|
|
Post by TheWiseMaster on Mar 23, 2009 21:38:48 GMT
Anyone able to download that story - made a great read
I'm assuming the writer of the story isn't the Pittsburg guy on the thread below?
|
|
|
|
Post by OldStokie on Mar 23, 2009 21:52:02 GMT
I read it, too, Paul. It was a great read and well penned by a knowledgeable Yank.  M. |
|
|
|
Post by Marc01 on Mar 23, 2009 21:56:20 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Lightwood on Mar 23, 2009 21:56:46 GMT
was a previous thread on here somewhere
|
|
|
|
Post by TheWiseMaster on Mar 23, 2009 22:01:37 GMT
Brilliant story Mick ....Yanks everywhere!  |
|
|
|
Post by TheWiseMaster on Mar 23, 2009 22:03:33 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.
|
|
|
|
Post by Not_Nick_H on Mar 23, 2009 23:26:45 GMT
Good read that. I like fan's stories on how they came to follow Stoke (or any team). I wonder if the US TV coverage quotes Rory's stats on how many yards he's thrown for?! ;D Thinks - give him an American football and see how far he could wang that....it's a similar technique to the javelin. I wonder if they talk about Stoke using the "Shotgun" or "Hail Mary" tactic?! Thw following statement should be shoved infront of a great many pundits, journo's and other "experts" to remind them just how far the game has come off the rails in this country. And it takes a yank to point it out!:  - "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.". |
|
|
|
Post by mailman44 on Mar 24, 2009 4:22:00 GMT
Hey I resemble that article???? Who plagiarized me???? Just kidding. Stoke City is it's fans and that is what is beautiful to see. How can i get a copy of that? My wife will not believe this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 24, 2009 6:54:59 GMT
Mailman - if you want a copy of the Oatcake "fanzine" then I will mail you my copy. First, do you know how the Personal Message system on this message board works? You'd better find out quick because I am about to send you a personal message!
At the top of the message board home page is the Oatcake banner and to the right of that banner you will see a script saying "Hey, mailman44 you have x messages, y are new"
Click on the text which is highlighted in blue ie "x messages" and you will be able to read my message. I'll be asking you to use the reply option to give me your address.
Edit - Mailman you have a personal message ;D
|
|
rorylongthrow
Lads'n'Dads
Iraqi journo takes inspiration from Rory's Longthrow
Posts: 89
|
Post by rorylongthrow on Mar 24, 2009 8:12:49 GMT
With the 4 Irish players we have in the first team we might start to get more Irish American interest.
Mailman,
contact the local paper over in the US and tell them your story of how you have had your article published in the UK.
It would be great to see another branch of Stokies in the US.
|
|
|
|
Post by sovietonion on Mar 24, 2009 8:16:33 GMT
What I really want to know is if Mailman44 is really a mailman, and whether he has plans to rake the sorting depot with gunfire if Lakeland Potter's Oatcake gets lost in the Post? Our Postmen just go around surly and go on strike.... ;D |
|
|
|
Post by 339187 on Mar 24, 2009 12:11:43 GMT
As if some bluddy Yank can just decide to become a genuine Stokie ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by stokietillidied on Mar 24, 2009 12:31:58 GMT
As if some bluddy Yank can just decide to become a genuine Stokie ;D Bluddy? ??? ;D |
|
|
|
Post by TheWiseMaster on Mar 24, 2009 13:28:08 GMT
Hey up H! Thats at least three Yanks posting in the past 24hrs! Looks like you have some fellow fans nearby  But you are probably almost as close to us as you are to mailman?  |
|
|
|
Post by Dr Oetcake on Mar 24, 2009 13:36:24 GMT
He needs to order some genuine north staff oatcakes as well, possibly inventing a californian topping with cheese and pineapple of something....
|
|
|
|
Post by wembley4372 on Mar 24, 2009 15:15:48 GMT
I thought it was a wind up and smudge had put it in the last issue before April 1st!
|
|
|
|
Post by Not_Nick_H on Mar 24, 2009 15:54:17 GMT
He needs to order some genuine north staff oatcakes as well, possibly inventing a californian topping with cheese and pineapple of something.... Californian would be more like Lemongrass and Grilled Tofu  . He wants some good 'ole Tex-Mex like chilli-cheese with sour cream. God I'm hungry now..... |
|
|
|
Post by blackswanscfc on Mar 24, 2009 16:18:42 GMT
Thats awesome! guess you can say the same about me. The love that parkerson and michael have for Stoke, thick and thin, is what drew me in. The dedication that the fans have, and just seeing how everybody is so "into" them. Im a die hard steeler fan. born and raised, and everything i heard/read/seen about stoke, just reminds me of us over here. The dedication, the loyalty, the LOVE of the game and your team. i was just told today to read She Stood There Laughing. and i plan on reading it. From what i see, its not just a game, its a way of life.
|
|
|
|
Post by 339187 on Mar 24, 2009 17:29:41 GMT
He wants some good 'ole Tex-Mex like chilli-cheese with sour cream. Nail and head, NNH! Just make tostadas with oatcakes instead of corn tortillas. Refried beans or meat, chayze, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, a little hot sauce and sour cream. Now I'm hungry too |
|
|
|
Post by cantspellwontspell on Mar 24, 2009 17:30:34 GMT
As if some bluddy Yank can just decide to become a genuine Stokie ;D you should be calling him a gloryhunter Mr 33, you've been in since the depths of division 3 |
|
|
|
Post by mailman44 on Mar 26, 2009 3:45:50 GMT
Alfalfa sprouts and passion fruit would be a hit on oatcakes over here in Norcal!
|
|
- 
. He wants some good 'ole Tex-Mex like chilli-cheese with sour cream. 
