Stoke

Cup trail in Potteries

Stoke City v Darlington

Carling Cup First Round

Tuesday 22nd August 2006, 7.45pm

Thanks to the seeding system, Darlo are at least guaranteed a match against a higher level club, although it will be tough away from home.

Tony Pulis has returned to take over with the Potters. We last played Stoke here in the AutoWindscreens Shield in 2000, when we lost 3-2 to a "golden goal."

Man to watch Peter Sweeney Links the play and likes to get forward

Full match previews on the D@rlo Uncovered website.

The Britannia Stadium is a bit of a problem to reach but there is no denying its facilities. Away fans are in the Big AM (South) Stand at one end of the ground, with room for 4,800 all-seated. Ticket prices £12 adults, £5 concessions - under 17 and over 65.

Stoke City FC:
Britannia Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, ST4 4EG
Tel: 01782 592 222; 592 200 (ticket office)
History: The second oldest club in the League, believed to have formed in 1863, although possibly a few years later. It turned professional in 1885 and was one of the original founders of the Football League in 1888. Stoke's high points were finishing fourth in Division One in the mid 20s and 30s, and also having a memorable team in the early 1970s, which included League Cup and Watneys Cup wins and two seasons in the UEFA Cup. The club is also strongly associated with Sir Stanley Matthews, who started and finished his playing career here and was knighted in 1965. Matthews made his debut in 1932, aged 17, then rejoined the club from Blackpool aged 46 in 1961! He played four more seasons, helping Stoke to promotion. He opened the new ground when the club moved to the Britannia Stadium from the old Victoria Ground in 1997. He died in 2000 and a statue is outside the stadium
Record Attendance: 28,218 v Everton, FA Cup 3, Jan 2002 (Britannia), 51,380 v Arsenal Div 1, 1937 (club).
Honours: League Cup winners 1972, Div 2 champions 1932/33, 1962/63 and 1992/93. Div 3 N champions 1926/27.
Capacity: 28,218
Last season: 13th
Record victory: 11-0 v Stourbridge, FA Cup prelim rd, 1914
Defeat: 0-10 v Prestn NE, Div 1, Sept 1889
Nickname: The Potters.
Colours: Red and white stripes.
Manager: Tony Pulis.
Chairman: Peter Coates
Famous fans/players/connections: Sir Stanley Matthews, Gordon Banks, Jimmy Greenhoff, Alan Hudson, Terry Conroy, Denis Smith, Peter Shilton, Geoff Hurst, Alan Bloor, Eric Skeels, (players), Tony Waddington, Brian Little, Lou Macari (managers), Nick Hancock (fan).
Click for Streetmap of ground and town/stadium map

Anything worth adding? Please e-mail us any suggestions. Back to index page

From the north east: M1 until junction 28, follow signs to Derby on the A38. After 13 miles at Little Eaton, follow signs to Burton and to the South M1, staying on the A38. Follow signs for the A516/A50 and Stoke. On the A50 and follow all the way until you see the Britannia Stadium on the left
From the M6: Leave the M6 at junction 15, then take the A500 to Stoke-on-Trent, at the first exit take the A34 to Stone, follow signs for Trentham, at the next roundabout turn left onto Trentham Road (A5035) stay on this road till you reach the junction with Stanley Matthews Way
If early enough, there is parking at the Power League complex next to the stadium, which normally costs £4.50. You can also use the facilities at the centre, which includes a bar. As you exit the A50 onto the stadium site, go straight over the first roundabout taking the third exit, pass Greens Gym on your left. Further on you pass a Toyota garage on the left and straight ahead a VW garage. At the roundabout turn left and Power League is visible from there. There may be some space for away fans in the South Car Park - reached from Trentham Road or from the A50 and through the main slip road into the Britannia Stadium. Street parking is very limited. Another carpark is Heron Cross School and Bowling Club - which is on the opposite side of the A50 to the stadium, next to a footbridge which leads to the stadium footpath (10 minute walk). From the A50 with the stadium on your right, come off at the slip road signposted Heron Cross and turn left and you will come to some traffic lights. At those lights turn left (following signs for Stoke) and half a mile down the road you turn right into the car park. Another off the A500/A50 is on Campbell Road - at the Booker cash & carry, 500m walk to the stadium.

