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Post by STOKEDinUSA on May 4, 2016 21:42:37 GMT
Hello all!
My name is Derek, I live in the USA and I have recently decided to declare my allegiance to The Potters of Stoke City.
In the spirit of full disclosure I will offer an insight to the events that led me to pledge allegiance to this squad.
Before I begin, let me offer an apology for my Americanisms.(I call the game soccer, I'm sorry.)
I played myself from age 5 through college. I coached a couple kids teams that my younger sister played for after college, and I currently participate in a very relaxed coed league.
I developed an interest in the EPL only recently. It is pretty much the only non MLS soccer I can watch on my TV at home. I have never had any loyalties in the EPL of any sort. I watched just for the appreciation of the caliber of the competition.
I had an epiphany that I have been robbing myself of one of the greatest joys of sport. The emotional roller-coaster of supporting YOUR TEAM. Thus, my selection process began.
My girlfriend is not a fan of the sport. I fully expect to spend countless hours watching MY TEAM from this point forward, so I had to make sure she was involved in the selection and was on board with supporting whoever was chosen. I felt compelled to mention this because she is a huge Harry Potter fan, and the nickname is definitely something she can get behind. An admittedly questionable factor to consider when choosing a squad to support, but powerful nonetheless.
I am familiar with Geoff Cameron and it doesn't hurt supporting an English team with a fellow American. I could be wrong, but aside from Everton with the soon departing Howard, there are no EPL teams with an American on the first team, save for the soon to be relegated bunch at Aston Villa?
I refuse to support a perennial powerhouse for fear of being labeled a bandwagon fan. This may stem from my own distaste for this dreadful bunch of bottom feeders.
I read a brief history of the organization and they just really felt like one I could get behind. And so it was settled, I found my guys. And forcing my girlfriend to yell and drink with me will be less impossible if she can fantasize about wizards all the while. For better or worse, we are now joined, till death.
Which brings me to my ask. I do not have the funds to bankroll a trip across the pond immediately to immerse myself at Brittania. The next best thing is the internet.
As a die-hard fan, what do I need to know that I can't learn on Wikipedia? I am looking for tips on rivalries, historically significant matches, superstitions, anything at all that a true fan should know.
Are there any books, movies (documentary or fiction), songs etc that I am obligated to be familiar with?
I know this was a long post, if you made it, thanks for your time. I truly appreciate any guidance you can provide and I hope to be welcomed to the family.
Go Potters!
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Post by samba :) on May 4, 2016 21:45:05 GMT
Burslem cough
I couldn't help reading without a Jesse maguire accent
Always refer to(whispers) tony pulis as "he who must not be named"
He appears to be the voldermort of scfc
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Post by Batfink on May 4, 2016 21:46:30 GMT
As if you were at college when you were 5!
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Post by scfcwebby on May 4, 2016 21:48:08 GMT
It helps if you have your brown wings
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Post by stokefc on May 4, 2016 21:51:21 GMT
just hate arsenal with a passion and you,ll be fine on here.oh and man u too
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Post by sheikhmomo on May 4, 2016 21:55:29 GMT
Your first test.
How does this make you feel, Dirk?
