Stoke City v West Ham United

Saturday October 17th. 2009

Mystical Descent’s Matchday Review

First off, the ratings:

Sorensen – 6 – At fault for the goal, but made up for it with some safe hands.
Huth – 8 – Strong, reliable, powerful in the air, firm in the tackle.
Shawcross – 10 – MotM, I don’t know what more he could have done today, absolutely superb.
Faye – 6 – Not his best Stoke performance.
Collins – 7 – First competent game he’s had for Stoke.
Delap – 7 – Excellent job defensively and not his worst game on the ball either, but doesn’t offer as much on the right as Lawrence.
Diao – 8 – Where’ve we had this bloke from?
Whitehead – 7 – Perfectly reasonable game.
Etherington – 7.5 – Gave away possession a lot, but much better today, much more effective.
Beattie – 8 – Won a lot in the air but I never felt like he was pulling his weight. Can’t argue with 2 goals though.
Fuller – 9 – Superb performance, tore their defence to shreds.

Subs:

Lawrence – 7 – Should have started.
Whelan – 6
Kitson – 6

Referee: 4 – The penalty was about the only thing he got right.

What a superficial beast the Premier League is. How long have we been told how wonderful West Ham are and how silky their football is? I’ll tell you what I saw out there – a shallow team that flattered to deceive. Lots of tippy-tappy football and a modicum of attacking flair, but absolutely no substance. We work on an intricate defensive system of covering, marking and responsibility. West Ham go out, tippy-tappy it, lose the ball, give the opposition lots of time to do what they want and fail to do any tracking back. Asides from Carlton Cole, who was excellent and who I would fully advocate making the England team ahead of Heskey and maybe even Davies, their team were very, very poor. What makes it all the worse is that they’re on the receiving end of eternal praise from all corners of the media and it really does sum up the superficial nature of the league today. They were typified by that number 32, Diamanti. A very, very mediocre player who looks reasonably comfortable on the ball but has no defensive ability and so resorts to cheating. Shawcross was booked for nothing. He was even a yard past Diamanti when Diamanti clutched his shin and audibly screamed like a little girl. How sad it was that the referee, instead of kicking him in the face and sending him off, indulged his precious little antics. What’s even worse, nobody will bat the slightest eyelid at it and soon enough he’ll be praised for his lovely tippy tappy again. It’s a sad, sad indicator of the modern values in football.

As for the game, I thought we were worth the win. Bizarrely, West Ham backed off us and gave us plenty of time on the ball and we started very well. Whitehead and Diao were putting in good challenges and ensuring that we kept possession, while Delap was actually managing to make a bit of a nuisance of himself on the right. A fantastic little move down the left between Collins, Fuller and Etherington led to the penalty and from where I was it looked like the right decision. A fine move and a perfect penalty from Beattie. Somebody tell the gutless Gerrard and Lampard that instead of tapping the ball straight into the goalkeeper’s hands in penalty shoot outs, all they need to do is smack it hard and high into the goal. Perfect technique that a lot of players could learn from.

After the goal, things got a little flat. I still felt that we were the better team but we sat back a little bit and weren’t creating anything. Delap was having constant chats with the physio about something and the bench were clearly concerned, but I thought we were still quite comfortable and West Ham looked a shambles. Then they won a corner, which I found strange as I thought that firstly it came off one of their players and secondly it went for a throw-in. Sorensen came for it and didn’t get it and somebody lost their man, who headed home comfortably. It was disappointing and we didn’t really get going again in the half.

Happily, when we came back out we were back in control of the game and I felt we dominated the midfield. However, Diao was on a booking and Beattie was looking increasingly tired. Were I the manager, it would have been Lawrence and Kitson on. Even so, we had our moments and we put together one good move in particular. We brought Lawrence on for the injured Delap, although as I’ve already said I’d have brought him on for Diao and moved Delap back inside, and his impact was as instant as ever. It invigorated us and almost instantly Diao (the subject of much criticism around me) played a good ball to Fuller who did his man for pace and trickery before getting his shot in. England’s number one then pulled off a real clanger and dumped the ball right in front of Beattie, who’d run an absolute mile to only just beat the defender to the ball. After that it was all Stoke and again pretty comfortable, we could and perhaps should have scored more as Fuller broke their lines again and again. Plenty of comedy as well, as we wheeled out more and more players with a long throw. Diao, Beattie and then Huth, fantastic stuff.

