1891–92 Stoke F.C. season
Introduction The 1891–92 season was Stoke's third season in the Football League.Stoke returned to the Football League after a season in the Football Alliance. Stoke continued to struggle in the more demanding competition and finished in 13th position with 14 points and had to seek re-election for the third time, they were successful in doing gaining more votes than Darwen and Sheffield United.
Season review ===League===Prior to the start of the season Stoke had to ditch their traditional red and white striped kit due to the Football League ruling that only one style of kit can be used by one club and Sunderland were allowed to use red and white. Stoke used amber and black which changed to plain maroon coloured shirts, it took until the 1910s before Stoke could use red and white stripes on a regular basis. The rule was eventually scrapped in 1919.For the 1891–92 season the Football League was increased from 12 to 14 clubs, Stoke along with Darwen joined the Football League. Despite a bright enough start, Stoke winning 2–1 at home to Derby County, there was a lack of improvement in their overall form and the team quickly dropped down the table. A 9–3 defeat at Darwen, who eventually finished bottom of the league and failed to be re-elected, was the most disappointing performance of a dismal campaign, although Stoke did win 5–1 in the return fixture. Goalkeeper Bill Rowley had now returned from injury and was captain of the side, while Arthur Reeves replaced Joseph Bradshaw as manager in January 1892.Re-election was again sought and duly achieved beating Sheffield United by one vote. They instead joined the newly formed Second Division for the 1892–93 season. Left-winger Joe Schofield made his debut for Stoke against Burnley on 10 October 1891.Schofield would go on to become one of Stoke's greatest players of the 1890s and earned a reputation as a goalscoring winger and he later managed the club during World War I.===FA Cup===After beating amateur side Casuals 3–0 (twice, after the first match was declared void due to icy pitch) and Burnley 3–1, Stoke drew 2–2 with Sunderland to set up Stoke's first cup replay which they lost 4–0.
Final league table
Results ''Stoke's score comes first''===Legend===WinDrawLoss===Football League===MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers1 5 September 1891 Derby CountyH2–13,000Turner (2)2 12 September 1891 Wolverhampton WanderersH1–35,000Dunn3 19 September 1891 BurnleyA1–44,000Evans4 26 September 1891 Notts CountyA1–16,000Cameron5 3 October 1891 DarwenA3–94,500Cameron, Dunn, Naughton6 10 October 1891 BurnleyH3–03,500Cameron (2), Schofield7 17 October 1891 Derby CountyA3–35,000Naughton, Schofield, Turner8 24 October 1891 Aston VillaH2–37,000Clifford, Schofield9 7 November 1891 Preston North EndH0–14,50010 9 November 1891 Blackburn RoversH0–14,00011 14 November 1891 Bolton WanderersA1–13,500 Ballham12 21 November 1891 Aston VillaA1–25,500 Naughton13 28 November 1891 SunderlandH1–31,500 Schofield14 5 December 1891 DarwenH5–13,000 Schofield (2), Dunn, Turner, Evans15 12 December 1891 Bolton WanderersH0–12,00016 19 December 1891 AccringtonH3–13,000Ballham (2), Schofield17 25 December 1891 Preston North EndA2–33,000Evans, Schofield18 2 January 1892 Wolverhampton WanderersA1–41,300Dunn199 January 1892 AccringtonA0–31,50020 6 February 1892 Notts CountyH1–34,000 Evans21 5 March 1892 EvertonA0–17,00022 12 March 1892 EvertonH0–12,00023 19 March 1892 Blackburn RoversA3–52,000 Ballham (2), Turner24 2 April 1892 SunderlandA1–43,000 Brodie25 11 April 1892 West Bromwich AlbionA2–210,000 Evans, Turner26 23 April 1892 West Bromwich AlbionH1–05,400 Schofield===FA Cup===RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersR116 January 1892 CasualsH3–02,000Dunn (2), EvansR123 January 1892 CasualsH3–02,000Schofield, Ballham, UnknownR230 January 1892 BurnleyA3–15,000 Turner, Schofield (2)R313 February 1892 SunderlandH2–29,000Turner, SchofieldR3 Replay20 February 1892 SunderlandA0–410,000
Squad statistics Pos.NameLeagueFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGK Ike Brookes200020GK Bill Rowley24050290FB George Bateman500050FB Tommy Clare22050270FB Jesse Stanley300030FB Alf Underwood22050270HB Davy Brodie24150291HB Davy Christie26050310HB Hughie Clifford13100131HB Billy Draycott100010HB Jack Proctor12030150HB Bobby Smith100010FW Tommy Arthern100010FW Lewis Ballham18551236FW John Cameron940094FW Billy Dunn23452286FW Ted Evans15551206FW Billy Forrester100010FW Billy Fraser300030FW Willie Naughton16320183FW Joe Schofield169542113FW John Tunnicliffe300030FW Wilmot Turner26652318
References