 The club became owners of the Victoria Ground in 1919 . The Butler Street stand was constructed shortly afterward , increasing the overall capacity of the ground to 50 @,@ 000 . Following the restart of the Football League , Stoke achieved promotion from the Second Division in the 1921 – 22 season under the stewardship of Arthur Shallcross , although this was followed by relegation in the 1922 – 23 season . Unable to prevent the club 's bad form , Shallcross resigned in March 1923 . Tom Mather was appointed manager later in 1923 , although Stoke were unable to mount another promotion challenge . They were instead relegated from the Second Division four years later in the 1925 – 26 season . The club 's stay in Third Division North was brief , as Stoke won the championship during their first season in that league . In 1925 , Stoke @-@ on @-@ Trent was granted city status , and this led the club to change its name to Stoke City Football Club in 1928 . 
