1. The first time a referee ever officiated on the field of play (and not from the sidelines) was a Stoke game vs Preston NE.

2. The 1972 League Cup Final between Stoke and Chelsea was the first time that 100,000 tickets were sold for the final of that competition.

3. Extra time was created in the late 1800s after Villa's keeper kicked the ball out of the ground during a period of Stoke pressure and the rest of the 90 minutes was spent looking for it.

4. Stoke have the longest ever FA Cup tie over five games against Bury in the 1954/5 season.The four replays all went to extra time, and the winning goal ( by Stoke !) was scored in the 120th minute of the fourth replay.The tie started at Gigg Lane, then the Victoria Ground then Goodison Park, Anfield and Old Trafford.With penalty shoot-outs now that record should last forever.

5. Stoke were the first club to produce a player that became the first European Footballer of Year (although not with us at the time) Sir Stanley Matthews.

6. Stoke City's Sir Stanley Matthews was also the first player to be knighted whilst still playing football.

7. Stoke's Frank Soo was the first non-white player to represent England.

8. Stoke City are the second oldest professional football club in the world, being formed in 1863.

9. Stoke City have never been beaten in a final at Wembley or the Millenium Stadium.

10. Stoke City are the current owners of the Watney Cup, a short-lived English football tournament that expired in 1973.