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Post by march4 on Mar 17, 2023 17:54:00 GMT
Over recent months, I’ve been tracing our fixtures from 50 years ago and posting them into a variety of vaguely relevant threads. So, I’ve decided to create a new thread just to keep the posts together. 50 years ago today, we played host to league leaders Liverpool in front of a bumper crowd of over 33,000 folk. We started the game a point above bottom spot in the table. We had been playing better since George Eastham returned in February but results weren’t yet showing an improvement. On this day, we again played well but lost narrowly 1-0. John Mahoney unfortunately scored an own goal midway through the second half. Greenhoff had nearly given away a goal with a back pass which stuck in the mud. Thankfully, Farmer was quickly off his line to smother Heighway’s effort. However, a minute later, Mahoney tried a similar back pass, lifting the ball to keep it out of the mud. He lofted it a bit too high and the ball sailed over Farmer’s head and into the net. Our league position remained roughly the same as results went our way. One other thing that sticks in the mind was a rampaging run by Denis which took him through the Liverpool defence with only Clemence to beat. Sadly in the mud, the ball ran away from Denis and into the keeper’s grateful arms. What I really remember was Denis’ sliding tackle which left Clemence writhing on the floor for 5 minutes before hobbling around for the remainder of the game.  |
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Post by PotterLog on Mar 17, 2023 18:02:33 GMT
Sounds like an epic OG that
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Post by Davef on Mar 17, 2023 18:03:04 GMT
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Post by march4 on Mar 17, 2023 18:05:43 GMT
Thanks Dave. I don’t think we have such an archive do we? |
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Post by Davef on Mar 17, 2023 18:07:13 GMT
Thanks Dave. I don’t think we have such an archive do we? I don't think so, but the Stoke Wikipedia page is better than most for season-by-season results and stats. |
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Post by march4 on Mar 17, 2023 18:26:30 GMT
Thanks Dave. I don’t think we have such an archive do we? I don't think so, but the Stoke Wikipedia page is better than most for season-by-season results and stats. Perhaps a keen, young poster would like to create an archive for the Oatcake similar to this Liverpool one. I’ve not even been able to access Sentinel reports for our ancient games. The period 50 years ago is such an important time in our history. We went from cup fever to relegation worries and then to Championship aspirations in a few very eventful years. |
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Post by Scouse on Mar 17, 2023 19:21:45 GMT
Over recent months, I’ve been tracing our fixtures from 50 years ago and posting them into a variety of vaguely relevant threads. So, I’ve decided to create a new thread just to keep the posts together. 50 years ago today, we played host to league leaders Liverpool in front of a bumper crowd of over 33,000 folk. We started the game a point above bottom spot in the table. We had been playing better since George Eastham returned in February but results weren’t yet showing an improvement. On this day, we again played well but lost narrowly 1-0. John Mahoney unfortunately scored an own goal midway through the second half. Greenhoff had nearly given away a goal with a back pass which stuck in the mud. Thankfully, Farmer was quickly off his line to smother Heighway’s effort. However, a minute later, Mahoney tried a similar back pass, lifting the ball to keep it out of the mud. He lofted it a bit too high and the ball sailed over Farmer’s head and into the net. Our league position remained roughly the same as results went our way. One other thing that sticks in the mind was a rampaging run by Denis which took him through the Liverpool defence with only Clemence to beat. Sadly in the mud, the ball ran away from Denis and into the keeper’s grateful arms. What I really remember was Denis’ sliding tackle which left Clemence writhing on the floor for 5 minutes before hobbling around for the remainder of the game. Proper football!! Was in the Butler street seats that game with my dad |
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Post by Veritas on Mar 17, 2023 19:32:35 GMT
