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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 13:36:40 GMT
Inspired by something I just thought about on another thread, is there a conclusive list of which legendary (or less than legendary) Stoke players played in the first North American Soccer League?
The mythos was that players went to the North American Soccer League in their twilight years, but some went there in their prime.
The one that sticks in my mind is Alan Hudson, who played for Seattle Sounders after playing for Arsenal and before his second stint for Chelsea, and obviously therefore, before his second stint for us.
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Post by lordb on Sept 2, 2024 13:38:12 GMT
Dave Watson
think Mickey Thomas too but mot sure if from Stoke or from one of his many other clubs
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 13:38:20 GMT
I've just checked, and Jimmy Greenhoff went to play for Toronto Blizzard in 1981 before returning to the UK to play for Port Vale, and then finally Rochdale.
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 13:40:52 GMT
So he did! He went from Stoke City to Vancouver Whitecaps in 1983, then back to the UK for Derby County, then back to the US for Fort Lauderdale Sun in 1984. Afterword: Dave Watson was my first Stoke City defender hero. |
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 13:43:54 GMT
Think Mickey Thomas too but mot sure if from Stoke or from one of his many other clubs So he did!! Well, he played for Wichita Wings. Who were they you ask?! Well, it turns out they were in a team in the Major Indoor League Soccer Franchise. I know, right? |
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 13:55:18 GMT
OMG, I've hit pay dirt! Of course, the Cleveland Stokers! "The Cleveland Stokers were a soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio that played in the United Soccer Association during 1967 and the North American Soccer League in 1968. Their home field was Cleveland Stadium. [...] Without any players of its own, it opted to import whole teams from Europe and South America. It was intended that these teams would represent the franchises during the inaugural season, giving them time to build their own squads for the following season. Stoke City, who played in the Football League First Division subsequently represented the Cleveland, Ohio franchise. The traveling Stoke party included the likes of Gordon Banks, Peter Dobing, George Eastham, Maurice Setters and Roy Vernon as well as manager Tony Waddington."  |
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Post by march4 on Sept 2, 2024 13:59:01 GMT
We played as Cleveland Stokers. Here we are training in Cleveland;  |
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Post by march4 on Sept 2, 2024 14:01:11 GMT
Bentley, Mahoney, Marsh, Allen, Farmer, TC, Vernon, Eastham. Banksie was there somewhere but not on this photo.
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Post by march4 on Sept 2, 2024 14:08:41 GMT
And here we are in action as Cleveland Stokers;  |
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 14:09:56 GMT
This is excellent. Thank you. |
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Post by Northy on Sept 2, 2024 14:13:48 GMT
Think Mickey Thomas too but mot sure if from Stoke or from one of his many other clubs So he did!! Well, he played for Wichita Wings. Who were they you ask?! Well, it turns out they were in a team in the Major Indoor League Soccer Franchise. I know, right? I went to Wichita last year, an interesting place. |
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Post by march4 on Sept 2, 2024 14:14:19 GMT
Our former goalkeeper Paul Shardlow, who tragically died during training at the Vic at the age of 24, saved a Pele penalty while playing for the Stokers.
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 14:18:22 GMT
A controversial one around these parts, but our former manager Alan Ball played for Philadelphia Fury and Vancouver Whitecaps.
