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Stoke City F.C. is an English football club based in Stoke-on-Trent. The History of Stoke City F.C. covers the years from the club's formation to the present day. The Stoke Ramblers were formed in 1863 and moved to the Victoria Ground in 1878, which was to be their home for the next 119 years. In the same year, the club merged with Stoke Victoria Cricket Club to become Stoke Football Club. The club joined the Football League upon its formation in 1888, making them the second oldest cluStoke City F.C. is an English football club based in Stoke-on-Trent. The History of Stoke City F.C. covers the years from the club's formation to the present day. The Stoke Ramblers were formed in 1863 and moved to the Victoria Ground in 1878, where it was their home for the next 119 years. In the same year, the club merged with Stoke Victoria Cricket Club to become Stoke Football Club. The club joined the Football League upon its formation in 1888, making them the second oldest club in the League. In 1928, the club's name was changed for the final time to Stoke City Football Club when Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status. The club moved to the Britannia Stadium in 1997, a 28,383 all-seater stadium; the Victoria Ground was demolished later that year.

In the 2007–08 season, Stoke are playing in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. They last played at the top level in the 1984–85 season, when they were relegated with a total of 17 points, a record low unsurpassed for 21 years. Stoke's only major trophy was the 1972 Football League Cup, when they beat Chelsea 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium before a crowd of 97,852. The club have also won the Associate Members Cup (a Cup competition for clubs in the two lower divisions of The Football League) on two occasions, first in 1992 and then in 2000.

1863–1930: Early years

Stoke Ramblers was formed in 1863 when former 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 five years later, in October 1868, against an E.W. May XV at the Victoria Cricket Club ground; the club's first goal was scored by Henry Almond, the club's founder and captain.[2] The club switched to a ground at Sweetings Field in 1875 to cope with rising attendances, not far from its original ground, the Victoria Cricket Ground.[3][4] At this time, the only fixtures were friendly matches; this changed in 1877 when the Staffordshire Football Association was formed and created a new competition, the County Cup, which Stoke won in the inaugural season. Stoke had now established themselves as the largest club in the area.[1]

The Stoke City F.C. team, pictured during the 1870s.

In 1878, the club merged with Stoke Victoria Athletic Club[4] and became known as Stoke Football Club. They moved from Sweetings Field to the Athletic Club ground, which soon became known as the Victoria Ground.[4][5] It was around this time that the club adopted their red and white striped kit.[1] The club decided to enter the FA Cup for the first time in the 1883–84 season;[1] the competition itself had been founded 11 years earlier.[6]

In August 1885, the club turned professional. The club were defeated again in the FA Cup in 1885–86 after a replay defeat to Crewe Alexandra. The club's first victory in the competition came the following the year, in the 1886–87 season with an emphatic 10–0 win over Caernarfon Wanderers at the Victoria Ground.[1]

Stoke became one of the twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888.[7][8] The club struggled in their first two seasons, 1888–89 and 1889–90, finishing bottom on both occasions.[9][10] More disappointment followed as the club failed to secure re-election to the League at the end of its second season, instead being replaced by Sunderland A.F.C., which meant Stoke were forced to start 1890–91 in the Football Alliance. Stoke were crowned champions in their only season in this league.[11] The Football League was expanded to include fourteen clubs in 1891–92, which ensured Stoke were re-elected to the league, where the club remained for the rest of the decade.[8]

Stoke suffered financial problems around 1900, which ultimately led to the loss of the club's Football League status in 1908.[12] The club moved to the Birmingham & District League following its demotion. In 1909, the club opted to field two teams, one in the Birmingham & District League and the other in the Southern League (West Division); Stoke won the latter in their first year in the competition.[12] Stoke continued to participate in both leagues until 1915, when their application for election back into the Football League was approved. However, the outbreak of 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.[13]

The club became owners of the Victoria Ground in 1919.[14] The Butler Street stand was constructed shortly afterward, increasing the overall capacity of the ground to 50,000.[4] Following the restart of the Football League, Stoke achieved promotion from the Second Division in the 1921–22 season, although this was followed by relegation in the 1922–23 season. Stoke were unable to mount another promotion challenge and were relegated from the Second Division four years later in the 1925–26 season. The club's stay in Third Division North was brief, as Stoke won the championship during their first season in that league.[14] 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 Football Club in 1928.[15]

1930–1960

The 1930s saw the début of the club's most celebrated player, Stanley Matthews. Matthews, who grew up in Hanley, was an apprentice at the club and made his first appearance, aged 17,[16] in March 1932 against Bury F.C..[17] By end of the decade, Matthews had established himself as an England international and one of the best footballers of his generation.[18] Matthews won his first England cap in 1934,[19] making him the first Stoke player in 30 years to play for England. Stoke achieved promotion from the Second Division in 1932–33 — as champions — but Matthews only featured in fifteen games, although he did score his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win against local rivals Port Vale F.C..[18]

By 1934, the club's average attendance had risen to over 23,000, which allowed the club manager, Tom Mather, increased transfer funds. Despite this, the core of the side consisted of young local players, such as Matthews, Tommy Sale and Freddie Steele.[20][21] In 1935–36, the club finished fourth in the Football League First Division, nine points adrift of champions Sunderland. This was followed by two successive mid-table finishes, in 1936–37 and 1937–38. The club recorded its record league win, 10–3, over West Bromwich Albion F.C. in February 1937, in which Steele scored five goals.[22] In April of that year, the club achieved its largest league crowd—51,373 against Arsenal F.C.. Steele's 33 league goals in 1936–37 remains a club record in 2007.[20][18]

