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Stoke City Football Club is a football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Stoke is the second oldest club in the Football League, being founded in 1863, placing them after Notts County (1862) and before Nottingham Forest (1865), Sheffield Wednesday and Chesterfield (1867). The club was promoted to the Premier League, the top flight of English football, on 4 May 2008[1], having been outside the top division for 23 years.[2]
The club’s nickname is The Potters (after the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent) and its home kit consists of a red & white vertical-striped shirt with white shorts and white socks. The club is currently owned by Kidsgrove Road Limited, a subsidiary of Bet365, with Peter Coates as the club's chairman[3]. It was owned by Stoke Holding, from 1999 to 2006[4], which was in turn owned by a consortium of Icelandic businessmen. Coates completed his takeover on May 22 2006[5].
Stoke play their home fixtures at the Britannia Stadium, a 28,000 all-seater stadium. The stadium was opened in 1997; prior to this date Stoke had played at the Victoria Ground, which had been their home ground since 1878 (a record of 119 years currently shared with Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Prior to their 2008 promotion, Stoke had not participated in top flight football since the 1984-85 season when they were relegated with a total of 17 points, which would be a record low total for twenty-one years. Stoke's first major trophy was won in the 1972 League Cup Final, when Stoke beat Chelsea 2-1. The club have won the Football League Trophy on two occasions, firstly in 1992 and most recently in 2000.
History
Formation
Stoke City F.C., considered to be the second-oldest English football league club, was formed in 1863, under the name Stoke Ramblers, when pupils of Charterhouse School formed a football club while apprentices at the North Staffordshire Railway works in Stoke-on-Trent.[6] The club's first documented match was five years later, in October 1868, against an EW May XV at the Victoria Cricket Club ground. Henry Almond, the club's founder, was also captain, and coincidentally scored the club's first ever goal. During this period they played at the Victoria Cricket Ground; however, they switched to a ground located at nearby Sweetings Field in 1875 to cope with rising attendances.[6]
The Victoria Ground, the home of Stoke City F.C. from 1878-1997
In 1878, the club merged with Stoke Victoria Cricket Club, it was at this time that they became simply known as Stoke Football Club.[6] They moved from their previous ground, Sweetings Field, to the Athletic Club ground, which would soon became known as the Victoria Ground.[7] It was around this time that the club adopted their traditional red-and-white striped kit. In August 1885, 15 years after it was initially founded, the club turned professional.[6]
Stoke became one of the twelve founding members of the Football League when it was introduced in 1888.[8] The club struggled in their first two seasons, 1888-89 and 1889-90, finishing bottom on both occasions.[9] In 1914, the First World War meant the league was suspended for a period of four years, until it eventually recommenced in August 1919. During this wartime period, Stoke entered the Lancashire Primary and Secondary leagues.[10]
The Victoria Ground and Stanley Matthews
The club became owners of their stadium, the Victoria Ground, around 1919. This followed by the construction of the new Butler Street stand, which increased the overall capacity of the ground to 50,000.[11] In 1925, Stoke-on-Trent was granted "city status" and this led the club to change its name for the final time to Stoke City F.C. in 1928.[12][dead link]
Stoke City winger Stanley Matthews
The 1930s saw the début of club's most celebrated player Stanley Matthews. Matthews, who grew up in Hanley, was an apprentice at the club and made his first appearance in March 1932,[13] against Bury, at the age of 17.[14] By end of the decade, Matthews had established himself as an England international and as one of the best footballers of his generation. Stoke achieved promotion from the 2nd Division in 1932-33 - as champions - however Matthews only featured in fifteen games in this season. He did however score his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win against local rivals Port Vale.[14]
By 1934, the club's average attendance had risen to over 23,000, which in turn allowed the club to give the manager Tom Mather increased transfer funds. The club was now considered one of the top teams in the country. It was in this period that the club recorded its record league win, a 10–3 win over West Brom in February 1937. In the April of that year the club achieved its record league crowd - 51,373 against Arsenal. Freddie Steele's 33 league goals in 1936-37 remains a club record to this date.[14]
League decline
