1891–92 Stoke F.C. season


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 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

Key: P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points

Results

Stoke's score comes first

Legend

Football League

MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
15 September 1891Derby CountyH2–13,000Turner
212 September 1891Wolverhampton WanderersH1–35,000Dunn
319 September 1891BurnleyA1–44,000Evans
426 September 1891Notts CountyA1–16,000Cameron
53 October 1891DarwenA3–94,500Cameron, Dunn, Naughton
610 October 1891BurnleyH3–03,500Cameron, Schofield
717 October 1891Derby CountyA3–35,000Naughton, Schofield, Turner
824 October 1891Aston VillaH2–37,000Clifford, Schofield
97 November 1891Preston North EndH0–14,500
109 November 1891Blackburn RoversH0–14,000
1114 November 1891Bolton WanderersA1–13,500Ballham
1221 November 1891Aston VillaA1–25,500Naughton
1328 November 1891SunderlandH1–31,500Schofield
145 December 1891DarwenH5–13,000Schofield, Dunn, Turner, Evans
1512 December 1891Bolton WanderersH0–12,000
1619 December 1891AccringtonH3–13,000Ballham, Schofield
1725 December 1891Preston North EndA2–33,000Evans, Schofield
182 January 1892Wolverhampton WanderersA1–41,300Dunn
199 January 1892AccringtonA0–31,500
206 February 1892Notts CountyH1–34,000Evans
215 March 1892EvertonA0–17,000
2212 March 1892EvertonH0–12,000
2319 March 1892Blackburn RoversA3–52,000Ballham, Turner
242 April 1892SunderlandA1–43,000Brodie
2511 April 1892West Bromwich AlbionA2–210,000Evans, Turner
2623 April 1892West Bromwich AlbionH1–05,400Schofield

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
R116 January 1892CasualsH3–02,000Dunn, Evans
R123 January 1892CasualsH3–02,000Schofield, Ballham, Unknown
R230 January 1892BurnleyA3–15,000Turner, Schofield
R313 February 1892SunderlandH2–29,000Turner, Schofield
R3 Replay20 February 1892SunderlandA0–410,000

Squad statistics