Female Stokies part 2
What do they know, what do they think
Charlotte och Victoria Lees, (2 Female Stokies)
Del 2 som är en fortsättning från igår.
Bilden är Charlotte med pappa Pete innan West Ham matchen i London.
1. Have you had any problems at away games, or is the atmosphere relaxed?
(Charlotte) Yes I have seen trouble both home and away, but always with teams we tend to have a ‘rivalry’ with. The most recent was Wolves away last season. Unfortunately stoke have a reputation that police tend to react to more than the incident that is actually occurring, often more fuss is made out of nothing just because its stoke.
(Victoria) There’s obviously always going to be a bit of trouble no matter what game you go to, but there’s not been anywhere that I’ve ever felt frightened. There’s usually just a good mix of banter between us and the away fans.
2. What do your friends both male and female think of your huge interest?
(Charlotte) At first people find it odd, but then its just a part of who we are. We still have other interests and football is just one that because your female is a bit strange! Its quite nice that people you haven’t seen for years always say that they look out for stoke results because it’s a different team to who everyone else supports.
(Victoria) Not many of my friends that are girls follow football, and they all think I’m a bit crazy travelling so far every week, but admire me for being so dedicated! It’s great with people that I don’t see much as they always look for the Stoke score, even my old driving instructor keeps an eye on it! The lads that I’m friends with are just amazed that I actually go to games, know what I’m talking about and genuinely enjoy it!
3. Do any of them show a desire to come and see a game with you?
(Charlotte) A lot of my friends have been to games over the years for a number of reasons and have all enjoyed the day, we haven’t convinced anyone to turn to the red and white yet though!
(Victoria) The girl’s I’m friends with have definitely been encouraged into going to a game. The girl I live with here in Somerset has never been to a football match so I took her to our local game in Yeovil last night. She loved it so I’ll hopefully bring her to a Stoke game soon! The lads always want to come to Stoke when we play their teams. Especially if it’s someone in a cup game that we wouldn’t normally play.
4. What about your mother, is she a fan? Or does she “just put up with it”
(Charlotte) She is a Birmingham City fan so football is an interesting point in our house, usually resulting in her muttering 7-0 under her breath
(Victoria) I’m very sad to say that our mother is actually a Birmingham City fan. She doesn’t go to any games anymore, but used to as a child. I suppose she does just put up with it really, but I’m sure she thinks we’re crazy sometimes
5. Does your huge interest in football influence your private life a lot, parties, boyfriends etc.?
(Charlotte) Only in a way that it takes a Saturday day time out of your week, every week. Thanks to my dads excellent driving I have always managed to get back in time from far flung places like Newcastle in time for parties.
(Victoria) I suppose it does really. I’m always trying to plan my social life around games, working out if I can get back from the match in time to go out or to a party. But it’s all part of being a supporter isn’t it!
6. Could you date a Man U fan ha ha?
(Charlotte) I’d prefer not too!
(Victoria) I’d rather not, but I’m sure there are plenty of them down here in Somerset!
7. If you could have a date with a Stoke player, who would it be?
(Charlotte) Tough question!! I would probably say Andrew Griffin, because he was in the first stoke team that I remember supporting so I would have a lot of questions to ask him. I have met him a couple of times and we have had quite a chat! Others in with a shout would be Glenn Whelan and Liam Lawrence.
(Victoria) Well, Stoke aren’t exactly known for their good looking players, but if I had to choose someone it would probably be Ryan Shawcross. He looks like a lovely man and I’d love to see what he thinks of playing for Stoke. If he’s busy then maybe Liam Lawrence, but I don’t think my sister would allow that!
8. What are the differences this year now Stoke are in the PL?
(Charlotte) More expensive and longer queue’s into the ground. Apart from that the standard of football is so much higher and every minute of every game is crucial. It is much better having a full ground every week and really makes a difference. The fact that we can sign £4-5 million players is a huge difference! Most of all its just exciting to be playing fantastic teams every week and competing.
(Victoria) Well it’s certainly a lot more expensive to go to away games! We’re obviously getting a lot more coverage in the media which is great, but mainly it’s probably the quality of football. When we played Chelsea at home they were just such a quality team. Personally I receive a lot more texts off the lads from university about the day’s score or any signings we’re making.
9. Which ground has impressed you most?
(Charlotte) The best ground ever was probably Millennium Stadium.
(Victoria) Although I hate them, and its very cliché, it has got to be Old Trafford. The ground is just immense! The whole atmosphere around the ground was like a cup final day, and the sheer size of it is enough to get your nerves going before the game too. It was just a shame the score ruined it…
10. Which game have you enjoyed the most this season so far?
(Charlotte) Villa at home! 3-2, winner scored in last minute. Don't think I caught my breath for a week! Especially being from the midlands we know a lot of Villa fans so we continue to enjoy rubbing that result in!
(Victoria) It’s a tough one but I think I have to say Villa at home. To come away with a great win was brilliant, but a lot of my friends are Villa fans so my sister and I went out into Town that night and had such a good night gloating (graciously of course) to all of them!
Liverpool away was also a good game because I think we all went expecting to lose but came away with our pride firmly in tact.
11. A classic question, which is your favourite player(s)?
(Charlotte) This is a really hard question. I like Andrew Griffin, Ab Faye (defender) is amazing and I think Ryan Shawcross could potentially end up being one of our best ever signings. I also like Lawrence and I really hope that Kitson starts scoring soon because I think he will be worth the money. Sorry that wasn’t a very decisive answer!
(Victoria) In the past my favourite players always leave a season later such as Neil Cutler, Chris Greenacre and Darel Russell! But I’m going to risk it and say Danny Pugh because I think he’s a really hardworking player but doesn’t get any recognition for it. I also like Dickinson because he’s Stoke through and through and has a lot of passion for the game. Ryan Shawcross deserves a shout out too because I think he is a great player and still has so much more to give to the club.
12. Just before we finish girls, maybe you could say a few words to the Swedish Stokies especially the female ones who maybe are considering a trip to England and see a game.
(Charlotte) Come over and see a game, sample the atmosphere, have a pint and a pie and keep on singing!!!!
(Victoria) In my experience we’ve had a few people come to games on a one off and have been unlucky enough to go to a truly awful game where Stoke haven’t performed and it’s been an all round bad day, but don’t let that put you off! Sometimes we have really good days…honestly!
Thanks a lot girls for all your help, the ´Guinness at the Aston Villa game is on me!!!
Sedan måste man säga vilket bra bra Pete har gjort med sina tjejer, bägge 2 är duktiga i skolan, föjler Stoke City riket runt och dricker "pints of Guinness".
Let´s face it; the man has done a good job!
