1984–85_Stoke_City_F.C._season
1984–85 Stoke City F.C. season
Stoke City 1984–85 football season
The 1984–85 season was Stoke City's 78th season in the Football League and 52nd in the First Division.
| 1984–85 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Frank Edwards | |
| Manager | Bill Asprey (until April 2) Tony Lacey (caretaker) | |
| Stadium | Victoria Ground | |
| Football League First Division | 22nd (17 Points) | |
| FA Cup | Third Round | |
| League Cup | Second Round | |
| Top goalscorer | League: Ian Painter (6) All: Ian Painter (9) | |
| Highest home attendance | 21,013 vs Manchester United (26 December 1984) | |
| Lowest home attendance | 4,597 vs Norwich City (24 April 1985) | |
| Average home league attendance | 10,700 | |
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Bill Asprey was given the managerial position on a permanent basis by the board following the previous season's close escape. However Stoke won three of their 42 league matches managing to pick up 17 points, a record low which would stand for 21 years. Stoke scored 24 goals and conceded 91 giving them a goal difference of –67. Supporters stopped attending matches with crowds falling below 5,000. The season became known as The Holocaust season and Stoke would not gain a return to the top flight until 2008.[1][2]
League
The directors did not hesitate in appointing Bill Asprey on a full-time basis, but there was a shock for the supporters when it was announced that both Paul Maguire and Peter Hampton were being released.[1] Asprey had decided to start building his own team but he knew that there was no money available for him and so a club once filled with international stars had to loan players from other clubs.[1] As the season started goals were almost non-existent and by autumn Asprey had sold Robbie James for £100,000 to Queens Park Rangers so he could buy Keith Bertschin a proven goalscorer from Norwich City.[1]
Still there was no improvement and as the season wore on Stoke struggled to even compete with their First Division rivals and it turned into a case of when and not if Stoke would be relegated.[1] Stoke went down breaking almost every record available: fewest goals scored (24); fewest wins (3); and lowest points tally (17).[1] Ian Painter was top goalscorer with six of which four were penalties.[1] With the season drawing to a close Asprey was relieved of his duties as his health had been affected by the season's traumas and Tony Lacey took over the last eight matches losing all of them.[1] Chairman Frank Edwards took the full brunt of the supporters protests following relegation before he died following a heart attack.[1] Sandy Clubb took over from Edwards and he appointed Mick Mills as manager as the club began to rebuild in the Second Division.[1]
FA Cup
Luton Town knocked out Stoke after a replay in the third round.[1]
League Cup
Stoke were defeated by Third Division Rotherham United in the second round.[1]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Coventry City | 42 | 15 | 5 | 22 | 47 | 64 | −17 | 50 | |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 53 | 72 | −19 | 50 | |
| 20 | Norwich City[lower-alpha 1] (R) | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 46 | 64 | −18 | 49 | Relegation to the Second Division |
| 21 | Sunderland (R) | 42 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 40 | 62 | −22 | 40 | |
| 22 | Stoke City (R) | 42 | 3 | 8 | 31 | 24 | 91 | −67 | 17 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(R) Relegated
Notes:
- Norwich City would have qualified for the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners.
Stoke's score comes first
Legend
| Win | Draw | Loss |
Football League First Division
| Match | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 August 1984 | Luton Town | A | 0–2 | 8,626 | |
| 2 | 27 August 1984 | Aston Villa | H | 1–3 | 12,605 | Painter 44' |
| 3 | 1 September 1984 | Sheffield Wednesday | H | 2–1 | 13,032 | McIlroy 35', Heath 44' |
| 4 | 15 September 1984 | Leicester City | H | 2–2 | 13,591 | Hemming 65', Bould 69' |
| 5 | 19 September 1984 | Norwich City | A | 0–0 | 13,051 | |
| 6 | 22 September 1984 | Arsenal | A | 0–4 | 26,758 | |
| 7 | 29 September 1984 | Sunderland | H | 2–2 | 8,882 | Dyson 75', Bould 87' |
| 8 | 6 October 1984 | Nottingham Forest | A | 1–1 | 14,129 | Berry 11' |
| 9 | 13 October 1984 | Southampton | H | 1–3 | 9,643 | Heath 41' |
| 10 | 20 October 1984 | West Ham United | H | 2–4 | 9,945 | Painter 81', Chamberlain 90' |
| 11 | 27 October 1984 | Tottenham Hotspur | A | 0–4 | 23,477 | |
| 12 | 3 November 1984 | Liverpool | H | 0–1 | 20,567 | |
| 13 | 10 November 1984 | West Bromwich Albion | A | 0–2 | 12,258 | |
| 14 | 17 November 1984 | Everton | A | 0–4 | 26,705 | |
| 15 | 24 November 1984 | Watford | H | 1–3 | 10,564 | Painter 58' (pen) |