By 1938, rumours purported that Stanley Matthews wanted a move from Stoke, to further his career. This led to a meeting being called at Kings Hall, attended by three thousand people—with a further thousand outside. Matthews opted to stay with Stoke and helped the club to finish in seventh place in the 1938–39 season.[18]

The outbreak of the Second World War prevented any further progress as the league was suspended for six years. Following the resumption of the FA Cup, tragedy struck as 33 fans died and 520 were injured during a sixth round away game against Bolton Wanderers when the crush barriers gave way on the terraces.[23][24] At this time, the side was predominantly composed of local players who had come through the club's youth system, including Matthews, Sale and Steele, all in their prime, as well as the newly-discovered Neil Franklin,[24] regarded as the country's best centre-half.[25][26] 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, but a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield United gave the title to Liverpool F.C.. Stanley Matthews left the club three games before the end of the 1946–47 season to join Blackpool F.C. at the age of 32 for a fee of £11,500.[24]

The 1950s did not start well; having avoided relegation in 1950–51 and 1951–52, Stoke succumbed in 1952–53, finishing second from bottom.[27][28] Bob McGrory resigned as the club's manager in February 1952 after 17 years in the role; he had previously played for the club for 14 years.[29] His successor, Frank Taylor, consolidated the club's position in the Second Division but was unable to mount a sustained challenge for promotion, although Stoke came close in 1954–55, missing out by two points. Crowds were falling, with the average attendance dropping below 10,000 for the first time in 40 years.[16][28]

1960–1977: The Waddington years

Tony Waddington was appointed as the club's manager in June 1960.[30] He joined the club in 1952 as a coach, before being promoted to assistant manager in 1957.[31] In his first season in charge, 1960–61, Stoke finished 18th in the Second Division.[32] Crowds were still low; a match against Preston North End attracted 8,409 in 1961. However, Waddington pulled off a significant coup by enticing Stanley Matthews—now 46 years old—back to the club, 14 years after he had left.[33] A crowd of 35,974 witnessed Matthews' return to the club, only a fortnight after the poor crowd against Preston. The return of Matthews helped Stoke to an improved eighth position in 1961–62. Promotion was achieved in the next season, with Stoke finishing as champions.[32] In their first season back in the First Division, 1963–64, Waddington guided Stoke to a mid-table finish.[31] Matthews remained influential, as he helped the club to the Football League Cup final in 1964, although this ended in defeat to Leicester City F.C. over two legs.[31]

Waddington relied upon 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 F.C. in February 1965, shortly after his 50th birthday. It brought to an end a career that had spanned 33 years, which included 19 years' service to his home town club.[31]

Gordon Banks, England's 1966 World Cup winning goalkeeper, joined in 1967 for £52,000 from Leicester.[34] Regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world,[35][36] Banks proved to be a shrewd signing for Waddington as he helped the club maintain stability in the First Division.[31]

File:Stokecity1972leaguecup.jpg
Tony 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. Stoke beat favourites Chelsea F.C. 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium before a crowd of 97,852 spectators.[37][38] 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 semi-final; the two-legged match was played twice.[39] These matches included Gordon Banks' penalty save from Geoff Hurst in the second leg at Upton Park. Banks was forced to quit top-level football later in 1972, after losing an eye in a road accident.[40][41] 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 F.C. in a replay.[42][37]

Waddington was presented with a dilemma as both George Eastham and Peter Dobing retired not long after the club's League Cup win. Waddington responded by paying £240,000 to Chelsea F.C. for the services of Alan Hudson in early 1974.[43] This was followed by Geoff Salmons arriving from Sheffield United for £160,000, in the same year.[44] Waddington later paid a world record fee for a goalkeeper, £325,000, to sign Peter Shilton from Leicester.[45] The new personnel brought added impetus to Waddington's side and Stoke were close to winning the League title in 1974–75, but an end of season slump led to a fifth-place finish, four points off Champions Derby County F.C..[37]

The 1970s also saw Stoke compete at European Level for the first time in its history. In the 1972–73 UEFA Cup, Stoke played FC Kaiserslautern: Stoke won the first leg 3–1 at the Victoria Ground, with a crowd of over 22,000. However, the club lost the second leg 4–0, therefore losing 5–3 on aggregate.[46] Two years later, in the 1974–75 competition, Stoke were again knocked out at the first stage. Stoke drew both legs against AFC Ajax, 1–1 and 0–0 respectively, but went out due to the away goals rule.[37]

The Butler Stand roof was blown off in a storm in January 1976.[4][47] The ground damage meant the club's next home game against Middlesbrough F.C. had to be played at Vale Park, the home of rivals Port Vale F.C..[48] The repair bill, in the region of £250,000, put the club in financial trouble, which was eased by the sale of Alan Hudson, Mike Pejic and Jimmy Greenhoff for a combined sum of £440,000.[37] 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.[49]

1977–2000

Waddington was replaced by George Eastham, who had previously been Waddington's assistant, in March 1977,[50] but the club's slide into the Second Division in 1976–77 proved unstoppable. Eastham did not last long, leaving in January 1978 after only 10 months in charge.[51] The club's misery was compounded by a defeat to non-league Blyth Spartans A.F.C. in the FA Cup shortly afterwards.[52] Alan Durban, arriving from Shrewsbury Town F.C.,[53] was selected as the club's new manager in February 1978.[54] Durban achieved promotion to the First Division in his first full season in charge, 1978–79, on the last day of the season.[37] After consolidating the club's position in the First Division, Durban left for Sunderland in 1981.[55]

