 The 1930s saw the début of the club 's most celebrated player , Stanley Matthews . Matthews , who grew up in Hanley , was an apprentice at the club and made his first appearance , aged 17 , in March 1932 against Bury . By end of the decade , Matthews had established himself as an England international and one of the best footballers of his generation . Matthews won his first England cap in 1934 , making him the first Stoke player in 30 years to play for England . Stoke achieved promotion from the Second Division in the 1932 – 33 season as champions , but Matthews only featured in 15 games , although he did score his first goal for the club in a 3 – 1 win against local rivals Port Vale . 
