Saturday, 10^th January 2026.

Matchday, County v Huddersfield Town, League 1.

Cheers, Sky, another twelve-thirty kick-off so the game can be shown on Sports+ along with so many others that it makes me wonder if it’s really worth the trouble of broadcasting them. It wasn’t even possible to record it to watch again in case we won. These early starts compress the morning to the point that I was scrabbling round to be ready in the end, after walking El Perro Grande, getting the flask of Bovril together, charging the battery for the waistcoat, finding gloves &c. &c. It’s even worse for away fans of course, as we’ll see when Cardiff (A) comes round.

The ground staff deserve massive credit for their work in ensuring the game went ahead in view of the hard frost overnight. They had a tent covering the pitch, something I haven’t seen at EP before, and it’s unlikely we’d have had a match to watch otherwise. This time lapse video gives an idea of the work involved:

Anyhoo, we secured our usual parking space by the Rezzers and were in our seats in time to watch the goalkeeping department warming up. We’re told Corey Addai was an outfield player before donning the gloves, if that’s true you’d think he’d be a better shot. He peppered us behind the goal, his eventual score for the afternoon was a bloke reading his programme, a woman looking at her phone and somebody’s pasty that was half way to his mouth.

The Old Lady Of Hardcastle Road was looking her very best in the winter sunshine:

County’s team looked promising. I’d gone for Mothersille, who I thought did well at Reading, and Olowu instead of Hunt and Bailey but I didn’t think the differences made us in any way weaker. It was good to see Stokes and Okeke on the bench. I have no idea what Ollie Norwood is trying to convey in the graphic, his pose reminds me of a moneybox I used to have when I was a kid. Very odd.

County looked at it from the off, we’ve looked out of sorts for much of the season so far and the intensity so prized by Dave Challinor has been notable by its absence. Today continued the improvement we saw at Reading, we pressed better and didn’t give the opposition any peace. The lack of goals remains an issue but at least we created more opportunities than we have in recent matches.

The defence looked solid. Edun is starting to find his feet both going forward and at the back, despite his relatively slight physique, Hills was imperious, Pye unflappable, Hunt efficient and Hincliffe was steadfast as the last line of defence when required. Slightly to my surprise, the Norwood-Osborn-Bailey midfield seemed to work well, Norwood and Osborne exuding calm and creativity while Bailey buzzed around keeping pressure on Huddersfield’s defenders. Fevrier had some success out wide but his crossing was often wayward and overhit. Diamond didn’t have his most effective afternoon and might have been withdrawn earlier than he actually was on sixty-six minutes. Beno Andrésson replaced him and at the same time new recruit Josh Stokes came on for Edun. Stokes did well, harrying opponents and looking comfortable on the ball. I was very glad to see Andrésson, a combination of international duty, injury and the now-departed Nathan Lowe being ahead of him in the pecking order have denied us of him for much of the season.

Around seventy minutes a shemozzle broke out in the Bergara Stand when Town’s Wallace did his dying swan act right on the touchline. A well-wisher in a County shirt tried to revive him with the contents of a water bottle, at which the player leapt up and looked to remonstrate with the offender. The fan was led away by the stewards and as he passed a group of Huddersfield staff who were sat in the stand, one of them jumped up the have a go at him. At this very moment, a different County fan stumbled as he came down the steps and inadvertently nudged the vigilante back into his seat. The kitman, for it was he, thought he was being attacked and grabbed the innocent County fan by the throat. The action became general for a while until stewards and officials managed to restore order. Attempts were then made to move all the Huddersfield officials pitchside and away from the seats they were previously occupying in the stand to avoid any further unpleasantness. It seems names and addresses of all those involved have been taken and it will be interesting to see what the upshot of it all is.

Right on ninety minutes, Okeke and Moxon were brought on to replace Osborn and Bailey. Although I didn’t hear them, apparently Moxon’s appearance was greeted by booing from some fans, which is utterly unacceptable. The player’s time here may have been disappointing but we shouldn’t be booing our own.

