In 1960, Tony Waddington was appointed as a manager to Stoke, who earlier joined as a coach in 1952 and the club was trying to attract their supporters to the Victoria Ground because their no of fans decreased below 10,000, for the first time in 40 years. During his reign in 1960–61, Stoke finished 18th in the Second Division. Crowds were still low, a match against Preston North End attracted 8,409 in 1961. However, Waddington pulled off a significant coup by enticing Stanley Matthews—now 46 years old—back to the club, 14 years after he had left.
 | |
| Waddington Stoke City Manager |
A crowd of 35,974 fans attended Mathew’s return to the club, only a fortnight after the poor crowd against Preston. The return of Mathew promoted Stoke City to eighth position in 1961-62 and in next season stoke finished as champions. In their first season back in the First Division, 1963–64, Waddington guided Stoke to a mid-table finish. Mathews worked hard for the club in Football League Cup final in 1964, although this ended in defeat to Leicester over two legs.
Waddington believed in experience therefore he signed players like Dennis Viollet, Jackie Mudie, Roy Vernon, Maurice Setters and Jimmy McIlroy. Matthews was awarded a knighthood for services to football in the 1965 New Year's Honours list. This was followed by his 701st, and final, league appearance for the club against Fulham in February 1965, shortly after his 50th birthday. It ended a career spanning 33 years, including 19 years' service to his home town club.In 1967, Gordon Banks, England’s 1966 World Cup Winning goalkeeper, joined Stoke from Leicester for £52,000 but unfortunately, he was forced to quit top-level football in 1972,after losing an eye in a road accident.
The 2010–11 season was the 148th season in Stoke City F.C.'s history, their third in the Premier League and 111th in the league system of English football. Their 11th place finish in the 2009–10 season means it is their third successive season in the Premier League. Stoke City Premier League Tickets are available at FootballTicketExchangeOnline.com at affordable price. Football fans can buy or sell Football Tickets especially Stoke City Premiership Football Tickets at FootballTicketExchangeOnline.com conveniently.
No comments:
Post a Comment