Stoke City on Course for Biggest Home Crowd Since Relegation

Stoke City on Course for Biggest Home Crowd Since Relegation

Stoke City are nearing a sell-out for their home match against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Potters are set to welcome their largest home crowd since relegation from the Premier League when they host Sheffield Wednesday this Friday at 3pm.

With ticket sales now into the hundreds, fans are rallying to support Mark Robins in a crucial push for Championship safety. Prices have been reduced to £10 for adults and £5 for children to help fill the home stands.

Stoke boosted their survival hopes with a win at Cardiff last Saturday, moving five points clear of the relegation zone with four games left to play. They also hold a strong goal difference advantage over third-bottom Cardiff and second-bottom Luton.

More than 28,000 tickets are believed to have already been sold for this penultimate home game of the season. Stoke will then host promotion-chasing Sheffield United at the bet365 Stadium the following Friday at 8pm. They also have away fixtures at Leeds United on Monday, April 21, and Derby County on Saturday, May 3, as they aim to end the season on a high.

Highest Attendances Since South-East Corner Opened

• 2024/25 (so far): 26,168 vs Plymouth Argyle (Jan 4, 2025) – 0-0 draw
• 2023/24: 26,368* vs Bristol City (May 4, 2024) – 4-0 win
• 2022/23: 23,970 vs Hull City (Feb 11, 2023) – 0-0 draw
• 2021/22: 26,384 vs Blackpool (Mar 5, 2022) – 1-0 defeat
• 2020/21: Behind closed doors
• 2019/20: 25,436 vs Cardiff City (Feb 22, 2020) – 2-0 win
• 2018/19: 28,586 vs Leeds United (Jan 19, 2019) – 2-1 win
• 2017/18: 30,022 vs Everton (Mar 17, 2018) – 2-1 defeat

*Note: The attendance for the match vs Bristol City has been incorrectly reported elsewhere as 28,243. The correct figure is 26,368, including 1,875 away fans.

Charlie Ward Returns to Stoke – with Chicken!

Former Stoke youth player and now entrepreneur Charlie Ward returned to the bet365 Stadium recently, not in boots, but behind the counter of his fried chicken van.

Now 30, Ward trained under Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes alongside stars like Ryan Shawcross, Glenn Whelan, and Marko Arnautovic. He left the club in 2015, playing across the USA and Canada before retiring to launch Charlie’s Fried Chicken in Birmingham in 2022.

The business has since gone mobile, debuting in Stoke’s Boothen Quarter against Luton Town.

“It’s super unique and special for me,” said Ward. “After everything I experienced here, it’s mad to be back with a fried chicken van. I had a great two-and-a-half years at Stoke.”

Though he grew up a Birmingham City fan, Ward said he has a soft spot for the Potters.

“Stoke fans are loyal. It’s been a tough season, but Mark Robins is a proven manager.”

Stoke U21s End Season in Style

Emre Tezgel scored twice as Stoke U21s beat Norwich 3-0 in their final Premier League 2 game of the season. Syd Agina also netted his first goal at this level.

Tezgel, named PL2 Player of the Month for March, added two more goals in a 4-1 win over Chesterfield in the Central League. That brings his tally to 22 goals in nine games, including standout performances like:

• 4 vs Forest Green
• 3 vs Reading
• 4 vs Derby County
• 5 vs Preston
• 2 vs Norwich
• 2 vs Chesterfield

Robins praised the young striker:

“He’s outgrown this level and now needs to challenge for a first-team spot. He’s certainly making a strong case.”

The U21s next play Notts County on April 29.

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Stoke City Women Close In on Historic Finish

A 3-2 win over West Brom means Stoke City Women need just one point from their final game to secure third place – their highest league finish since promotion to the National League in 2013.

Goals from Shannon Stamps, Evie Priestly, and Millie Ravening sealed the win.

They also lifted the Staffordshire Vase last week in a dramatic final against Port Vale. Trailing 3-0, goals from Ruby Millington, Kaya Anderson, and a late penalty took the match to a shootout, which Stoke won 5-4.

This Week in Stoke City History

• April 16: Birthday – Alan Curtis (71)
  • 1979: 0-0 draw vs Luton Town – Terry Conroy’s final league appearance
  • 1990: 3-0 loss vs Newcastle – George Berry’s final appearance
  • 2005: 2-0 win vs Plymouth – Martin Paterson’s league debut
• April 17, 2010: 2-1 loss vs Bolton – James Beattie’s final appearance
• April 18: Birthdays – Anders Jacobsen (57), Matthew Upson (46), Maurice Edu (39)
• April 19, 1958: 4-1 loss vs Swansea – Peter Bullock debut, youngest ever player
  • Birthday: Marko Arnautovic (36)
  • 2003: 2-1 win vs Wimbledon – Bjarni Gudjonsson’s final appearance
• April 20: Birthday – Shay Given (49)

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