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Post by muglump on May 4, 2016 21:55:57 GMT
Hello all! My name is Derek, I live in the USA and I have recently decided to declare my allegiance to The Potters of Stoke City. In the spirit of full disclosure I will offer an insight to the events that led me to pledge allegiance to this squad. Before I begin, let me offer an apology for my Americanisms.(I call the game soccer, I'm sorry.) I played myself from age 5 through college. I coached a couple kids teams that my younger sister played for after college, and I currently participate in a very relaxed coed league. I developed an interest in the EPL only recently. It is pretty much the only non MLS soccer I can watch on my TV at home. I have never had any loyalties in the EPL of any sort. I watched just for the appreciation of the caliber of the competition. I had an epiphany that I have been robbing myself of one of the greatest joys of sport. The emotional roller-coaster of supporting YOUR TEAM. Thus, my selection process began. My girlfriend is not a fan of the sport. I fully expect to spend countless hours watching MY TEAM from this point forward, so I had to make sure she was involved in the selection and was on board with supporting whoever was chosen. I felt compelled to mention this because she is a huge Harry Potter fan, and the nickname is definitely something she can get behind. An admittedly questionable factor to consider when choosing a squad to support, but powerful nonetheless. I am familiar with Geoff Cameron and it doesn't hurt supporting an English team with a fellow American. I could be wrong, but aside from Everton with the soon departing Howard, there are no EPL teams with an American on the first team, save for the soon to be relegated bunch at Aston Villa? I refuse to support a perennial powerhouse for fear of being labeled a bandwagon fan. This may stem from my own distaste for this dreadful bunch of bottom feeders. I read a brief history of the organization and they just really felt like one I could get behind. And so it was settled, I found my guys. And forcing my girlfriend to yell and drink with me will be less impossible if she can fantasize about wizards all the while. For better or worse, we are now joined, till death. Which brings me to my ask. I do not have the funds to bankroll a trip across the pond immediately to immerse myself at Brittania. The next best thing is the internet. As a die-hard fan, what do I need to know that I can't learn on Wikipedia? I am looking for tips on rivalries, historically significant matches, superstitions, anything at all that a true fan should know. Are there any books, movies (documentary or fiction), songs etc that I am obligated to be familiar with? I know this was a long post, if you made it, thanks for your time. I truly appreciate any guidance you can provide and I hope to be welcomed to the family. Go Potters! Good man. As someone who started at age three I say welcome aboard and stick with it
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Post by march4 on May 4, 2016 22:09:53 GMT
First rule; you are not a proper Stoke fan until you've learned how to criticise the players, manager, staff, stadium, car parking and fellow fans.
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Post by crapslinger on May 4, 2016 22:15:07 GMT
First rule; you are not a proper Stoke fan until you've learned how to criticise the players, manager, staff, stadium, car parking and fellow fans. What about the sale of Huth and his replacement.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2016 22:16:24 GMT
Fellow American Stoke supporter here.
Start with:
Sir Stanley Matthews Gordon Banks
I'm in Chicago. If you're ever through we can catch a game at The Globe or The Atlantic. Welcome aboard!
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Post by tobeperfectlyhonest on May 4, 2016 22:24:18 GMT
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Post by lagwafis on May 4, 2016 22:31:29 GMT
If it's any help then Adrian Rawlins, who plays Harry Potter's dad, also comes from Stoke on Trent. The real life elf who played Dobby, again from Harry Potter, also grew up in a village just north of Stoke called Burslem.
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Post by chuffedstokie on May 4, 2016 22:37:39 GMT
Arriving at the present time gives you the advantage insomuch the new kit will be the only one you'll know for the next 5 years. After that add it to the list supplied so eloquently by march4.
Welcome. ????
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Post by crownmeking on May 4, 2016 22:48:52 GMT
Welcome, you made a great choice! In terms of rivalries, most people on here cannot stand, Arsenal, Man United and sheikhmomo
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2016 22:49:28 GMT
Learn to take the rough with the even rougher, there is no smooth with Stoke.
Having you Mrs along for the ride is essential, you'll need a shoulder to cry on and someone to blame when we lose. Remind her that she is watching 22 young millionaires running around in shorts ,that usually appeals to a woman's sense of sport.
Apart from that remember gas goes in balloons not cars and elephants have trunks, cars have boots just like footballers and you'll do fine.
The Greatest Footballer ever Sir Stanly Mathews played for Stoke and the best Goalkeeper ever Gordon Banks the only reason I can give is Stoke City is a family. so pull up a chair and welcome.
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Post by mrcoke on May 4, 2016 22:56:20 GMT
Welcome aboard.
Hope you have a strong grip, it can get pretty bumpy. You also need a thick skin, hope someone can translate that into American, and a broad mind.
You can use the "soccer" in the US to avoid confusion, but not on Oatcake!
Helps to be a bit screwy to be a Stokie, for example I follow the Cleveland Browns(?!), Stoke played as the Cleveland Stokers in 1967. I guess you qualify by picking Stoke, when the rest of the world is picking Leicester this week.