Richie Barker, Durban's successor, was appointed manager in 1981.[56][57] He signed Mickey Thomas from Brighton and Hove Albion F.C.[58] and Mark Chamberlain from Port Vale,[59] as he set about building a side for the 1982–83 season. Barker's spell in charge was short-lived; he was sacked in the following season.[55] The club's new manager, Bill Asprey,[60] decided to bring back veteran Alan Hudson,[61] and 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.[55]

The next season, referred to as The Holocaust Season by fans,[62] proved to be disastrous. Stoke finished the season with only 17 points and just three wins all season,[63] which would be the lowest points total in the top flight of English football (under the "three points for a win" system) for 21 years until the record was broken by Sunderland F.C. in the 2005–06 season.[64] Mick Mills was appointed player-manager for the 1985–86 season, following Asprey's departure in April 1985 due to ill health.[65][66] His first task was to consolidate following the club's relegation in the previous season, which he achieved with a mid-table finish in the Second Division.[55] The team reached fourth place in 1986–97, his second season in charge, including a 7–2 win over Leeds United A.F.C., but the team's form tailed off towards the end of the season, culminating in an eighth place finish. Mills was unable to sustain a challenge for promotion and was sacked in November 1989, following a poor start to the 1989–90 season after spending £1m on players. His successor, Alan Ball became the club's fifth manager in 10 years. Peter Coates became the club's chairman in 1989, following numerous changes of chairmanship during the 1980s.[55]

Ball struggled in his first season in charge, 1989–90, and his Stoke side were relegated to the third tier of English football after finishing bottom of the Second Division.[67] It was the first time Stoke had played in the Third Division in 63 years. Ball kept his job for the start of the following season, 1990–91, but departed in February 1991, in the midst of an indifferent season that saw Stoke finish 15th in the Third Division. This remains the club's lowest league position, as of 2007.[68]

Ball's successor, Lou Macari, was appointed in May 1991,[69][70] prior to the start of the 1991–92 season. The improvement was immediate, as Stoke narrowly missed out on promotion in his first season in charge, finishing fourth in the Third Division.[32] He also clinched a trophy for the club; the Associate Members' Cup (at the time known as the Autoglass trophy for sponsorship reasons) was won with a 1–0 victory against Stockport County F.C. at Wembley, with Mark Stein scoring the only goal of the game.[68][71] The following season, 1992–93, promotion was achieved from the third tier, now known as Division Two,[72] with Stoke finishing as league champions. Stein, a £100,000 purchase from Oxford United F.C.,[73] scored 26 goals during the season as Stoke amassed a total of 93 points. Macari left in October 1993 to take over as manager of Celtic F.C., and Stein also departed in a £1.5m move to Chelsea F.C..[68]

Joe Jordan's tenure in charge was short; he left the club less than a year after joining.[74] Following Jordan's departure, Stoke opted to reappoint Lou Macari only 12 months after he had left.[70] Despite the optimism surrounding his return,[68] only a mid-table finish was attained in 1994–95. 1995–96 started poorly but the signing of striker Mike Sheron turned around the club's season.[68] Stoke eventually finished fourth but were defeated in the play-off final by Leicester F.C.. The following season, 1996–97, saw Mark Stein return from Chelsea on loan, partnering Sheron in attack. The season started well, with Stoke in fourth place at Christmas, but a poor second half of the season saw the club drop to an eventual 12th place.[32] Sheron was sold in 1997, for a club record fee of £2.5m.[75] Macari left the club at the end of the season, his last game in charge the final league game at the Victoria Ground in a match against West Bromwich Albion F.C..[68]

The Britannia Stadium

1997–98 saw Stoke move to its new ground, the 28,000 all-seater Britannia Stadium,[76][77][78] after 119 years at the Victoria Ground, the longest time spent at a ground by any team in Britain.[15] Chic Bates, Macari's assistant, was appointed manager for the club's inaugural season in the new ground.[79] He did not last long though, and was replaced by Chris Kamara in January 1998.[80] Kamara could not improve the club's fortunes and he left in April.[81] Alan Durban, Stoke's manager two decades earlier, took charge for the remainder of season.[54] Durban was unable to keep the club up, with a 23rd place finish consigning Stoke to relegation from Division One.[82][68]

Brian Little, formerly manager of Aston Villa F.C.,[83] took charge for the 1998–99 season,[84] and Stoke began the season impressively, holding first place until December with six straight wins. The team's form tailed off in the latter stages of the season, leading to Little's departure at the end of the season.[68] His successor, Gary Megson, was only in the job for four months.[85] 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.[86] The club's new Icelandic owners moved to appoint the club's first foreign manager, Icelander Gudjon Thordarson, in November 1999.[87][88]

2000–present

File:Stokebrentford wembley.jpg
Stoke City players celebrating victory in the 2002 Division Two play-off final.

