 The threat of a rival football association , the British FA , forced the Football Association to legalise professionalism in 1885 ; Stoke subsequently turned professional in August of that year . The club were defeated again in the FA Cup in 1885 – 86 after a replay defeat to Crewe Alexandra . The club 's first victory in the competition came in the 1886 – 87 season with a 10 – 0 win over Caernarfon Wanderers at the Victoria Ground . 
