 The next season , referred to as The Holocaust Season by fans , proved to be disastrous . Stoke finished the season with only 17 points and just three wins , which would be the lowest points total in the top flight of English football ( under the " three points for a win " system ) for 21 years until the record was broken by Sunderland in the 2005 – 06 season . Mick Mills was appointed player @-@ manager for the 1985 – 86 season , following Asprey 's departure in April 1985 due to ill health . His first task was to consolidate following the club 's relegation in the previous season , which he achieved with a mid @-@ table finish in the Second Division . The team reached fourth place in 1986 – 87 , his second season in charge , including a 7 – 2 win over Leeds United , but the team 's form tailed off towards the end of the season , culminating in an eighth @-@ place finish . Mills was unable to sustain a challenge for promotion and was sacked in November 1989 , following a poor start to the 1989 – 90 season after spending £ 1m on players . His successor , Alan Ball , became the club 's fifth manager in 10 years . Peter Coates became the club 's chairman in 1989 , following numerous changes of chairmanship during the 1980s . 
