Stoke City F.C.
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Stoke City Football Club is an English football team that is located in Stoke-upon-Trent, England. Stoke currently play in the English Premier League, typically playing in a red and white striped kit. Stoke are known as The Potters.
The origins of the club date back to 1863 when the club Stoke Ramblers was formed by a group of pupils at the Charterhouse School. The club's first documented match took place in 1868 against EW May XV. Stoke's founder, Henry Almond was the scorer of the clubs first ever-recorded goal. In 1878, the club merged with Stoke Victoria Cricket Club to become Stoke Football Club. Stoke changed their name to Stoke City F.C. in 1925, after the city was given city status in England.
Stoke played the majority of their history at the Victoria Ground, which they purchased in 1919. The original playing location of Stoke Ramblers is unknown, but were known to have played at Sweetings Field from 1875. After 119 years at the Victoria Ground, the club moved to the Britannia Stadium in 1997.
Historically, Stoke were one of the founding members of The Football League. While they were founding members, they have failed to win or finish runners-up in the top-tier in their history. Eric Skeels is the club's record appearance holder, playing 592 games. John Ritchie holds the goalscoring record for Stoke, with 176 goals. Sir Stanley Matthews is the club's most notable player historically. During a 19-year playing career with the club, he won the first ever European Footballer of the Year award.
Stoke's traditional rivals are their city neighbours Port Vale F.C., with games between the two known as the Potteries derby. In recent years, Stoke have also began to have a stronger rivalry with both West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The clubs most notable achievements have come in domestic cup competitions, winning the League Cup in the 1971-72 season and also the Football League Trophy on two occasions, in the 1991–92 season and also the 1999–2000 season.
