The Bet365 Stadium, home of Stoke City based in Staffordshire. Nicknamed the “Potters” after Stoke’s history in the Pottery business. 8th February 2020 and me and the Super Stag were due to go and watch Mansfield play at Morecambe but unfortunately, the supporters coach was full and the trains were limited. We deliberated over alternative grounds to tick off and agreed on Stoke City who were at home to Charlton Athletic. A relegation battle which could have ramifications on the future of both clubs.
Nottingham to Derby to Stoke all for £10!! Get yourself a Rail card Joe lad! Arrival in Stoke and given a directions by a friendly Police officer who recommended the Trent & Mersey Canal and off we went.
A very long walk which indeed led us straight to the ground and what a nice walk! Arrival at the ground to see the club shop and then to the nearest bar. Everton Vs Crystal Palace the early BT Sport Kick off! Come on Palace! Whilst at the bar we met a Stoke fan and a Charlton fan and got to know their clubs a bit more. Always nice to have a friendly chat with other fellow football fans! £18 to watch this Championship relegation battle! Mint! The closest I have ever sat next to the opposition supporters at a match, let’s hope there is no trouble.
Kick Off! The chorus of the famous Tom Jones song “Delilah” was echoing around the ground!! Fantastic from the Stoke fans! A strange chant for a football team but they did not disappoint. Stoke came straight out of the blocks with Sam Clucas going close for Stoke after 2 minutes. Charlton going close from a corner was the closest they were to scoring in the match so far. Stoke were the better teams and with 28 minutes gone, they had a free kick for in a good crossing position. Sam Clucas crosses, Nick Powell’s head across goal….. AND IN!!! James McClean at the far post to tap it in 1-0!
The Stoke fans in fine voice once again! Chants flying back and forth between both sets of supporters! Stoke continued to dictate the game and looked certain to make it 2! First half stoppage time and I could have counted on one hand how many times Charlton had the ball in Stoke’s half, but they were out of their own half now and a cross came in to Ben Purrington… 1-1! Against the run of play! It would be the last action of the half and the score at the break would be 1-1.
Second half, and Stoke came flying out of the blocks again, the ball fell to Stoke’s Joe Allen who put it on a plate for Tom Ince… WHO SCORES!! 2-1! Here comes Delilah again from the Stoke fans! Stoke would continue to press looking to seal the deal, for a team in a relegation battle, me and the Super Stag were impressed to say the least. 66 minutes and Stoke had the ball on the right wing, ball comes in… POWELL! 3-1!! “Stoke go down! We all go down! Get p****d on the ale!! We’ll come back up and win the cup and kick s*** out of Vale!!” What a chant!!
No way back for Charlton now!! Fully deserved for Stoke. Charlton fans: “Sit down shut up!” to the Stoke fans who responded exactly the same but in doing so attempted to do a southern accent in the process which made me, the Super Stag and the Stoke fans around us chuckle. Who doesn’t love a bit of friendly banter? Stoppage time and Charlton’s danger man Lyle Taylor who had a quiet game made space for the shot on the edge of the area…. Just wide and that would be the story of Charlton’s day.
FT: Stoke City 3-1 Charlton Athletic
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 9/10 – A passionate fan base to say the least!! All around the ground singing their hearts out, such a shame about the empty seats though, could have easily scored 10 with a sold out crowd in my opinion!
- The Ground: 8/10 – A lovely ground again! A good fit should Stoke ever return to the top flight.
- Expense: 10/10 – £18 for 4 goals, meeting other fans, fantastic atmosphere and the nicest walk to a ground I’ve had before.
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – A great day out all in all! Totally took the thought of the Mansfield match out of our minds! Hats off Stoke!
37/40