An English Stokies thoughts (Dave vår man på plats)
Intervju med Dave om hur det är att vara en Stokie i England (del 1)
Dave
Just a few questions for the site
Interview with Dave (our man on the spot)
First of all Dave, both Håkan and I would like to thank-you for your help, both with your reports and pictures. They have been much appreciated by Stokies here in Sweden. We are also grateful for you answering a few questions concerning our beloved Stoke City.
1. How long have you been a Stokie?
Since I was a lad. My Dad and older brother (Nick) supported them so it was natural that I would follow suit. My first game was when I was 7. I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1999.
2. Can you remember your first game?
April 22nd 1972. Everton at home. Drew 1-1. Gordon Banks was in goal for Stoke. I remember that Stokes goal was an own goal scored by Terry Darracott. Also, as I had only seen football before on the Television I wondered why no-one was commentating.
3. Although born in the city you moved at an early age, can you tell us something about your background?
Our family moved 50 miles away to Bromsgrove in the early 1970’s when I was 6 years old. It doesn’t seem any distance now but at the time it did. Anyway, all the family kept supporting Stoke and we used to watch them play at home when we travelled back on family visits.
4. Have you had to put up with a lot of stick for being a Stokie?
I wouldn’t say that I get stick. Most people are a little surprised. You also get a little respect for having a season ticket & staying with an unfashionable team. I find that most people this season are pleased for me that he team are doing well.
5. Is there a team/teams that you particularly dislike?
I don’t dislike any one team in particular. Over the years rivalries can develop and then subside. For example, in the early 1990’s I do remember developing a dislike for Stockport County that no longer exists.
6. How far do you have to travel for home games?
50 (English) miles. It takes about 1 hour on the motorway to get to Stoke.
7. Do you travel alone?
I travel with fellow ‘Bromsgrove Stokie’ Mark & his wife Jo. Next year, one of Marks work colleagues is going to join us.
8. You have a season ticket, how much does it cost and does it include cup games?
To sit behind the goal in the Boothen end cost £299 for this season. Its great value and works out at £13 per game. It doesn’t include cup games.
9. Have you heard what the price will be next year, if (when) we are in the Premiership?
If I purchase next years ticket before April 17th it will cost me £344. After then the price will increase.
10. Do you see many away games?
Not as many as I would like. I try to attend the local away games like Coventry, WBA & Wolves. Last season I went to QPR on the last day of the season and this season I went to Preston.
11. To see an away game, Stoke have a membership system, could you explain how this works?
The membership system requires Stoke City supporters to complete an application form in order purchase an identity card for a one-off payment of £10. (The club say that the money is to cover administration costs). The identity card shows a photograph and signature of the holder. Only then can supporters purchase away tickets. When purchasing away tickets the member must show his or her card. The card must also be shown upon entry into the away stadium along with the match ticket (of course). Certain away fixtures allow card holders to take a non-card holding guest with them. The name of the guest has to be registered before and you can only be a guest on 2 occasions (I think) per season.
12. What are your opinions about this system?
The system was introduced to reduce trouble at away grounds and to exclude the troublemakers. It has been a talking point for fans since its introduction with supporters divided in their opinion. Those who travel regularly complain that the numbers of the away following has dropped and that as a result the atmosphere at these fixtures has diminished. However others report that the atmosphere is less hostile and the experience is more pleasurable. Personally, I think at the time when it was introduced the club had to be seen to be doing something. However, for certain less profile matches I think that the club could now drop the card.
13. We have played at the Britannia now for 10 years, does it feel like home or is the old Victoria Ground still missed? How is the atmosphere there?
The Victoria ground will always be fondly remembered. It has so much of the clubs history associated with it. It has taken a while but the Britannia is gradually starting to feel like home. The atmosphere can also be special there too.
14. Three corners of the Britannia are open and the talk was that if we went up to the Prem. these would disappear and create extra seating, have you heard anything concerning this?
The “fill the corners in” argument gets raised fairly often. The club will only do this if there was an obvious need to increased the capacity. Even if we went up I don’t think that they would do it straight away. This would be done only if we were able to establish ourselves as a premiership team.
15. There is a lot of interest for Stoke City here in Scandinavia; does this surprise you?
Yes, when I first heard I was really surprised. I think its fantastic that the club are followed abroad and that the fans are a dedicated and knowledgeable group.
16. Do you know anything about Swedish football; what about these 3 questions, which team won the Swedish League last year, can you say 2 teams from Stockholm and which team does Henrik Larson play for?
(1) oh Shit! I know Elfsborg won it the previous year. Was it Hammerby? I’ll go for Malmo (2) AIK & Djurgarden (3) Easy this one. H.B.K. ……………only joking Hakan….. Helsingborg. Of course.
17. Peter Coates is the Chairman, what line of business is he in, is he extremely wealthy and how much money do you think he is prepared to invest in Stoke City?
This is his second spell in charge of the club. In between spells he made a lot of money on an internet betting company called Bet365. He also sold a chain of high street betting shops. He has further business interests that I am not too sure about. I know that his family are involved in business with him and they did not wish for him to become involved with the club again. He is a wealthy man but not in the Abramavich league. He has already shown that he is prepared to invest in the club by purchasing the Britannia and by sanctioning transfers. He has expressed his desire to get Stoke into the Premiership and has plans to develop the club. If we got promoted he would have to invest further or the club will struggle.
18. Both Tony Pulis (manager) and Peter Coates are at Stoke for their second time, are they popular with the fans and are there any differences with them this time round?
During Peter Coates first spell in charge the fans blamed him for not investing in the team and for using the club to promote his business interests. When Pulis first joined the club he was initially seen as a hero for avoiding relegation. The supporters only started to turn against Pulis when the quality of football became so poor. It was only natural therefore that the supporters were disgruntled when they both returned. However, now that the club are having a good season the fans on the whole are pleased with them both. The difference this time around is that Coates has invested to enable Pulis to bring in better quality players. However some fans are hard to please and remain sceptical.
19. Are you a Pulis fan?
Overall, I would say Yes. To this day I still don’t know how he kept the team from relegation in that first season. He has brought in some inspirational loan signings like Mark Crossley & Gerry Taggart and he certainly has the ability to spot a player who may be struggling at another club and get them playing again.
Vi fortsätter nästa vecka..........
