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Post by Northy on Feb 26, 2015 11:16:54 GMT
why? Not everybody needs to get blind drunk to enjoy themselves, they have personalities for that Or you missed out on the fun in Valencia and got bussed in from Benidorm an hour before kick off. I stayed in Barcelona before (£14 flight) then got the train to Valencia early the next morning, got there about 11 and stayed in valencia the night after the match, enjoyed it so much took the Mrs there for a weeks holiday last October
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Post by owdestokie on Feb 26, 2015 12:29:46 GMT
my main memory was a great time throughout, Perhaps I'm easily pleased after all it was such a long time since Ajax away. I was just grateful to have the opportunity of watching SCFC in Europe again. I was also delighted ro be in Europe. But what is the point if you aren't going give it your best shot? Me like a few other thousand did exactly that. It was a one off match not a season saver!!
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Post by werrington on Feb 26, 2015 13:15:53 GMT
Valencia was shite in comparison to our other European travels
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Post by kevkj on Feb 26, 2015 16:17:47 GMT
I missed the one i really wanted to go to besiktas as i working away.
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Feb 26, 2015 18:53:27 GMT
How grateful was he when he saw the team sheet, Smudge and realisation began to dawn? Still I imagine his faith in things has been restored now that the club and the team have improved so much. All hail Sparky and our magnificent men in suits! It's become apparent that these piss easy cup runs guarantee nothing in recent weeks hasn't it, Mark? I'm beginning to think their may have been some merit in our achievements back then, despite the club and team being so much more worse than they are now. I don't expect you to agree from your subterranean bunker, maybe your view is that we threw that game at Blackburn so we could continue to focus on improving so much? I just have to remind myself how hard life must be these days in the Taliban redoubt. Share those rations nicely with Tazi and Stafford won't you? ????
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Post by sheikhmomo on Feb 26, 2015 19:10:07 GMT
It's become apparent that these piss easy cup runs guarantee nothing in recent weeks hasn't it, Mark? I'm beginning to think their may have been some merit in our achievements back then, despite the club and team being so much more worse than they are now. I don't expect you to agree from your subterranean bunker, maybe your view is that we threw that game at Blackburn so we could continue to focus on improving so much? I just have to remind myself how hard life must be these days in the Taliban redoubt. Share those rations nicely with Tazi and Stafford won't you? ???? I am as much a supporter of the current manager as I was of the last manager, both of whom did and are doing remarkable jobs. Q. Can The Marksman say the same A. Can he fuck Enjoy your wankstain agenda rations as they enter their thirteenth year and counting!
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Post by bobthethrob on Feb 26, 2015 22:43:23 GMT
Too many people on here with AGENDAS and UNDERCURRENTS
"teepee was a toss" "no he wonner he was mint" "eff off you!" "No you eff off you pipe" and so on
too many AGENDA BRENDAS commenting away
jiminy cricket- he's bin gone ages and managed two other clubs since us.
I've been married twice since Janice and it's very rare (IF AT ALL) I call her up when I'm pissed up these days. Just not bothered.
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Post by robin1302 on Mar 6, 2015 23:15:06 GMT
Nice flag... we were stood a few yards from it in that main square on the day of the game. Did you know about the lad whose flag it was and how he became utterly disillusioned about one of the people on the flag and then actively spoke out for that person to leave the club? Interesting story. Interesting story alright, especially when all the facts aren't there. How about the true story from the horses mouth... I've always loved TP, and always will do, there were just a few things towards the end of reign which annoyed the life out of me, like I think they did everyone else as well. My Dad had always told me about Stoke being in the top flight, beating the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, getting to cup semi finals, getting into Europe, but for the majority of my life growing up all that was a pipe dream. I never thought I'd see us in the top never mind anything else... My first few years following Stoke saw us pretty much in the lowest part of our history, and I'd always go into school every morning to the likes of "Stoke Shitty what a pity, never scored a goal in history" and the likes. Wound me up no end. TP and PC changed all that. Going back to the binary season I was probably one of the few which could see what he was trying to do. All solid teams were built on a solid defence, think we conceded 36 in 45 games which is good enough for promotion, but we just lacked in attack. A bit of strengthening going forward and who knows what could have happened the next season. It was for that reason I was in favour of returning to the club 2 years later, as it was a chance to finish what was started. Everyone Stoke are mentioned now, it's always "a tough place to go", which is all down to TP really for the siege mentality we created in that first season back in the top flight. If any top player in the world does