En English Stokies thoughts (Dave vår man på plats)
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Här kommer fortsättningen av vår intervju med English-Stokie Dave (vår man på plats)
20. A lot of talk has been about the poor attendances at the Brit. What do you think this is down to?
Some say that its due to the fact that Stoke is in a deprived area and that its simply too expensive. Although this is a factor I personally believe that because Stoke haven’t (yet) spent any time in the Premiership the club have missed out on the added interest that this can generate and that over the years supporters have become despondent with the club and have drifted away.
21. Stokes supporters favourite song is of course Delilah; can you tell us the history of this?
Apparently a group of supporters sang it in a pub before going to a match once and it took off from there.
22. Can you share some magic Delilah moments with us?
There have been lots of classic renditions. Its especially good away from home when it silences the home fans. WBA away last year (3-1 to Stoke) springs to mind.
23. Getting a little nostalgic now, what is the best game you have seen (live) involving Stoke?
I’ve seen my fair share of nightmare Stoke City performances over the years. However, there are a few classics amongst them. For example, the famous 3-2 victory over Leeds in 1974 which put an end to their record unbeaten run of 29 games. Stoke were losing 2-0 at one stage. For sheer entertainment value I would have to say the 4-4 draw with Luton in 1982. Stoke had goalkeeper Peter Fox sent off in the 1st half. Luton went on to miss a penalty in the last minute. The 7-2 victory over Leeds in the late ‘80s was also special. The 0-8 defeat to Liverpool was not so special.
24. And who are the best players you have seen wearing the red and white stripes?
I feel privileged to of seen Gordon Banks play for Stoke. Other 1970 icons obviously include Jimmy Greenhoff & Alan Hudson. However, I’ve always liked watching wingers and I particularly loved watching Mark Chamberlain play for Stoke. Another winger, Peter Beagrie was also a Stoke player that I admired.
25. In the present squad do you have any favourites?
With his strength, pace & trickery Ricardo Fuller has the ability to change a game all on his own.
26. Is there anyone in the squad that gets a rough ride from Stoke supporters?
That’ll be Vincent Pericard
27. You have seen Stoke win twice at Wembley and also at the Millennium, can you tell us a little about these games?
I was too young to watch Stoke beat Chelsea in ’72 but was there to watch them beat Stockport in ’92 & Bristol City in 2000. Those 2 games were great occasions and it was incredible be with thousands of fellow Stoke supporters. The 1-0 win over Stockport was sweet because they had beaten us in the play-offs that season. The 2-1 victory over Bristol City was special as it came soon after the take over by the Icelanders. However, the Millennium stadium in Cardiff is the best stadium that I have been in. The 2-0 victory there over Brentford with over 35,000 Stoke fans was superb.
28. Of course there have been bad times too, what is your personal lowest time as a Stoke supporter?
I cried when Blyth Spartans knocked us out of the F.A.Cup in 1978. The next day at school was bad I can tell you. I also remember crying when Alan Durban left Stoke to manage Sunderland. I have seen Stoke get relegated 4 times and they are miserable times. Play-off defeats are also unpleasant. I remember thinking at one point that Stoke were never going to get out of the old 3rd division and we were going to stay as a lower league team indefinitely.
29. Ok name your worst manager and worst player?
Worst manager is Chris Kamara. Worst player is Ian Allison, a free transfer from Arsenal in the 1980’s. The guy simply didn’t try.
30. Have you ever felt like giving up?
I’ll never stop supporting Stoke City. To be honest, on one or two occasions when things have been going bad, I have thought that I wouldn’t purchase a season ticket and just attend matches as I choose. However, I always come to my senses and end up buying one.
31. Getting back to this season where do Stoke need to improve in your opinion?
I have written this after the transfer deadline. Stoke have managed to bring in some players to provide competition all over the pitch. Now it remains to be seen whether the players that were added have the quality to get us where we want to be.
32. Which teams will be our toughest rivals for the top two places?
Bristol City are having a fantastic first season back in the Championship and do not look like they are going to drop away. My friend, Mark, thought that they were the best team he has seen us play when they beat us 1-0 earlier in the season. The game against them will be MASSIVE. Hull City are on a fantastic run and could go all the way. I hope WBA continue to get distracted by their cup run. Watford seem to be struggling but they could come back with a late run.
33. If Stoke make it to the Premiership can they, and what is needed to survive? (or will they just be another Derby?)
Good sound investment
34. What is your pre-match routine?
We usually have a couple of pints of Guinness in the “The Gardeners Retreat” pub before walking up to the ground.
Vi tackar Dave för hans tid, det var mycket intressant. Fler intervjuer är på gång.