Over recent months, I’ve been tracing our fixtures from 50 years ago and posting them into a variety of vaguely relevant threads. So, I’ve decided to create a new thread just to keep the posts together. 50 years ago today, we played host to league leaders Liverpool in front of a bumper crowd of over 33,000 folk. We started the game a point above bottom spot in the table. We had been playing better since George Eastham returned in February but results weren’t yet showing an improvement. On this day, we again played well but lost narrowly 1-0. John Mahoney unfortunately scored an own goal midway through the second half. Greenhoff had nearly given away a goal with a back pass which stuck in the mud. Thankfully, Farmer was quickly off his line to smother Heighway’s effort. However, a minute later, Mahoney tried a similar back pass, lifting the ball to keep it out of the mud. He lofted it a bit too high and the ball sailed over Farmer’s head and into the net. Our league position remained roughly the same as results went our way. One other thing that sticks in the mind was a rampaging run by Denis which took him through the Liverpool defence with only Clemence to beat. Sadly in the mud, the ball ran away from Denis and into the keeper’s grateful arms. What I really remember was Denis’ sliding tackle which left Clemence writhing on the floor for 5 minutes before hobbling around for the remainder of the game. Proper football!! I was there with my dad on the Stoke End |
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Post by march4 on Mar 17, 2023 19:34:12 GMT
Over recent months, I’ve been tracing our fixtures from 50 years ago and posting them into a variety of vaguely relevant threads. So, I’ve decided to create a new thread just to keep the posts together. 50 years ago today, we played host to league leaders Liverpool in front of a bumper crowd of over 33,000 folk. We started the game a point above bottom spot in the table. We had been playing better since George Eastham returned in February but results weren’t yet showing an improvement. On this day, we again played well but lost narrowly 1-0. John Mahoney unfortunately scored an own goal midway through the second half. Greenhoff had nearly given away a goal with a back pass which stuck in the mud. Thankfully, Farmer was quickly off his line to smother Heighway’s effort. However, a minute later, Mahoney tried a similar back pass, lifting the ball to keep it out of the mud. He lofted it a bit too high and the ball sailed over Farmer’s head and into the net. Our league position remained roughly the same as results went our way. One other thing that sticks in the mind was a rampaging run by Denis which took him through the Liverpool defence with only Clemence to beat. Sadly in the mud, the ball ran away from Denis and into the keeper’s grateful arms. What I really remember was Denis’ sliding tackle which left Clemence writhing on the floor for 5 minutes before hobbling around for the remainder of the game. Proper football!! I was there with my dad on the Stoke End Same for me. |
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Post by bristolpotter on Mar 17, 2023 20:11:45 GMT
If you’re interested in the old Sentinel reports the British newspaper archive page www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ and newspapers.com have all the old editions online it’s not free though ! |
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Post by march4 on Mar 17, 2023 20:18:41 GMT
If you’re interested in the old Sentinel reports the British newspaper archive page www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ and newspapers.com have all the old editions online it’s not free though ! Just had a look but unfortunately not every article is included. For example on this weekend 50 years ago I can see a report on Vale’s defeat at Tranmere but nothing about the Stoke game. |
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Post by elystokie on Mar 17, 2023 20:18:49 GMT
I don't think so, but the Stoke Wikipedia page is better than most for season-by-season results and stats. Perhaps a keen, young poster would like to create an archive for the Oatcake similar to this Liverpool one. I’ve not even been able to access Sentinel reports for our ancient games. The period 50 years ago is such an important time in our history. We went from cup fever to relegation worries and then to Championship aspirations in a few very eventful years. All the Sentinel reports are probably available in the microfiche section in Hanley Library, quite fun sitting in there on a rainy afternoon  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2023 20:46:47 GMT
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Post by march4 on Mar 17, 2023 20:57:16 GMT
We could do with a newspaper report on each game plus the team selected and league position. That is what we are lacking compared to that Liverpool site. |
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Post by bristolpotter on Mar 18, 2023 3:18:44 GMT
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Post by lawrieleslie on Mar 18, 2023 7:58:44 GMT
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Post by deeside2 on Mar 18, 2023 8:02:09 GMT
I love this thread, great memories, and some not so good. I never missed a home game that season, and went to a dozen or so away. Scary it's 50 years ago though.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2023 8:22:25 GMT
One stat I find staggering even to this day, is going back to 72/73 (50 years) we've only had 6 seasons where we've had a genuine 20+ goal a season striker!
