacob Maher, Stephen Maylett and Saul Gardner. Nothing further was done to trouble the scorers but a final change with five minutes to go saw Oliver Huddleston make way for Thierry-Kai Singh.

The TSBW main pod tonight had an unfamiliar look. Russ Johnson failed a fitness test and Waggie was on holiday, so Jimmy Harmer and Steve Bardsley stepped into the breach along with fan guest Liam Walker, who was making his hat trick appearance. All County life was there as usual, and it went in this fashion:

• Blackpool (H): There’s obviously more work to be done in adjusting to the new style of play. We’re creating lots of chances but we don’t always take them and defencive frailties were exposed for Blackpool’s goals. It didn’t help that Blackpool’s ‘keeper had the game of his life.
• Wycombe (H): We know from Steve’s preview show that they like to build from the back like we do, so it promises to be a different type of game. The general consensus is that we should stick with the same starting XI and get them used to McNulty’s “total verticality” approach.
• Squad numbers: Liam wondered if Beno Andrésson has done enough to justify the award of the number nine shirt. It probably makes sense for Kyle Wootton to stick with the 19 we all associate with him and with all the agent-inspired chatter around Adama Sidibeh moving on, it would be a shame to give the 9 to him only to find he’s moved on. Sid has remarkable pace and enthusiasm but the fact is that he’s yet to play a full game for County and if a decent seven-figure offer came in, you’d expect the club to take it.
• County Squad Tracker: This remarkable website is ideal for monitoring squad numbers, contract dates, availability &c. &c. Get it here: https://countysquadtracker.co.uk/squad
• Our injury curse: Has it moved on to Sheffield Wednesday? Now Simon Wilson is there, they aren’t afraid to take a punt on players with iffy fitness histories and it’s already bitten them with an ACL injury to Tyler Onyango. I and many others will feel desperately sorry for the lad, but you could see it coming a mile off. In other news, they’ve signed Louie Barry on a permanent deal.
• Gavin Bailey: His promotion from Chief Operations Officer to Chief Executive Officer was welcomed. He’s approachable, friendly and obviously cares about the club.
• The view from the stands:
  • Bergara Stand: The new dugout blocks the view from the front rows for much of the stand. Could the dugouts have been set lower, thereby living up to their name?
  • Pop Side: The new gantry, whatever the club say about it sitting higher than the old one, means that fans at the back of the Pop can’t see anything above crossbar level.
  • The club claim to have consulted with fans they think would be affected by the changes to the two stands, but it doesn’t sound like they’ve managed to catch everyone concerned. If fans are offered a move, is there actually anywhere decent to move to?
• Transfers:
  • Incoming: There are strong rumours about us signing Cambridge United centre half Mamadou Jobe. Said to be very promising but wouldn’t be cheap.

• Outgoing: The usual names were put forward; Camps, Moxon, Rydel and even Mothersille but no actual movement so far.
• The Rival quiz: This week the app came up with a home game against Wycombe from 2010. Let’s just say that it got the better of both panel and live audience.

As ever, an entertaining and informative watch, experience it for yourself here:

Today’s tune should inspire the club in their consultation with the fans, “I Want To Talk To You” by Steve Hooker and Wilko Johnson:

Thursday, 27^th August 2026.

The big news item of the day is that Malik Mothersille is going out on a season-long loan to Wycombe. Apart from the three goals against Everton U21 he’s done sod all on the pitch and his body language has been awful from the start so there really was no reason to keep him on. He was lucky to get a second chance with the change of manager and he failed to take it. It will be interesting to see if he warms up on his own and constantly wears an expression like a bulldog licking piss off a thistle when he’s at his new club.

The club has announced that worn player shirts will again be sold by auction, with the proceeds going to support the Community Trust. There will be an option to have the shirts signed by players. This news might not please those who used to be in the know about the availability of shirts but its more democratic and will generate much-needed funds for the Trust. All bids start at £1 and can be placed at https://simoncharles.com

Today’s tune, on the subject of farewells, is “Goodbye Sam, Hello Samaritans” By Half Man Half Biscuit:

Friday 28^th August 2026.

Here’s my stab at a team for tomorrow. I’ve gone for an unchanged XI, not through laziness, but because that’s what I think Jimmy McNulty will do.

At the time of writing, the Fingerpost Flyer for Luton is approaching capacity, but in extremis it might be worth an email to Ian Brown on hedgegrower@gmail.com For Wigan, we’ve increased the size of the coach to 61 seats and there a few left. Bookings are available via the Flyer’s Facebook page or the above email address.

Just before we went to press, some exciting news from County; the strongly rumoured signing of Mamadou Jobe from Cambridge United on a three-year contract has been completed. He’s a right-footed centre half, twenty-three years old and six foot one.

Today’s tune is ideal for today, “I’ve Got News For You” by Dr. Feelgood:

See you at Edgeley Park!

Animo et fide.