Stoke City notebook: First in 25 years, US VIP at Clayton Wood

Stoke City have scored for 11 matches in a row for the first time (in the same season) in 25 years.

Mark Robins’ Potters have found the net in every game so far this campaign, starting with a home win against Oldham Athletic in the Carabao Cup and up to Saturday’s 2-1 win with 10 men at Bolton.

They managed it across two seasons under Tony Pulis – the back end of 2006/07 when they were chasing the play-offs and the start of 2007/08 when they were on their way to promotion.

But to do it in the same campaign you have to go back to 2001/02, another promotion campaign, and a run of 13 matches between a 1-0 away win at Bury and a 2-0 win over Lewes in the FA Cup in November 2001. That was followed by a 0-0 draw with Oldham.

A couple of other stats at the moment: it’s the most points Stoke have picked up over six games since 2007, it is the first time they have had three identical scorelines in a row since 2019 (four 0-0 draws under Nathan Jones) – and the first time they have had three identical winning scorelines in a row since three 1-0s under Pulis in the binary season 2004/05.

Paul ‘Chalky’ White and Gareth Jennings have left the former Stoke contingent at Al-Kholood Club.

White had been head of academy performance at Stoke for 12 years up to 2023 before moving to the Middle East, first with Al Jazira in the UAE and hen as head of physical performance at Alkholoood in Saudi Arabia. It was there he worked with former Stoke academy director Jennings and former youth coach Des Buckingham.

He wrote on social media: “It’s been an incredible time working alongside such fantastic coaches, players, and staff. I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved together in pushing the medical and performance standards across the club to a higher level.”

White says he will spend time with his family before starting the next chapter of his career.

Jennings has ended his time at the wider Harburg Group, the multi-club organisation which saw him work particularly with Al Kholood.

“I’m particularly proud of two things we delivered together: a significant squad rebuild and the development of the club’s sporting data infrastructure, embedding data and analysis into recruitment, performance and decision-making,” he said.

“Together, these achievements have established a stronger, more sustainable platform for the club’s future and reflect the commitment and ambition of everyone involved.

“Looking ahead, I’m focused on leading ambitious football organisations at executive level.”

Geoff Cameron has been back in town over the last couple of weeks. He filmed a video for Stoke’s social media with new US imports Jack McGlynn and Luca Bombino – and also brought with him Mike Barwis to spend some time at Clayton Wood.

Barwis is a renowned sports scientist who works across ice hockey, American football, tennis and beyond. There is a documentary about his work, American Muscle, on Amazon Prime.

It was a chance to share knowledge and experience with Stoke’s medical set-up, whose boss Damian Roden called it “one of the most enlightening learning experiences” he has had in his long career.

“It was truly my honour,” said Barwis. “A world class staff organisation with the most tremendous people you can find anywhere.”

As for Cameron, he still has a lot of love for Stoke. Just don’t ask him about Paul Lambert, Gary Rowett or Nathan Jones.

Congratulations to David Breese, who some supporters will know as the voice of Stoke City Soccersight, as he enters his 30th year providing commentary for the visually impaired at the bet365 Stadium.

David is a volunteer who has made a massive difference to match days over the last three decades. For more information email [email protected] or call 01782 367599.

Delphi Cole, Olivia Edwards and Roisin Kivel helped Stoke to a 3-0 win away at Liverpool Feds.

Stoke now sit third in the Northern Premier with 14 points from seven games, one point behind West Brom and four behind Rugby Borough.

And it’s Rugby Borough up next at home, Wellbeing Park, on Sunday, October 18 (2pm).

There’s a hat-trick of nostalgia events coming up in the New Year.

Stoke are hosting an evening with members of the 1992 Autoglass Trophy winning team on January 8, an audience with members of the team who won promotion in 2007/08 on February 25 and an evening with players who helped establish the club back in the top flight on April 23. All events include a one-course meal and tickets, which you can get through the club, cost £40.

October 12 - birthday: Shola Ameobi (45)

October 12, 1997 - 2-1 win over Port Vale (first Potteries derby at the Britannia Stadium)

October 13 - birthday: Michael Duberry (51)

October 14, 2006 - 4-0 win over Leeds United: Salif Diao and Rory Delap (first league appearances)

October 14, 2003 - 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic: Clint Hill and Gareth Owen (first league appearances)

October 14, 2017 - 7-2 defeat to Manchester City (a chastening day for Mark Hughes's side)

October 15, 2005 - 2-1 defeat to Derby County: Sambegou Bangoura (first league appearance)

October 16 - birthdays: Souleymane Oulare (54), Brynjar Gunnarsson (51)

October 16, 2001 - 3-2 defeat to Blackpool in Football League Trophy: Andy Wilkinson (first team debut)

October 17 - birthday: Bob McGrory (born on this day, 1891)

October 17, 1952 - 1-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers: Tim Coleman (first league appearance)

October 18 - birthday: Gerry Taggart (56)

October 19, 2008 - 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur (Heurelho Gomes cries amid Rory Delap bombardment)

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