In the January transfer window of 2009, midway through their first Premier League season, Stoke City completed a signing that few Potters fans would have predicted would be so memorable and significant.
Tony Pulis’ team, looking to propel themselves to safety in the second half of the season after only five wins in their first 23 games, signed left-winger Matthew Etherington from West Ham United for a sum thought to be in the region of £2 million.
Upon his arrival, the Truro-born winger appeared in 14 of Stoke’s final 17 games of the season, helping the club climb into the middle of the table with six wins in their final 11 games.
However, it wasn’t until the following several seasons that Etherington truly began to shine for Pulis’ Potters, as he became a focal element of a Stoke side that established itself as a Premier League staple.
Matthew Etherington was Stoke’s point of difference.
Stoke developed a reputation in the Premier League for an overt physicality that would frequently ruffle the feathers of some of the top clubs; with Rory Delap’s long throws, a brute-ish back-line, and an energetic attack, Stoke were a nightmare to play against.
Etherington, the soaring winger, was the exception to the stereotype.
Etherington had an excellent left-foot that could deliver pin-point crosses to the so-called ‘big men’ of Stoke’s defence and attack, as well as the ability to carry the ball up the pitch to provide a point of difference to Stoke’s method of attacking an opponent.
In the 2009/10 season, when Stoke finished 11th in the Premier League and advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals, Etherington was Stoke’s leading scorer in the league, with five goals and nine assists.
A memorable season for Stoke City and Matthew Etherington.
The 2010/11 season was possibly one of the most memorable in Stoke’s history, as the club ended comfortably in the middle of the table while also reaching the FA Cup final.
| Stoke City’s league finishes with Etherington at the club | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2008/09 | Premier League | 12th |
| 2009/10 | 11th | |
| 2010/11 | 13th | |
| 2011/12 | 14th | |
| 2012/13 | 13th | |
| 2013/14 | 9th | |
Etherington was once again efficient and effective for the Potters, particularly in the early half of the season, scoring four goals and assisting eight times in 22 appearances. In the cup, however, he shone the brightest, with outstanding displays against Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United in the fourth round and quarter-finals.
Then, in the cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium, Stoke ran riot, defeating Bolton Wanderers by five goals to one, with Etherington starting the massacre after just 11 minutes with an excellent turn and finish from outside the box, capitalising on a Paul Robinson error, before being named Man of the Match.
Etherington, who had previously represented England at the U16, U18, U20, and U21 levels, continued to play with the Potters until the end of the 2013/14 season, totalling 177 appearances.
Stoke hired someone who could be a crucial attacking and creative spark to complement their ruthlessly hard-working approach, and the improvement in quality allowed them firmly establish themselves in the top flight.
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