Stoke railway station is aorund three miles from the stadium, so you need either a taxi or a shuttle bus. The buses leave Glebe Street every 15 minutes before kick off and return from behind the Sentinel (East) Stand. It's a short walk to Glebe St - turn right into Station Road and right at the traffic lights by the Roebuck Hotel, along Leek Road (A52). Then across the A500 dual carriageway and into Glebe Street. which is straight across in front of you. Buses normally cost £3 adults, £2 children and £1.50 OAPs return..
Train times: Darlington, London Euston and Sheffield No trains back
Birmingham New Street Sugg: 16.18 arr 17.12. Return 22.19 or 22.36, arr 23.20 or 23.46. Cheapday return £8.40.
Manchester Piccadilly Sugg: 17.15 arr 17.49, rtn 22.44 arr 23.30. Cheapday return, £9.05.

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City Cabs 2000 01782 844444
Autocabs 01782 332211
City Centre Taxis 01782 811811
Four Star Taxis 01782 334334
N Staff Eagles Taxis 01782 314315
Darlington FC Supporters' Club
Coach 3pm, £15. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

Stoke-on-Trent is made up of six towns - Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley (the city centre), Stoke, Fenton and Longton - rather than being just one city, in case you get confused. It was founded on the ceramic and pottery industry, which gives its name The Potteries. There are plenty of factory outlets and museums with relation to the industry, for visitors.

There are online maps on the tourism website, showing the city in relation to the stadium to the south, with Fenton being the closest of the six towns.

Tourist Information Centre, Victoria Hall, Bagnall St, Cultural Quarter, Stoke-on-Trent (City Centre) ST1 3AD, Tel: 01782 236000 Visit Stoke website
The website has accommodation - if staying over, there is an Express by Holiday Inn near the stadium (c£55-74 a room) or The Plough Motel - see below under pubs.

Be wary. Due to a small but persistent hooligan element at Stoke, it's advised to be discreet and hide colours and avoid drinking in the town centre. You'd hope, given the size of our away support and the low-key nature of this match, we might enjoy a pre-match drink or two, but it's best to err on the side of caution.
Real ale
The Malt 'N Hops, 259 King Street, Fenton, ST4 3EJ
Freehouse, which specialises in micro brews and a changing selection. Also specialises in bottled Belgian beers. A quarter of a mile from Longford station, around two miles from the ground. Click for streetmap

Staff Of Life, Hill St, Stoke, ST4 1NL
London Pride and Shepherd's Neame available alongside the Bass in this pub, not far from the station, but 3.5 miles from ground.

Bars near station
Fawn & Firkin, 40 Leek Road, Shelton, ST4 2AR
Around the corner from the railway station and close to the local college campus - although perhaps the student clientele will still be away. Can get a taxi or shuttle bus close to here. Streetmap
Bars near ground
There is a bar inside the away end, serving John Smith's and Fosters, otherwise the choice is restricted.
Power League five-a-side complex, near the ground.
Tetleys bitter and Guinness and away-fan friendly, as it's close (250 yards) to the away end. Car parking available for £4.50-£5.
Harvester restaurant and pub, Sir Stanley Matthews Way, ST4 4EG.
Next door to the Express by Holiday Inn hotel at the stadium complex. It costs abour £3 to park. Don't wear colours or you will not be admitted.
The Plough Motel, Campbell Road, ST4 4EN
Licensed bar in motel. Close to the Booker cash and carry parking at the end of Campbell Road. Also restaurant, plus bed and breakfast from £54.50-£64.50 single/twin

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Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express SYPTE local transport Town maps
Hotels/B&Bs Stoke Sentinel Stoke city council Tourism site CAMRA Potteries

Surfing there...

There's the Official website and The Oatcake rivals site, as well as the SCFC Online site

Next away match:
Walsall, Saturday 26th August

No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling.