THE POTTERS MAKING HISTORY

Founded in 1863 as Stoke Ramblers, they are the second oldest professional football club in the world after Notts County. The club was formed by ex-students of Charterhouse School in London (at the time) who wanted to have a daily runaround having worked on the North Staffordshire railway. Henry Almond , an Old Carthusian (from the school) introduced the dribbling game to the club, famed from Charterhouse where the dry fast pitch at the school favoured dribbling. The club 's first season's games were in the FA Cup. They became Stoke FC in 1878 and City added when Stoke was granted City status in 1928. 

The Potters joined the Football League as founder members in 1888 (see below). At the end of the first season, Stoke came root! P22 W 4 D4 L14 Goals F 26 A 51 Pts 12. They did the same in 1889-90 and left the league the following season. They rejoined the FL for the 1891-2 season and came second bottom,,,things improved slightly until 1897-8 when they came last but stayed in the First Division.

Stanley Matthews, one of the greatest players of his generation, had two spells at the club, his first as a beginner before his fame and then  playing his last match at the age of 50 and is, arguably, the most famous player ever to have worn the Potters'  red and white striped shirt.

In 1946-47, the Potters came closest to winning a top division title. A victory on the final day of the season would have been enough but they lost at Sheffield United to allow Liverpool to take the title.

Stoke City`s only major trophy came in 1972 when they won the League Cup under manager Tony Waddington who was in charge from 1960 to 1977. Locally-born Peter Coates began his second period spell as the club's majority shareholder in 2006. This time backed by the enormous wealth from his successful Bet365 gambling company, the Potters resumed their place amongst the English game's elite.

After a 23-year absence from the top flight, with manager Tony Pulis at the helm, City won promotion to the Premier League in the 2007-08. As they continued to grow on and off the field, Stoke City reached their first FA Cup Final in 2011 when they were beaten by Manchester City.

Home ground history: Sweeting's Field - 1875   Victoria Ground - 1878    Britannia Stadium - 1997          Renamed: Bet365 Stadium - 2016

Through their history: The Potters have won 1948 games: drawn 1333: lost 2017:                                   Goals For 7152 (1.35 per game) Ag 7368 (1.39)

As I write Stoke City have just gone behind in their League game v Brentford 1-2!

Their first League fixture was on September 8 1888 v WBA; The Potters lost 0-2 and since then have never had a positive goal difference. Here are their first few fixtures which will give you a hint..... Stoke and Notts County have something in common...do you know?

08 Sep 1888	Stoke v West Bromwich Albion	L	0-2	League Division One
15 Sep 1888	Aston Villa v Stoke	L	5-1	League Division One
22 Sep 1888	Stoke v Notts County	W	3-0	League Division One
29 Sep 1888	Stoke v Accrington	L	2-4	League Division One
06 Oct 1888	Preston North End v Stoke	L	7-0	League Division One
13 Oct 1888	Bolton Wanderers v Stoke	L	2-1	League Division One
20 Oct 1888	Stoke v Burnley	W	4-3	League Division One
27 Oct 1888	Blackburn Rovers v Stoke	L	5-2	League Division One