The Stoke City Courier
Squad26 Feb 2029
A day George Hirst will not forget
3 goals in one game. The first was taken well, the second was taken greedily, and by the third the crowd were simply waiting for him to get the ball.
Squad26 Feb 2029
Million Manhoef in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Stoke City this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Player ratings26 Feb 2029
A masterclass from George Hirst
Marked 9.33 — the sort of number a correspondent writes down twice to be sure. Everything he tried came off, and what he did not try was not worth trying.
Match24 Feb 2029
George Hirst the difference as Stoke City beat Wrexham
Ask anyone on the way out what separated the sides and you will get one name: George Hirst. 3‑1 against Wrexham, and the applause at the whistle was mostly his.
The terraces26 Feb 2029
The crowd has taken to Jonathan Bland
At 23 he is being sung about by people twice his age, which is an affection a signing has to earn over years and a local kid gets for turning up. It is also the hardest thing in football to live up to.
Market26 Feb 2029
One of our own: Nicholas Harvey joins the Stoke City first team
Clubs spend fortunes looking for players and occasionally find one down the corridor. Nicholas Harvey is that, and the reception he gets on his first appearance will be different in kind from the one any signing receives.
Market26 Feb 2029
One of our own: Stephen Turner joins the Stoke City first team
Clubs spend fortunes looking for players and occasionally find one down the corridor. Stephen Turner is that, and the reception he gets on his first appearance will be different in kind from the one any signing receives.
Market26 Feb 2029
One of our own: Thomas Martin joins the Stoke City first team
Clubs spend fortunes looking for players and occasionally find one down the corridor. Thomas Martin is that, and the reception he gets on his first appearance will be different in kind from the one any signing receives.
Market26 Feb 2029
Stoke City promote Henry Evans from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Henry Evans has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
In brief
- Player ratings Million Manhoef in the eights
- Squad Bosun Lawal wants out of the spotlight
- The dugout Rayan Kolli gets it from the manager