Now a mention for Whitehead and Diao. I thought they both had good games today. They kept the ball pretty well and won their fair share of balls as well. Whitehead has suffered an awful lot from being targeted by the Whelan mafia for providing a threat to Glenn Whelan, but I made a special point of watching him today and he put in a perfectly acceptable shift. They were particularly good at the start of the game, when they kept possession well and were consistently finding the wide players. Maybe it was because West Ham gave us much more space than every other team, but I didn’t have any real problem with them.

I’ve got to have one little moan though and it’s not one that I like having to make. I’m not a fan of criticising my fellow fans and I’m likely to get hammered for this, but we were very poor today and I don’t know what excuse everyone has? We got straight out of the blocks, took the lead and were looking very good, we just needed some extra backing from the fans to carry on the momentum. Instead, everyone just shut up, it was silent for most of the first half. Why? Apparently it’s a two way thing and the team did their bit. Do we now not make an atmosphere if its cold? If the manager doesn’t pick the team that we want to play? If the manager leaves out Tuncay or Whelan? I’m sorry, but after all the people who responded to Pulis’ rallying letter saying ‘the fans will respond if you give us something to shout about’ it was a real blot on the day. Perhaps worst of all was when we put together a decent second half move involving most of our players, including Whitehead, Diao and Delap. I can’t remember what happened but there was half a chance and the ball went out for a goal-kick, but instead of urging the team on further or offering encouragement, the fans just chanted for Whelan. Glenn bloody Whelan. Not Kitson. Not Tuncay. Not Lawrence, who came on and changed the game. Glenn bloody Whelan. Absolutely ridiculous. I seriously hope we pull our collective finger out of our collective arse for the next home game and make the ground properly intimidating.

I don’t want to end on a negative note though after what was a good performance and a well deserved win. We shouldn’t finish below West Ham next season at the very least.

A good win, very proud of the team and here’s to a week of shutting the fuck up about Tuncay!

MYSTICAL DESCENT

I attended the Stoke City Legends Night at The Red House pub in Longton last night and had a great night. The night was organised as a fundraiser for Jackie Marsh and his chosen charity the Heart Foundation and was quickly sold out when tickets were advertised on the Oatcake messageboard. The Legends in attendance were Denis Smith, Alan Hudson, Jackie Marsh and Mickey Thomas.

The Redhouse

The Red House has been taken over by Ben and Mike Dyer and they have spent serious time, effort and money converting it into a Stoke City Theme Pub with the lounge displaying a fantastic collection of football memorabilia.

The beer garden has also been given a Stoke City makeover by artist Jane Cooper who has painted a fantastic mural of Stoke legends including Denis Smith, Sir Stanley Matthews, the two Tony’s (Waddington and Pulis), Mickey Thomas and the League Cup Winning Squad. The detail in the paintings is breath taking and Jane is a truly Fantastic artist. There is also a genuine Boothen End Turnstile from the Victoria ground on display. The Red House is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area just to see the mural and turnstile. It’s as close as the City has got to being a Stoke City museum with the memorabilia on display.

1972 League Cup mural

 Jayne Cooper – Artist of the Mural

The night started at 7 with the screens in the pub showing the 72 Cup final, as guests arrived. At 8pm the audience and legends moved to the beer garden to officially unveil the mural. Denis, Jackie and Mickey all signed their pictures, and willingly posed for photos with various guests.

The banter between the ex players was started early on. When Radio Stoke’s Nigel Johnson was introducing the format of the night he re-collected the interview he did with Jackie two days after his triple heart bypass. He said it was one of the most difficult jobs he had done as Marshie had to wear an oxygen mask and it was hard to make out what he was saying. Denis piped up with a comment that “That makes a change, he used to pretend he couldn’t hear me when I was telling him get back to cover!”  and that set the wisecracks flowing throughout the night.