Greenhoff, Bertschin, Biggins, Stein, Sheron, Thorne!
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Post by stokefc on Mar 18, 2023 10:08:23 GMT
One stat I find staggering even to this day, is going back to 72/73 (50 years) we've only had 6 seasons where we've had a genuine 20+ goal a season striker! Greenhoff, Bertschin, Biggins, Stein, Sheron, Thorne! Rare as rocking horse shit |
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Post by ihaveadream on Mar 20, 2023 13:04:43 GMT
Keep up the good work March 4
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Post by PotterLog on Mar 20, 2023 13:39:11 GMT
One stat I find staggering even to this day, is going back to 72/73 (50 years) we've only had 6 seasons where we've had a genuine 20+ goal a season striker! Greenhoff, Bertschin, Biggins, Stein, Sheron, Thorne! It's not all that surprising given almost half that time we've been in the top division. 20 goals a season for a middling team in the top flight is incredibly rare, and as good as non-existent in the Prem era. So it's five times in 27-ish seasons in the 2nd/3rd div, once every five seasons or so. Probably about the going rate. |
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Post by march4 on Mar 20, 2023 15:46:50 GMT
One stat I find staggering even to this day, is going back to 72/73 (50 years) we've only had 6 seasons where we've had a genuine 20+ goal a season striker! Greenhoff, Bertschin, Biggins, Stein, Sheron, Thorne! It's not all that surprising given almost half that time we've been in the top division. 20 goals a season for a middling team in the top flight is incredibly rare, and as good as non-existent in the Prem era. So it's five times in 27-ish seasons in the 2nd/3rd div, once every five seasons or so. Probably about the going rate. Chapman got 17 goals 2 seasons running and hardly anyone rated him! |
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Post by march4 on Mar 24, 2023 19:00:10 GMT
And so our relegation battle moved to Filbert St, 50 years ago today with a game against fellow strugglers Leicester. We find ourselves out of the relegation zone on goal average (remember that) and just one point above bottom spot. We go into this game with the normally loyal Sentinel having not been as fulsome in its praise of Waddo as usual. Supporters had been grumbling for a while but better performances had eased the pressure. However, results remained poor and the manager’s position was in danger of falling under closer scrutiny. It didn’t help that Waddo was struggling to field a settled team bringing back Pej and Big John for this fixture. Stoke again started brightly, pushing Leicester back but finding Shilton in excellent form. Just before half time we were awarded a penalty to give us a deserved lead. Unfortunately, up stepped Hurst (who was the latest to attract supporters’ ire) to blast the ball high and wide. Disappointing not to go into the break in the lead. The second half was more even with Shilton denying our few efforts on goal. The crucial break through came from Leicester mid way through the half and we never really recovered. As we huffed and puffed on a heavy pitch, Leicester scored a late second. Results elsewhere continued to go our way and our league position remained unchanged. However, this run of poor results had to end quickly or we would be playing next season in the 2nd Division.  |
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Post by wakeypotter on Mar 24, 2023 19:17:00 GMT
And so our relegation battle moved to Filbert St, 50 years ago today with a game against fellow strugglers Leicester. We find ourselves out of the relegation zone on goal average (remember that) and just one point above bottom spot. We go into this game with the normally loyal Sentinel having not been as fulsome in its praise of Waddo as usual. Supporters had been grumbling for a while but better performances had eased the pressure. However, results remained poor and the manager’s position was in danger of falling under closer scrutiny. It didn’t help that Waddo was struggling to field a settled team bringing back Pej and Big John for this fixture. Stoke again started brightly, pushing Leicester back but finding Shilton in excellent form. Just before half time we were awarded a penalty to give us a deserved lead. Unfortunately, up stepped Hurst (who was the latest to attract supporters’ ire) to blast the ball high and wide. Disappointing not to go into the break in the lead. The second half was more even with Shilton denying our few efforts on goal. The crucial break through came from Leicester mid way through the half and we never really recovered. As we huffed and puffed on a heavy pitch, Leicester scored a late second. Results elsewhere continued to go our way and our league position remained unchanged. However, this run of poor results had to end quickly or we would be playing next season in the 2nd Division. Great thread March. Good to read although it may be another 6 years till I remember games 👍 |
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Post by march4 on Mar 31, 2023 22:30:07 GMT
50 years ago, we had a busy week with two crucial home games.