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 14:18:45 GMT
Our former goalkeeper Paul Shardlow, who tragically died during training at the Vic at the age of 24, saved a Pele penalty while playing for the Stokers. Sad and heroic. Blimey. |
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Post by lordb on Sept 2, 2024 14:19:10 GMT
A controversial one around these parts, but our former manager Alan Ball played for Philadelphia Fury and Vancouver Whitecaps. what's the controversy ? are some people saying he didn't? |
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Post by J-Roar on Sept 2, 2024 14:20:14 GMT
OMG, I've hit pay dirt! Of course, the Cleveland Stokers! "The Cleveland Stokers were a soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio that played in the United Soccer Association during 1967 and the North American Soccer League in 1968. Their home field was Cleveland Stadium. [...] Without any players of its own, it opted to import whole teams from Europe and South America. It was intended that these teams would represent the franchises during the inaugural season, giving them time to build their own squads for the following season. Stoke City, who played in the Football League First Division subsequently represented the Cleveland, Ohio franchise. The traveling Stoke party included the likes of Gordon Banks, Peter Dobing, George Eastham, Maurice Setters and Roy Vernon as well as manager Tony Waddington." Something wrong if you don't do any t shirts of that logo |
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 14:20:47 GMT
A controversial one around these parts, but our former manager Alan Ball played for Philadelphia Fury and Vancouver Whitecaps. what's the controversy ? are some people saying he didn't? ok, I could've gone for 'the not-particularly well liked at the time...' |
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 14:21:48 GMT
OMG, I've hit pay dirt! Of course, the Cleveland Stokers! "The Cleveland Stokers were a soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio that played in the United Soccer Association during 1967 and the North American Soccer League in 1968. Their home field was Cleveland Stadium. [...] Without any players of its own, it opted to import whole teams from Europe and South America. It was intended that these teams would represent the franchises during the inaugural season, giving them time to build their own squads for the following season. Stoke City, who played in the Football League First Division subsequently represented the Cleveland, Ohio franchise. The traveling Stoke party included the likes of Gordon Banks, Peter Dobing, George Eastham, Maurice Setters and Roy Vernon as well as manager Tony Waddington." Something wrong if you don't do any t shirts of that logo I'd sort out the awful kerning, but its asking to be made a tee ain't it. |
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Post by J-Roar on Sept 2, 2024 14:24:18 GMT
Something wrong if you don't do any t shirts of that logo I'd sort out the awful kerning, but its asking to be made a tee ain't it. I've learned a new word today anyway. Thought you were on about the 1980s Heavy Metal magazine. It must be the worst NASL badge by some distance! I've had a couple of t shirts with 1930s American soccer badges. Bethlehem Steel and Brooklyn Wanderers |
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Post by Northy on Sept 2, 2024 14:27:48 GMT
I went to watch 1 game in 1982, Tampa Bay Rowdies v Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver won comfortably and had quite a few ex English players but none from Stoke I think. John Gorman was playing for Tampa, and Vancouver was mainly ex-Leeds, David Harvey in goal, Peter Lorimer, Johnny Giles player managed them I think,
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Post by skip on Sept 2, 2024 14:27:51 GMT
I'd sort out the awful kerning, but its asking to be made a tee ain't it. I've learned a new word today anyway. Thought you were on about the 1980s Heavy Metal magazine. Given that kerning is related to metal type setting, it's er... something something. This is my sub-conscience telling me to get back to work. |
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Post by noustie on Sept 2, 2024 14:52:41 GMT
Remember reading Harry Redknapp's earlier biography from before he was a media reality darling. Came across as a shitebag to be honest and can't remember the ins and outs but he convinced a number of UK based players to join an expansion side (Phoenix?).
The fella who was meant to have the cash disappeared so Rednapp took off with the company car and left the players to fend for themselves to pay their accommodation etc as none of them had been paid. He sold it and kept the money for himself as he was out of pocket. Reading between the lines he'd have negotiated himself some sort of cheeky backhander if the team had got off the ground.
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Post by J-Roar on Sept 2, 2024 15:13:59 GMT
Remember reading Harry Redknapp's earlier biography from before he was a media reality darling. Came across as a shitebag to be honest and can't remember the ins and outs but he convinced a number of UK based players to join an expansion side (Phoenix?). The fella who was meant to have the cash disappeared so Rednapp took off with the company car and left the players to fend for themselves to pay their accommodation etc as none of them had been paid. He sold it and kept the money for himself as he was out of pocket. Reading between the lines he'd have negotiated himself some sort of cheeky backhander if the team had got off the ground. Doesn't ring true at all 🤣 |
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Post by luke2u on Sept 2, 2024 15:46:06 GMT
Eric Skeels - Seattle Sounders 1976
Dennis Violett - Baltimore Bays 1967 and 1968
George Kinnell - Vancouver Royal Canadians 1967
Gordon Banks - Fort Lauderdale Strikers 1977 and 1978
John Marsh - Los Angeles Aztecs 1976
Willie Stevenson - Vancouver Whitecaps 1974
Jimmy Greenhoff - Toronto Blizzard 1981
Stewart Jump - Tampa Bay Rowdies 1975-1977, Houston Hurricane 1978-1980, Minnesota Kicks 1980-1981. He also played indoor football during winter 1978-1984 for 4 clubs
Jimmy Robertson - Seattle Sounders 1976 and 1977
Geoff Hurst - Seattle Sounders 1976
Alan Hudson - Seattle Sounders 1979-1983
Paul A. Johnson - California Lazers 1978
Alec Lindsay - Oakland Stompers 1978 and Toronto Blizzard 1979
Des Backos - Los Angeles Aztecs 1977
Viv Busby - Tulsa Roughnecks 1980
Peter Fox - Team Hawaii 1977
Ray Evans - St. Louis Stars 1977, California Surf 1978 and Seattle Sounders 1982 and 1983. Later he played indoor football until 1989.