The outbreak of World War II prevented any further progress as the league was suspended during the 1939-40 season for a period of 6 years. Following the resumption of the FA Cup, tragedy struck as 33 fans died and 520 were injured during 6th round tie away against Bolton Wanderers.[15] In 1946-47, Stoke mounted a serious title challenge. The club needed a win in their final game of the season to win the First Division title, however a 2–1 to Sheffield United defeat meant the title went to Liverpool instead. Stanley Matthews left with 3 games remaining of the 1946-47 season, opting to join Blackpool at the age of 32.[15]
Stoke succumbed to relegation from the First Division in 1952-53, during the season Bob McGory resigned as the club's manager after 17 years in the role.[16][17]
The Tony Waddington years
Tony Waddington was appointed as the club's manager in June 1960.[18] He first joined the club in 1952 as a coach, before being promoted to assistant manager in 1957. Waddington pulled off a significant coup by enticing Stanley Matthews - now 46 years old - back to the club, 14 years after he had departed.[19] The return of Matthews helped Stoke to an improved 8th position in 1961-62. Promotion was achieved in the next season, with Stoke finishing as champions.[19] In their first season back in the 1st Division, 1963-64, Waddington guided Stoke to a mid-table finish. Matthews remained influential, as he helped the club to the League Cup final in 1964, although this followed by defeat to Leicester over two legs.[19]
Waddington counted on experience; Dennis Viollet, Jackie Mudie, Roy Vernon, Maurice Setters and Jimmy McIlroy were players signed in the latter stages of their careers. Matthews was awarded a knighthood for services to football in the 1965 New Year's Honours list. This was followed by his 701st, and final, league appearance for the club against Fulham in February 1965, shortly after his 50th birthday. Gordon Banks, England's 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper, joined in 1967 for £52,000 from Leicester.[19] Regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world,[20][21] Banks proved to be a shrewd signing for Waddington as he helped the club maintain stability in the 1st Division.[19] For one season in 1967, Stoke City F.C. was imported as the Cleveland Stokers of Cleveland, Ohio playing in the United Soccer Association. The team emerged as runner-up of the Eastern Division, failing one point short of the championship final.[22]
Waddington pictured with his 1972 League Cup-winning team
The club won its first significant trophy on 4 March 1972 in the League Cup Final.[23] Stoke beat favourites Chelsea 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of 97,852 spectators.[24] Preceding this victory, Stoke had progressed through 11 games in order to reach the final. This included four games with West Ham United in the semi-final; the two-legged match was replayed twice.[25] Stoke fared well in the FA Cup; the club progressed to the semi-final stage in both the 1970-71 and 1971-72 seasons. However, on both occasions Stoke lost to Arsenal in a replay.[24] This was Stoke's best cup run for some time, as the club haven't beaten top-flight opposition in the FA Cup since 1975. Stoke City also became the first First Division side to play a match on a Sunday, when they faced Chelsea on 27 January 1974
The Butler Stand Roof was blown off in a storm, in January 1976.[26] The repair bill, in the region of £250,000, put the club in financial trouble, which was only eased by the sales of Alan Hudson, Mike Pejic and Jimmy Greenhoff for a combined sum of £440,000. With the team depleted, relegation proved inevitable in 1976-77. Waddington, after a spell of 17 years in charge, left the club after a 1–0 home defeat in March 1977.[24][27]
The managerial roundabout
Waddington was replaced by George Eastham in March 1977, however he could not halt the club's slide to the Second Division in 1976-77. Eastham did not last long in the job, leaving during the 1977-78 season, in January 1978, after only 10 months in charge. Alan Durban, arriving from Shrewsbury Town, was selected as the club's new manager in February 1978. Durban achieved promotion to the First Division in his first full season in charge, 1978-79, on the last day of the season.[24] After consolidating the club's position in the First Division, Durban left for Sunderland in 1981.[28] Ritchie Barker, who was appointed for 1981-82, had a short spell in charge, but was sacked in December 1983. The club's new manager, Bill Asprey decided to bring back veteran Alan Hudson.[29] The decision paid off as an improved second-half of the season led to Stoke avoiding relegation on the final day of the 1983-84 season.[28]
The next season, commonly referred to as The Holocaust Season by fans,[30] proved to be disastrous. Stoke finished the season with only 17 points, with just 3 wins all season.[31][dead link] Mick Mills was appointed player-manager for the 1985-86 season.[28] Mills was unable to sustain a challenge for promotion however, and was sacked in November 1989 following a poor start to the 1989-90 season, after spending £1m on players. His successor, Alan Ball, Jr. became the club's 5th manager in 10 years.[28]