We had been playing well but results were poor and we found ourselves one point off bottom spot with Waddo coming under pressure.
The first game on Easter Monday against mid-table Coventry started slowly but burst into life after half time with a Ritchie goal immediately after the restart. Sean Haslegrave added a second 20 minutes later and we hung on for a deserved 2-1 victory.
The following Saturday we were playing bottom club West Brom. We controlled the game from start to finish and two goals in 2 minutes from Greenhoff and Hurst saw us win with room to spare.
What a difference a week made. We are now 4 points above the relegation zone with only 6 games left to play. Safety is in sight with another 2 game week ahead.
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Post by deeside2 on Mar 31, 2023 22:57:57 GMT
Great memories March - thanks for this !
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Post by Mr_DaftBurger on Mar 31, 2023 23:52:16 GMT
50 years ago, we had a busy week with two crucial home games. We had been playing well but results were poor and we found ourselves one point off bottom spot with Waddo coming under pressure. The first game on Easter Monday against mid-table Coventry started slowly but burst into life after half time with a Ritchie goal immediately after the restart. Sean Haslegrave added a second 20 minutes later and we hung on for a deserved 2-1 victory. The following Saturday we were playing bottom club West Brom. We controlled the game from start to finish and two goals in 2 minutes from Greenhoff and Hurst saw us win with room to spare. What a difference a week made. We are now 4 points above the relegation zone with only 6 games left to play. Safety is in sight with another 2 game week ahead. I dated a girl who dated Sean Haslegrave, not at that time, I was only 12! 😂 Puffer Hurst was indeed a bit of a boo boy! |
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Post by lordb on Apr 1, 2023 7:16:57 GMT
50 years ago, we had a busy week with two crucial home games. We had been playing well but results were poor and we found ourselves one point off bottom spot with Waddo coming under pressure. The first game on Easter Monday against mid-table Coventry started slowly but burst into life after half time with a Ritchie goal immediately after the restart. Sean Haslegrave added a second 20 minutes later and we hung on for a deserved 2-1 victory. The following Saturday we were playing bottom club West Brom. We controlled the game from start to finish and two goals in 2 minutes from Greenhoff and Hurst saw us win with room to spare. What a difference a week made. We are now 4 points above the relegation zone with only 6 games left to play. Safety is in sight with another 2 game week ahead. 2 points for a win so 4 points was a healthy gap |
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Post by march4 on Apr 1, 2023 9:24:18 GMT
50 years ago, we had a busy week with two crucial home games. We had been playing well but results were poor and we found ourselves one point off bottom spot with Waddo coming under pressure. The first game on Easter Monday against mid-table Coventry started slowly but burst into life after half time with a Ritchie goal immediately after the restart. Sean Haslegrave added a second 20 minutes later and we hung on for a deserved 2-1 victory. The following Saturday we were playing bottom club West Brom. We controlled the game from start to finish and two goals in 2 minutes from Greenhoff and Hurst saw us win with room to spare. What a difference a week made. We are now 4 points above the relegation zone with only 6 games left to play. Safety is in sight with another 2 game week ahead. 2 points for a win so 4 points was a healthy gap It was indeed. From a difficult situation we became pretty safe over the Easter period. It was a strange season with the bottom teams losing game after game. A couple of wins and you were out of trouble. |
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Post by Linx on Apr 1, 2023 20:54:28 GMT
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