The night was then split into an interview/ Q&A format with Denis being first up,  interviewed by Nigel Johnson. Nigel didn’t really have to ask much of Den as he spoke candidly about his time with Stoke, from joining the club as a young player, through his career,  to his eventual departure into management at York City. One of the stories that made everyone smile was when he was asked about the two Tony’s and how their styles differed. Denis said that they are both very different managers, Waddo would very rarely venture onto the training ground, leaving Frank Mountford to do all the coaching, while Tony Pulis is very much a tracksuit manager and players know what is expected of them, with a tight rein kept on discipline. One of Waddington’s ex Manchester United players, who shall remain nameless, was quoted as saying “I don’t like it here Den, there are no rules to break!”  Denis then shouted “that’s right in’t it Huddy!”

Next up was a break to socialise with the legends who were very accommodating by answering lots of requests to sign photos, etc.

Then Ian Dyer – the Stoke City poet took to the stage. His poetry was delivered with his usual passion and desire. Ian had written new poems for each of the Legends in attendance and every one of them got up and thanked Ian personally. It was lapped up by the audience and the room stood as one at the end of his set to give the Boothen End Bard a standing ovation.

Mickey Thomas was next up interviewed by Ben Dyer. Mickey had the room in stitches when he answered Ben’s first question of “when were you first picked up?” with a reply of “when I was 11,……. shoplifting in Colwyn Bay!!” That set the tone for the interview which nearly got serious when he said “Guess which the best team I ever played for was? We were unbeaten for 18 months away from home.” Ben was intrigued as he pondered, thinking was it Manchester United, Brighton, Chelsea, Stoke City, Derby County, Leeds United, Everton, etc. “1993-94 –  Walton Prison FC” came Mickey’s response and laughter filled the room once again.

Mickey Thomas and Ben

 The charity auction then took place with some excellent pieces available. Signed books donated by David Lee and Stephen Foster fetched tidy sums with Jackie Marsh getting more stick from Denis and Huddy about his ability to read after buying “you could’ner make it up.” We (stoketshirts.co.uk) donated a Longthrow mug signed by Rory Delap, which raised £50 and a replica No. 5 1972 shirt which Denis signed, this raised £130. A limited edition print “Oatcakes and Chayse before the match” by Sid Kirkham, donated by The Artbay, fetched in a staggering £250. Other items included a signed Stoke City shirt from Tony Pulis’s first stint at the club and an Abdoulaye Faye canvas.

The signed Longthrow Mug

Alan Hudson and Jackie Marsh closed the night with a Q&A session that involved much banter, particularly about pubs and alcohol!

Did I mention Denis and his Stoketshirt?

The event was a cracking night for Stokies, at a great venue raising over £1300 for a good cause.

 Let’s get more of them on soon!

A piece written exclusively for Stoketshirts.co.uk by former A View to a Kiln Editor Anthony Bunn following the Stoke City vs. Manchester United game.

Well, the Stoke messageboards have certainly been back to their Anti (PHWs)/ Pro (Rimmers) Pulis best this week, haven’t they?

“Amazing what a 2-0 loss to the World Champions will do to the mentality of some Stokies”, say the Rimmers, whilst those still in shock from last Saturday aren’t particularly too bothered about who it is we actually played. The truth?

Well, once again, that probably lies somewhere in the middle, but I was completely pig-sick of what happened on the pitch last Saturday, and despite being up against one of the bet teams in Europe, I’m starting to get a little worried about how we set up last week.

Nobody expects the Potters to go out all gung-ho against any team, certainly not one of the big four. But there’s a difference between that and actually looking to want to get in the other team’s half of the pitch.

For the record, I felt United were ordinary by their standards last Saturday. But hey, why sweat blood when you can win by not even taking the handbrake off. I commented to a mate on the way back to the Mich last week that the very least that Ferguson (and I) expected was for United to be pushed all the way and for old red cheeks to be moaning in the Sunday media about how he’d got several injury doubts before their game against Wolfsburg.

That’s not to say I wasn’t players injured (ahem), but I certainly want our players to live up to our “Big, Bad, Stoke” reputation. A reputation I certainly think is unjustified as we have some passengers who don’t put a tackle in, eh Mr Etherington?