Stoke won the Associate Members' Cup (known as the Auto Windscreens Trophy at the time for sponsorship reasons) in the 1999–2000 season with a 2–1 win over Bristol City F.C. in April 2000 before a crowd of 75,057 at Wembley.[15][89][90] Disappointment followed a month later, as Stoke were defeated against Gillingham F.C. in the play-off semi-finals, consigning themselves to another year in Division Two.[15] They reached the play-offs again in 2000–01 with a fifth place finish, but this time Walsall F.C. halted Stoke's progress at the semi-final stage.[91] Thordarson achieved promotion at the third attempt in 2001–02; another fifth place finish ensured a play-off spot, Cardiff City F.C. were defeated in the semi-final[92] before a 2–0 win against Brentford F.C. at the Millennium Stadium secured promotion.[93] Despite achieving the goal of promotion, Thordarson was sacked by Gunnar Gislason, only five days after the club won the play-off final.[94] A campaign calling for Thordarson's reinstatement was organized by fans, but it proved to be unsuccessful.[95]

Steve Cotterill was drafted in as Thordarson's replacement prior to the start of the 2002–03 season.[91][96] Cotterill quit in October 2002, after only four months in charge, to take the role of Howard Wilkinson's assistant at Sunderland.[97][98] The club were close to unveiling George Burley as their new manager, following Cotterill's departure, however, a last minute charge of heart led to the former Ipswich manager declining the club's offer.[15] The club acted swiftly and Tony Pulis was appointed as Stoke's new manager shortly afterwards.[15][99] Pulis steered Stoke clear of relegation[91] with a 1–0 win over Reading on the final day of the season keeping the club in the the Championship.[100] The club's position in the league was consolidated in 2003–04.[101] Pulis was sacked at the end of the 2004–05 season, following a disagreement between himself and the club's owners.[102] Dutch manager Johan Boskamp was named as Pulis' successor on 29 June 2005, only a day after Pulis was sacked.[103] Boskamp broke the club's transfer record in signing Sambegou Bangoura for a fee in the region of £1m.[104] Another significant addition was the signing of Belgium international Carl Hoefkens,[105] who subsequently won the Fans' Player of the Year Award for the 2005–06 season.[106] Despite his spending on new players, Boskamp's side was inconsistent and only a mid-table finish was achieved.[107] The season was marred by a feud between Boskamp and the club's director of football, John Rudge, which escalated to the point where Boskamp threatened to quit.[108] Boskamp left at the end of the 2005–06 season, amidst a takeover by former chairman Peter Coates.[109] On 23 May 2006, Coates completed his takeover of Stoke City, marking the end of Gunnar Gislason's chairmanship of the club.[110] Coates chose former manager Tony Pulis as Boskamp's successor in June 2006.[111] Pulis took Stoke close to a play-off place, however an eventual eighth place finish was achieved in the 2006–07 season.[112] In June 2007, chairman Peter Coates purchased the Britannia Stadium outright from the City Council for a fee in the region of £6m.[113][114]

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  97. ^ "Cotterill quits Stoke". BBC Sport. 2002-10-10. Retrieved 2007-07-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  98. ^ "Cotterill moves to Sunderland as Howard Wilkinson's number two". BBC Gloucestershire Sport. 2002-10-10. Retrieved 2007-07-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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  100. ^ "Akinbiyi keeps Stoke up". BBC Sport. 2003-05-04. Retrieved 2007-06-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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  104. ^ "Potters complete Bangoura signing". BBC Sport. 2005-08-30. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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  106. ^ "Player Profiles - Carl Hoefkens". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
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  108. ^ "Boskamp may quit over Rudge row". BBC Sport. 2006-01-05. Retrieved 2007-07-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  109. ^ "Boskamp confirms exit from Stoke". BBC Sport. 2006-04-30. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  110. ^ "Coates takes over as Stoke owner". BBC Sport. 2006-05-23. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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Superscript text

b in the League. In 1928, the club's name was changed for the final time to Stoke City Football Club when Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status. The club moved to the Britannia Stadium in 1997, a 28,383 all-seater stadium; the Victoria Ground was demolished later that year.

In the 2007–08 season, Stoke are playing in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. They last played at the top level in the 1984–85 season, when they were relegated with a total of 17 points, a record low unsurpassed for 21 years. Stoke's only major trophy was the 1972 Football League Cup, when they beat Chelsea 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium before a crowd of 97,852. The club have also won the Associate Members Cup (a Cup competition for clubs in the two lower divisions of The Football League) on two occasions, first in 1992 and then in 2000.

1863–1930: Early years

Stoke Ramblers was formed in 1863 when former 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 five years later, in October 1868, against an E.W. May XV at the Victoria Cricket Club ground; the club's first goal was scored by Henry Almond, the club's founder and captain.[2] The club switched to a ground at Sweetings Field in 1875 to cope with rising attendances, not far from its original ground, the Victoria Cricket Ground.[3][4] At this time, the only fixtures were friendly matches; this changed in 1877 when the Staffordshire Football Association was formed and created a new competition, the County Cup, which Stoke won in the inaugural season. Stoke had now established themselves as the largest club in the area.[1]

The Stoke City F.C. team, pictured during the 1870s.

