Potters' Pod: The Official Stoke City Podcast

Sorba Thomas’ journey to Stoke City has been anything but straightforward and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. In this episode of Potters’ Pod, the winger reflects on being named the Club’s Player of the Year and why that recognition from supporters means so much after a season built on relentless work ethic and honesty on the pitch. He discusses growing up in London, the influence of h...

Tommy Simkin joins Rob Adcock for this episode of Potters’ Pod to reflect on a remarkable rise through the game, from martial arts world champion to exciting young Stoke City goalkeeper.  Simkin talks through his early life in a fiercely competitive sporting family, the influence of his dad’s martial arts background, and how that shaped the mentality that now defines him on the pitch. He opens-up...

In one of the most open and powerful conversations in Potters’ Pod history, former Stoke City defender Erik Pieters joins Rob Adcock to reflect on a career, and a life, shaped by resilience, perspective and honesty. From growing up in a tiny village in the Netherlands to playing in the Premier League and Champions League, Erik takes us on his journey through football’s highest highs and its most d...

Stoke City striker Robert Bozenik steps up for his episode of Potters’ Picks, choosing his dream XI from across a career that’s already taken him through five countries and the heart of the Slovakia national team setup. Rob talks us through the players who shaped him, including a national team skipper, a Premier League mainstay, and a midfielder he says is “impossible to defend against”. There’s e...

From a small Slovakian village near the Polish border to the roar of 55,000 fans in Rotterdam, Robert Bozenik’s journey to Stoke City has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of Potters’ Pod, the striker opens up about the values instilled in him from childhood; hard work, humility and never expecting anything for free, and how they shaped the player Potters fans see today. Robert reflects...

Stoke City defender Ashley Phillips returns to the mic to build the ultimate five‑a‑side showdown. Ashley selects two teams of five: one made up of the best teammates he’s ever shared a pitch with, and the other formed from the toughest opponents he’s faced in his young career. Expect bold calls, surprise inclusions and a few nods to his time at Stoke City. There’s a surprise choice between the po...

In this special International Women’s Day edition of Potters’ Pod, we shine a spotlight on women playing an integral role at Stoke City — on and off the pitch. Host Sam Fletcher sits down with four leaders from across the club: •⁠ ⁠Steph Wakelin, Women’s & Girls’ Performance Director •⁠ ⁠Sarah Richardson, Women’s First Team Head Coach •⁠ ⁠Laura Nicholls, Director of Community Engagement •⁠ ⁠Clare...

Stoke City goalkeeper Frank Fielding joins Rob Adcock for a brilliantly unpredictable edition of Potters’ Picks. And true to form, his all-time XI is packed with personality and stories of the characters which make up a team from the stopper’s career. Opting for a classic 4‑4‑2, Fielding digs into a career spent across the Premier League and EFL to assemble a team full of leaders and cult heroes. ...

Potters’ Picks is here! A brand new companion series to Potters’ Pod, giving Stoke City players and favourites the chance to build the ultimate fantasy football match. In the inaugural episode, Aaron Cresswell steps up to create his dream all‑time XI from almost two decades in the professional game and a career that spans more than 600 matches, more than half of which were played in the Premier Le...

Ashley Phillips’ footballing life has, at every turn, been characterised by the need to learn life lessons, and do it fast.   In this episode of Potters’ Pod, the defender reflects on growing up in Salford, the sacrifices his mum made to help him chase a football dream, and the moment he realised he needed to push himself if he wanted to make it as a professional. He talks through his breakthrough...

From the carefree adventures of a diehard fan to the “enormous responsibility” and “absolute labour of love” of being the Club’s owner and Chair, John Coates has lived a life as a Potter like no other. While other interviews during the course of the year provide updates on the present-day direction of the Club, this episode of Potters’ Pod is something completely different, providing a comprehensi...

Bosun Lawal has spoken of his gratitude to the Potters for their patience during his injury hit inaugural campaign, admitting that many clubs wouldn’t have signed him and that what followed was the hardest period of his career to date. The 22-year-old has rewarded Jon Walters for his long-term thinking in completing the Irishman’s transfer from Celtic during the summer of 2024 despite a stress fra...