4-5-1 and that’s what it was, however you dress it up, soon became 8-1-1, with Scholes doing whatever he liked, our midfield virtually in our defence’s DNA, and Etherington doing very little in a position that should have been tailor-made for a certain Turkish international captain!

I felt sorry for Dave Kitson, who needed a periscope to spot his nearest team mate. Last Saturday was a day when the mercurial talents and work of a certain Mr Fuller were needed more than ever, and a sure-fire slap in the chops for those who somehow still refuse to see what he brings to us.

No, last Saturday was not a good day. Take away your opinion of the team we were up against – and United’s superb second half display off the pitch put paid to a few of the stereotypes about their supposed lack of real support – and the plain facts are that we bottled it big-time.

The manager got the team selection and tactics horribly wrong. Collins looked like a rabbit in the headlights again and Huth despite total commitment is not a right back. Not when we have a right back who hasn’t done much wrong this season and kept Ashley Cole in his pocket, in Wilko.

Whitehead and Whelan still don’t do it for me, whilst Lenny and Rory worked hard but were ultimately doomed to unsupported failure.

Beatts looked a shadow of the player we had last season, even before his injury, and we need Fuller fit and starting EVERY game for us to progress. Which brings me to Tuncay Sanli.

The Man United game and how we set up, was a perfect opportunity to pick the lad, but we went with the known rather than the unknown. To progress, somewhere down the line we have to start keeping hold of the ball. To do that, we have to play our best players.

TP now faces a new problem. We have a quality player who is totally unlike anyone that he’s had in the squad before. Somewhere in a team of artisans, we need an artist to take us to the next level, or even reach last year’s level.

Not a good day at the office, but in TP we have to trust. He’s earned the right to baffle us and confuse us and make us tear our hair out. But what I don’t want to EVER see again at our ground is OUR manager bigging-up THEIR team on a huge screen, 10 minutes before the game.

Perhaps after watching that I should have walked back down the steps of Block 23 and returned back to the Plough for more anaesthetic?!?!

Bunny’s Rabbit

A piece written exclusively for Stoketshirts.co.uk by former A View to a Kiln Editor Anthony Bunn

“Life’s not about how good you were. It’s about how good you looked”.

Eccentric ex-Van Halen  frontman David Lee Roth muttered that quote sometime in the mid-80’s, and for the twelve months and two weeks we’ve been in the Premier League we’ve had to endure various media hacks having cheap digs at us on a regular basis. No worries, as said hacks looked rather foolish from up there in 12th position. But that was then…..

With the squad at our disposal, and it’s a squad that TP has built himself, we are forced to play in a certain way. That style of playing lends itself more to a) home games, b) home games and, er, c) home games, where the opposition are at the mercy of a small pitch, the Brit climate, and a team that’s driven by as hostile and vociferous a crowd that resides in this country.

Our problem last year – and, with just one addition to the squad since May it’s still apparent – is that once again, we are banking on Europa League home form simply to keep us up. Sooner or later a lack of away points catches up with you. And let’s face it, you can’t simply rely on repeating the heroics of last year’s performances in ST4.

We’re not suddenly going to go out and buy a new first eleven, so the style we play will hardly change, and it doesn’t have to at home. But what we have to do is to have a re-think about just how we’re going to play away from home in the next nine months.

The one glaring facet lacking in our play away from the Brit is our seemingly unwillingness, or inability, to pass the ball and retain possession.

To do that with one up front doesn’t work for me, especially with midfielders who very rarely get anywhere near, never mind in front of, the lone striker. And if we are going to play a lone striker it simply has to be Ricardo Fuller, who often single-handedly terrorises defences in the ‘channels’.

But what is imperative is finding those key players who are comfortable in possession, can take an extra touch, and pass it. We now have a little more pace in the team with Matthew Etherington, and it would be quite nice to see us pass the ball to him. At present, only Glenn Whelan looks capable of filling that role in my opinion. Who plays next to him?

Well, such is our lack of a cutting edge in open play that Rory Delap HAS to have a place in the starting line-up. He brings energy, drive and a willingness to track back, and despite the media hype, you simply can’t overlook the fact that his throw-ins and goals last season made-up virtually a third of our goals. No team can afford to leave a player out with those stats.

