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Stoke have an unfortunate history of [[hooliganism]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stokecity-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=ED91&id=37521 |title=STOKE CITY AND SCENES FROM SOCCER HISTORY #5 |date=2002-18-02 |work=Stoke City MAD |first=Simon |last=Lowe |acccessdate=2008-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2007/10/19/mersey-football-supporters-among-best-behaved-in-land-100252-19977768/ |title=Mersey football supporters among best behaved in land |publisher=Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited |date=2007-10-19 |first=Ben |last=Rossington |work=Liverpool Echo |accesssdate=2008-01-18}}</ref> along with [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] and [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] trouble is automatically expected when visiting fans with any history meet.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1011451,00.html |title=Hooligans ready for big kick-off |first=Denis |last=Campbell |date=2003-08-03 |accessdate=2008-01-18 |publisher=Guardian News and Media |work=The Observer}}</ref> In response to these criticisms, the club introduced an Away Travel ID scheme.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/2682885.stm |title=ID scheme 'big success' |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=2003-01-22 |accessdate=2008-01-18}}</ref>
Stoke have an unfortunate history of [[hooliganism]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stokecity-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=ED91&id=37521 |title=STOKE CITY AND SCENES FROM SOCCER HISTORY #5 |date=2002-18-02 |work=Stoke City MAD |first=Simon |last=Lowe |acccessdate=2008-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2007/10/19/mersey-football-supporters-among-best-behaved-in-land-100252-19977768/ |title=Mersey football supporters among best behaved in land |publisher=Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited |date=2007-10-19 |first=Ben |last=Rossington |work=Liverpool Echo |accesssdate=2008-01-18}}</ref> along with [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] and [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] trouble is automatically expected when visiting fans with any history meet.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1011451,00.html |title=Hooligans ready for big kick-off |first=Denis |last=Campbell |date=2003-08-03 |accessdate=2008-01-18 |publisher=Guardian News and Media |work=The Observer}}</ref> In response to these criticisms, the club introduced an Away Travel ID scheme.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/2682885.stm |title=ID scheme 'big success' |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=2003-01-22 |accessdate=2008-01-18}}</ref>


Stoke fans mainly consider their biggest rivals to be [[Port Vale]], although in the past they have stated [[Crewe Alexandra]] and [[Stockport County]] to be rivals.
Stoke fans mainly consider their biggest rivals to be [[Port Vale]], although in the past they have stated [[Crewe Alexandra]], [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|QPR]] and [[Stockport County]] to be rivals.


== Club mascot==
== Club mascot==

Revision as of 20:33, 18 April 2008

Stoke City
Stoke City badge
Full nameStoke City Football Club
Nickname(s)The Potters
Founded1863/1868 (disputed) (as Stoke Ramblers)
GroundBritannia Stadium
Stoke-on-Trent
Capacity28,383
ChairmanEngland Peter Coates
ManagerWales Tony Pulis
LeagueThe Championship
2006–07The Championship, 8th

Stoke City Football Club is a football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Stoke is the second-oldest Football League club in the world as it was founded in 1863. The club plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football.

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 which is still unbeated by any english club).

Stoke have not participated in the top flight since the 1984-85 season when they were relegated with a total of 17 points, which would be a record low tally 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 then 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.[1] The club's first documented match was three 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.[1]

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.[1] They moved from their previous ground, Sweetings Field, to the Athletic Club ground, which would soon became known as the Victoria Ground.[2] 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.[1]

Stoke became one of the twelve founding members of the Football League when it was introduced in 1888.[3] The club struggled in their first two seasons, 1888-89 and 1889-90, finishing bottom on both occasions.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7][dead link]

File:Sirstanleymatthews.JPG
Stoke City winger Stanley Matthews

The 1930's 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,[8] against Bury, at the age of 17.[9] 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.[9]

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.[9]

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.[10] 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.[10]

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.[11][12]

The Tony Waddington Years

Tony Waddington was appointed as the club's manager in June 1960.[13] 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.[14] The return of Matthew's helped Stoke to an improved 8th position in 1961-62. Promotion was achieved in the next season, with Stoke finishing as champions.[14] In their first season back in the 1st Division, 1963-64, Waddington guided Stoke to a mid-table finish. Matthew's remained influential, as he helped the club to the League Cup final in 1964, although this followed by defeat to Leicester over two legs.[14]

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.[14] Regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world,[15][16] Banks proved to be a shrewd signing for Waddington as he helped the club maintain stability in the 1st Division.[14] 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.[17]

File:Stokecity1972leaguecup.jpg
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.[18] Stoke beat favourites Chelsea 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of 97,852 spectators.[19] 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.[20] 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.[19] 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.