Deep into injury time, when it looked as though a point was the best we were going to get, County were awarded a free kick on the left. Instead of simply hoisting the ball into the box, Norwood sent it wide right to Okeke who fired in a terrific cross which landed at the feet of both Wootton and Andrésson. It was, and remains, impossible to tell who actually made contact but the important fact is that the ball ended up in the back of the net and with the last kick of the match, we had all three points.

Sky’s short highlights are here, see if you can tell who should be credited with the goal:

One benefit of the early kick-off was the amount of afternoon left afterwards. I made the most of this by conjuring up a Chicken jalfrezi for tea, which worked out very well.

Today’s tune is for Murray Wallace, in honour of his magical recovery this afternoon, it’s “Dives and Lazarus” by June Tabor and the Oyster Band:

Sunday, 11^th January 2026

No game for County Ladies this weekend, they next play in a week’s time, taking on Durham Cestria in Shildon.

Here’s how the League 1 table looks after yesterday’s victory. We’ll do well to catch Cardiff, even with the transfer embargo they’re under, but with half a season to go, anything is possible if we play to our potential.

PPG Prophet’s graph is looking better for the three points:

Today’s tune is what I’m imagining Lee Grant was thinking when he woke up on Sunday morning; this is “I Wish That They’d Sack Me” by Chumbawamba:

Monday, 12^th January 2026.

I’m no fan of what the Vertu Trophy has become but I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow night. I’ve secured our usual seats and it’ll be a chance to see some of the players who don’t get an automatic start in the league games. The team may even be a little stronger than that after the fiasco against Cambridge because despite failing to win in the last sixteen league games, Harrogate seem to wake up in the Vertu and have seen off Blackpool, Huddersfield and Newcastle’s kids. We underestimate them at our peril. Here’s my attempt at a lineup prediction. Lots of square pegs in round holes but I’m conscious that DC will want to keep minutes to a minimum for most of the first choice players.

TSBW’s Match Review Pod for Huddersfield (H) was out first thing this morning. The panel, doubtless relieved to be discussing a win, were Jimmy Harmer, Dan Culverwell, Nick Reid and Dave Whitehouse. Here’s how it went:

• The formation:
  • Goal: Hinchliffe.
  • Back three: Pye, Hills and Hunt.
  • Wingbacks: Edun and Fevrier.
  • Midfield: Bailey, Norwood and Osborn.
  • Forwards: Diamond and Wootton.
• Defence:
  • Hinchliffe was back to his caprine best, making a few decent saves when required.
  • Pye defended well but his distribution wasn’t up to his usual standard.
  • Hills belied his relative youth and lack of experience with another imperious performance.
  • Hunt, although generally considered a wingback, did an excellent job at centre half.
• Three-man midfield: Adding Bailey to the Norwood and Osborn axis in the centre made a big difference.
• Malik Mothersille: There was some surprise about him not playing, even though it’s generally agreed that Diamond could do with a rest. I noticed that the Moth was warming up on his own before the game, which seemed very odd. Perhaps he was sanctioned in some way after his behaviour at Reading even though DC passed it off as trivial in his post-match interview.
• Tayo Edun: He looks better and better every time he plays, he seems to be a proper wingback.
• Performance: Huddersfield were very poor, but despite our 70% possession we failed to punish them until the last kick of the game. We pressed much more like our old selves, DC implied that we’ve been aiming to do that all season, which suggests it’s been a personnel problem. If we can sort the crossing out, Fevrier was the biggest offender in this respect, we should create more chances.
• Substitutions:
  • Off: None played badly but Diamond and Bailey wouldn’t be the worse for a rest and DC is obviously managing minutes for Osborn and Edun.
  • On: The first two, Stokes and Andrésson, gave us different attacking options and the later two, Okeke and Moxon gave us a more defensive look and more besides, as it turned out. Stokes, on his debut, gave an up-and-at-‘em display that promises much for his time with us.
• The goal: Norwood used his football intelligence to hoodwink both the opposition and their fans by sending the ball out wide to Okeke and his cross was perfectly placed for Andrésson or Wootton, the latter now officially awarded the goal, to fire home.
• Man of the match: Votes for Hills (the sponsors’ choice), Bailey, Edun and Osborn.
• Transfer rumours:
  • Josh Dacres-Cogley, fullback currently at Bolton, his contract is up in June.
  • Andy Cannon: Wrexham midfielder we had on loan a few seasons ago. Similar to Callum Camps in many respects, including being prone to injury. An unlikely target.