That might mean a bench spot for Dean Whitehead, but I don’t like going into any game with two holding central midfielders. We got away with handing the lion’s share of possession over to the opposition last season, but can we tweak our style slightly so that we get our fair share of the ball this time around?

Anyone who thinks we can go anywhere (never mind Anfield!) and bomb at teams is living on Planet Deluded. But what we can do is make sure that we add a touch of ball retention onto the many positives we do have.

Dave Lee Roth was wrong. Style isn’t everything. Some will never have style – just take a look at Phil Brown’s embarrassing ‘jumper-draped-over-the-shoulder-man-at-C&A’ get-up on Sky Sports last Sunday morning. Style isn’t just something you climb in the countryside, Phil! But you can change mindset and add that touch of quality that makes all the difference at places like St Andrews, where yet again the output from centre midfield was basically nil as an attacking or footballing force.

This season’s Premier League has started in a wide-open manner. Burnley have beaten two of last season’s top five and Wolves and Brum have done okay for themselves. I still think tow of those three will go down, but the Sunderland home game is already a massive one for us, especially when you see just who we have coming up after them.

If we don’t have at least one major signing that will improve the team, never mind the squad, and another couple of half-decent players (a full back and a nippy centre forward for me) then I feel that we might be hoping for the January window to come around as quickly as possible.

We are a team that cannot play at anything less than 110%. We don’t have the quality to make up for any lowering in passion and spirit and there will be some time – maybe this season, maybe next – when we don’t just have to have a Plan B, but to possibly rip up Plan A and devise a totally new one.

Is the above criticism of TP? Not really, no. He’s done a superb job and the least he deserves is our trust and patience. But as supporters, we also have the right to want our club to be as good as it possibly can be. When that ceases, then so does our progression.

Bunny

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Welcome to our second newsletter/ product update. We have an amazing Fourteen new designs (although three have these have already been released – Austria Tour x 2 and Fortress). We also have the launch of the Potter 63 artwork and t shirt range featuring fantastic airbrush paintings of Liam and Beats. The Abdoulaye L’Esprit Mug has been our fastest selling yet so don’t miss out. We also have a Fantasy Football League Competition (with a Stoke City Twist) that is free to enter and prizes can be won, news of our website updates and “what else” we have been up to. It’s still great T shirt weather so why not treat yourself to one of these great designs?