Reverend Geoff Eze makes a special guest Potters’ Pod debut to host a profound and thought-provoking discussion with a trio of Potters to mark Black History Month. First team star Sorba Thomas is joined by Pedro Nzau and Deandre Witter, both of City’s under-18s, on the panel. Collectively, the quartet reflect on how their heritage and identity has shaped their lives and careers, and recall the sig...

What conversations did Divin Mubama have with Pep Guardiola before linking up with Mark Robins’ side on loan? For the young forward, this move is all about opportunity, ambition and a chance to prove himself in front of the bet365 faithful. In a wide-ranging interview, Divin opens up about the tragedy of losing a close friend at a formative age and how he uses that pain as a fuel for his ambitions...

What convinced Aaron Cresswell that Stoke City was the right move? The answer involves dedicated recruitment work, genuine care from Jon Walters and other keystaff, and a chance encounter with a mystery supporter sporting some impressive Potters themed ink! In an engaging conversation, the experienced left-back joins the podcast to discuss the stories of his stellar career, his summer switch to th...

What was the most pivotal point of Mark Stein's career? Stoke City supporters of a certain era will not be surprised by the answer. In a candid and revealing conversation, the former Stoke City forward joins Rob Adcock to talk about the transformative times in his life and how playing for the Potters profoundly impacted his life and career.    From living with Lou Macari and partnering Wayne “Bert...

Stoke City defender Ben Wilmot joins us from the Potters’ pre-season base in Andalusia to share why this coming campaign feels different from the last and how the new signings are already bedding into the squad. Ben also takes us inside his summer holiday across the United States, explaining how he kept himself fit on the road with gym sessions and runs, and why arriving sharp for pre-season matte...

Stoke City midfielder Lewis Baker checks in from the Potters’ pre-season training camp in Andalusia to share what really tests players – physically and mentally – at this time of year. Lewis talks about rooming with Ben Pearson, who came out on top in the notorious ‘trap bar challenge’ during testing week, and how the tradition of new signings performing an initiation song is slowly being phased o...

Stoke City manager Mark Robins joins pod host Rob Adcock from the Potters’ pre-season training camp in Andalusia to share his beliefs as to what really makes the perfect pre-season. The manager explains why experienced full-back Aaron Cresswell was high on his summer wish list, offers insight into the other transfer business being worked on by the recruitment team and Sporting Director Jon Walters...

Stoke City midfielder Ben Pearson charts his story from scaling the fence of his Oldham primary school and working under Sir Alex Ferguson & Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United, to a future life in property developing and “wanting to win so badly” every time he plays for Stoke – all this and more on the latest episode of Potters’ Pod, the only official Stoke City Podcast.   The former Man Utd, Bar...

Popular Premier League Potter, Peter Odemwingie talks candidly to Rob Adcock for an hour of raw and unmissable insight from his time at the bet365 Stadium. The former striker vividly recalls the circumstances surrounding his earliest moments as a Stoke City player; from flying in to make his debut, to the details of the kit, even down to what boots he was wearing on the day. Peter provides a fresh...

This is the second part of Rob Adcock’s conversation with Liam Lawrence. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, go and check that out to set the scene here. In this section, Liam discusses his arrival at the Club, promotion and survival against the odds and the celebrations which followed. A proper Premier League Potter, our former winger also revels on reflection at the resilience he gained from...

In this episode of Potters’ Pod, Rob Adcock is joined by our former winger and current U21s Assistant Manager, Liam Lawrence. This first instalment is all about getting to know Liam as a person. We hear how his early family life and tough upbringing shaped the person he is, about learning costly but valuable lessons as he rose through the football ranks, and how he is now using his own past experi...

Junior Tchamadeu has articulated an immense debt of gratitude to his Mum and Dad as he becomes the latest player to tell his story on Potters’ Pod.   The full-back charts his life from Barking beginnings and the torture of the trapdoor at Charlton, to a dream debut for Colchester United at the age of 16 and being mentored by Wouter Burger in the Stoke City changing room today.   The parental sacri...

Stoke City’s number nine, Ali Al-Hamadi, joins Rob Adcock in the latest episode of Potters’ Pod.   The 23-year-old takes listeners back to the beginning as the oldest sibling of three living in Toxteth, Liverpool where he was handed a peculiar nickname by his junior team.   The striker speaks of the sacrifices he made to become a professional footballer, the privilege of being the first Iraqi to p...