In 1878, the club merged with Stoke Victoria Athletic Club[4] and became known as Stoke Football Club. They moved from Sweetings Field to the Athletic Club ground, which soon became known as the Victoria Ground.[4][5] It was around this time that the club adopted their red and white striped kit.[1] The club decided to enter the FA Cup for the first time in the 1883–84 season;[1] the competition itself had been founded 11 years earlier.[6]

In August 1885, the club turned professional. The club were defeated again in the FA Cup in 1885–86 after a replay defeat to Crewe Alexandra. The club's first victory in the competition came the following the year, in the 1886–87 season with an emphatic 10–0 win over Caernarfon Wanderers at the Victoria Ground.[1]

Stoke became one of the twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888.[7][8] The club struggled in their first two seasons, 1888–89 and 1889–90, finishing bottom on both occasions.[9][10] More disappointment followed as the club failed to secure re-election to the League at the end of its second season, instead being replaced by Sunderland A.F.C., which meant Stoke were forced to start 1890–91 in the Football Alliance. Stoke were crowned champions in their only season in this league.[11] The Football League was expanded to include fourteen clubs in 1891–92, which ensured Stoke were re-elected to the league, where the club remained for the rest of the decade.[8]

Stoke suffered financial problems around 1900, which ultimately led to the loss of the club's Football League status in 1908.[12] The club moved to the Birmingham & District League following its demotion. In 1909, the club opted to field two teams, one in the Birmingham & District League and the other in the Southern League (West Division); Stoke won the latter in their first year in the competition.[12] Stoke continued to participate in both leagues until 1915, when their application for election back into the Football League was approved. However, the outbreak of 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.[13]

The club became owners of the Victoria Ground in 1919.[14] The Butler Street stand was constructed shortly afterward, increasing the overall capacity of the ground to 50,000.[4] Following the restart of the Football League, Stoke achieved promotion from the Second Division in the 1921–22 season, although this was followed by relegation in the 1922–23 season. Stoke were unable to mount another promotion challenge and were relegated from the Second Division four years later in the 1925–26 season. The club's stay in Third Division North was brief, as Stoke won the championship during their first season in that league.[14] 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 Football Club in 1928.[15]

1930–1960

The 1930s saw the début of the club's most celebrated player, Stanley Matthews. Matthews, who grew up in Hanley, was an apprentice at the club and made his first appearance, aged 17,[16] in March 1932 against Bury F.C..[17] By end of the decade, Matthews had established himself as an England international and one of the best footballers of his generation.[18] Matthews won his first England cap in 1934,[19] making him the first Stoke player in 30 years to play for England. Stoke achieved promotion from the Second Division in 1932–33 — as champions — but Matthews only featured in fifteen games, although he did score his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win against local rivals Port Vale F.C..[18]

By 1934, the club's average attendance had risen to over 23,000, which allowed the club manager, Tom Mather, increased transfer funds. Despite this, the core of the side consisted of young local players, such as Matthews, Tommy Sale and Freddie Steele.[20][21] In 1935–36, the club finished fourth in the Football League First Division, nine points adrift of champions Sunderland. This was followed by two successive mid-table finishes, in 1936–37 and 1937–38. The club recorded its record league win, 10–3, over West Bromwich Albion F.C. in February 1937, in which Steele scored five goals.[22] In April of that year, the club achieved its largest league crowd—51,373 against Arsenal F.C.. Steele's 33 league goals in 1936–37 remains a club record in 2007.[20][18]

By 1938 rumours purported that Stanley Matthews wanted a move from Stoke, to further his career. This led to a meeting being called at Kings Hall, attended by three thousand people—with a further thousand outside. Matthews opted to stay with Stoke and helped the club to finish in seventh place in the 1938–39 season.[18]

The outbreak of the Second World War prevented any further progress as the league was suspended for six years. Following the resumption of the FA Cup, tragedy struck as 33 fans died and 520 were injured during a sixth round away game against Bolton Wanderers when the crush barriers gave way on the terraces.[23][24] At this time, the side was predominantly composed of local players who had come through the club's youth system, including Matthews, Sale and Steele, all in their prime, as well as the newly-discovered Neil Franklin,[24] regarded as the country's best centre-half.[25][26] 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, but a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield United gave the title to Liverpool F.C.. Stanley Matthews left the club three games before the end of the 1946–47 season to join Blackpool F.C. at the age of 32 for a fee of £11,500.[24]

The 1950s did not start well; having avoided relegation in 1950–51 and 1951–52, Stoke succumbed in 1952–53, finishing second from bottom.[27][28] Bob McGrory resigned as the club's manager in February 1952 after 17 years in the role; he had previously played for the club for 14 years.[29] His successor, Frank Taylor, consolidated the club's position in the Second Division but was unable to mount a sustained challenge for promotion, although Stoke came close in 1954–55, missing out by two points. Crowds were falling, with the average attendance dropping below 10,000 for the first time in 40 years.[16][28]

1960–1977: The Waddington years

Tony Waddington was appointed as the club's manager in June 1960.[30] He joined the club in 1952 as a coach, before being promoted to assistant manager in 1957.[31] In his first season in charge, 1960–61, Stoke finished 18th in the Second Division.[32] Crowds were still low; a match against Preston North End attracted 8,409 in 1961. However, Waddington pulled off a significant coup by enticing Stanley Matthews—now 46 years old—back to the club, 14 years after he had left.[33] A crowd of 35,974 witnessed Matthews' return to the club, only a fortnight after the poor crowd against Preston. The return of Matthews helped Stoke to an improved eighth position in 1961–62. Promotion was achieved in the next season, with Stoke finishing as champions.[32] In their first season back in the First Division, 1963–64, Waddington guided Stoke to a mid-table finish.[31] Matthews remained influential, as he helped the club to the Football League Cup final in 1964, although this ended in defeat to Leicester City F.C. over two legs.[31]

Waddington relied upon 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 F.C. in February 1965, shortly after his 50th birthday. It brought to an end a career that had spanned 33 years, which included 19 years' service to his home town club.[31]

Gordon Banks, England's 1966 World Cup winning goalkeeper, joined in 1967 for £52,000 from Leicester.[34] Regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world,[35][36] Banks proved to be a shrewd signing for Waddington as he helped the club maintain stability in the First Division.[31]

File:Stokecity1972leaguecup.jpg
Tony 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. Stoke beat favourites Chelsea F.C. 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium before a crowd of 97,852 spectators.[37][38] 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 semi-final; the two-legged match was played twice.[39] These matches included Gordon Banks' penalty save from Geoff Hurst in the second leg at Upton Park. Banks was forced to quit top-level football later in 1972, after losing an eye in a road accident.[40][41] 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 F.C. in a replay.[42][37]

Waddington was presented with a dilemma as both George Eastham and Peter Dobing retired not long after the club's League Cup win. Waddington responded by paying £240,000 to Chelsea F.C. for the services of Alan Hudson in early 1974.[43] This was followed by Geoff Salmons arriving from Sheffield United for £160,000, in the same year.[44] Waddington later paid a world record fee for a goalkeeper, £325,000, to sign Peter Shilton from Leicester.[45] The new personnel brought added impetus to Waddington's side and Stoke were close to winning the League title in 1974–75, but an end of season slump led to a fifth-place finish, four points off Champions Derby County F.C..[37]

The 1970s also saw Stoke compete at European Level for the first time in its history. In the 1972–73 UEFA Cup, Stoke played FC Kaiserslautern: Stoke won the first leg 3–1 at the Victoria Ground, with a crowd of over 22,000. However, the club lost the second leg 4–0, therefore losing 5–3 on aggregate.[46] Two years later, in the 1974–75 competition, Stoke were again knocked out at the first stage. Stoke drew both legs against AFC Ajax, 1–1 and 0–0 respectively, but went out due to the away goals rule.[37]

The Butler Stand roof was blown off in a storm in January 1976.[4][47] The ground damage meant the club's next home game against Middlesbrough F.C. had to be played at Vale Park, the home of rivals Port Vale F.C..[48] The repair bill, in the region of £250,000, put the club in financial trouble, which was eased by the sale of Alan Hudson, Mike Pejic and Jimmy Greenhoff for a combined sum of £440,000.[37] 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.[49]

1977–2000

Waddington was replaced by George Eastham, who had previously been Waddington's assistant, in March 1977,[50] but the club's slide into the Second Division in 1976–77 proved unstoppable. Eastham did not last long, leaving in January 1978 after only 10 months in charge.[51] The club's misery was compounded by a defeat to non-league Blyth Spartans A.F.C. in the FA Cup shortly afterwards.[52] Alan Durban, arriving from Shrewsbury Town F.C.,[53] was selected as the club's new manager in February 1978.[54] Durban achieved promotion to the First Division in his first full season in charge, 1978–79, on the last day of the season.[37] After consolidating the club's position in the First Division, Durban left for Sunderland in 1981.[55]

Richie Barker, Durban's successor, was appointed manager in 1981.[56][57] He signed Mickey Thomas from Brighton and Hove Albion F.C.[58] and Mark Chamberlain from Port Vale,[59] as he set about building a side for the 1982–83 season. Barker's spell in charge was short-lived; he was sacked in the following season.[55] The club's new manager, Bill Asprey,[60] decided to bring back veteran Alan Hudson,[61] and 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.[55]

The next season, referred to as The Holocaust Season by fans,[62] proved to be disastrous. Stoke finished the season with only 17 points and just three wins all season,[63] which would be the lowest points total in the top flight of English football (under the "three points for a win" system) for 21 years until the record was broken by Sunderland F.C. in the 2005–06 season.[64] Mick Mills was appointed player-manager for the 1985–86 season, following Asprey's departure in April 1985 due to ill health.[65][66] His first task was to consolidate following the club's relegation in the previous season, which he achieved with a mid-table finish in the Second Division.[55] The team reached fourth place in 1986–97, his second season in charge, including a 7–2 win over Leeds United A.F.C., but the team's form tailed off towards the end of the season, culminating in an eighth place finish. Mills was unable to sustain a challenge for promotion and was sacked in November 1989, following a poor start to the 1989–90 season after spending £1m on players. His successor, Alan Ball became the club's fifth manager in 10 years. Peter Coates became the club's chairman in 1989, following numerous changes of chairmanship during the 1980s.[55]

Ball struggled in his first season in charge, 1989–90, and his Stoke side were relegated to the third tier of English football after finishing bottom of the Second Division.[67] It was the first time Stoke had played in the Third Division in 63 years. Ball kept his job for the start of the following season, 1990–91, but departed in February 1991, in the midst of an indifferent season that saw Stoke finish 15th in the Third Division. This remains the club's lowest league position, as of 2007.[68]

Ball's successor, Lou Macari, was appointed in May 1991,[69][70] prior to the start of the 1991–92 season. The improvement was immediate, as Stoke narrowly missed out on promotion in his first season in charge, finishing fourth in the Third Division.[32] He also clinched a trophy for the club; the Associate Members' Cup (at the time known as the Autoglass trophy for sponsorship reasons) was won with a 1–0 victory against Stockport County F.C. at Wembley, with Mark Stein scoring the only goal of the game.[68][71] The following season, 1992–93, promotion was achieved from the third tier, now known as Division Two,[72] with Stoke finishing as league champions. Stein, a £100,000 purchase from Oxford United F.C.,[73] scored 26 goals during the season as Stoke amassed a total of 93 points. Macari left in October 1993 to take over as manager of Celtic F.C., and Stein also departed in a £1.5m move to Chelsea F.C..[68]

Joe Jordan's tenure in charge was short; he left the club less than a year after joining.[74] Following Jordan's departure, Stoke opted to reappoint Lou Macari only 12 months after he had left.[70] Despite the optimism surrounding his return,[68] only a mid-table finish was attained in 1994–95. 1995–96 started poorly but the signing of striker Mike Sheron turned around the club's season.[68] Stoke eventually finished fourth but were defeated in the play-off final by Leicester F.C.. The following season, 1996–97, saw Mark Stein return from Chelsea on loan, partnering Sheron in attack. The season started well, with Stoke in fourth place at Christmas, but a poor second half of the season saw the club drop to an eventual 12th place.[32] Sheron was sold in 1997, for a club record fee of £2.5m.[75] Macari left the club at the end of the season, his last game in charge the final league game at the Victoria Ground in a match against West Bromwich Albion F.C..[68]

The Britannia Stadium

1997–98 saw Stoke move to its new ground, the 28,000 all-seater Britannia Stadium,[76][77][78] after 119 years at the Victoria Ground, the longest time spent at a ground by any team in Britain.[15] Chic Bates, Macari's assistant, was appointed manager for the club's inaugural season in the new ground.[79] He did not last long though, and was replaced by Chris Kamara in January 1998.[80] Kamara could not improve the club's fortunes and he left in April.[81] Alan Durban, Stoke's manager two decades earlier, took charge for the remainder of season.[54] Durban was unable to keep the club up, with a 23rd place finish consigning Stoke to relegation from Division One.[82][68]

Brian Little, formerly manager of Aston Villa F.C.,[83] took charge for the 1998–99 season,[84] and Stoke began the season impressively, holding first place until December with six straight wins. The team's form tailed off in the latter stages of the season, leading to Little's departure at the end of the season.[68] His successor, Gary Megson, was only in the job for four months.[85] 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.[86] The club's new Icelandic owners moved to appoint the club's first foreign manager, Icelander Gudjon Thordarson, in November 1999.[87][88]

2000–present

File:Stokebrentford wembley.jpg
Stoke City players celebrating victory in the 2002 Division Two play-off final.

Stoke won the Associate Members' Cup (known as the Auto Windscreens Trophy at the time for sponsorship reasons) in the 1999–2000 season with a 2–1 win over Bristol City F.C. in April 2000 before a crowd of 75,057 at Wembley.[15][89][90] Disappointment followed a month later, as Stoke were defeated against Gillingham F.C. in the play-off semi-finals, consigning themselves to another year in Division Two.[15] They reached the play-offs again in 2000–01 with a fifth place finish, but this time Walsall F.C. halted Stoke's progress at the semi-final stage.[91] Thordarson achieved promotion at the third attempt in 2001–02; another fifth place finish ensured a play-off spot, Cardiff City F.C. were defeated in the semi-final[92] before a 2–0 win against Brentford F.C. at the Millennium Stadium secured promotion.[93] Despite achieving the goal of promotion, Thordarson was sacked by Gunnar Gislason, only five days after the club won the play-off final.[94] A campaign calling for Thordarson's reinstatement was organised by fans, but it proved to be unsuccessful.[95]

Steve Cotterill was drafted in as Thordarson's replacement prior to the start of the 2002–03 season.[91][96] Cotterill quit in October 2002, after only four months in charge, to take the role of Howard Wilkinson's assistant at Sunderland.[97][98] The club were close to unveiling George Burley as their new manager, following Cotterill's departure, however, a last minute charge of heart led to the former Ipswich manager declining the club's offer.[15] The club acted swiftly and Tony Pulis was appointed as Stoke's new manager shortly afterwards.[15][99] Pulis steered Stoke clear of relegation[91] with a 1–0 win over Reading on the final day of the season keeping the club in the the Championship.[100] The club's position in the league was consolidated in 2003–04.[101] Pulis was sacked at the end of the 2004–05 season, following a disagreement between himself and the club's owners.[102] Dutch manager Johan Boskamp was named as Pulis' successor on 29 June 2005, only a day after Pulis was sacked.[103] Boskamp broke the club's transfer record in signing Sambegou Bangoura for a fee in the region of £1m.[104] Another significant addition was the signing of Belgium international Carl Hoefkens,[105] who subsequently won the Fans' Player of the Year Award for the 2005–06 season.[106] Despite his spending on new players, Boskamp's side was inconsistent and only a mid-table finish was achieved.[107] The season was marred by a feud between Boskamp and the club's director of football, John Rudge, which escalated to the point where Boskamp threatened to quit.[108] Boskamp left at the end of the 2005–06 season, amidst a takeover by former chairman Peter Coates.[109] On 23 May 2006, Coates completed his takeover of Stoke City, marking the end of Gunnar Gislason's chairmanship of the club.[110] Coates chose former manager Tony Pulis as Boskamp's successor in June 2006.[111] Pulis took Stoke close to a play-off place, however an eventual eighth place finish was achieved in the 2006–07 season.[112] In June 2007, chairman Peter Coates purchased the Britannia Stadium outright from the City Council for a fee in the region of £6m.[113][114]

References

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  3. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Sweetings Field". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 224. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e Matthews, Tony (1997). "Victoria Ground (The)". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. pp. 236–237. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |1= and |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "Stoke City Football Club". albionroad.com. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
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  8. ^ a b "1888-1900 Election Fever". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
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  12. ^ a b "1900-1910 Win Or Bust". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
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  16. ^ a b Matthews, Tony (1997). "Matthews, Sir Stanley, CBE". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 158. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ "The first gentleman of soccer". BBC News. 2000-02-23. Retrieved 2007-06-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ a b c d "1930-1940 Stan's The Man". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
  19. ^ "Stanley Matthews". englandcaps.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
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  21. ^ Rob Stanway. "Victoria Ground Hero's - Freddie Steele". Retrieved 2007-07-15.
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  24. ^ a b c "1940-1950 So Near, So Far". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  25. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Franklin, Cornelius". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 94. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ "Neil Franklin - Career Profile". football-england.com. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
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  30. ^ "Tony Waddington's managerial career". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
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  38. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Football League Cup". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. pp. 89–91. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  39. ^ "League Cup Results 1972". the-english-football-archive.com. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  40. ^ "GORDON BANKS". world-cup-betting-2006.com. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  41. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Banks, Gordon, OBE". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. pp. 22–24. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  42. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "FA Cup". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. pp. 86–88. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  43. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Hudson, Alan Anthony". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 118. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  44. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Salmons, Geoffrey". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 200. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  45. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Shilton, Peter Leslie, MBE, OBE". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 208. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  46. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Uefa Cup". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 234. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  47. ^ "The History of Stoke City Football Club". redstripe.com. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
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  49. ^ "Stoke City - Formed 1863". rotaski.co.uk/stoke. Retrieved 2007-06-29.
  50. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Eastham, George Edward, OBE". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 78. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |1= and |coauthors= (help)
  51. ^ "George Eastham's managerial career". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
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  64. ^ "Sunderland". free-football.tv. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
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  66. ^ "Bill Asprey's managerial career". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
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  68. ^ a b c d e f g h "1990-2000 Two Relegations, A Promotion & A Takeover". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 2007-06-30.
  69. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Macari, Lou (Luigi)". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 143. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |1= and |coauthors= (help)
  70. ^ a b "Lou Macari's managerial career". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2007-07-03.
  71. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Autoglass Trophy". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 19. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  72. ^ 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.
  73. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Stein, Mark Earl Sean". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. pp. 219–220. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  74. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Jordan, Joseph". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 128. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |1= and |coauthors= (help)
  75. ^ "Mike Sheron". ex-canaries.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  76. ^ Matthews, Tony (1997). "Britannia Stadium". A-Z of Stoke City. The Breedon Books Publishing Company Limited. p. 42. ISBN 1 85983 100 1. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |1= and |coauthors= (help)
  77. ^ Smudge (2000-07-26). "Britannia Stadium". oatcake.co.uk - The Oatacke. Retrieved 2007-07-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  78. ^ "Britannia Stadium". stadiumguide.com. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
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  81. ^ "Chris Kamara's managerial career". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
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  83. ^ "Little resigns from Villa". BBC News. 1998-02-24. Retrieved 2007-07-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  84. ^ "Brian Little's managerial career". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
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  89. ^ "Wembley glory for Stoke City". BBC Sport. 2000-06-29. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  90. ^ "The Football League Trophy". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
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  94. ^ "Stoke sack Thordarson". BBC Sport. 2002-05-16. Retrieved 2007-07-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  95. ^ "Fans campaign for manager's recall". BBC Sport. 2002-05-21. Retrieved 2007-07-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  96. ^ "Stoke unveil Cotterill". BBC Sport. 2002-05-27. Retrieved 2007-07-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  97. ^ "Cotterill quits Stoke". BBC Sport. 2002-10-10. Retrieved 2007-07-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  98. ^ "Cotterill moves to Sunderland as Howard Wilkinson's number two". BBC Gloucestershire Sport. 2002-10-10. Retrieved 2007-07-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  99. ^ "Pulis gets Stoke job". BBC Sport. 2002-11-01. Retrieved 2007-07-10. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  100. ^ "Akinbiyi keeps Stoke up". BBC Sport. 2003-05-04. Retrieved 2007-06-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  101. ^ "English League Championship Table - 2003/04". ESPN. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  102. ^ "Manager Pulis is sacked by Stoke". BBC Sport. 2005-06-28. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  103. ^ "Boskamp named as new Stoke boss". BBC Sport. 2005-06-29. Retrieved 2007-06-12. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  104. ^ "Potters complete Bangoura signing". BBC Sport. 2005-08-30. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  105. ^ "Stoke complete deal for Hoefkens". BBC Sport. 2005-07-26. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  106. ^ "Player Profiles - Carl Hoefkens". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  107. ^ "English League Championship Table - 2005/06". ESPN. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  108. ^ "Boskamp may quit over Rudge row". BBC Sport. 2006-01-05. Retrieved 2007-07-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  109. ^ "Boskamp confirms exit from Stoke". BBC Sport. 2006-04-30. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  110. ^ "Coates takes over as Stoke owner". BBC Sport. 2006-05-23. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  111. ^ "Pulis confirmed as Stoke manager". BBC Sport. 2006-06-14. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  112. ^ "English League Championship Table - 2006/07". ESPN. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
  113. ^ "Coates buys the Brit for £6m". Vital football. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2007-07-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  114. ^ "Club agree stadium buy-out deal". BBC News. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2007-07-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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