Ball struggled in his first season in charge, 1989-90, and his Stoke were relegated to the third tier of English football after finishing bottom of the Second Division. Ball kept his job for the start of the following season, 1990-91, but departed during February 1991, in the midst of an indifferent season that saw Stoke finish 15th in the Third Division.[32]
Ball's successor, Lou Macari, was appointed in May 1991, prior to the start of the 1991-92 season. He clinched silverware for the club; the Football League Trophy was won with a 1–0 victory against Stockport County at Wembley, with Mark Stein scoring the only goal of the game. The following season, 1992-93, promotion was achieved from the third tier - now known as Division Two[33] with Stoke finishing as league champions. Macari left in October 1993; Stein also departed, in a club record £1.5m move to Chelsea[32]
Joe Jordan's tenure in charge was short; as he departed the club less than a year after joining. Following Jordan's departure, Stoke opted to reappoint Lou Macari only 12 months after he had left. Stoke finished 4th in 1995-96 but were defeated in the play-off final by Leicester City. Macari left the club at the end of the season, his last game in charge was the final league game at the Victoria Ground.[32] Mike Sheron, who was signed two years previously from Norwich City, was sold for a club record fee of £2.5m in 1997.[34]
The Britannia Stadium and the Icelandic Takeover
1997-98 saw Stoke move to its new ground, the Britannia Stadium,[35][36] after 119 years at the Victoria Ground. Chic Bates, Macari's assistant, was appointed manager for the club's first season in the new ground. He did not last long though, and was replaced by Chris Kamara in January 1998. Kamara could not improve the club's fortunes either, and he too left in April. Alan Durban, previously Stoke's manager two decades earlier, took charge for the remainder of season. Despite his best efforts, Durban was unable to keep the club up, as defeat on the final day of the season consigned Stoke to relegation from Division One.[32] Brian Little, formerly manager of Aston Villa,[37] took charge for the 1998-99 season.[38] Despite an impressive start, the team's form tailed off dramatically in the latter stages of the season, which led to Little leaving the club at the end of the season. His successor, Gary Megson, was only in the job for four months. Megson was forced to depart following a takeover by Stoke Holding, an Icelandic consortium, who purchased a 66% share in Stoke City F.C. for the sum of £6.6m.[39] Stoke became the first Icelandic owned football club outside of Iceland,[citation needed]. The new owners moved to appoint the club's first foreign manager, Icelander Gudjon Thordarson, in November 1999.[32][40]
The Auto Windscreens trophy was won in the 1999-2000 season, in April 2000, with a win over Bristol City in front of a crowd of 75,057 at Wembley.[12][41] Thordarson achieved promotion at the third time of asking in 2000-01.[42] A second successive 5th-place finish ensured a play-off spot. Cardiff City were defeated in the semi-final before a 2–0 win against Brentford at the Millennium Stadium secured promotion. Despite achieving the goal of promotion, Thordarson was sacked by Gunnar Gislason only days after the club won promotion.[42]
Steve Cotterill was drafted in as Thordarson's replacement prior to the start of the 2002-03 season.[42] Cotterill quit in October 2002, after only 4 months in charge. Tony Pulis was appointed as Stoke's new manager shortly after.[12][43] Pulis steered Stoke clear of relegation,[42] with a 1-0 win over Reading on the final day of the season keeping the club in the division.[44] Pulis was sacked at the end of the 2004-05 season, following disagreement between himself and the club's owners.[45]
Dutch manager Johan Boskamp was named as Pulis' successor on 29 June 2005, only a day after Pulis was sacked.[46] Boskamp broke the club's transfer record in signing Sambegou Bangoura for a fee in the region of £1m.[47] Despite his spending on new players, Boskamp's side was inconsistent and only a mid-table finish was achieved.[48] Boskamp left at the end of the 2005-06 season, amidst a takeover bid by former-chairman Peter Coates.[49] On 23 May 2006, Coates completed his takeover of Stoke City, marking the end of Gunnar Gislason's chairmanship of the club.[50] Coates is a former shareholder of the catering company which supplies to the majority of Northern England's football grounds, Stadia Catering, as well as being the chairman of Bet365,[51] the betting company which provides services in many sporting venues, albeit not including the Britannia Stadium. Coates chose former-manager Tony Pulis as Boskamp's successor in June 2006.[52] Pulis took Stoke close to a play-off place, however an eventual 8th-place finish was achieved in the 2006-07 season.[53]
Stoke have an unfortunate history of hooliganism[54][55] along with Cardiff City and Millwall trouble is automatically expected when visiting fans with any history meet.[56] In response to these criticisms, the club introduced an Away Travel ID scheme.[57] There has been noticebly been trouble with teams such as QPR[58], Wolves[59], Everton [60] and Cardiff.