You need lots of books on Stoke and biographies of Stoke players.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2016 22:58:29 GMT
Welcome aboard! Sometimes its a rough ride but bare with it!
Get yourself half a dozen bacon and cheese oatcakes and you're half-way there!
Up the mighty Potters!
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Post by STOKEDinUSA on May 4, 2016 23:04:22 GMT
Your first test. How does this make you feel, Dirk? The only part of that video I didn't hate was when the gooner on the drums gets hit in the head at the end!
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Post by Staffsoatcake on May 4, 2016 23:10:17 GMT
Google Staffordshire Oatcakes,make some,put cooked Cheese,Bacon and Sausages on them,roll them up and get them down your neck.
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Post by STOKEDinUSA on May 4, 2016 23:11:05 GMT
Fellow American Stoke supporter here. Start with: Sir Stanley Matthews Gordon Banks I'm in Chicago. If you're ever through we can catch a game at The Globe or The Atlantic. Welcome aboard! Appreciate the help those two are at the top of my required reading! I'm in Boston but if I'm ever our that way I'll look you up!
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Post by nottspotter on May 4, 2016 23:14:13 GMT
There's a particular infamous day we had up in Scotland way back when. You'd do well to never mention it by name. Or at all. Ever.
I know I will now get a load of grief from everyone on here... But it's better that someone pre-warns you to never bring it up...
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Post by nottspotter on May 4, 2016 23:15:41 GMT
...ever.
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Post by STOKEDinUSA on May 4, 2016 23:29:41 GMT
There's a particular infamous day we had up in Scotland way back when. You'd do well to never mention it by name. Or at all. Ever. I know I will now get a load of grief from everyone on here... But it's better that someone pre-warns you to never bring it up... Duly noted.
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Post by STOKEDinUSA on May 4, 2016 23:31:51 GMT
Learn to take the rough with the even rougher, there is no smooth with Stoke. Having you Mrs along for the ride is essential, you'll need a shoulder to cry on and someone to blame when we lose. Remind her that she is watching 22 young millionaires running around in shorts ,that usually appeals to a woman's sense of sport. Apart from that remember gas goes in balloons not cars and elephants have trunks, cars have boots just like footballers and you'll do fine. The Greatest Footballer ever Sir Stanly Mathews played for Stoke and the best Goalkeeper ever Gordon Banks the only reason I can give is Stoke City is a family. so pull up a chair and welcome. Appreciate the tips!
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Post by corkster on May 4, 2016 23:51:56 GMT
As another overseas supporter of the mighty Potters - a Stokie quirk is their pride in that the captain of the Titanic came from Stoke. If he had come from New Zealand we'd try and find some connection he had with Australia.
Completely understandable is Stokie pride in Reginald Mitchell
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Post by STOKEDinUSA on May 5, 2016 0:14:37 GMT
As another overseas supporter of the mighty Potters - a Stokie quirk is their pride in that the captain of the Titanic came from Stoke. If he had come from New Zealand we'd try and find some connection he had with Australia. Completely understandable is Stokie pride in Reginald Mitchell This is exactly the type of anecdotal stuff I'm looking for. Thanks mate!
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Post by maine on May 5, 2016 2:04:44 GMT
Welcome! I'm in Brunswick Me, about 2.5 hours from Boston. Since NBC picked up the premier league, understandably Leicester seem to have won over most of my local friends-but we continue to fight the good fight.
