About

Stoke City Football Club, founded in 1863, is based in Stoke-on-Trent and competes in the EFL Championship, and this page on Walkouts highlights signed football shirts, framed pieces and provenance notes for collectors and fans. The side's traditional home colours remain red and white vertical stripes, the Victoria Ground is a key part of the club story and modern matchday life centres on a purpose-built venue.

The club moved from the Victoria Ground to the bet365 Stadium, a 30,089 capacity ground that defines contemporary Stoke match presentation, and shirts from the 1972 League Cup campaign remain prized evidence of the club's proud cup history, particularly the League Cup 1972 win over Chelsea. European evenings, notably the Europa League 2011-12 campaign, also raised the profile of limited away runs and special issue garments.

As one of the Football League founding clubs and an early organiser of the professional game, Stoke's archive stretches back to the 19th century, with the club originally formed as Stoke Ramblers. The club's standing is also reflected in independent listings, with an IFFHS club ranking of 501 noted in global context, which helps explain interest in authenticated signatures and player-issue variants from key seasons.

Collectors should watch anniversary releases, for example the 1988 125 years special crest edition and the 2013 150 years anniversary badge run, both of which produced short-run shirts and commemorative retail pieces that are often sought for their unique crests and sleeve details. These anniversary editions are a clear subset for those tracing continuity between classic and modern designs.

Season magnets include the 2007-08 Championship promotion shirts where promotion patches and player names were applied, the 1971-72 League Cup-winning campaign that created the club's first major trophy memorabilia, and the 2011-12 Europa League run that produced alternative away kits and UEFA sleeve patches. Shirts from these campaigns are chased because they tie to decisive matches, commemorative patches and limited stadium retail batches.

Iconic away pieces are especially collectible, for example the 1971-72 yellow away shirt linked to the League Cup era, alongside the black and navy away variants used in later European and Premier League seasons. Fans and collectors value both match-worn examples and fanshop retail editions; Walkouts lists signed retail shirts, early runs, player-issue variants and region-specific releases, and buyers often prefer framed signed retail shirts as display pieces.

Provenance matters, with derby provenance from the Potteries derby and matches at the Victoria Ground or bet365 Stadium viewed as verifiable story points, and authenticated pieces that include COA attract attention when combined with photographic or witnessed signing evidence. For specific searches, check shirts from 1971-72, 2007-08 and 2011-12 for match and anniversary relevance, and contact Walkouts to confirm edition details and shipping options.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 1971–72 Red/white League Cup winners
  • 2011–12 Red/white Europa League campaign set
  • 2015–16 Red/white Premier League top-half

Iconic away kits

  • 1971–72 Yellow League Cup away set
  • 2011–12 Black Europa League away
  • 2014–15 Navy Premier League away

Anniversary shirts

  • 1988 125 years special crest
  • 2013 150 years anniversary badge

Collector seasons

  • 1971–72 League Cup first major trophy
  • 2007–08 Championship promotion
  • 2011–12 Europa League knockout run

Honours

Stoke City's honours reflect a long presence across English football's tiers and occasional cup triumphs. The club's headline silverware is the League Cup, lifted in 1972 after a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, a landmark achieved under Tony Waddington. A further national cup highlight came with a run to the FA Cup final in 2011, which secured European qualification. League successes include championships in the second tier, notably the Second Division title in 1932-33 and promotion as champions in 1962-63, while third-tier honours feature the Third Division North crown in 1926-27 and a title in 1992-93. The club also boasts two triumphs in the Football League Trophy in 1992 and 2000, and clinched promotion via the 2002 play-off final before stepping up to the Premier League at the end of the 2007-08 campaign. As an original member of the Football League in 1888, Stoke City's record is recognised in IFFHS listings with a rank of 501.

Legends & Leadership

Stanley Matthews is remembered as a legend player for Stoke in the 1930s, symbolising the club's longevity and footballing heritage.

Gordon Banks is celebrated as a legend player of the late 1960s, associated with the period that led to major silverware and setting exacting standards within the team.

Ryan Shawcross is regarded as a recent key player in the 2010s, representing the modern era of Stoke City's ambitions and resilience.

Tony Waddington is revered as a legendary manager of the 1970s, guiding Stoke City to the League Cup in 1972 and leaving an imprint that endures with supporters.

Stadium

Stoke City play at the bet365 Stadium, a venue with a capacity of 30,089. Opened in 1997 to replace the Victoria Ground, the ground has also been known as the Britannia Stadium. Matchdays carry a distinctive Potteries flavour, with red-and-white colours prominent in the stands. The setting underscores local rivalries: West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers are traditional Midlands opponents, and clashes with Port Vale are known as the Potteries derby. The stadium has become the focal point for the club's support in Stoke-on-Trent, providing a clear home identity and continuity since the move from the Victoria Ground. For visitors and home fans alike, the bet365 Stadium blends the club's heritage with a modern matchday experience.

Also known as
bet365 Stadium
Local derby
Potteries derby Port Vale local

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification domestic vs UEFA name-sets
  • Suppliers Le Coq/Adidas/Macron eras; check tags
  • Provenance 1972 final shirts sought

FAQ

Q: What league do Stoke City play in and where are they based? A: Stoke City compete in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English league system, and are based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England.

Q: When was the club founded and how did the name change over time? A: Founded in 1863, the club began as Stoke Ramblers, became Stoke in 1878, and adopted the Stoke City name in 1925 after city status was granted.

Q: What is Stoke City's home stadium and its capacity? A: The team play at the bet365 Stadium, which holds 30,089 spectators; before its opening in 1997, home matches were at the Victoria Ground. The stadium has also been known as the Britannia Stadium.

Q: Who are Stoke City's main rivals and what is their local derby called? A: Traditional rivals include West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the local rivals are Port Vale; fixtures against Port Vale are known as the Potteries derby.

Q: Are items authenticated and how are they shipped? A: For signed items we provide a certificate of authenticity (COA) or equivalent verification, and orders are securely dispatched. Free worldwide shipping.