Stoke fans mainly consider their biggest rivals to be Port Vale, although in the past they have stated Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers to be rivals.
Return to top flight football
Stoke City fans celebrate following promotion to the Premier League, May 4, 2008
Stoke won promotion to the Premier League after a goalless draw with Leicester City on the last day of the 2007-2008 season, which was enough to keep them in 2nd place of the Championship and earn automatic promotion. It also sent Leicester down. The promotion will earn Stoke £35 million for the 2008-2009 season, and a minimum of £60 million over the space of three seasons. This will rise should Stoke retain their place in top flight football for more than one season.[61]
Current squad
- As of 09 August 2008.[62]
| No. |
|
Position |
Player |
| 1 |
 |
GK |
Steve Simonsen |
| 2 |
|
DF |
Andy Griffin |
| 5 |
|
DF |
Leon Cort |
| 6 |
 |
MF |
Glenn Whelan |
| 7 |
|
MF |
Liam Lawrence |
| 8 |
|
FW |
Jon Parkin |
| 9 |
|
FW |
Richard Cresswell |
| 10 |
 |
FW |
Ricardo Fuller |
| 11 |
 |
FW |
Mamady Sidibe |
| 14 |
|
MF |
Danny Pugh |
| 15 |
 |
FW |
Vincent Péricard |
| 17 |
|
DF |
Ryan Shawcross |
| 18 |
 |
MF |
Salif Diao |
| 20 |
 |
DF |
Richie de Laet |
|
|
| No. |
|
Position |
Player |
| 22 |
|
DF |
Lewis Buxton |
| 24 |
|
MF |
Rory Delap |
| 26 |
 |
MF |
Anthony Pulis |
| 27 |
|
MF |
Demar Phillips |
| 28 |
|
DF |
Andy Wilkinson |
| 30 |
|
DF |
Ryan Shotton |
| 31 |
|
DF |
Carl Dickinson |
| 34 |
|
FW |
Adam Rooney |
| 35 |
 |
MF |
Robbie Garrett |
| 38 |
|
MF |
Nathaniel Wedderburn |
| –– |
|
FW |
Dave Kitson |
| –– |
 |
MF |
Seyi Olofinjana |
| –– |
 |
GK |
Thomas Sørensen |
|
Managerial history
Stoke have a history of management casualties, few British clubs have seen a higher turnover of managers from the mid 80's till the mid 2000's[citation needed].
