 Richie Barker , Durban 's successor , was appointed manager in 1981 . He signed Mickey Thomas from Brighton and Hove Albion and Mark Chamberlain from Port Vale , as he set about building a side for the 1982 – 83 season . Thomas was signed for £ 200 @,@ 000 and made over 60 appearances for the club , but was sold to Chelsea for £ 75 @,@ 000 in 1984 . Winger Chamberlain , a £ 135 @,@ 00 signing , proved successful as he made eight appearances for England during his stay at Stoke . Barker 's spell in charge was short @-@ lived ; he was sacked in his second season , 1983 – 84 . The club 's new manager , Bill Asprey , decided to bring back veteran Alan Hudson , and the decision paid off as Stoke improved during the second half of the 1983 – 84 season and avoided relegation on the final day . 
