1899–1900 Stoke F.C. season


The 1899–1900 season was Stoke's 11th season in the Football League.
As the nineteenth century gave way to the twentieth, it became common knowledge that Stoke were still under a heavy financial cloud. There had been more public appeals for funds - and a certain amount of money had been raised. The directors had continued to go to Scotland for players but, they were not all that successful. The team itself had flirted with relegation for a number of seasons now and there had been only one respectable cup run, Stoke often looked capable of beating the best teams in the country but they were far too inconsistent and always seemed to be at least a couple of quality players short of what was required to challenge for honours.
Stoke's final season of the nineteenth century saw them finish in a mid table position of 9th, Stoke struggled for goals during the season scoring 37 only the bottom two relegated clubs scoring less.

Season review

League

Stoke began the 1899–1900 campaign well, beating Liverpool and Preston North End at home and drawing away at Burnley in their first three matches. Tom Wilkes had replaced the outgoing George Clawley in goal and there was a change in attack as local player Sam Higginson was introduced in the place of Fred Molyneux who joined Bristol City while Jack Farrell joined Southampton. Tom Holford also came through the ranks at the Victoria Ground and he went on to become a club legend making over 260 appearances. There was also change in the boardroom as Mr W Cowlishaw replaced Mr J Fenton.
On 13 November 1899 league leaders Aston Villa visited Stoke which attracted a crowd of 15,000 to the Victoria Ground. Gate receipts amounted to £379 a record at the time. Villa won 2–0 and were on their way to a third straight title. Stoke took ninth place in the First Division just two points away from fifth.

FA Cup

After last seasons run to the semi-final Stoke exited the FA Cup this season in the first round losing 1–0 in a replay to Liverpool after a 0–0 draw.

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 First Division

MatchDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
12 September 1899LiverpoolH3–28,000Maxwell, Kennedy
29 September 1899BurnleyA2–25,000Higginson, Parsons
316 September 1899Preston North EndH3–16,000Maxwell, Kennedy
418 September 1899Wolverhampton WanderersH1–36,500Turner
523 September 1899Nottingham ForestA0–15,000
630 September 1899GlossopH1–03,000Maxwell
77 October 1899Wolverhampton WanderersA2–03,000Maxwell, Higginson
814 October 1899SunderlandA0–37,000
921 October 1899West Bromwich AlbionH1–013,500Maxwell
1028 October 1899EvertonH1–112,000Maxwell
114 November 1899Blackburn RoversH2–03,000Maxwell, Holford
1211 November 1899Derby CountyA0–25,000
1313 November 1899Aston VillaH0–215,000
1425 November 1899Notts CountyA3–19,000Turner, Robertson
152 December 1899Manchester CityH1–012,000Johnson
169 December 1899Sheffield UnitedA0–110,000
1716 December 1899Newcastle UnitedH2–24,000Turner, Higginson
1823 December 1899Aston VillaA1–418,000Robertson
1925 December 1899EvertonA0–215,000
2026 December 1899BurnleyH3–04,500Maxwell, Tooth
2130 December 1899LiverpoolA0–05,000
2213 January 1900Preston North EndA0–34,000
2320 January 1900Nottingham ForestH0–04,000
243 February 1900GlossopA2–12,000Turner
2510 March 1900Blackburn RoversA0–36,000
2617 March 1900Derby CountyH1–15,000Turner
2719 March 1900West Bromwich AlbionA0–41,717
2826 March 1900SunderlandH1–26,000Kennedy
2931 March 1900Notts CountyH1–06,000Turner
307 April 1900Manchester CityA0–115,000
3113 April 1900BuryA1–06,500Wood
3214 April 1900Sheffield UnitedH1–16,000Jones
3316 April 1900BuryH2–04,000Jones
3421 April 1900Newcastle UnitedA2–212,000Jones

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
R127 January 1900LiverpoolH0–08,500
R1 Replay1 February 1900LiverpoolA0–17,000

Squad statistics