something spectacular, it's always "could he do it at Stoke on a Tuesday night". Not Bolton, West Ham, Swansea... Stoke. Another thing we should be grateful for TP for. Teams are still coming to the Brit now, and I'd say beaten before the game has started, just because of the perception he helped create. Obviously don't need to go into it in much detail, but that day against Bolton was just incredible, and will live with me for as long as I live. The first 5 European trips were also incredible, and something I never ever thought I'd see with Stoke. I'd of been happy just to have seen one, never mind 5. Hence the reason that Christmas why I rushed to get the flag made for Valencia. Then you know what happened... I remember sitting in a kebab house after losing the first leg 1-0. We'd be played of the park let's face it, and it should have been more. For a few days I was gutted that this was going to be it, just one last trip to live the dream, but as the days before the return leg drew closer, the more I thought we could actually do something. We pinch the first goal and its game on! Will never forget sitting in St. Patrick's bar off one of the main squares when the news came round about half the team being left at home. It felt like the love of my life had cheated on me. I was speechless for about an hour. It definitely did feel like the end. The day in the square was superb, but because of the team selection I'll always have regrets of that trip. He'd purposely tried to get every man and his dog over there for what he called at the time the biggest game in the club's history, to pull a stunt like that. Prioritising 2 home games against 2 promoted clubs over that tie was ridiculous. We should be backing ourselves to beat them, and does anyone really remember those games now? Little or nothing anyway. The team that night performed admirably. If only Kenwyne had of stuck that chance away at 0-0 on the night, or more so, what if with 30 minutes to go we even just had a Crouch, Etherington etc to call off the bench? If we'd of pulled one back, we'd of only needed one more to go through on away goals. It would of been more than possible... After that feeling of being cheated, it grew easier to become frustrated. Even if he didn't want to give anything away in the media pre-match, I don't want him saying that Wigan away is a bonus game. I understand him not wanting to go too over the top, but it wouldn't hurt to say we'll go there and do our best to win. Like Hughes does now... Some of the football annoyed me at times, but not anywhere near as much as others. "Pulisball" at its best was brilliant. 5-0 v Bolton, 3-1 v Liverpool to name 2 examples. Some of the wins in the promotion season, and every time Arsenal came to town also notable mentions. It just annoyed me therefore why he didn't try and go for it like that all the time, and we'd end up setting up for a 0-0 wherever we went away from home, purposely playing people out of position when there was no need to. That Villa home game when we lost 3-1 was just dire, I lost count of how many long balls sailed out for a goal kick that day, was ridiculous. The end of that year did seem as though it was right to part ways, as the first major cracks had start to come. The Brit didn't feel like the fortress it initially did, and the slide in the 2nd half of the season wasn't half scary. For his traits though, the positives far outweigh it, and I'm pleased he's done very well for himself and now starting to get the plaudits he deserved a long time previously. He'd always big the supporters and Stoke-on-Trent as a whole up which was fantastic, and you could tell it was someone who loved their job and that he was so proud to be the manager of Stoke. I can't wait for next season hopefully when he returns to the Brit to get the send off he deserves, and the flag will definitely be making a return for that. If I ever come across disillusioned or whatever, it's just because of how passionate I am. I take every Stoke loss, whether right or wrongly, as though someone's died, it gets me down all week, with the complete opposite for a win. I'm still devastated about the Blackburn defeat as it felt like a huge opportunity missed to relive 2011 all over again, but that doesn't at all mean I'm not behind Mark Hughes or delighted how we're doing at the moment. Anyway, thinks that's enough for one mail.
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Post by robin1302 on Mar 6, 2015 23:19:11 GMT
Yeah I'm becoming as bit confused as to Coates current motives myself Smudge. Still forever grateful though. How grateful was he when he saw the team sheet, Smudge and realisation began to dawn? Still I imagine his faith in things has been restored now that the club and the team have improved so much. All hail Sparky and our magnificent men in suits! I was absolutely gutted, as my above reply to Smudge will tell you. I'm still gutted about it to this day of what might of been, but that's life. I don't regret the flag at all, and it looked great on the night right in the middle of the away section. My faith has always been there, just that our results heavily affect how I feel. We lose I'm down in the dumps, we win I'm on cloud 9. How we're playing at the moment is fantastic to watch, and really does make me feel proud to support Stoke. Shame about Blackburn, but that's football, can't have it all!
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Post by LL Cool Dave on Mar 6, 2015 23:20:22 GMT
Walking round Valencia in shorts and t-shirt getting a bit scorchio and all the locals dressed in full length coats, hats and scarves.