A packed pod, full of interest. Get it here:

Bradford City have announced reduced prices, including for away fans, for our game against them in February:

Corey O’Keeffe, recently returned to Barnsley after his loan period at County, played for his parent club against Liverpool tonight. Barnsley lost 4-1 but were in contention until the last ten minutes. O’Keeffe did well, to the surprise of some of his own supporters on their forum:

Today’s tune is for Abruzzo Red, “The Diplomat” by the Melbourne Ska Orchestra:

Tuesday, 13^th January 2026.

Matchday, County v Harrogate Town, Vertu Trophy.

Geordie Hatter has announced that his show is turning weekly and will be on Thursday nights, starting at 7:30. Jonathan puts a lot of work into the show, I hope he gets a decent audience for this new initiative. I won’t be able to listen live this week but I look forward to hearing the recording:

The lineup for tonight’s match was an interesting mix of first teamers and academy lads. I thought Andrésson, Stokes and Edun would start ahead of Diamond, Bailey and Edwards but it was a decent side either way.

No sooner had we arrived in the ground than some of County’s catering staff appeared in the Cheadle End to offer free cups of hot Vimto as a thank you for turning out on such a cold night. A nice touch that. I took one, but I had the traditional flask of rendered cow with me in any case.

Harrogate started well and had the ball in County’s net in the second minute but the goal was ruled out for offside. County were the better team, Jid Okeke carrying on where he left off on Saturday and he was found by some superb long crossfield balls which gave him the chance to charge down the right. Town deployed an effective low block which took some breaking down, it was easy to see how they’d progressed so far in this competition despite their troubles in the league. The score remained 0-0 at half time.

For the second half, DC introduced Ashton Mee and Rhys Watson for Jack Hunt and Corey Edwards. Within four minutes Harrogate were ahead, even from the other end of the pitch their man looked miles offside and the few stills I’ve seen tend to support that view. Having taken the lead, Town redoubled their resolve to keep County out and for all our possession it was difficult to see where a goal was coming from. Something needed to change and this realisation prompted DC to make three changes on the hour, Josh Stokes, Beno Andrésson and Arian Allen coming on to replace Jack Diamond, Malik Mothersille and Odin Bailey. A few minutes later, Owen Dodgson capped a good display by clearing a shot off the line, if that had gone in we would have struggled to get back in it. The changes had made us look much more dangerous though and we were level on seventy-six minutes when Andrésson found Stokes who looped the ball cleverly over the ‘keeper. Penalties were looming large now and things were getting edgy when only four minutes of stoppage time were announced. Right at the death however, County were awarded a free kick for a foul on the quicksilver Allen just outside the box. Quick as a flash, and before the defence could react, he stopped the ball with his hand and without even straightening up he flicked the ball to Stokes who curled it round the ‘keeper from a tight angle. The Harrogate players looked devastated, as well they might, but it was a superbly worked winner. Fair play to the referee too, for allowing the free kick to be taken quickly.

Whenever we beat teams at our level who have made fleeting visits to the top flight, their socials ring to cries of “Ignominy! Allowing ourselves to be beaten by a club like Stockport County!” Today’s tune is for fans with short memories, it’s “Living In The Past” by Jethro Tull:

Wednesday, 14^th January 2026.

