 The 1997 – 98 season saw Stoke move to its new ground , the 28 @,@ 000 all @-@ seater Britannia Stadium , after 119 years at the Victoria Ground , the longest time spent at a ground by any team in Britain . Chic Bates , Macari 's assistant , was appointed manager for the club 's inaugural season in the new ground . Bates struggled as his side slipped from a play @-@ off place towards the relegation zone , with the club 's bad run culminating in a 7 – 0 home defeat to Birmingham City . Bates was replaced by Chris Kamara in January 1998 . Kamara could not improve the club 's fortunes , and he left in April . Alan Durban , Stoke 's manager two decades earlier , took charge for the remainder of season . Durban was unable to keep the club up , with a 23rd @-@ place finish consigning Stoke to relegation from Division One . 
