Author: Paul W. Baker

Paul W. Baker

V Oxford Utd

Great result on a great day with Stoke going into second spot meaning we face Coventry City on Saturday, a top two of the table clash! Surely NOT a game to be missed?

Screenshot

Paul W. Baker

Southern Stoke Supporters Club – Christmas Party Update

🎄 Southern Stoke Supporters Club – Christmas Party Update 🎄

Watford Away – Saturday 20th December, 3:00 PM KO

Our Christmas outing is set for the Watford away game — and we’ve got a great day planned!

🕛 Plan for the Day:
• 12:00 PM: Meet at Wetherspoons (Watford) for pre-match drinks 🍻
• 3:00 PM: Head to Vicarage Road for the big game ⚽
• 5:40 PM: Sit down for food at TGI Friday’s 🍔
• Evening: More beers and celebrations in Central Watford 🎉

I’ll be booking a table at TGI Friday’s, so please make sure to vote in the poll below to confirm your spot.

Let’s make it a cracking Christmas day out — Up the Potters! 🔴⚪

Paul W. Baker

SOUTHAMPTON V STOKE CITY

What a day!

For me it didn’t start very well as the traffic into Southampton was just awful. Every road had some roadworks going on on it, every turn into a new road saw another blockage, another event that hindered the planned time of arrival.

Viktor Johansson made some stunning stops

But arrive I did and I think there was only a handful of other Stokies there when I arrived but no sooner was I there than many more started to arrive, ice cream and beer being the order of the day!

On entering the stadium the very friendly staff checked ticket and then to the bar for a beer. I then realized I was on tablets and the beer was not doing me any good, so I gave it away after about 4 mouthfuls.

Celebrating Bakers Goal in the 54th Minute

Then I took my seat and the gam began and I have to say it was good to so Stoke City dominating a game in the way they did pretty much all the way through the game and to prove that point Stoke went ahead with a goal scored by Baker just after the 50th minute, so good, the celebrations were so good. The dominance continued that is until the sending off of Mubama (I still don’t know why? Diving everyone thought?)

No sooner than he was off Stoke however Stoke were 0-2 ahead, goal from Thomas what a belter.

After that I thought Southampton had a lot of the game, but they couldn’t put their extra man to make an advantage and after whet seemed to be an hours extra time, the ref blew his whistle and we won, such a wonderful feeling.

Paul W. Baker

Attendance

On March 10, 1934, a massive crowd of 84,569 fans packed Maine Road to watch Manchester City take on Stoke City in an FA Cup quarterfinal match. This staggering attendance remains the largest for an English Club match outside of Wembley Stadium and has stood the test of time. This record attendance is a testament to the popularity and excitement of English football, particularly in the early 20th century

Paul W. Baker

Matchday Anticipation: Southampton vs Stoke City

This Saturday I’ll be at St. Mary’s Stadium for Southampton v Stoke City, and I can’t wait. There’s always a buzz before an away day, and this one feels like it could be special.

Southampton at home are never easy, but Stoke have been showing more determination recently, and I’m hoping we can take that spirit onto the pitch. It’s the kind of game where anything can happen – a tight battle, a moment of magic, or a scrappy goal that changes everything.

For me, it’s as much about the occasion as it is the result. The walk up to the ground, the atmosphere building in the stands, and that moment when the teams walk out – it all adds to the excitement.

I’ll be there backing Stoke all the way, hoping the lads can bring something home. Whatever happens, it’s another memory to add to the journey of following my club. Here’s to a good game, and hopefully, three points in the bag!

Paul W. Baker

Stoke City Away Day – Southampton Awaits

Next weekend marks another exciting away day as Stoke City make the journey down to the south coast to take on Southampton. I’ve already secured my ticket and I’m looking forward to the relatively quick trip from Portsmouth to St Mary’s Stadium – a journey that feels more like a local outing than a long away-day trek.

Stoke have made a solid start to the season and remain unbeaten so far. That momentum adds a little extra buzz heading into this fixture. Southampton will certainly provide a strong test, but there’s a sense of belief and optimism that Stoke can extend their run and come away with a positive result.

For me, part of the joy of these matches is the build-up – the anticipation of joining fellow fans, the chatter on the train or in the pubs beforehand, and then that roar when the players walk out onto the pitch. It’s not just about the football, but also about the community and shared experience of following Stoke City wherever they go.

It promises to be a great day out, and hopefully, one that sees the unbeaten streak continue. Southampton away – bring it on!

Paul W. Baker

Lifts to and from the Bet 365 Stadium

I have added a section – Lifts from – then my name, if you click on my name you’ll get some details.

If you would like to offer lifts to other members, please contact me and I will add your details to the website too. No telephone numbers, addresses of any kind will be added to the website for security purposes – use Whats App.

If you have come across the website and are not a member of this club (and a Stoke City Supporter) details will be added to the website very soon or leave a comment in the comments section below.

Cost for joining me will be chipping in for fuel and the M6 Toll that is all 🙂

  • My next trip from Hampshire to Stoke will be the Birmingham City match
Paul W. Baker

From Fareham to the Potteries: A Rollercoaster Trip to See Stoke City Beat Derby County

Some journeys are straightforward. This was not one of them.

Leaving Fareham, Hampshire full of matchday excitement, I quickly discovered the road to Stoke-on-Trent was going to test my patience as much as my football loyalty. Accidents, lane closures, diversions — you name it, I hit it. The drive felt like a tactical defensive masterclass from the M6 itself, determined to keep me from the bet365 Stadium.

By the time I finally arrived, though, the atmosphere made the slog worthwhile. Both sets of supporters — Stoke City and Derby County — were in full voice. My Apple Watch even decided to get involved, pinging me a noise warning mid-match. That’s how loud it was.

First day of the new season

The game itself had all the drama you could ask for. Derby struck first through Morris, quietening the home fans for all of… about 10 minutes. Stoke responded in style — a stunning equalizer from Baker, followed by a towering header from Mubama, and a cracking strike from Thomas, meaning The Potters ran out worthy 3-1 winners.

And just like that, the long journey there was forgotten. The drive home? Smooth as you like — 3.5 hours door-to-door. Football, good company, and three points for Stoke… the perfect end to what started as a nightmare trip.

Paul W. Baker

League Cup Winners 1972

The 1972 Football League Cup Final took place on 4 March 1972 at Wembley Stadium and was contested by Chelsea and Stoke City.

Chelsea went into the match as strong favourites having won the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in the previous two seasons, whereas Stoke City were attempting to win our first major trophy. 

Terry Conroy put Stoke into the lead early on, but Chelsea hit back through Peter Osgood just before half time. Stoke got the decisive final goal from veteran George Eastham to end our long 109-year wait for a major honour. 

It remains Stoke City’s only major trophy victory, the closest they have come since then to beating this achievement was in 2011 when they lost to Manchester City in the 2011 FA Cup Final.

The Stoke City Squad

Tony Waddington – Manager

Gordon Banks
Jackie Marsh
Mike Pejic
Mike Bernard
Denis Smith
Alan Bloor
Terry Conroy
Jimmy Greenhoff
John Ritchie
Peter Dobing (Captain)
George Eastham
John Mahoney (Sub)