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Post by mailman44 on Mar 2, 2009 3:33:07 GMT
Live in the USA and have only been following Stoke City FC since the summer. Not one of the more famous clubs here in the States so information and chances to see them play on TV were/are limited. Can't really explain why they caught my attention, but for some reason (morbid curiosity perhaps?) I found myself in "research mode" trying to learn everything I could about this club. Splashed out the cash for a replica strip w/ Fuller #10 (never heard of him) on the back that I ordered from the clubs web shop. Again, no real reason for my indulgence, maybe it was to thumb my nose at all the Chelsea and ManU fans that infest Northern California. Read the only two books I could find in the area on SCFC: "The naughty 40" and "She stood there laughing" which fueled my interest in STFC. The self effacing humor in both these books was most endearing. From reading them you got the impression Stoke was the most god forsaken locale in the United Kingdom and SCFC was damned for eternity. Weirton, West West Virginia with a premiership football team was the analogy that sprang to mind first.
Anyways my only chance to see them on TV were Setanta USA and Fox Soccer Channel which i subscribed to for this explicit purpose. In the "soccer circles" here in the States there was a lot of talk that Stoke would "do a Derby" and be relegated by Christmas. First game i got to see was the August fixture with Aston Villa at the Britannia. Entertaining match that continued to feed my interest in Stoke City. Then the whole "Rory Delap throw in" weapon became all the rage and actually generated a lot of discussion on the Fox Soccer Channel which thought it added an interesting dimension to Pulis' long ball tactics. A physical, tall team that was not afraid to get "stuck in" and "have a go." I do not think i have an affinity for lost causes, but my interest/curiosity in this Stoke City FC team continued to grow inexplicably. To feed the fire I found this website and have spent hours of my life I will never get back pouring over rumors, rants, and "bollocks" about this unfashionable manager with the baseball cap and team that has no national/international appeal whatsoever! Todays game against Aston Villa summarized the whole Stoke Experience that I have read/researched the past 8 months. I cursed the attacking impotence in the first half as if my life depended on Stoke scoring a goal, I then swore at the TV when Aston Villa broke through at the end of the first half and agreed with the commentators that Stoke was done and dusted (defeatism is contagious i think if you are a Stokie or find yourself being inexorably drawn into this cocoon of despair). When Aston Villa scored their second I thought the floodgates would open and four more would follow. However, when the cameras panned over to the loud, vocal Stoke traveling supporters contingent an optimism swept over me and i knew it had to send a message to the Stoke players to not give up the ghost. For me the human spirit was encapsulated in a most motley crew of supporters you are probably going to find in a premiership stadium. With the Stokie army roaring them on Stoke was willed to a deserved point when everybody else in the world were writing their obituary. One of the most impressive fight backs I have ever observed in life, not just sports. Today i saw why soccer is called the beautiful game. Not for how it was played on the pitch, but how a group of people, united in their long term suffering, banned together and raised their voices as one and forced their team to get something from a lost game. I was truly inspired and now probably cursed for life WRT to being fascinated with Stoke City and its unbelievable supporters. What a display, my hat is off to you all.
I know Tony Pulis gets a lot of abuse but I can see the man really loves this club, and for his players to keep fighting when they had every reason to throw in the towel speaks volumes for the respect they have for that man.
God bless Stoke on Trent and God bless Stoke City FC.
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Post by nhstokie on Mar 2, 2009 4:24:02 GMT
You've summed it up pretty well there. I don't think that you're on the outside, it seems to me that you get what many don't.
There are quite a few Stokies in the US, there's some talk about meeting up some time at one of the Austin Aztex games.
Where are you located?
nh.
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Post by mailman44 on Mar 2, 2009 5:22:39 GMT
I am in the San Jose California area, but moving to Tampa, FL this summer.
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Post by craig1974 on Mar 2, 2009 5:26:31 GMT
Great to have a new follower of the mighty Stoke City FC, Welcome mate.
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Post by CalgaryPotter on Mar 2, 2009 5:52:17 GMT
Welcome to a life of pain ;D
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Post by craig1974 on Mar 2, 2009 5:58:49 GMT
Welcome to a life of pain ;D ;D Its not that bad surely
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Post by kavinoz on Mar 2, 2009 6:24:50 GMT
Welcome to a life of pain ;D ;D Its not that bad surely It sure is! But it is a beautiful pain that would leave a gaping hole in your life if you were to ever lose it. ;D
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 2, 2009 6:41:13 GMT
Great to have you aboard, mailman. Just stop calling it "soccer" when you post on here and we'll get along fine! Seriously, it's amazing just how quickly you can become part of the weird and wonderful Stokie family. There will be plenty of hurt along the way (for many supporters the last bout of depression lasted for 23 years) but the occasional highs will more than make up for the lows - possibly! ;D
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Post by Northy on Mar 2, 2009 7:19:03 GMT
Welcome aboard the SS Stoke City Mailman44, moving to Florida soon, any free holidays, It's a rollercoaster ride with butt clenching, sphincter twitching, sweat gland pulsating, nail biting stops all the way, enjoy it and hope we stay in the top flight for a few years yet.
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Post by 1863 on Mar 2, 2009 7:54:20 GMT
Mailman, Howdy Pardner! Get off your Horse and eat yer Oatcake's...... Welcome aboard Bud. H
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Post by Funky on Mar 2, 2009 8:28:50 GMT
Did you manage to catch Glenn Whelahan's lower body touchdown strike from downtown over the weekend break?