The Butler Stand Roof was blown off in a storm, in January 1976.[21] 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.[19][22]

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.[19] After consolidating the club's position in the First Division, Durban left for Sunderland in 1981.[23] 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.[24] 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.[23]

The next season, commonly referred to as The Holocaust Season by fans,[25] proved to be disastrous. Stoke finished the season with only 17 points, with just 3 wins all season.[26][dead link] Mick Mills was appointed player-manager for the 1985-86 season.[23] 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.[23]

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.[27]

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[28] with Stoke finishing as league champions. Macari left in October 1993; Stein also departed, in a club record £1.5m move to Chelsea[27]

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.[27] Mike Sheron, who was signed two years previously from Norwich City, was sold for a club record fee of £2.5m in 1997.[29]

The Britannia Stadium and the Icelandic Takeover

1997-98 saw Stoke move to its new ground, the Britannia Stadium,[30][31] 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.[27] Brian Little, formerly manager of Aston Villa,[32] took charge for the 1998-99 season.[33] 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.[34] 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.[27][35]

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.[7][36] Thordarson achieved promotion at the third time of asking in 2000-01.[37] 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.[37]

Steve Cotterill was drafted in as Thordarson's replacement prior to the start of the 2002-03 season.[37] Cotterill quit in October 2002, after only 4 months in charge. Tony Pulis was appointed as Stoke's new manager shortly after.[7][38] Pulis steered Stoke clear of relegation,[37] with a 1-0 win over Reading on the final day of the season keeping the club in the division.[39] Pulis was sacked at the end of the 2004-05 season, following disagreement between himself and the club's owners.[40]

Dutch manager Johan Boskamp was named as Pulis' successor on 29 June 2005, only a day after Pulis was sacked.[41] Boskamp broke the club's transfer record in signing Sambegou Bangoura for a fee in the region of £1m.[42] Despite his spending on new players, Boskamp's side was inconsistent and only a mid-table finish was achieved.[43] Boskamp left at the end of the 2005-06 season, amidst a takeover bid by former-chairman Peter Coates.[44] On 23 May 2006, Coates completed his takeover of Stoke City, marking the end of Gunnar Gislason's chairmanship of the club.[45] 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,[46] 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.[47] Pulis took Stoke close to a play-off place, however an eventual 8th-place finish was achieved in the 2006-07 season.[48] In the last few years Stoke has broken their transfer records for both buying and selling. Their record purchase is Leon Cort, who signed for £1.2million with an additional £200,000 if Stoke are promoted to the Premier League.[49] Their record sale was Danny Higginbotham to Sunderland for the sum of £3m in 2007.[50]

Stoke have an unfortunate history of hooliganism[51][52] along with Cardiff City and Millwall trouble is automatically expected when visiting fans with any history meet.[53] In response to these criticisms, the club introduced an Away Travel ID scheme.[54]

Stoke fans mainly consider their biggest rivals to be Port Vale, although in the past they have stated Crewe Alexandra, QPR and Stockport County to be rivals.

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 mascot's grand national on two occasions. He famously removed the head of Nuneaton Borough's mascot, a lion, 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 FC announced a team partnership and will share training information and players, with Austin acting as a potential player resource for Stoke.[55] 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 FC also looks to build an American fan base by sending young players to get playing time and selling Stoke City merchandise in Austin.

Club honours

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

Highest league position and record results:

  • Highest league position at the end of season: 4th place Division 1 (1947)
  • Record league victory: 10-3 v West Bromwich Albion (1937)
  • Record league defeat: 0-10 v Preston North End (1889)

Current squad

As of 11 April 2008.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG Steve Simonsen
2 DF England ENG Andy Griffin (captain)
3 DF England ENG Marlon Broomes
5 DF England ENG Leon Cort
6 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Glenn Whelan
7 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Liam Lawrence
8 FW England ENG Jon Parkin
9 FW England ENG Richard Cresswell
10 FW Jamaica JAM Ricardo Fuller
11 FW Mali MLI Mamady Sidibe
12 FW England ENG Shola Ameobi (on loan from Newcastle United)
14 MF England ENG Danny Pugh
16 DF Scotland SCO Dominic Matteo
17 DF England ENG Ryan Shawcross
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 MF Senegal SEN Salif Diao
19 FW Scotland SCO Paul Gallagher (on loan from Blackburn Rovers)
20 DF Belgium BEL Richie de Laet
21 DF Democratic Republic of the Congo COD Gabriel Zakuani (on loan from Fulham)
22 DF England ENG Lewis Buxton
24 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Rory Delap
27 MF Jamaica JAM Demar Phillips
28 DF England ENG Andy Wilkinson
29 FW England ENG Jay Bothroyd (on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers)
31 DF England ENG Carl Dickinson
32 DF England ENG Chris Riggott (on loan from Middlesbrough)
33 MF Scotland SCO Stephen Pearson (on loan from Derby County)
36 GK England ENG Carlo Nash (on loan from Wigan Athletic)

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
15 FW Cameroon CMR Vincent Pericard (on loan to Southampton)
25 GK England ENG Russell Hoult (on loan to Notts County)
30 DF England ENG Ryan Shotton (on loan to Altrincham)
34 FW Ireland EIR Adam Rooney (on loan to Bury)
35 MF Northern Ireland NIR Robert Garrett (on loan to Wrexham)
26 MF Wales WAL Anthony Pulis (on loan to Bristol Rovers F.C)

Managers past and present

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].

