Stoke City

Stoke City is a football (soccer) club from England.

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Stoke City Football Club is a association football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Founded in 1863, Stoke is the oldest club in the Premier League, and thought to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts County F.C..

Stoke play their home fixtures at the Britannia Stadium, a 28,000 all-seater stadium. The stadium was opened in 1997 in association football; prior to this date Stoke had played at the Victoria Ground, which had been their home ground since 1878 in association football (a record of 119 years currently shared with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.). The club's nickname is The Potters (after the Staffordshire Potteries) and their home kit is a red-and-white vertically striped shirt with white shorts and white socks.

Prior to their 2008 promotion, Stoke had not participated in top flight football since the The Football League 1984-85, in which they were relegated with a total of 17 points, a record low total for twenty-one years. Stoke's first major trophy was won in the 1972 in association football Football League Cup Final, when they beat Chelsea F.C. 2-1. Stoke City have won the Football League Trophy on two occasions, firstly in 1992 in association football and most recently in 2000 in association football.

History

Formation

The Victoria Ground and Stanley Matthews

Stoke City became owners of the Victoria Ground circa 1919. This was followed by the construction of the Butler Street stand, which increased the overall capacity of the ground to 50,000. In 1925, Stoke-on-Trent was granted "City status in the United Kingdom" and this led Stoke City to change its name to Stoke City F.C. in 1928.

The Tony Waddington years

Stoke City won its first significant trophy on 4 March 1972 in the Football League Cup Final. Stoke beat favourites Chelsea F.C. 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium (1923) in front of a crowd of 97,852 spectators. Preceding this victory, Stoke had progressed through 11 games in order to reach the final. This included four games with West Ham United F.C. in the Single-elimination tournament; the two-legged match was Replay (sports) twice. Stoke fared well in the FA Cup; Stoke City progressed to the semi-final stage in both the 1970–71 in English football and 1971–72 in English football seasons. However, on both occasions Stoke lost to Arsenal F.C. in a Replay (sports). The repair bill, in the region of £250,000, put Stoke City 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 Stoke City depleted, relegation proved inevitable in 1976–77 in English football. Waddington, after a spell of 17 years in charge, left Stoke City after a 1–0 home defeat to Leicester in March 1977.

The managerial roundabout

Waddington was replaced by George Eastham in March 1977, however he could not halt Stoke City's slide to the Second Division in 1976-77. Eastham did not last long in the job, leaving during the 1977–78 in English football, in January 1978, after only 10 months in charge. Alan Durban, arriving from Shrewsbury Town F.C., was selected as Stoke City's new manager in February 1978. Durban achieved promotion to the First Division in his first full season in charge, 1978–79 in English football, on the last day of the season. Ritchie Barker, who was appointed for 1981–82 in English football, 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. 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 in English football. proved to be disastrous. Stoke finished the season with only 17 points, with just 3 wins all season. Mick Mills was appointed player-manager for the 1985–86 in English football.

Ball's successor, Lou Macari, was appointed in May 1991, prior to the start of the 1991–92 in English football. He clinched silverware for the club; the Football League Trophy was won with a 1–0 victory against Stockport County F.C. at Wembley Stadium (1923), with Mark Stein (footballer) scoring the only goal of the game. The following season, 1992–93 in English football, promotion was achieved from the third tier - now known as Division Two with Stoke finishing as league champions. Macari left in October 1993; Stein also departed, in a club record £1.5m move to Chelsea F.C.

The Britannia Stadium and the Icelandic Takeover

1997–98 in English football saw Stoke move to its new ground, the Britannia Stadium, after 119 years at the Victoria Ground. Chic Bates, Macari's assistant, was appointed manager for Stoke City'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 Stoke City'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 Stoke City up, as defeat on the final day of the season consigned Stoke to relegation from Division One. took charge for the 1998–99 in English football. Despite an impressive start, the team's form tailed off dramatically in the latter stages of the season, which led to Little leaving Stoke City 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 Icelandersic consortium, who purchased a 66% share in Stoke City F.C. for the sum of £6.6m. Stoke became the first Icelandic owned football club outside of Iceland. Stoke appointed the football club's first overseas manager, Gudjon Thordarson, who helped Stoke City win the Auto Windscreens Trophy and earn promotion to the First Division in 2001-02 the springboard to the Premier League six seasons later. Thordarson had, in fact, been the primus motor in getting the consortium together.