Talk of us signing right fullback Josh Dacres-Cogley from Bolton is gaining traction, once Sam Byrne has mentioned something like this you can be sure there’s something in it. He was an ever-present for some time but he’s been frozen out since the beginning of December. It’s to be hoped there’s nothing in this nominative determinism stuff; cogley is a Scottish dialect work for clumsy, badly organised or easy to capsize.

Talking of Bolton, they have signed a goalie we were said to be after; Jack Bonham from Stoke.

TSBW’s main pod was in the hands of Waggie and Andy Reding who were joined by debut fan guest and Fingerpost Flyer regular, Matthew Crook

• Matthew’s newbie questions went like this:
  • First game: 16^th November 1991, a 3-1 win against Lincoln in the FA Cup, goals by Kevin Francis and Jim Gannon. I think the third may have been an own goal.
  • Favourite game: Bolton (get battered every where they go) in the FA Cup.
  • Favourite goal: Andy Preece against QPR.
  • Favourite player (present): Ben Hinchliffe.
  • Favourite player (past): Paul Jones.
• Huddersfield (H): They were poor, we looked more like ourselves with that old intensity. Discussion continues about whether the goal should have been awarded to Wootton or Andrésson, Woots got it officially but I still can’t decide one way or the other. Watergate; what was in the bottle that had such miraculous restorative properties? Throatgate; will we see any more action taken?
• Harrogate (H): We fielded a strong team, a decent blend of academy lads and experienced hands. Our opponents pressed us well and kept us at bay with some stout defending. Some of the crossfield balls Dodgson played across to Okeke were superb, the former had one of his best games for us. The first set of subs affected our shape a bit, Okeke in particular lost some of his effectiveness when playing in a four. There is some debate about their goal, the general consensus being that it was probably offside. The introduction of Stokes, Andrésson and Allen gave us the cutting edge we’d been lacking and the three were instrumental in both goals. Will we play a stronger side in the next round or keep faith with the youngsters who’ve brought us this far?
• Transfer rumours:
  • Josh Dacres-Cogley: Looks to have some credibility.
  • Adama Sidibeh: With twelve goals in sixty appearances for St. Johnstone, the ex-Blackpool, Cheadle Heath Nomads and Warrington Rylands striker may not be one to set the pulse racing but our recruiters must see something in him.
  • Kusini Yengi: The Australian ex-Portsmouth striker hasn’t been a huge success at Aberdeen and is rumoured to be on his way to Japan but he’s scored six goals for the Australian national side so he can’t be a complete duck egg.
• Rotherham (H): Their recent record doesn’t bode well, given what usually happens when opposing fans tell us they’re a dead loss, but predictions from the panel ranged from 2-0 to 4-1.
• Random Shit Of The Week: The Andy Reding produced variation on the “More Or Less” theme resulted in glorious chaos as the two contestants struggled to understand the game, never mind get the answers right. I thoroughly enjoyed it nevertheless.

Watch it here, and prepare to be amazed:

I recently contributed to a Kickstarter project to get some of Dick Gaughan’s music back available after many years. The eight-CD set arrived this morning, so today’s tune is one of my favourite tracks,” The Freedom Come -All-Ye”:

Thursday, 15^th January 2026.

TSBW’s Preview Show for Rotherham (H) was introduced by Steve Bardsley in conversation with Matt Lox of the New York Talk podcast. They’ve been struggling lately; here’s what Matt thinks about it:

• Form: They’ve lost their last six, conceding thirteen goals in the process. They’ve shown they can go on winning runs earlier this season, so Matt is confident they can pull out of this current trough. They hadn’t played since new year’s day due to postponements until Tuesday night, when they lost 3-0 in the Vertu to Huddersfield.
• The manager: Matt Hamshaw, a County player in 2005-06, replaced Steve Evans in the hot seat in March last year. He’s seen as sticking to his way of playing even when the players he needs to do it are crocked.
• Ownership: Tony Stewart made his pile designing and selling lighting and security products. It’s said that all decisions on expenditure rest on him, and he alarmed fans by going off on holiday just as the transfer window was opening.
• Players to watch, assuming they’re fit:
  • Sam Nombe, ex-MK Dons, Luton and Exeter, described by Matt as their only mobile striker.
  • Dane Gore: Midfielder on loan from Manchester United.
• Formation: Hamshaw rarely deviates from 3-5-2. If Nombe is out, they will probably go long.
• Predicted score: Matt is far from confident, he reckons 2-0 to us.

