 The 1950s did not start well for the club ; having avoided relegation in the 1950 – 51 and 1951 – 52 seasons , Stoke succumbed in 1952 – 53 , finishing second from bottom . Bob McGrory resigned as the club 's manager in February 1952 after 17 years in the role . His successor , Frank Taylor , consolidated the club 's position in the Second Division but was unable to mount a sustained challenge for promotion , although Stoke came close in the 1954 – 55 season , missing by two points . Taylor 's failure to deliver promotion led to his dismissal in June 1960 , after a 17th @-@ place finish in the 1959 – 60 season . 
