Chairman Mr Rev. A Hurst Stadium Victoria Ground Southern Football League Division Two 2nd (35 points) | Manager Alfred Barker Birmingham & District League 1st (47 Points) FA Cup First Round | |
The 1910–11 season was Stoke's third and final season in the Birmingham & District League and second in the Southern Football League.
Contents
Stoke again entered two sides as they went on to play in 56 league matches during the season and were very successful in both. They won the Birmingham & District League and also gained promotion to the Southern Football League Division One after finishing runner-up to Reading on goal average.
League
Progress was being made slowly, and the directors were able to spend money on new players to strengthen the squad, whilst at the same time the club decided to remain in two league competitions. One major acquisition in the summer of 1910 was forward Jack Peart from Sheffield United. He made a brilliant impact, scoring 31 goals in just 21 matches before breaking his leg against Crewe Alexandra in December 1910. Stoke also re-signed goalkeeper Arthur Cartlidge for £315 a lot of money for a 'keeper in 1910 as Stoke's finances began to improve.
Stoke played 59 competitive fixtures in 1910–11. They won the Birmingham & District League and gained promotion from the Southern Football League Division Two as runners-up. A total of 167 goals were scored in the 56 league matches with the two Smiths Alf and William scoring 58 between them. They were numerous high-scoring victories including a 10–0 win over Halesowen Town, an 8–0 away win at Chesham Town and an 8–1 home win over Kettering Town. Stoke also hit six on five occasions.
With Stoke now in a tougher competition the directors decided that Stoke should leave their reserve side to play in the Birmingham & District League and let their first team concentrate on the Southern League.
FA Cup
After fine qualifying round wins over Worcester City (7–0) and Lincoln City (4–0), Stoke lost 2–1 in the first round to Manchester City.
Southern Football League Division Two
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