All this gloom and doom from an opposition fan usually means we’re in for a hiding, but the pod’s well worth watching for all that:

I’ve heard a lot about the ITV comedy “Great Night Out” over the years but never actually seen it. It’s about a group of County fans and there’s plenty of glimpses of Edgeley and one or two actual fans in it, so I’ve managed to snag a copy of the DVD from eBay, I look forward to watching it.

We had a Co-Op outing tonight, to the Royal Nawaab Pyramid. The reason for this debauch was to entertain Todd Smith, an American chap who’s written a book about his trip round the football grounds of the UK. When he visited County he was given the full tour by Steve Bellis and was entertained by Dave Marchbank, the Co-Op Chairman. He seems to have taken to us as a club and a fanbase and is going to the match on Saturday. We were nine in all; Todd and his travelling companion, Dave and his two brothers, Cath the Co-Op’s independent secretary and her husband Ian, Janice and me.

The restaurant itself was fascinating, the best way I can explain the décor is Emirates Airport Lounge chic. It’s absolutely massive and the place was heaving. Contrary to the impression I got looking at the website, it’s a buffet arrangement and for thirty-one quid a head in theory you get 90 minutes but we were there two hours before they started dropping hints. I’d play it differently if I went again, I was almost full after one visit to the cold starters but then there’s the hot starters, the main courses (the counter must be 100 yards long!) then the European grub, then the afters. Over 100 individual dishes all told, according to the security bloke Janice spoke to. Not somewhere I’d go every week, but once a year perhaps.

Todd’s book is out in May and should be well worth a read:

Today’s tune, in honour of the pyramid, is “Walk Like An Egyptian” by the Bangles:

Friday 16^th January 2026.

While we were plucking the gowans fine at the pyramid, County were busy announcing a signing; Josh Dacres-Cogley is our new number 2. While there are a few of their fans calling JDC the biggest so-and-so left unhung, most of the comments I’ve seen express regret at him leaving. Thinking back to when Sarce left, the vitriol from their side was almost unanimous. I’d say we’ve got a decent if unspectacular player on our hands. A Touray 2.0, you might say, and none the worse for that.

In other transfer rumours:

• Tanto Olaofe: Charlton have just signed Scottish international Lyndon Dykes, further fuelling speculation that Tanto could be heading back our way, probably on loan.
• Louie Barry: He’s changed his profile picture on Instagram back to show him in County training gear.
• Adama Sidibeh: We seem to be in pursuit of the St. Johnstone forward. Not a massive goalscorer but quick, apparently.

This can be a difficult time of year for football supporters, especially those who don’t understand the ins and outs of the transfer window. As an aid to the afflicted, Russ Johnson of The Scarf Bergara Wore has prepared a cut-out-and-keep scientific guide to Transfer Bullshit:

Here’s my stab in the dark at a team for tomorrow. Fevrier and Stokes are the main imponderables for me, I think both will play a part but I’m not sure if it will be as starters or from the bench.

County have announced the dates for the two postponed games as follows:

• Burton Albion (A): Tuesday 24^th February.
• AFC Wimbledon (A): Tuesday 14^th April.

As it’s Friday, you lucky lucky people, you get two tunes for the price of one, both written by Archie Fisher, who passed away last November. First is the story of a wounded knight who seeks supernatural help to heal the wounds of battle; this is Kate Rusby’s version of “The Witch of the Westmorland”:

 The sequel, and you’d need a heart of stone not to shed a tear over this one, relates how he finds immortality to be a curse in the end and returns to the Witch to plead for his release. This is “The Return” by The Waybacks:

See you all at Edgeley Park!

Animo et fide.