| Dates |
Name |
Notes |
| August 1874 - June 1883 |
Thomas Slaney |
| June 1883 - April 1884 |
Walter Cox |
| April 1884 - August 1890 |
Harry Lockett |
| August 1890 - January 1892 |
Joseph Bradshaw |
| January 1892 - May 1895 |
Arthur Reeves |
| May 1895 - September 1897 |
William Rowley |
| September 1897 - March 1908 |
Horace Austerberry |
| May 1908 - June 1914 |
Alfred Barker |
| June 1914 - April 1915 |
 Peter Hodge |
| April 1915 - Feb 1919 |
Joe Schofield |
| February 1919 - March 1923 |
Arthur Shallcross |
| March 1923 - April 1923 |
John Rutherford |
| October 1923 - June 1935 |
Tom Mather |
| June 1935 - May 1952 |
Bob McGrory |
| June 1952 - June 1960 |
Frank Taylor |
| June 1960 - March 1977 |
Tony Waddington |
| February 1977 - January 1978 |
George Eastham |
| January 1978 |
Alan A'Court |
Caretaker manager |
| February 1978 - June 1981 |
Alan Durban |
| June 1981 - December 1983 |
Richie Barker |
| December 1983 - April 1985 |
Bill Asprey |
| April 1985 |
Tony Lacey |
Caretaker manager |
| May 1985 - November 1989 |
Mick Mills |
| November 1989 - February 1991 |
Alan Ball |
| February 1991 - May 1991 |
Graham Paddon |
Caretaker manager |
| May 1991 - October 1993 |
Lou Macari |
| November 1993 - September 1994 |
Joe Jordan |
| September 1994 |
Asa Hartford |
Caretaker manager |
| October 1994 - July 1997 |
Lou Macari |
| July 1997 - January 1998 |
Chic Bates |
| January 1998 - April 1998 |
Chris Kamara |
| April 1998 - June 1998 |
Alan Durban |
Caretaker manager |
| June 1998 - June 1999 |
Brian Little |
| July 1999 - November 1999 |
Gary Megson |
| November 1999 - May 2002 |
 Gudjon Thordarson |
| May 2002 - October 2002 |
Steve Cotterill |
| November 1999 - May 2002 |
Dave Kevan |
Caretaker manager |
| November 2002 - June 2005 |
Tony Pulis |
| June 2005 - May 2006 |
 Johan Boskamp |
| (June 2006 -present) |
Tony Pulis |
Club mascot
Stoke have 2 club mascots called Pottermus, and Pottermiss (a female version of Pottermus). Pottermus was created when Stoke City moved to the Britannia Stadium in the 1997-98 season, while Pottermiss was created in the 2002-03 season. Occasionally, Pottermus, also known as Hippo rides a motorcycle around the pitch in a leather jacket, he was the first club mascot to hold a motorcycle licence and has also won the mascots' grand national on two occasions. He famously removed the head of Nuneaton Borough's mascot, a bear, at one match and also likes to use his wrestling skills on any visiting mascots.
American club partnership
In January 2008 the Austin Aztex, who will be joining the United Soccer Leagues in 2009, and Stoke City announced a team partnership and will share training information and players, with Austin acting as a potential player resource for Stoke.[63] The Potters hope the relationship will unearth untapped American talents as Texas is considered to be one of the hotbeds for American football talent. Stoke City also look to build an American fan base by sending young players to get playing time and selling Stoke City merchandise in Austin.
Club honours
Football League Championship
- Champions 1932-33, 1962-63
- Runners-up 2007-08
Football League 1
- Champions 1992-93
- Play-off winners 2001-02
Third Division (North) (Equivalent level to Football League 1)
League Cup
- Winners 1971-72
- Runners-up 1963-64
Football League Trophy
- Winners 1991-92, 1999-2000
Watney Cup
Isle of Man Trophy
Records
Attendance records:
- 51,130 (Victoria Ground) v Arsenal 29 March 1937
- Estimated 52,000 at the Centenary Game against Real Madrid 1963
- 28,218 (Britannia Stadium) v Everton 5 January 2002
Record results:
- Record league victory: 10-3 v West Bromwich Albion (1937)
- Record league defeat: 0-10 v Preston North End (1889)
Record Signing:
- Dave Kitson signed from Reading: £5.5million (July 2008)
Notable former players
Despite having a relative lack of success for a club who played top-flight football for many years, the club has seen some famous names play for the club over the years, which can be seen below, including Sir Stanley Matthews, who played for the club in two terms from a youth player to his retirement at 50 years of age.
- Sir Stanley Matthews
- Sir Geoff Hurst
- Gordon Banks (most capped player, 73)
- Peter Shilton
- Alan Hudson
- Peter Dobing (captain of League Cup winning team)
- Alan Bloor
- Alan Dodd
- Jimmy Greenhoff
- Terry Conroy
- Adrian Heath
- John Ritchie (all-time top scorer, with 171 goals in league and cup)
- Freddie Steele (top league goalscorer)
- Eric Skeels (most appearances, 575)
- Neil Franklin
- Mike Pejic
- Paul Maguire
- George Berry
- John Mahoney
- Leigh Richmond Roose (early 20th century goalkeeper)
- Frank Soo (first non-white person to play for England)
- George Eastham
- Frank Bowyer
- Denis Smith
- / Garth Crooks
 Mark Stein
- Mike Sheron
- Peter Hoekstra
- Ed de Goey
- Ricardo Fuller
- / Liam Lawrence
- Ryan Shawcross
- Mama Sidibe
      
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