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Post by Pedropotter on Mar 2, 2009 8:37:08 GMT
Welcome mailman! You clearly have what it takes to follow the mighty potters! A heart for the romance of the game , a passion for the cause, a hate of the glory hunters and spirit for the fight.
Keep watching from afar, save your pennies and get you arse to the Brit for the real deal ..... you will find a warm reception in the bear pit! ;D
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Post by Soi Cowboy on Mar 2, 2009 9:21:26 GMT
Certainly is a world of pain but the odd anaesthetic comes by from time to time and then it becomes worthwhile.
Nice post. Funny but started supporting Stoke as a very young lad in similar circumstances.
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Post by Laughing Gravy on Mar 2, 2009 9:27:41 GMT
If that's a genuine post, and I have no reason to doubt it, then it should put some of you moaning, whingers on here to shame. Good on yer Mailman. Spread the word.
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Post by Gods on Mar 2, 2009 9:29:19 GMT
That's a great post mailman44!
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Post by Kenilworth_Stokies on Mar 2, 2009 9:35:24 GMT
What a first post! Within those few paragraphs I've seen more understanding and appreciation of the predicament of being a Stokie than a hundred UK tabloid articles on the subject.
You sir are very welcome.
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Post by jaybee on Mar 2, 2009 10:01:25 GMT
Great to have you aboard, mailman. Just stop calling it "soccer" when you post on here and we'll get along fine! .... and summarised is spelt with an S not a Z! ;D
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Post by PerCyfilth ....Captains Log on Mar 2, 2009 10:42:31 GMT
Welcome Mailman. Keep the faith!!
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Post by greyman on Mar 2, 2009 10:57:06 GMT
Didn't you notice that 'She Stood There Laughing' has the last chapter missing?
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Post by cousindupree on Mar 2, 2009 11:13:09 GMT
Welcome to the madhouse that is supporting SCFC...your life will never be the same. We are on a roll with new supporters in the USA...in fact in Atlanta there has been an increase of 200% this season.....converted ma lady and her brother.
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Post by Sam on Mar 2, 2009 11:35:41 GMT
Reading that post, makes you puff out your chest & thank god you're a Stokie. Welcome mailman
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Post by stokecitytalke on Mar 2, 2009 11:46:36 GMT
Great post and sums up what following the mighty mighty potters means
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Post by Stephen Frys' Ring on Mar 2, 2009 12:07:04 GMT
Welcome aboard young man,reading that post,especially the bit about the respect the players must have for our Tone to play to final whistle brought a tear to my eye Grrrrrr gwwwaaarrrrnnn STOKE ;D P.s. i know it is their job to play for 90 mins + but other teams would have crumbled,we stood proud and continued the fight,EXCELLENT
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Post by oularesarse on Mar 2, 2009 12:07:20 GMT
Great post. Brought a tear to the eye. I was there yesterday, and it is moments like that, where grown man hug each other in uncontrollable jubliation, following driving our team on against the arrogance of stuck up Premier league try hards, that makes us live and breathe. Stoke doesn't have much going for it, but by god we have got passion and belief. I love Stoke on Trent and I love Stoke City.
Mailman, get thee sen over potteries lad. Oh and read 'Tie me To the Mast!'
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Post by Brick-Top on Mar 2, 2009 21:26:35 GMT
Hey good buddy, nice to see someone getting attached to the old Stroke City Potters red sox over there in the states!
Did you see GREGG WHEEELAHAN's power strike from just outside the N-Zone with just a few seconds left on the scoreboard!?
TOOUUUUCCCCHHHHDOOOOWWWNNNN STROKE POTTERS RED 'N' WHITE STRIPES!!!!!!
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Post by slangking on Mar 2, 2009 21:39:25 GMT
Great post, it wasn't pleasant when we went 2-0 down and had to endure the whole stadium ridiculing us, but some of us stuck behind the lads and we got what we had deserved and the Villa fans got what they deserved.
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Post by icelandpotter on Mar 2, 2009 21:46:54 GMT
WELCOME aboard the good ship Stoke City maliman44!
Great to have a new fan on board especially from such far flung quarters, and you have most certainly understood a lot of Stoke City FC judging by your first post.
I love Stoke on Trent but visited California for my first time September last year and couldn't believe how nice it was there.
By the way, if you liked the fight back from the Stoke crowd and the players at Villa, you should have been at the Man City game. Try and download it if you can, and check out the now fabled random 80th minute roar to lift the team.
WE ARE STOKE!
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Post by Beardy200 on Mar 2, 2009 21:50:17 GMT
Who you calling a Motley Fucking Crew? ;D Oh and aswell as not calling it soccer don't keep going on about God as you yanks like to do. Most of us can take him or leave him over here
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luigiscfc
Academy Starlet
^^Probably the Greatest Football Stand in The World..!^^
Posts: 183
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Post by luigiscfc on Mar 2, 2009 21:51:16 GMT
Alright pal... The More the merry'er !!! C'mon you reds !!
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Post by Lesalanos on Mar 2, 2009 21:59:10 GMT
Welcome on board mailman. There are a couple of stokies in Louisville KY who i recruited whilst living out there.
You've made a great choice and will recieve a true Potteries welcome when you visit.
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