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.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "1863-1888 In The Beginning". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  2. ^ "Stoke City Football Club". albionroad.com. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  3. ^ "Blackburn Rovers FC". bbc.co.uk. 2000-09-04. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "1888-1900 Election Fever". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  5. ^ "1910-1920 Rebirth". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  6. ^ "1920-1930 The Fall And Rise". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
  7. ^ a b c The Oatcake (2000-07-19). "SCFC History". oatcake.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
  8. ^ "The first gentleman of soccer". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2000-02-23. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  9. ^ a b c "1930-1940 Stan's The Man". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
  10. ^ a b "1940-1950 So Near, So Far". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  11. ^ "1950-1960 A Foreign Affair". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
  12. ^ "Bob McGrory's managerial career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm Limited. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  13. ^ "Tony Waddington's managerial career". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2007-07-12. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publihser= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b c d e "1960-1970 Waddo You Believe It (Part One)". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-26.
  15. ^ "Gordon Banks". International Footballer Hall of Fame. IFOF West LLC. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  16. ^ "Gordon Banks (England)". Planet World Cup. Jan Alsos. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  17. ^ Holroyd, Steve. "The Year in American Soccer - 1967". USA Soccer History Archives. Retrieved 2007-11-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "The English League Cup". Napit.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  19. ^ a b c d "1970-1980 Waddo You Believe It (Part Two)". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  20. ^ "League Cup Results 1972". The English Football Archive. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  21. ^ "The History of Stoke City Football Club". Red Stripe. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  22. ^ "Stoke City - Formed 1863". rotaski.co.uk/stoke. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  23. ^ a b c d "1980-1990 Five Managers, Five Chairmen". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  24. ^ Ronald Atkin (2003-02-16). "Football: Hudson: my soft spot for Stoke". The Independent. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ Smudge (2000-07-16). "SCFC Records". The Oatcake. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  26. ^ Smudge (2001-09-01). "Top of the Tops - Part One". The Oatcake. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  27. ^ a b c d e "1990-2000 Two Relegations, A Promotion & A Takeover". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
  28. ^ The name was changed from Third Division to Division Two due to the formation of the Premier League. For more information, see Origins of Premier League.
  29. ^ "Mike Sheron". ex-canaries.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  30. ^ Smudge (2000-07-26). "Britannia Stadium". The Oatacke. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  31. ^ "Britannia Stadium". The Stadium Guide. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  32. ^ "Little resigns from Villa". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 1998-02-24. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  33. ^ "Brian Little's managerial career". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  34. ^ "The History of Stoke City Football Club". Redstripe. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  35. ^ "Gudjon Thordarson - Stoke City Manager 1999 - 2002". totalise.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  36. ^ "Wembley glory for Stoke City". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2000-06-29. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  37. ^ a b c d "2000 And Beyond". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  38. ^ "Pulis gets Stoke job". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2002-11-01. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  39. ^ "Akinbiyi keeps Stoke up". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2003-05-04. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
  40. ^ "Manager Pulis is sacked by Stoke". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2005-06-28. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  41. ^ "Boskamp named as new Stoke boss". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2005-06-29. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
  42. ^ "Potters complete Bangoura signing". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2005-08-30. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  43. ^ "English League Championship Table - 2005/06". ESPN. Disney Corporation. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  44. ^ "Boskamp confirms exit from Stoke". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2006-04-30. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  45. ^ "Coates takes over as Stoke owner". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2006-05-23. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  46. ^ "Coates returns to Potters' helm". BBC Radio Stoke. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2005-09-01. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  47. ^ "Pulis confirmed as Stoke manager". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2006-06-14. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  48. ^ "English League Championship Table - 2006/07". ESPN. Disney Corporation. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  49. ^ "Stoke break record to land Cort". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2008-01-14. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
  50. ^ "Mike Sheron". ex-canaries.co.uk.
  51. ^ Lowe, Simon (2002-18-02). "STOKE CITY AND SCENES FROM SOCCER HISTORY #5". Stoke City MAD. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |acccessdate= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  52. ^ Rossington, Ben (2007-10-19). "Mersey football supporters among best behaved in land". Liverpool Echo. Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accesssdate= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  53. ^ Campbell, Denis (2003-08-03). "Hooligans ready for big kick-off". The Observer. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  54. ^ "ID scheme 'big success'". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2003-01-22. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  55. ^ "Stoke do deal with US franchise". BBC Sports. 2008-01-22.
Preceded by Football League Trophy Winners
1991-92
Succeeded by
Preceded by Football League Trophy Winners
1999-2000
Succeeded by

Template:Fb start

Template:Football League Championship teamlist Template:English football league system cells

Template:Fb end