Stoke City: Simon Lowe column
AROUND ten days ago Tony Pulis commented in a press conference about Stoke's USA strategy, which has already brought us Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea thus far this season.
He said: "we've got a scout over there who knows the league very well and we might add another one next year. We think it's somewhere we can get players from."
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BIG DAY: Potters fan Owen Culver was a mascot for the day as Stoke took on West Brom at the Britannia. Picture: Phil Greig
But not only is TP looking over there, now Americans are becoming more and more attracted to Stoke City.
Take 11-year-old Owen Culver from St Louis, Missouri for example.
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A fully converted Stoke fan who has grown up a soccer fanatic amidst a group of friends who almost all support Manchester United, Owen took the ultimate step on Saturday of crossing the pond and becoming Stoke's first ever American mascot for the game against West Brom.
The other ten mascots came from as far afield as Chell and Biddulph.
It just shows what an impact being members of the Premier League has had for Stoke in the last five years.
Is this the start of a major influx of fans to go alongside these US players?
Well, maybe. Once Owen returns home and starts playing for his club Webster Groves in his brand spanking new Stoke kit, provided by Stoke's excellent mascot team led by Phil Meeson and Tracey Burrows.
Perhaps random supporters' clubs will be instituted in places like Springfield and Jefferson City. Walking out in front of 26,000 people holding Steven Nzonzi's hand was quite an experience for young Owen and he was completely hooked by the match, so his conversion to being an evangelical Stoke fan is complete. How ironic then that these new fans are arriving just at a point where many homegrown Stokies are at a crossroads in terms of supporting the club and manager during this iffy run of form this year, and questioning whether to renew their season tickets.
Saturday was undoubtedly an improved performance from the side, with decent backing from the stands. The tide has not turned as fully yet as some of the moaning Minnie's will have you believe, but there is no doubting the significant undercurrent of 'wisdom' which states that Pulis has taken the club as far as he can.
Owen's thoughts on that? "If you are a true fan, then I think that you should always support the team," he said.
And his first ever game at the Brit? "It was great. I would have loved to have seen some goals, though."
Welcome to supporting Stoke City, Owen. Welcome to supporting Stoke...
11 Comments
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by Pottersruleok
Monday, March 18 2013, 9:47PM
“speil Id like to see Pottermus take Walters place because I know for a fact he could accomplish just as much. However, since Pottermus probably isn't as fit as him I would take Taarabt from QPR to replace him and Loic Remy to replace Jones. Since Owen, Edu and Palacios never play,why do we need to replace them ? I would take Jordi Gomez to replace Whelan. However, since we do need cover for the person replacing whelan, I would pick Jason Puncheon or Adam Lallana and Adam Lefondre to replace Owen. I would bring in Maynor Figueroa to play left back and James Perch as right back. Brek Shea will replace Etherington and would even take Robert Snodgrass on the right.
However and more importantly, because we could bring in Lionel Messi himself and watch his goal tally drop from the high 70's to the low single digits under Pulis, so I would replace him with Roberto Martinez.
Sorry it took me so long to reply !
And Stripes, you have made it quite clear to me that you have absolutely no clue how the Stadium you claim to visit from the States every week works because the sky boxes and executive suites are only open on match days.”
by Potterspeil
Monday, March 18 2013, 8:46PM
“You've listed 10 players there Potty who you would like to see get the chop.
Now list us 10 who you would like to see as replacements? In fact, just give us five for a start.
Not expecting a reply anyday soon!”
by Stars-stripes
Monday, March 18 2013, 5:58PM
“Still in your skybox potty”
by Pottersruleok
Monday, March 18 2013, 5:21PM
“we would have a bit of extra cash if we get rid of a lot of the dead wood we have like Walters, Jones, Owen, Edu, Palacios, Whelan, Whitehead, Sidibe, Delap and Etherington.”
by Stars-stripes
Monday, March 18 2013, 5:11PM
“Just got back from a very long Q renewing our season tickets”
by SCStokieKev
Monday, March 18 2013, 4:43PM
“I doubt the club will have too much money available to exploit the European markets to any significant degree anyway, and it may prove more cost effective to look to our existing commercial and scouting connections in the US.”
by Pottersruleok
Monday, March 18 2013, 3:02PM
“stripes, could not agree more. I thought wintertime was on your side”
by brinsleymaclagan
Monday, March 18 2013, 1:52PM
“So while other clubs are bringing in more technically gifted players from the Continent, Stoke are looking to import more Americans for their athleticism, fitness and ability to run all day!
Yes, that sounds about right for Pulis.
Exactly why I will become an ex-season ticket holder-all we can look forward to is more mindless dross!”
by Stars-stripes
Monday, March 18 2013, 1:46PM
“Another positive forward looking post”
by Pottersruleok
Monday, March 18 2013, 1:28PM
“wintertime, I'm shocked that you think that Edu wasn't a hit. All those great performances he put in! I thought he was going to be an automatic write in every time Pulis wrote up his squad with those displays I was shocked to put it mildly that he was sent out on loan !”