Watching football is to my mind a social activity. A time to gather with people who share the same interest, but who are not a part of your social circle otherwise. I’ve sat with the same group of people in the Main Stand at Edgeley Park for many years now, yet not once I have met them, other than at away games, anywhere else. It makes for almost unique acquaintance. Once, possibly twice, a fortnight with conversation almost exclusively centred around the action unfolding out on the pitch. Although to be fair during the off the field shenanigans will have featured as well. So to all the guys on and around Block E Row M thanks for the entertainment.

But companionship on the road is vital as well. I started off doing trips largely by myself, but over the years have had a series of travelling companions and have valued their friendship hugely. These guys feature in the course of my musings on the site, so as a bit of an introduction here they are.

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Steve Painter

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I first met Steve at Ashton Cricket Club in 1976. A lifelong supporter and benefactor of the Club he played bowls but never cricket despite a huge love for the game. He was one of the guys who watched on from the side when I played, and was never shy about proffering an opinion about the lack of talent on view!! That winter I saw him at a multitude of games and we struck up a friendship as he also appeared regularly at Edgeley when we were still a Friday night team. If the demands of his beloved City allowed he’d travel with me to away games in Yorkshire and the Midlands.

And with the advent of the Premier League, and City’s ascent, which came hand in glove with more fixtures on a Sunday he invested in a season ticket at Edgeley Park, just a couple of seats along from my own.

When I gave up playing cricket I became one of those “voices from the side” and our friendship grew. Steve retired a couple of years before I did and when my own retirement came around in March 2016 we planned on a summer of cricket at Old Trafford, both becoming members of LCCC. I saw Steve at Hurst Cross, (Ashton United), on 5th April 2016. As we left the ground, (a 3-0 Salford City win), Steve said to me that he was off to Spain for a week’s holiday but that he would see me for the first days play in the County Championship, (Lancs playing Notts), on Monday 18th April. It was the last time I spoke to him.

On the morning of the day we had agreed to meet up I got a text from his wife, Ellen, saying that he wasn’t too good but hopefully would catch up with me the following day. On the Tuesday morning I picked up my phone to see a text with the gut-wrenching news that Steve had passed away.

I’ve missed you terribly Steve. RIP

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Arthur Brotherton

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Second from the left, is Arthur Brotherton, my travelling companion the 1980’s and early 90’s. Also pictured are Geoff Thomas, (left) and Charlie Campbell, (right), who I got to know in the 2000’s. Geoff sadly passed away a couple of years ago, but Charlie is still an ever-present, home and away!! (As to the other guy, Maurice Liotard, I asked Arthur what happened to him but he had no idea)

My connection with Arthur came through Julie, my wife. She worked at a day nursery in Droylsden and came home one day to tell me that the father of twin girls that she was caring for was a County fan. I thought no more about it at the time as I didn’t recognise the name, and being very much a solo traveller at the time had never really made it into that small band, (as it then was), of County fans who hit the road regularly.

Arthur had followed the Hatters for years, and was proud of the fact that he, (together with 3 other guys) had featured in both the Club programme, (see above) and the Football League Review for their exploits in going to every single game in one of the dire seasons in the early 70’s.

We first started travelling together in 1986, making it to some far flung places which always seemed to require a detour. Arthur’s other ‘obsession’ was plane spotting. He worked in the airline industry and cheap flights led him to travelling globally to do whatever plane spotters do. It was beyond my comprehension, (and still is), but my attitude to life is “each to his own”. So our Away Days generally involved a trip to some aerodrome prior to taking in the action on the field. I particularly remember trips to Dartford, (via Heathrow), and to Cambridge, (via I’ve no idea where). He was also instrumental in planning the trip to the Goldstone Ground in November 1992. His connections provided flights to and from Gatwick – the one and only time I’ve ever flown to a County game!!