| 16 | 1 December 1984 | Newcastle United | A | 1–2 | 21,135 | McIlroy 55' |
| 17 | 4 December 1984 | Queens Park Rangers | A | 0–2 | 8,403 | |
| 18 | 8 December 1984 | Ipswich Town | H | 0–2 | 7,925 | |
| 19 | 15 December 1984 | Chelsea | A | 1–1 | 20,534 | Dyson 71' |
| 20 | 22 December 1984 | Sheffield Wednesday | A | 1–2 | 19,799 | Bould 45' |
| 21 | 26 December 1984 | Manchester United | H | 2–1 | 21,013 | Painter 70' (pen), Saunders 75' |
| 22 | 29 December 1984 | Queens Park Rangers | H | 0–2 | 10,811 | |
| 23 | 1 January 1985 | Coventry City | A | 0–4 | 9,829 | |
| 24 | 12 January 1985 | Leicester City | A | 0–0 | 10,111 | |
| 25 | 2 February 1985 | Sunderland | A | 0–1 | 14,762 | |
| 26 | 23 February 1985 | Liverpool | A | 0–2 | 31,368 | |
| 27 | 2 March 1985 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 0–1 | 12,533 | |
| 28 | 12 March 1985 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 0–0 | 6,995 | |
| 29 | 16 March 1985 | Southampton | A | 0–0 | 14,608 | |
| 30 | 23 March 1985 | Nottingham Forest | H | 1–4 | 7,453 | Parkin 10' |
| 31 | 27 March 1985 | Aston Villa | A | 0–2 | 10,874 | |
| 32 | 30 March 1985 | Arsenal | H | 2–0 | 7,371 | Painter 55' (pen), Dyson 62' |
| 33 | 6 April 1985 | Manchester United | A | 0–5 | 42,940 | |
| 34 | 8 April 1985 | Luton Town | H | 0–4 | 6,985 | |
| 35 | 20 April 1985 | Everton | H | 0–2 | 18,258 | |
| 36 | 24 April 1985 | Norwich City | H | 2–3 | 4,597 | Bertschin 10', Saunders 90' |
| 37 | 27 April 1985 | Watford | A | 0–2 | 14,586 | |
| 38 | 4 May 1985 | Newcastle United | H | 0–1 | 7,088 | |
| 39 | 6 May 1985 | Ipswich Town | A | 1–5 | 14,150 | Bertschin 69' |
| 40 | 11 May 1985 | Chelsea | H | 0–1 | 8,905 | |
| 41 | 14 May 1985 | West Ham United | A | 1–5 | 13,362 | Painter 63' (pen) |
| 42 | 17 May 1985 | Coventry City | H | 0–1 | 6,930 |
FA Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R3 | 5 January 1985 | Luton Town | A | 1–1 | 7,270 | Painter 78' |
| R3 Replay | 9 January 1985 | Luton Town | H | 2–3 | 9,917 | Painter 47' (pen), Chamberlain 68' |
League Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R2 1st Leg | 26 September 1984 | Rotherham United | H | 1–2 | 8,221 | Saunders 65' |
| R2 2nd Leg | 9 October 1984 | Rotherham United | A | 1–1 | 6,898 | Painter 22' |
Friendlies
| Match | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkway Clayton | A | 4–1 |
| 2 | Cardiff City | A | 0–3 |
| 3 | Oldham Athletic | A | 2–3 |
| Pos. | Name | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK |  Paul Barron |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| GK | Joe Corrigan |
9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| GK | Peter Fox |
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| GK |  Stuart Roberts |
3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| GK | Barry Siddall |
15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| DF | Steve Bould |
38 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 42 | 3 |
| DF |  Aaron Callaghan |
2(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(3) | 0 |
| DF | Alan Dodd |
16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| DF | Paul Dyson |
37 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 3 |
| DF | Wayne Ebanks |
10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| DF | Chris Hemming |
14(2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15(2) | 1 |
| DF | Robbie James |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| DF | Tony Spearing |
9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| MF | Carl Beeston |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | George Berry |
31(1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31(1) | 1 |
| MF | Alan Hudson |
16(1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19(1) | 0 |
| MF | Chris Maskery |
34 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| MF |  Sammy McIlroy |
34 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 2 |
| MF | Steve Parkin |
8(5) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11(5) | 1 |
| MF | Terry Williams |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| FW | Keith Bertschin |
24(1) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26(1) | 2 |
| FW | Mark Chamberlain |
27(1) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 31(1) | 2 |
| FW | Phil Heath |
34(2) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 34(3) | 2 |
| FW | Brendan O'Callaghan |
20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| FW | Ian Painter |
38 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 42 | 9 |
| FW | Carl Saunders |
17(6) | 2 | 0(2) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 19(8) | 3 |
- Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
- "Think Stoke City are struggling now? You want to hear about their 1984-85 season". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2017.