The Potters' Premier League Debut Quiz

Answer: 2008

The Potters achieved promotion to the Premier League with a 0-0 home draw against Leicester City on 4th May 2008, the last day of the 2007-08 season, prompting a pitch invasion by 15,000 jubilant fans. They finished second in the Football League Championship behind West Browmwich Albion.

Answer: 23

Stoke City were relegated from the old 1st Division in 1985 after finishing in last place with a meagre 17 points. Stoke City were one of the 12 foundation members of the Football League back in 1888.

Answer: Hull City & West Bromwich Albion

WBA finished first, Stoke were second, and Hull were third (they won the pay-offs between the four teams finshing 3rd to 6th). WBA were immediately relegated at the end of the 2008-09 season, Hull (who also made their debut appearance in the Premier League) survived by the skin of their teeth with a draw in their second last game of the 2008-09 season, but went down the following year.
Sunderland and Derby County gained promotion into Premier League in 2007, Wolves, Birmingham and Burnley in 2009, Blackpool in 2010.

Answer: Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers, nicknamed the Trotters, were at home and won 3-1.

Answer: A Bookmaker paid out early on bets that Stoke City would be relegated.

Despite being widely tipped by football pundits to be relegated, Stoke City comfortably survived their first season. Following their first defeat the Potters rallied to finish the season in 12th place, leaving bookmakers Paddy Power to rue their rash early judgement.

Answer: Ricardo Fuller

Ricardo Fuller secured his place in Potters' history with Stoke's first Premier League goal, away at Bolton Wanderers. Ricardo went on to finish the season as Stoke's top scorer with 11 goals.

Answer: Aston Villa

Stoke's second Premier League (and first home game) was against Aston Villa, which Stoke won 3-2. The win was secured by a last minute Rory Delap long throw converted by Mamady Sidibe.

Answer: Arsenal

In their inaugural Premier League season Stoke were defeated at home by Manchester United 0-1, Chelsea 0-2, Everton 2-3 and West Ham United 0-1. Stoke defeated Arsenal 1-0 but Arsenal (nicknamed The Gunners) took their revenge with a 4-1 win at the Emirates on the final day of the season.

Answer: Liam Lawrence (Stoke City)

Liam wrote his name in the Potters' history books with a 30th minute penalty against Aston Villa. He also achieved another ignominious mention by subsequently missing much of the season through an injured ankle sustained tripping over his dog!
John Carew scored Villa's equaliser in a thrilling match vs. Aston Villa which the Potters won 3-2. Gretar Steinsson scored the first goal that Stoke conceded in the Premier League, away at Bolton, and Ricardo Fuller achieved legend status at Stoke scoring the Potter's first Premier League goal, also at Bolton.

Answer: Rory Delap

The 'Delap' became a hallmark of Stoke's debut Premier League campaign. The fast and flat throw into opposition penalty area often from 30 yards or more created seven out of Stoke's first 13 Premier League goals and introduced a new term, 'doing a Delap', into the football commentator's lexicon.