Arthur moved abroad to live in Switzerland, and we lost contact for a good few years. Then a surprise came in December 2018. It was Arthur and he was visiting a relative not 500 yards from where I live. We met up and reminisced long and hard about those days, and parted vowing to keep in contact. We did so, and then after the win against Curzon on Easter Monday 2019 he called again, saying he’d got a ticket for the Nuneaton title decider the following Saturday and would be flying back from Switzerland. I picked him up at Manchester Airport and we went down. I hadn’t been to a game with him for over 20 years. Maybe seeing us lift the Trophy that day was a reward for all those miles; early mornings and late nights; sorry performances and heartache that we had witnessed on the road together!!

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Jeff Lawrenson

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That trip ended with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Jim Gannon goal. Strange that Gannon has been almost a continual feature of the Hatters set-up since that day. It also marked the start of a real friendship, encompassing 29 years to date, and a myriad of trips to away games the length and breadth of the land.

Since then I have made it to 127 grounds watching County which I’d never been to before. Jeff has been with me to 116 of those. The ones we missed as a joint trip have been in the latter years, other than the Goldstone Ground many years ago. Since around 2018 Jeff has been frailer in body and unable to get to away games. Very sadly from 2019/20 he’s had to forego home games as well. I know he misses them

The times we have spent together have been special. Following our mutual interest; sharing the ups and downs; remembering previous trips and enjoying each others company. That’s why his name pops up regularly in these scribblings.

So just to say, “Thanks pal” – great times; great memories. And one of the best is you featured in the photo – celebrating the Play-Off win against Rochdale in 2008!!

September 2022.

After a long period of ill-health Jeff passed away on 27th July 2022. I was asked to write a piece about Jeff for the Club programme. This is reproduced HERE

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Robert and Mark

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Dad and sons. Wembley win 2008 on the left and a few years later on the right

Regulars at Edgeley Park are au fait with “The Anthem” aka “The Scarf My Father Wore”. I can’t honestly say that I inherited “the scarf” from my father. He was more of the red persuasion, although by the time 3 sons came along he rarely went to live games.

It was natural for me to take my own sons to the place where I had been a regular for over 25 years before they arrived. They came with me from being about 5 years old – and always had a season ticket. It was a great place to bond, especially as my job meant early mornings and late nights. Saturdays were “father and sons” time. As they got a bit older they started coming to some of the reasonably near away games.

As the years went by we journeyed far and wide. Even after Rob, the eldest went to Sheffield Hallam he still made it to places like Millmoor; Blundell Park and Hartlepool. Even now, living in Solihull, he always comes along to games in the Midlands.

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Mark was a constant companion throughout the latter FL days. Between us we barely missed a game in the National League seasons. He was also at Hallam by this time. It became a habit for me to rise on a Saturday morning; drive over Woodhead; pick Mark up in Sheffield and then head off South. There more than a few times that it was obvious he had dragged himself out of bed after what I suppose could be euphemistically be termed a “lively night” on West Street!! Braintree in January 2012 certainly comes to mind…

He fell out of love with the Hatters in the NLN days but kept his interest in the game as Head of Sport at the Tameside Reporter. I suspect in those days when we were at places like Ebbsfleet and Torquay that he could hardly have envisaged that he would be reporting on County at Stalybridge; Curzon Ashton; Hyde and Ashton United!!

So lads, all those trips were special to me – thanks for them!!

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Peter Tyldesley

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It became a regular feature of home games to have a half hour chat with the two Pete’s and Jeff Lawrenson. We’d reflect on the previous games; wonder whether things might improve and generally chat about all things County.

Pete Matley sadly passed away about 5 years ago but my friendship with Mr Tyldesley grew. He was a former Football League referee, with a long career as the “man in black”. He went out at the very top, blowing the final whistle on his refereeing days in a Manchester derby. It was his last game, but Ryan Giggs first!

His tales of his refereeing days are brilliant to listen to. He can recall every game he took charge of and his stories about dealing with people like Neil Warnock are not only funny but give a real insight into the job.

One of the more sombre tales relates to a game he took charge of at Hillsborough. It was the first game held there after the disaster, and Pete describes it as an eerie occasion … and no wonder. I’ve often told him that he should write a book. Anyway these days he’s well into retirement, and used to winter trips to sunnier climes. My job is to keep him up to date with proceedings at EP or wherever we are on the road. I enjoy our friendship.