Thanks for your support,

Rob & Simon

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. N.B. The quality of these images is deteriorated when reduced to fit this media. Please click the image to see the higher quality version. All Things Stoke & Beautiful Britplan Our great stadium as seen in “plan” view. A simple, clean design that looks fantastic on all colours. Wear this with pride. I Love SCFC A simple but effective design that gives your personal display of affection to the one (club) you Love. Bearings +52 59 18.00 N -2 10 32.00 W May not mean much at first glance but put it into GPS SatNav and it will guide you to the best place on Earth, The Britannia Stadium. These are wrapped around our Brit Plan to make a striking design. Roman  A nod to our history and how our year of formation may have been displayed at the time. MDCCCLXIII is of course the Roman Numerals for 1863. Caution – I am the Potter’s Twelfth Man If the health and safety police had their way then every fan would not be allowed into the Brit. unless wearing this notice and ear defenders. Caution High Noise Levels – I AM THE POTTERS TWELFTH MAN. Abdoulaye – Evolution An Abdy lifewear classic. Disproving Darwin, 150 years after he came up with it! – There is no Theory of Evolution. Only a list of creatures that Abdoulaye Faye has allowed to live. Definitely City Wear this and you might live forever.  A supersonic nod to Noel & Liam despite their manc. roots. This is a classic design further improved by including two of the most important words in the English language.    F*ck The Media As that famous son of Ireland, Father Jack (from Father Ted) says “Feck the Media”. Okay he probably didn’t say “the media”, or our shirt doesn’t mean Feck. We are Stoke and no matter what anyone says we work hard, play hard and get results. F*ck ’em. Stokies Here A design for Stokies that reside in all corners of the world. We have had requests for shirts from Australia, USA, Chile, Norway, Sweden an even Fegg Hayes. As the Song goes, Stokies Here, Stokies There Stokies Every F*ckin where. Wherever you are the Kiln image will remind of where your heart is. Liam Lawrence by Potter 63 As Liam signs a 4 year extension to his contract we have tweaked Potter 63’s wonderful painting of Lenny celebrating notching our first Premier League goal. Keep the dog away this season Liam. James Beattie by Potter 63 James Beattie was TP’s best signing at the turn of 2009. His goals had fans talking of him being an England player again, although I doubt if Fabio even knows where the Brit. is. Potter 63’s great piece of art has captured Beats in that pose we all love to see him in, celebrating a goal for the Mighty Potters. We have give it the Stoketshirts treatment and added his name and squad number. Austria Tour Shirts – Where Potters Dare Inspired by messrs Burton and Eastwood’s 1968 classic, this alternative Pre-Season 2009 shirt shows the locations of the Potters all-important warm-up matches and their opponents. Any Stokies planning an assault on the quiet mountainous nation of Austria will find the map invaluable and the “tour dates” will act as a timely reminder of where you’re supposed to be should you over indulge on “bier und schnitzel” Austria Tour Shirts – The Hills are Alive The Sound of Austria 2009!  Remember Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music? For Julie read Liam. Well this year the Alps will be ringing to the Sound of Stokies! Yes, it’s pre-season time again! July is here and once again Tony and the lads are off to the land of the Schnitzel for another gruelling week of ‘aard work in the mountains. Fortress – Ian Dyer The Boothen End Bard “The Britannia is packed to the rafters…”- the first line of Ian Dyer’s stirring tribute to the fantastic matchday atmosphere of the Brit – “Fortress”.  Inspired by the imagery of Ian’s Poem we created our own take on “Fortress Britannia”. A hybrid Stadium entrance/castle wall to represent the fortress mentality that will no doubt welcome opposition teams and fans for many a season and embellished with the phrase “This is our Fortress – where no one shirks or hides”.   Stoke City F.C.       Getting Ready for 2009-2010 The pre season speculation continues to rumble on. Talk of new signings with names such as Scholes, Crouch, Cisse and O’ Neil linked with the club. Who’s going? Our Irish aces shirt has been de-listed and taken back to the drawing board now that Stephen Kelly has gone to Fulham.  Meanwhile Stokies head of in search of the sun with a Stoketshirts T shirt in their case. Thought like “where’s that internet cafe when you need it?” “Is that text from my mate a windup or can we really get him in a Stoke shirt?” Is “Davesviews” just a front for all internet cafe owners to make a few quid?” Isn’t summer great.  I am sure Sir Peter and Triffic Tone won’t let us down and will get the right players who possess the “right DNA.” In Tony we trust. Our heroes & legends newsletter had a couple of hitches with the majority of you only getting the text version. Please bear with us while we try to master these wonderful software programmes that it ooh so easy to communicate (If only) this year. Current Bestsellers: Our bestselling ten t-shirts from the past month 1: Abdoulaye Faye L’esprit White 2:  SC/FC Let There Be Stoke 3: Longthrow 4: Bearpit Claw Logo 5:  Ab Faye Does Not Sleep 6: Who R Yer 7: Abdoulaye Magnifique 8: Ow At? 9: Abdoulaye Faye L’esprit Colour 10: Abdoulaye My Lord Thanks For Everything! Thanks for your continued support. As I said in our last newsletter, when we get a positive review or see someone wearing one of our shirts it makes it all worthwhile. A personal highlight for me last month was when I was in Spain for a family holiday and my daughter asked me if that was one of our shirts that someone was wearing. It was and it was someone I didn’t know wearing a Longthrow shirt – what a buzz!  