The Football League Trophy was won in the 1999–2000 in English football, in April 2000, with a win over Bristol City F.C. in front of a crowd of 85,057 at Wembley Stadium (1923). Thordarson achieved promotion at the third time of asking in 2001–02 in English football. A second successive 5th-place finish ensured a play-off spot. Cardiff City F.C. were defeated in the semi-final before a 2–0 win against Brentford F.C. at the Millennium Stadium secured promotion. Despite achieving the goal of promotion, Thordarson was sacked by Gunnar Gislason only days after Stoke City won promotion. Pulis steered Stoke clear of relegation, Pulis was sacked at the end of the 2004–05 in English football, following disagreement between himself and Stoke City's owners.

Netherlands manager Johan Boskamp was named as Pulis' successor on 29 June 2005, only a day after Pulis was sacked. Boskamp broke Stoke City's transfer record in signing Sambégou Bangoura for a fee in the region of £1m. Despite his spending on new players, Boskamp's side was inconsistent and only a mid-table finish was achieved. Boskamp left at the end of the 2005–06 in English football, amidst a takeover bid by former-chairman Peter Coates. On 23 May 2006, Coates completed his takeover of Stoke City, marking the end of Gunnar Gislason chairmanship of the club. 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, 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. Pulis took Stoke close to a play-off place, however an eventual 8th-place finish was achieved in the 2006–07 in English football.

Return to top flight football

Despite poor-runs in both the FA Cup and Football League Cups, Stoke City exceeded expectations in terms of Premier League 2008–09 performance. A defeat to Bolton Wanderers F.C. on the opening day of the season did not bode well, with bookmaker Paddy Power paying out on Stoke to be relegated, but fortunes quickly changed. In Stoke’s first game of the season at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke City managed to pick up all three points against Aston Villa F.C., following a 3-2 win, and notably, on 20 September, held Liverpool F.C. to a 0-0 draw at Anfield. Wins also came against Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Arsenal F.C., Sunderland A.F.C. and West Bromwich Albion F.C., all before the end of November, however on 15 November, league-champions Manchester United F.C. gave Stoke their largest defeat of the season, with a full-time score of 5-0.

In the following months, Stoke’s quest for silverware came to an end after being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Derby County F.C. in the quarter-finals, and the FA Cup by Hartlepool United F.C. in the third-round. The New Year brought further points in the league though, with draws against Portsmouth F.C. and Aston Villa, and a 2-0 win against Bolton Wanderers. From the 21st March, Stoke scored points in four consecutive games, only dropping points to Newcastle United F.C. in this time. After a 2-1 win at Hull City A.F.C., Stoke confirmed their place in the Premier League 2009–10, and reached a league high of 11th place after defeating Wigan Athletic F.C., 2-0. A defeat to Arsenal away meant that the Potters finished 12th in their return to the top flight..

Supporters

Stoke have always enjoyed passionate, popular and loyal support. 51,000 turned out to watch Stoke play Arsenal in 1937 at the old Victoria Ground. A capacity 28,000 regularly turn out to see them in the Premier League. .

However, through Stoke's hooligan firm the Naughty Forty they also have a history of Football hooliganism and general hooliganism along with Cardiff City F.C. and Millwall F.C.. In 2003 the BBC described Stoke City as having "one of the most active and organised football hooligan firms in England". During the late 1980s and 90s trouble was automatically expected when visiting fans with any history met . In response to these criticisms, Stoke City introduced an Away Travel ID scheme, however this was subsequently suspended in 2008 as a result of improved behaviour and an enhanced reputation. Major incidents have occurred with Port Vale, Birmingham City Leicester City , Queens Park Rangers F.C., Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Everton F.C. and Cardiff City F.C..

However, Stoke City's fans and their stadium have also, more recently, been seen as loud, friendly, passionate and modern , welcoming as guests Sugar Ray Leonard and Maradona. There is in the media now "genuine admiration for the volume and volatility of Stoke City's loyal support". The Britannia Stadium is often described as a cauldron. Stoke are fans of "one of the country's most unfashionable football teams, perhaps explaining their feelings that the world is against them.. Their reputation now, rather than racist and nationalistic, is die-hard fans who are amongst the best in the country Crowds in the 2008-9 season have been consistently full with Stoke high in attendance figures for the league in 13th place after 25 games, even though having one of the smaller stadiums in the league. Various other bloggers, journalists and fanzine websites have noted the transformation of their reputation since the return of Peter Coates as chairman.

