Personalised Stoke City Football Books
Enjoy a Newspaper History of the Potters
Stoke City FC was formed in 1863. The club became one of the founder members of the Football League in 1888, but they struggled to make an impact and left after just two seasons. The Potters joined the break-away Football Alliance and became champions in 1891. Stoke then returned to the official league and the Potters enjoyed sixteen years in the top flight. Sir Stanley Matthews signed for Stoke City in 1932 and his immense talent and presence helped the whole team to improve. Stoke finished as runners-up of the First Division in 1947, losing out to Liverpool in the final round of matches. Matthews left the club for fourteen years, but he returned in 1961 under the management of Tony Waddington. Stoke City went on to reach the League Cup final in 1964. Matthews retired one year later, but Gordon Banks soon signed for the team. Stoke City reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1971 and 1972. The Potters also won the League Cup in 1972 and therefore qualified for European football. As the successful side began to age, Stoke City’s form fell away and the club was relegated in 1977. Stoke reached the Premiership for the first time in 2008.
Personalised Stoke City Football Books - Inspired Gifts
A Stoke City Gift Book can be an inspired present for a fan of the Potters. It is unique, smartly presented and filled with fascinating newspaper reports on the history of the club. Being able to personalise this Stoke Football Book makes the gift even more special and shows the thought that has gone into buying it. The present will also prove to be a terrific addition to a supporter’s Stoke City memorabilia collection.
Stoke City Football Book Coverage
This Stoke City Football Book opens with Stoke beating Blackburn Rovers in a 1906 FA Cup tie. It goes on to cover a selection of great games through the decades of the 20th Century and many highlights from the present era.
Top stories in the Stoke City Football Book include beating Bristol City 3-0 in 1922 to gain promotion to Division One and the tragic 1946 FA Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers, where 38 fans sadly died. Read about the 6-1 thrashing of Chelsea in 1939, plus the marathon 9hr 22min Cup tie against Bury in 1955, which Stoke eventually won 3-2. The Gift Books feature some headline transfers, including Stanley Matthews signing for Stoke for a second time in 1961, Gordon Banks joining the club in 1967 and Stoke paying £340,000 for England goalkeeper Peter Shilton in 1974. This Shilton deal was a British transfer record. The Stoke City Books also cover some of the Potters’ greatest goal-fests, such as the 8-1 win against Leeds United in 1934, the 10-3 win over West Bromwich Albion in 1934, the 9-0 demolition of Plymouth in 1960 and 9-1 routing of Ipswich Town in 1964. Relive the excitement of gaining promotion to the old Division One in 1979. An article on the club’s promotion to the Premiership in 2008 is another highlight of the Gift Book.
Newspaper coverage continues right up to the end of last season. This unique insight into the Potters’ history makes these books truly memorable gifts and a great addition for a collector of Stoke City memorabilia.
Stoke City Memorabilia
If you are a collector of Stoke memorabilia or looking for other Stoke gifts, why not consider our Stoke City Calendar or Stoke City Diary? Each month features a newspaper headline on one of the Potters’ key games. The presents can be personalised with the recipient’s name to make them even more special and both items make great gifts for Stoke City fans. Other Stoke presents include Framed Newspaper Reprints, “My Football Year" Stoke Books and unique Stoke City T-Shirts.
Finally – Did You Know?
- Stoke City is the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts County.
- Sir Stanley Matthews retired in 1965 at the age of fifty. He had made 259 appearances for Stoke City, scoring 51 goals, and had become the first player to be knighted by the Queen whilst still playing.
- In 1974, Stoke City beat Chelsea in the first ever league match to be played on a Sunday.
- The Potters reached the Premiership in 2008 following a period of twenty-three years outside the top division.
- Research carried out by Sky+ HD found that Stoke City’s fans were the loudest in the Premiership during the 2008-2009 season.