Stoke City is the oldest club who competed in the Premier League. If the size of the world, Stoke is the second oldest club after Notts County. Stoke was established in 1863 under the name Stoke Ramblers, when students Charterhouse School formed a football club. The first match the club's history is recorded in October 1868 against EM May XV at the Victoria Cricket Club ground. Ten years ago, Stoke Ramblers merged with Stoke Victoria Cricket Club and Stoke City Football Club was born. They then moved to the stadium that became known to the Victoria Ground.
The period of the 1930s were years of the most memorable in the history of Stoke. At that time, the club confirmed the legendary British players, Stanley Matthews. 1932/33 season, Stoke won promotion to Division One ticket and started to become one of the top clubs that period. February 1937, Stoke record the biggest win, 10-3, over West Bromwich Albion. April the same year, a record number of spectators Stoke, 51 373 people, at home to Arsenal. Unfortunately, World War II forced the league to stop for six years. When World War II ended, exactly in the 1946/47 season, Matthews moved to Blackpool at the age of 32 years.
In the period of the 1970s, Stoke played well in the tournament trophy. In the 1971/72 League Cup final, in front of 97,852 spectators who packed Wembley Stadium, Stoke beat a team that is favored, Chelsea, 2-1. Stoke is also noted to penetrate the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1970/71 and 1971/72. However, the club financially trapped when the roof of the stadium in the stands of The Butler collapsed by the storm. To cover the cost of repairs, Stoke were forced to sell three star players at the time. As a result, Stoke relegated to Division Two 1976/77 season.
In 1997/98, Stoke began using a new cage, Britannia Stadium, after 119 years of inhabiting the Victoria Ground. Early 2000s, the stock ownership of the club purchased a consortium of Icelandic origin. Slowly, Stoke were able to climb the caste caste competition for English football. 2001/02 season, Stoke had stepped into the Championship and they should be working hard during the next six seasons to realize the dream of competing in the Premier League. While appearing back in the Premier League last season, many observers doubted Stoke able to maintain top tier status. As you know the history, Stoke able to reverse it and continue to survive in the highest English football scene.
PROFILE STOKE CITY
Founded: 1863
Address: Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, England ST4 4EG England
Phone: 0871 663 2008
Fax: (01782) 592210
Electronic Mail: info@stokecityfc.com
Official: http://www.stokecityfc.com
Chairman: Peter Coates
Director: Keith Humphreys, Phil Rawlins, Richard Smith
Stadium: Britannia Stadium
Achievement Records
2 times the old Division Two champion (1932/33, 1962/63)
1 time champion Football League (1992/93)
1 time League Cup winners (1971/72)
Source : Goal