Paul Maguire - Tacoma Stars 1984
Dave Watson - Vancouver Whitecaps 1983 and Fort Lauderdale Sun 1984
Derek Parkin - Kansas City Spurs 1968
Dennis Tueart - New York Cosmos 1978 and 1979
Joe Corrigan - Seattle Sounders
Keit Bertschin - Jacksonville Tea Men 1982
Barry Siddall - Vancouver Whitecaps 1981
Gerry Daly - New England Tea Men 1978 and 1979
Vince Hilaire - San Jose Eartquakes 1982
In addition we have players who have only played indoor football in this period: Alan Biley, Mike Thomas, Howard Gayle
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Post by Davef on Sept 2, 2024 16:32:29 GMT
OMG, I've hit pay dirt! Of course, the Cleveland Stokers! "The Cleveland Stokers were a soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio that played in the United Soccer Association during 1967 and the North American Soccer League in 1968. Their home field was Cleveland Stadium. [...] Without any players of its own, it opted to import whole teams from Europe and South America. It was intended that these teams would represent the franchises during the inaugural season, giving them time to build their own squads for the following season. Stoke City, who played in the Football League First Division subsequently represented the Cleveland, Ohio franchise. The traveling Stoke party included the likes of Gordon Banks, Peter Dobing, George Eastham, Maurice Setters and Roy Vernon as well as manager Tony Waddington." |
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Sept 2, 2024 16:35:04 GMT
I loved the NASL
Used to save up to buy shirts from Shoot
California Surf
Tampa Bay Rowdies
NY Cosmos
Detroit Express
Had the above
Was so glamorous on TV compared to a home game v Bolton
Their season was during our summer so players would go over and come back
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Post by Picasso on Sept 2, 2024 16:47:19 GMT
OMG, I've hit pay dirt! Of course, the Cleveland Stokers! "The Cleveland Stokers were a soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio that played in the United Soccer Association during 1967 and the North American Soccer League in 1968. Their home field was Cleveland Stadium. [...] Without any players of its own, it opted to import whole teams from Europe and South America. It was intended that these teams would represent the franchises during the inaugural season, giving them time to build their own squads for the following season. Stoke City, who played in the Football League First Division subsequently represented the Cleveland, Ohio franchise. The traveling Stoke party included the likes of Gordon Banks, Peter Dobing, George Eastham, Maurice Setters and Roy Vernon as well as manager Tony Waddington." Something wrong if you don't do any t shirts of that logo I have one - Love it! 😁 |
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Post by newsteadst3 on Sept 2, 2024 17:03:28 GMT
Always liked the Name "Hatchet Navarro"
Who played at the back for the Stokers,
No idea if he was any good but I assume he got stuck in.
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Post by marylandstoke on Sept 2, 2024 17:03:57 GMT
I loved the NASL Used to save up to buy shirts from Shoot California Surf Tampa Bay Rowdies NY Cosmos Detroit Express Had the above Was so glamorous on TV compared to a home game v Bolton Their season was during our summer so players would go over and come back Played Pickleball in my Tampa Bay Rowdies Soccer T shirt today! |
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Sept 2, 2024 17:06:02 GMT
I loved the NASL Used to save up to buy shirts from Shoot California Surf Tampa Bay Rowdies NY Cosmos Detroit Express Had the above Was so glamorous on TV compared to a home game v Bolton Their season was during our summer so players would go over and come back Played Pickleball in my Tampa Bay Rowdies Soccer T shirt today! Possibly the finest of all the NASL kits. Perhaps one of the best kits ever |
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