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Post by carverdoone on Mar 4, 2009 7:15:39 GMT
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 And then after waiting 23 years for an occassional high the shine will be taken off by people who have moaned through the whole season.
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Post by carverdoone on Mar 4, 2009 7:18:09 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. Welcome to the club and the Oatcake. A HUGE match tonight - nice to have an extra supporter.
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Post by Pedropotter on Mar 4, 2009 8:38:10 GMT
Most outsiders just don't get what it's like to be a Stokie... The few that do I hold in the highest respect, and everybody else can fuck off. Pisser!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by elystokie on Mar 4, 2009 10:59:12 GMT
Mailman,
One of the best posts I've ever read.
Let's hope there's a good stream of the game for us exiles for tonight.
Let's also hope the next 23 years are a bit more fruitful than the last 23 ;D
Welcome
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Post by thicknthin on Mar 4, 2009 11:11:27 GMT
If I was a soft supporter like them at other clubs that would have bought a tear to my eye!!
Be Loyal! Be Proud! Be Stoke!
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Post by mailman44 on Mar 5, 2009 1:53:34 GMT
Clear statement of intent tonight by all concerned! Bolton did not have a chance in Fortess Brittania tonight.
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Post by eddy_under_fire'sviews on Mar 5, 2009 2:00:25 GMT
not a chance mailman... we played like we meant it as well. one of the best overall performances i've seen in ages
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Post by mailman44 on Mar 8, 2009 5:05:01 GMT
Stoke got a lot of plaudits during the Setanta coverage. They could not say enough about the atmosphere in the ground (and the noise).
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Post by torquaypotter on Mar 8, 2009 11:41:49 GMT
brought tears to my eyes that post did brill please keep the posts coming mailman .I,ve supported the mighty potters for 54 years now but living where i am its very hard to get to the games .You must come over to the britt and meet the real football suporters these are the boys /lads/ men that make it feel like its not just a game its a big part of your life it was once said [not sure who said it lol] football is like a marrage BUT in a marrage you can get a devorce with stoke your stuck with it for life lol enjoy the ride ok
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Post by scottrobbonyc on Mar 24, 2009 5:19:35 GMT
yep welcome and seeing as you will be over this neck of the woods pop in to the New York Supporters Club
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Post by scottrobbonyc on Mar 24, 2009 5:20:03 GMT
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Post by andy9196 on Mar 24, 2009 9:32:07 GMT
welcome aboard MM
It is a true rollercoaster watching / following the Mighty Potters
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Post by 606Stokie on Mar 24, 2009 11:49:33 GMT
Wellcome.. Its going to be fun!
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Post by monkhousestokie on Mar 24, 2009 12:15:23 GMT
Glad to see this excellent post heading back up the board.
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Post by jezzascfc on Mar 24, 2009 12:43:47 GMT
I missed this first time round.
Mailman, I am a born and bred Stokie, but now live in the British Virgin Islands, so rely on Setanta US and FSC (two satellite dishes and $2500 later to get it fixed up!) for my coverage (when not flying back home to see the lads in the flesh, which I am doing for the 6th time this season over Easter - NB if you do get totally hooked, as it seems you are, be prepared for expensive trips to home games!!).
I am flying home through Miami into LHR this time. Once you move to Florida, if your interest remains and finances allow, gimme a shout and maybe I can escort you to your first glorious trip to a Stoke game. We are planning a Florida trip anyway sometime soon, so my son can do "the Disney thing", and I always prefer the Tampa/St Pete area to Orlando itself so maybe we can hook up for a beer and a Stoke related chat?
Welcome aboard the good ship Stoke City - buckle up and enjoy the ride.
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Post by ben88 on Mar 24, 2009 16:15:06 GMT
christ mailman, i had shivers running up my spine reading that,
welcome abored matey, just so you know, the ship makes no stops, once your on, you cant get off.
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Post by lancer on Mar 24, 2009 19:01:42 GMT
As a Stokie for 60+ years, my I welcome you to a life of joy and pain, lows and highs, depression and pleasure. Believe me, mailman, once it gets in your blood, there's no stopping it. Sleepless nights, heartache, elation, are all par for the course when supporting ANY club, but being a Stokie sets you apart from the herd. Be prepared to be ridiculed, bollocked, sneered at et al. Also be sure of one thing though, you will be ENVIED as a Stokie, and part of an exclusive brotherhood. Welcome to the Bear Pit!
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Post by macmozzer on Mar 24, 2009 22:04:08 GMT
mailman 44 ,your post was published in the oatcake fanzine that is sold on matchday!!!,welcome aboard friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by 4thMarch1972 on Mar 24, 2009 22:23:14 GMT
Mailman, supporting this great club will provide for you a few moments of unbridled joy beyond belief and many, many more of almost paralysing despair. However, it is the abundance of the latter that make the former so special and what makes supporting Stoke City the experience that it is. It is the one thing in my life that is, and always will be, there and was a path that I did not choose but was passed down to me like a kind of family tradition. Welcome aboard the ride and as long as you don't expect games like the Villa one every week I'm sure you will never regret the choice you have made.
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Post by jacka118 on Mar 25, 2009 20:20:13 GMT
Nice post - True Stokie!
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Post by surreystokie on Mar 25, 2009 20:49:56 GMT
Great post, mailman. (Get it? ) Moving to Florida means that you will be 3,000 miles nearer to Stoke-On-Trent, so I look forward to meeting you. Having spent two years in the US (NJ) and having to date visited 45 of your states, I know a bit about your country and loved so much of it. Primarly, I loved the enthusiasm and, as a High School phys ed teacher, could not believe it when around 2,000 turned up for my first school football match. Maybe I was the only one there who didn't understand the rules but I sure got excited. Loyalty and all that. As a counter, I've today written a letter of complaint to one of our biggest clubs, Arsenal, who ban the bringing of flags - even English ones!!! - into their stadium. Well we don't do that sort of nonsense at the Brit and you'll find a US type enthusiasm there. Only much louder. Keep praying and join us in spirit, this next few weeks.
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Post by Joules on Mar 25, 2009 23:01:01 GMT
Just wanted to say " Welcome to our world Mailman"... Lovely to know Americans are following our Team.... You must read, "Tie me to the mast" next. GO ON STOKE !xx
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Post by mailman44 on Mar 26, 2009 3:23:02 GMT
Funny you should mention "Tie Me To The Mast" I am reading it right now! It was a great recommendation.
Scottrobbonyc will definitely make it to Fitzgerald's if I am ever in NYC, looks like a great place.
Jezzascfc let me know when you are coming through Tampa and we will have a pint on me.
Don't worry, I know what I am getting myself into by pledging my loyalty to Stoke City. I am not "interested" in SCFC, I am COMMITED!!!!!!
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Post by iancransonsknees on Mar 26, 2009 8:24:03 GMT
If you haven't seen this already it'll give you an idea of what being there at The Britannia can be like. Multiply it by 10 when you're in the crowd away at Villa and come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in the last minutes. It's fucking nuts youth. If you have kids it also becomes your duty to brainwash them into the bipolar experience of being a Stoke fan.
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