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Post by stokefaninde on May 5, 2016 2:15:18 GMT
Welcome aboard! As an American who did a bit of research and chose to follow Stoke (after the 2010 World Cup..) I've got some thoughts for you. Don't worry about who "we" hate and find your own rivals, because history is just that unless you experienced it.. A lot of folks on here supremely hate Port Vale (Division 1 derby we haven't played in forever) and Arsenal (Research Ramsey and Shawcross), but since I came more recently I haven't been able to grow the hate of those teams others got to experience first hand... Heck, I feel like we are more of a thorn to Arsenal than the other way around.. I'm sure I would hate them just as much if I had joined in earlier, but I can say with confidence that the true Stokies also despise the same teams I most dislike. My personal experience leads me to hate Sunderland, they won one of the first Stoke matches I ever saw on television, Ghanian (beat us in the World Cup twice) Asamoah Gyan scored a game winner and proceeded to do the most annoying dance I have ever seen. Add that with the fact that their fans are arrogant because they used to see Stoke as a place where they can send their castoffs to for a profit (See Kenwynne Jones, Dean Whitehead). They have humbled in recent seasons, but I never stopped hating them... I also grew to hate Newcastle. They ran up the score on us a few years ago, 5-1 I believe after we recieved two very questionable red cards.. Fair play to them but I still hate them. I also hate the fact that they are nowhere near as prestigious as they think they are, Think the mildly attractive girl your virgin friend lusts over but has no chance because that little attention makes her think she is hotter than the prom queen.. From my own enjoyment, love Stoke, but research the Europa League and the Champions League. Learn about out place in Europe, to get a better idea of who we should expect to attract in the future. Enjoy the Heck out of our fellow countryman Cameron while he can still play in the league. There was a big American Push under the last manager (and after I became a fan), but not so much under the current manager. Learn about each of our players, researching their past and how they came to Stoke. Its a new world you are coming into, one that has brought me so much joy. I hope you can enjoy the ride as I have. Read the following post.... Stoke isn't in it, as they were in the Championship at the time, but the story was a great piece from many years ago about an American looking to find a team to follow in this league. espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060719
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Post by STOKEDinUSA on May 5, 2016 3:17:39 GMT
Welcome aboard! As an American who did a bit of research and chose to follow Stoke (after the 2010 World Cup..) I've got some thoughts for you. Don't worry about who "we" hate and find your own rivals, because history is just that unless you experienced it.. A lot of folks on here supremely hate Port Vale (Division 1 derby we haven't played in forever) and Arsenal (Research Ramsey and Shawcross), but since I came more recently I haven't been able to grow the hate of those teams others got to experience first hand... Heck, I feel like we are more of a thorn to Arsenal than the other way around.. I'm sure I would hate them just as much if I had joined in earlier, but I can say with confidence that the true Stokies also despise the same teams I most dislike. My personal experience leads me to hate Sunderland, they won one of the first Stoke matches I ever saw on television, Ghanian (beat us in the World Cup twice) Asamoah Gyan scored a game winner and proceeded to do the most annoying dance I have ever seen. Add that with the fact that their fans are arrogant because they used to see Stoke as a place where they can send their castoffs to for a profit (See Kenwynne Jones, Dean Whitehead). They have humbled in recent seasons, but I never stopped hating them... I also grew to hate Newcastle. They ran up the score on us a few years ago, 5-1 I believe after we recieved two very questionable red cards.. Fair play to them but I still hate them. I also hate the fact that they are nowhere near as prestigious as they think they are, Think the mildly attractive girl your virgin friend lusts over but has no chance because that little attention makes her think she is hotter than the prom queen.. From my own enjoyment, love Stoke, but research the Europa League and the Champions League. Learn about out place in Europe, to get a better idea of who we should expect to attract in the future. Enjoy the Heck out of our fellow countryman Cameron while he can still play in the league. There was a big American Push under the last manager (and after I became a fan), but not so much under the current manager. Learn about each of our players, researching their past and how they came to Stoke. Its a new world you are coming into, one that has brought me so much joy. I hope you can enjoy the ride as I have. Read the following post.... Stoke isn't in it, as they were in the Championship at the time, but the story was a great piece from many years ago about an American looking to find a team to follow in this league. espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060719Great advice. I'll check out the article. I appreciate your thoughtful response.
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Post by NassauDave on May 5, 2016 3:49:29 GMT
If you enjoy hard work you have come to the right place.
We love our club through thick and thin and it can be terribly frustrating at times.
However, once hooked, its for life, unlike a Christmas puppy or a diet.
By the way, Burslem ( referred to in an earlier post above), is NOT a village. Its a shit hole,and the home of Port Fail, aka the unwashed.
Welcome aboard!
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