When will we finally claim the FA Cup?
Since Friday’s announcement that Manchester City breached most of the 115 financial regulations, every Stoke supporter has been demanding answers.
I felt the same frustration.
The verdict, pending an appeal, leaves a bitter aftertaste for me.
Guiding my Stoke side to the 2011 final was the crowning moment of my half‑century in football as player and manager.
That May night still haunts the Potters’ faithful, who dreamed of clinching the nation’s premier club trophy for the first time.
Our opponents, Manchester City, were already on the road to English dominance.
Back then they hadn’t lifted a major trophy in 35 years, yet their spending dwarfed anything Stoke could ever imagine.
I can still picture exiting the stadium before kick‑off, the end‑stand awash in red and white, the crowd belting “Delilah.”
Fans from every continent had spent fortunes just to claim, “I was there.”
Sharing that experience with the Coates family, Stoke’s owners, added a personal touch.
For decades the Coates have quietly funded the club that represents their community.
Peter, Denise, John and their extended family seized the moment, backing the team in both good times and bad.
It was our collective sunrise—a dream smaller clubs and their fans cling to.
Despite a 1‑0 defeat, our lads delivered a fearless, all‑in performance.
Yaya Toure, the match‑winner, earned ten times our top wage and cost more than our entire starting eleven combined when he arrived from Barcelona in 2010. In my view, the penalty feels excessive.