Nevertheless, most Stoke City fans have to consistenly fight their past, and many journalists have agreed that "It is to the great credit of the Stoke supporters that they did not react to this provocation". One Manchester police inspector was clear in seeing Stoke fans as barbarians, advising a female fan that "should know better than to mix with Stoke scum." This same police service that used extraordinary powers to remove fans back to Stoke from the city centre. Liberty (pressure group), have taken up the case of these fans for whom anti-terror powers were used.
Indeed, Manchester police eventually had to apologize for their own behaviour which was based on historical perception of the fans, not present reality.

Stoke fans mainly consider their biggest rivals to be Port Vale F.C., also based in Stoke-on-Trent, as part of the Potteries derby. Although in the past they have stated Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. to be key rivals. With Stoke City's rise to the Premier League coinciding with traditional rival Port Vale's relegation to League 2, and a hard-fought promotion battle with another West Midlands (region) outfit West Bromwich Albion, rivalry with West Brom fans has increased.

Research undertaken by Sky+HD during August,September and October of the 2008-09 season, showed that Stoke fans are the loudest in the Premier League, topping the chart with an average of 101.8 decibels. They were followed by Tottenham Hotspur in second place and Liverpool in third.

″The Britannia is a raw and exciting footballing experience, unwelcoming temperatures and hostile home fans, with the action all played out in a noisy, bearpit atmosphere that is a real throwback.
And yes, it is absolutely fantastic.“

Players

Notable former players

Despite having a relative lack of success for a club who played top-flight football for many years, Stoke City has seen some famous names play for Stoke City over the years, which can be seen below, including Sir Stanley Matthews, who played for Stoke City in two terms from a youth player to his retirement at 50 years of age.

Club Management

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.

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 in English football season, while Pottermiss was created in the 2002-03 in English football season. Occasionally, Pottermus, also known as Hippopotamus 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 Mascot 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. 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

Leagues

Premier League
- Highest finish 12th place 2008-09

First Division (Equivalent level to Premier League)
- Highest finish 4th place 1935-36, 1946-47

Football League Championship
- Runners-up 2007-08

Football League Division Two (Equivalent level to Championship)
- Champions 1932-33, 1962-63
- Runners-up 1921-22
- Third Place (Promoted) 1978-79

Football League Division Two (Equivalent level to Football League 1)
- Champions 1992-93
- Play-off winners 2001-02

Third Division (North) (Equivalent level to Football League 1)
- Champions 1926-27

Football Alliance
- Champions 1890-1891

Birmingham & District League
- Champions 1910-1911

Southern League Division Two
- Champions 1914-1915
- Runners-up 1910-1911

The Central League (Reserves)
- Champions 1927-1928, 1991-1992, 2003-2004

United Soccer Association (as Cleveland Stokers)
- Runners-up 1967 (Eastern Division)

Cups

Football League Cup
- Winners 1971-72
- Runners-up 1963-64

The FA Cup
- Semi-Finalists 1898-99, 1970-71, 1971-72

Autoglass Trophy
- Winners 1992

Auto Windscreens Shield
- Winners 2000

Watney Cup
- Winners 1973

Staffordshire Senior Cup
- Winners 1878, 1879, 1904 (Shared), 1914, 1965, 1969 (Shared), 1971, 1975, 1976, 1982, 1993, 1995, 1999
- Runners-up 1883, 1886, 1895, 1901, 1903, 2003,2006

Birmingham Senior Cup
- Winner 1901,1914
- Runners-up 1910, 1915, 1920, 1921

Isle of Man Trophy
- Winners 1988, 1992, 1993
- Runners-up 1985-1986

Bass Charity Vase
- Winners 1997-1998

FA Youth Cup
- Runners-up 1983-1984

Records

Attendance records:
- 51,130 (Victoria Ground) v Arsenal F.C. 29 March 1937
- Estimated 52,000 at the Centenary Game against Real Madrid 1963
- 28,218 (Britannia Stadium) v Everton F.C. 5 January 2002

Record results:
- Record league victory: 10-3 v West Bromwich Albion F.C. (1937)
- Record league defeat: 0-10 v Preston North End F.C. (1889)

Record Signing:
- Dave Kitson signed from Reading F.C.: £5.5million (July 2 2008)

Record Sale:
- Mike Sheron Sold To Queens Park Rangers : £2.75 Million (July 1997)

Record Goalscorer:
- Tommy Sale - 282 Goals (Including War time goals)

Record Appearances:
- Eric Skeels - 606 Appearances
- John McCue - 675 Appearances (Including War time games)

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic