The name Stoke is taken from the town of Stoke-upon-Trent, the original ancient parish, with other settlements being chapelries. Stoke derives from the Old English stoc, a word that at first meant little more than place, but which subsequently gained more specific – but divergent – connotations. These variant meanings included dairy farm, secondary or dependent place or farm, summer pasture, crossing place, meeting place and place of worship. It is not known which of these was intended here, and all are plausible. The most frequently suggested interpretations derive from a crossing point on the Roman road that ran from present-day Derby to Chesterton or the early presence of a church, said to have been founded in 670 AD. Because Stoke was such a common name for a settlement, some kind of distinguishing affix was usually added later, in this case the name of the river. The motto of Stoke-on-Trent is Vis Unita Fortior which can be translated as: United are Stronger. This means Stoke has more reds than all the hotels in Portugal. Famous people include Frank Bough, and Edward Smith, Captain of the Titanic, and Reginald Mitchell, the chief designer of the Spitfire. William Clowes and Hugh Bourne, the founders of Primitive Methodism and also Josiah Wedgewood, although it's not clear when Clowes and Bourne founded him. Local delicacy is the oatcake, which imaginatively is a cake made of erm, oats. The club were originally formed under the name Stoke Ramblers in 1863, but 15 years later they merged with Stoke Victoria Cricket Club and became Stoke Football Club. In 1925, when Stoke-on-Trent was granted "city status" their name changed again, this time to Stoke City Football Club. Stoke is a suburb of Port Vale. Stoke was the oldest club in the Premier League, and is considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world - after Notts County. Sir Stanley Matthews holds the record for the oldest ever player to feature in England's top division. His appearance for Stoke City against Fulham in February 1965 came shortly after his 50th birthday, which in some ways means he was older than the world's second oldest football club. In 1891 the Football League decided that only one club could use one style of strip and Sunderland were allowed to take red and white stripes. Between 1891 and 1908 Stoke used a variety of kits, with plain maroon being most common. During the close season of 1967 Stoke City played in the one-off United Soccer Association, which imported clubs from Europe and South America. Stoke played as the Cleveland Stokers and finished as runners-up in the Eastern Division. Father Elijah Smith took off his cassock to play for the Potters in the 1880s.The half-back, who was in charge of a church in Stoke, starred in the club's first ever league win, over Notts County Stoke are responsible for the penalty kickThe Potters were knocked out of the FA Cup by Notts County in 1891.They were piling on the pressure in search of an equaliser when Notts defender Jack Hendry punched away a goal-bound shot.Stoke were given a free-kick but the opponents stacked 11 men on their own line and blocked any shot.Referee John Lewis thought this wasn't fair so campaigned to introduce the penalty kick when he became a football legislator. And responsible for injury time. In 1891 the penalty was a new rule when, on October 24 of that year, Stoke had fought back from 3-0 down to trail Aston Villa by a single goal at the Victoria Ground.The Potters were awarded a last-minute spot-kick and chance to level when a Villa player picked up the ball and booted it out of the ground.The referee blew for full-time before it was returned.The rules were soon changed to allow time to be added, but initially only if penalties were to be taken. Striker Archie Maxwell broke Stoke's transfer record when he joined from Darwen in 1896 for a set of wrought iron gates. Manager in 1896, Bill Rowley sold himself to Leicester. In 1905, goal keeper Jack Hobbs left Stoke after an argument over bonus payments. He returned as a ringer playing for Port Vale, and infuriated the crowd by wearing a Stoke shirt under his top. The Police had to remove him from the fans who were carrying him to the river. Star 1920s and 30s midfielder Harry Sellars once woke up in a Middlesbrough hotel and switched on the light in time to see a rat dart across the room with his dentures in its mouth.What's more, Stoke returned to the same hotel two years later and Sellars was presented with the nashers.They had been discovered by workmen who were refurbishing the room
I would give start all three Chelsea lads in a 4 5 1 formation. if we are going up as champions, these are the games we need to be winning. 3-0
Hopefully the extended break does us good, would love us to keep a clean sheet but can't see it.... 3-2 city
Damn Stoke have that new manager bounce. We are always charitable in these instances. Optimistic score draw… 1-1
A comprehensive 4-0 drubbing by City. Oscar 2, Tufan 1 and a cheeky single from one of the Chelsea boys. We've all got to keep smiling.
For some reason I’ve gone for a City win prediction. However despite this, I expect Alex Neal will get his new manager bump from us like all the other no hopers get when ****’s up against them.
Have no fear GLP, our new player bounce will confuse the hell out of them. I'm pleased 4-0 is back on the score prediction, because thats what it will be... Oscar, Oscar, Tufan, Vale... to the tune of Trumpton