We have also got some great supporters on the messageboards that  keep giving us fantastic ideas for new designs. If you’ve got any suggestions for designs that you’d like to see us do, or if you think we could improve on something we’re doing, or even if you just have a question about what we do please don’t hesitate to contact us on info@stoketshirts.co.uk   Mugs Our Abdoulaye Faye Mug is now available and selling fast. Don’t forget that it is a limited edition of 100 with No. 25 reserved for the man himself. To get yours follow this link AD Faye 25 Mug     Our Next mug is in the pipeline and all will be revealed in the next newsletter Potter 63 – Art Prints Potter63’s great airbrush artwork is now available in our webstore. These will make a great centre piece on any wall. We have 3 options of prints to choose from. There is also a wide selection of sizes. These are described and listed below 1. A High Quality Box Framed Canvas Print (where the canvas is stretched over the frame) 2. A Canvas Only Print that is also high quality and that you can frame. 3. A Gloss Photo Paper print, again high quality, and can be framed by yourself. The sizes of the prints are 8 x 12 inch 12 x 16 inch 16 x 20 inch 20 x 30 inch   James Beattie Airbrush   Liam Lawrence Airbrush     What Else? We had a great piece in the business section local newspaper that featured our shirts. For any of you that may have missed it then it can be seen online here – Sentinel Stoketshirts Article    We have also been busy supporting the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice in a couple of areas helping fundraise for a very worthy cause. We helped Rory Delap by “branding” his charity bike ride “Longthrow does the Longride” , designing a logo for it and having his cycling shirt printed after raising over £2500 getting sponsors to have their logos printed onto it. See pics of the shirt here “Longthrow does The Longride” and here Longthrow Rory Pics We have also been auctioning the prestige Nos. of the Tony Says Mugs and amazingly No. 100 went for £26. We have raised over £70 for the Donna Louise by doing this thanks to your generosity.       Don’t Forget Your Holiday T Shirts It’s Holiday season and it’s always great to see a fellow Stokie strolling along the prom wearing a Stoke T Shirt, whether it be Cyprus, Salou, Rio or Rhyl. Be Loyal, Be Proud, Be Seen wearing a Stoke T Shirt.  Don’t forget to take your photo wearing it and send it in to us to add to our “show us your shirts” page. Make your holiday complete and buy oneof our fantastic designs! Have a good one!   Stoketshirts.co.uk Fantasy Football League It’s hardly Skinner and Baddiel but you could win prizes in our very own Stoketshirts.co.uk Fantasy Football League. We have formed a league on the http://fantasy.premierleague.com website. It is in the form of a head tohead league, where teams play each other on a weekly basis with 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw.. It’s completely FREE TO ENTER and I have added a couple of Stokie Rules to keep it interesting. They are that you must have  the maximum no. of Stoke players in your selection (Three) at all times, with at least two selected to start each game (unless injured).  To register then set a team up on the above website then use the Stoketshirts.co.uk league code to join your team into the league 215223-73012. If you have any problems with registering for this then please email me on info@stoketshirts.co.uk and I will get back to you when I can. The Prizes will be a t shirt and hoodie of your choice to the winner with a t shirt to the runner up. Good Luck.  Website Updates We continue to develop our website to include a little cultural diversity. Still based around all things Stoke and beautiful we have updated our Poetry page which features the work of the Bard of the Boothen End, Ian Dyer. Ian has released his first Stoke City Poetry CD. It is called One to Ten, featuring 10 of his poems. It is available from our site. All profits will be going to the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice, We also have a page dedicated to Art that relates to Stoke City and features Potter 63’s fantastic work which we now have on sale soon both as prints and on T shirts. We also have a blog page which can be found here – Stoketshirts.co.ukBlog.                                    Show us your shirts is a page on our site dedicated to you wearing your stoketshirts, so take a pic of yourself wearing your shirt, send it to us at shirts@stoketshirts.co.uk and we will get them posted. You might spot a couple of your heroes if you check out the page now – Show us your shirts  Our mailing address is: Stoketshirts.co.uk, P.O. Box 1863, Stoke – on – Trent, Staffordshire,      ST4 9GZCopyright © 2009 stoketshirts.co.uk All rights reserved.

 Welcome to our first newsletter/ product update. We have had a great first month and have Nine new designs to top up our heroes & legends and general Stoke categories. We also have a great Abdoulaye L’Esprit design that we hope you will like. The recent perfect weather has been ideal for T shirts so why not treat yourself to one of these great designs to wear on your holidays? Also don’t forget Father’s Day – one of our shirts would make a great gift.

Thanks for your support,

Rob & Simon