And the hotel receptionist telling us on check in that 'ah, I see you've brought the B team'
Never forgiven..
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Post by robin1302 on Mar 6, 2015 23:20:55 GMT
Valencia was shite in comparison to our other European travels Agreed, probably the worst of the lot. Would say that Tel Aviv was my favourite, closely follow by Kiev, Split & Istanbul all in a tie for 2nd place. Much preferred it when there was only a small amount of us there in all honesty.
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Post by MarkWolstanton on Mar 6, 2015 23:25:51 GMT
I just have to remind myself how hard life must be these days in the Taliban redoubt. Share those rations nicely with Tazi and Stafford won't you? ???? I am as much a supporter of the current manager as I was of the last manager, both of whom did and are doing remarkable jobs. Q. Can The Marksman say the same A. Can he fuck Enjoy your wankstain agenda rations as they enter their thirteenth year and counting! Lets get our facts right just for once shall we? Ten years and counting. Mind you, keep repeating thirteen and it will turn into another Sheiky Fact!
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Post by kidcrewbob on Mar 7, 2015 12:10:24 GMT
Valencia was shite in comparison to our other European travels Agreed, probably the worst of the lot. Would say that Tel Aviv was my favourite, closely follow by Kiev, Split & Istanbul all in a tie for 2nd place. Much preferred it when there was only a small amount of us there in all honesty. Well me and the lad stood on the front row behind that flag as it turned out and this being our only Euro trip of the campaign (decided day before no tickets!) it will live with us as the greatest away day ever - better than the cup final and on a par with the semi. Remember talking to you after about the flag - I tried to buy a decent sized copy of the pic that was used on the Stoke website but the agency that took it wouldn't sell me one - don't suppose anyone has one bigger than a thumbnail??
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Post by cobhamstokey on Mar 7, 2015 16:38:26 GMT
Going there in May. Football aside what's it like as s place?
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Post by 1raytuper on Mar 7, 2015 17:27:46 GMT
Going there in May. Football aside what's it like as s place? a beautiful city mate,enjoy
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Post by cobhamstokey on Mar 7, 2015 17:52:07 GMT
Cheers Ray it looks nice. Is the Mestaya in the middle.
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Post by riponstokie on Mar 7, 2015 22:17:05 GMT
I pissed on that flag! Right on the back of TP's head. That was my war cry. H PRICK!
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Post by Ayupshag on Mar 7, 2015 22:27:15 GMT
Cheers Ray it looks nice. Is the Mestaya in the middle. No mate it's about a 10 min taxi ride outside. The ground itself is a bit of a shithole. It's all breeze blocks and concrete. It's still the Mestalla tho and one of the great European grounds. Valencia is a really nice city and a true taste of Spain. Most locals don't speak a word of English but the tapas is awesome. Enjoy
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Post by riponstokie on Mar 7, 2015 22:28:07 GMT
Walking round Valencia in shorts and t-shirt getting a bit scorchio and all the locals dressed in full length coats, hats and scarves. And the hotel receptionist telling us on check in that 'ah, I see you've brought the B team' Never forgiven.. Any Stoke team with Ricardo in it is never a B team. TP made a decision for the greater good of the club and it paid off. We won the next two games (I think?!) and that ensured Premier League football then and now tbh.
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Post by 1raytuper on Mar 7, 2015 22:50:53 GMT
Walking round Valencia in shorts and t-shirt getting a bit scorchio and all the locals dressed in full length coats, hats and scarves. And the hotel receptionist telling us on check in that 'ah, I see you've brought the B team' Never forgiven.. Any Stoke team with Ricardo in it is never a B team. TP made a decision for the greater good of the club and it paid off. We won the next two games (I think?!) and that ensured Premier League football then and now tbh. me and my mates didnt really give a toss when we heard pulis was resting players,we were in spain watching stoke in a european competition that we were never going to win,we just made the most of the occasion,it might never happen again
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Post by 2004 on Mar 7, 2015 23:04:14 GMT
I wish I could have gone to some of the European games
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Post by stokerstayinup on Mar 8, 2015 1:42:33 GMT
On the way to the ground my (ex) lady rang me to say that she'd heard on signal radio that any Stoke fans trying to enter the home sections would be turned away. On arrival at the turnstiles,the main topic was the weakened Stoke team.My only question,Is Ric in the team?
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Post by Caerwrangonpotter on Mar 8, 2015 5:22:00 GMT
The walk from the square....it was just as is if "right lads, supp up & lets head off for the footie!". Every step, more Stokies, a mass sing song of red & white. The good People of Valencia who had seen their bars drunk dry, just stopped in awe. I can always remember a bridge we walked over just before the Ground, where lots of junior teams were playing & it just stopped them mid game. Watching this happy boisterous bunch of Potters heading for what was to be our Europa League swansong that season. (How I wish I had filmed THAT journey!)
The point to cap it all. Stood right at the back of the Mestia, flag flying proud & looking on at the sun go down. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here.
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Post by RAF on Mar 8, 2015 11:59:41 GMT
I pissed on that flag! Right on the back of TP's head. That was my war cry. H :) PRICK! Ah diddums wickle wipon have a good cry you humourless spunk bubble! H
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Post by RAF on Mar 8, 2015 12:01:16 GMT
Walking round Valencia in shorts and t-shirt getting a bit scorchio and all the locals dressed in full length coats, hats and scarves. And the hotel receptionist telling us on check in that 'ah, I see you've brought the B team' Never forgiven.. Any Stoke team with Ricardo in it is never a B team. TP made a decision for the greater good of the club and it paid off. We won the next two games (I think?!) and that ensured Premier League football then and now tbh. Utter shit, he bottled it when he didnt need to! H
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Post by werrington on Mar 8, 2015 12:07:20 GMT
Walking round Valencia in shorts and t-shirt getting a bit scorchio and all the locals dressed in full length coats, hats and scarves. And the hotel receptionist telling us on check in that 'ah, I see you've brought the B team' Never forgiven.. Any Stoke team with Ricardo in it is never a B team. TP made a decision for the greater good of the club and it paid off. We won the next two games (I think?!) and that ensured Premier League football then and now tbh. We had 32 points before that game in mid February He shit his pants and took the piss out of all of us
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Post by Davef on Mar 8, 2015 12:17:15 GMT
Any Stoke team with Ricardo in it is never a B team. TP made a decision for the greater good of the club and it paid off. We won the next two games (I think?!) and that ensured Premier League football then and now tbh. We had 32 points before that game in mid February He shit his pants and took the piss out of all of us It was 30 points mate. The win against Swansea took us to 33 and the victory against Norwich the week after took us to 36 which was the ultimate safety line. Paul Merson said on Soccer Saturday that he was disappointed that Pulis didn't back himself to get 10 points from his final 13 matches. More importantly, several senior first team players were unimpressed that they were denied the chance to play in Valencia and I genuinely think that was the beginning of the end for TP as Stoke manager.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 8, 2015 12:27:54 GMT
We had 32 points before that game in mid February He shit his pants and took the piss out of all of us It was 30 points mate. The win against Swansea took us to 33 and the victory against Norwich the week after took us to 36 which was the ultimate safety line. Paul Merson said on Soccer Saturday that he was disappointed that Pulis didn't back himself to get 10 points from his final 13 matches. More importantly, several senior first team players were unimpressed that they were denied the chance to play in Valencia and I genuinely think that was the beginning of the end for TP as Stoke manager. Indeed. No-one more so than his captain, Ryan shawcross.
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Post by Jamo on the wing on Mar 8, 2015 12:35:36 GMT
It was 30 points mate. The win against Swansea took us to 33 and the victory against Norwich the week after took us to 36 which was the ultimate safety line. Paul Merson said on Soccer Saturday that he was disappointed that Pulis didn't back himself to get 10 points from his final 13 matches. More importantly, several senior first team players were unimpressed that they were denied the chance to play in Valencia and I genuinely think that was the beginning of the end for TP as Stoke manager. Indeed. No-one more so than his captain, Ryan shawcross. When you look at some of the shit houses that actually played in Valencia, it's a crying shame Ryan didn't feature.
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Post by foxysgloves on Mar 8, 2015 13:03:43 GMT
We had 32 points before that game in mid February He shit his pants and took the piss out of all of us It was 30 points mate. The win against Swansea took us to 33 and the victory against Norwich the week after took us to 36 which was the ultimate safety line. Paul Merson said on Soccer Saturday that he was disappointed that Pulis didn't back himself to get 10 points from his final 13 matches. More importantly, several senior first team players were unimpressed that they were denied the chance to play in Valencia and I genuinely think that was the beginning of the end for TP as Stoke manager. Ooohhhhh!!! Paul Merson said that??? Well that changes everything.
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