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  • Simon King: The Life of a Chief Operating Officer, a Passion Project in the Potteries​ and a Window Into the World of Football Business

    Simon King: The Life of a Chief Operating Officer, a Passion Project in the Potteries​ and a Window Into the World of Football Business
    2026/10/05
    What does a Chief Operating Officer actually control at a football club? In this episode of Potters’ Pod, host Rob Adcock sits down with Simon King to explore the off-field side of modern football and the seminal role he plays in shaping the future of Stoke City. From growing up in Kent and finding his way into the game via Stockport County, Simon reflects on working through administration battles, building a career across Hull City and West Bromwich Albion, and the moment he realised football was where he belonged. He discusses the growing importance of commercial performance in the modern era, why supporter engagement has never mattered more, and the lessons learned from some of football’s most debated decisions around club identity and change. Simon also opens up on Stoke City’s crest evolution, the challenges of balancing tradition with innovation, the thinking behind kit designs, stadium investment plans, future improvements to the matchday experience and the club’s ambition to bring major events back to the bet365 Stadium. There’s plenty of insight into the realities of working in football too, including the pressures, the passion, the chaos, and why helping Stoke City move forward remains his driving ambition. Away from the beautiful game, Simon talks podcasts, a memorable piece of career advice that changed his outlook forever, why football continues to dominate almost every aspect of his life and the previously nomadic life that ultimately landed him in ST4. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 5 分
  • James Rowberry: The Heart Scare That Changed Everything, Wales Pride and Life Beside Mark Robins

    James Rowberry: The Heart Scare That Changed Everything, Wales Pride and Life Beside Mark Robins
    2026/09/28
    In this episode of Potters’ Pod, Rob Adcock sits down with Stoke City Assistant Manager James Rowberry for an honest and deeply personal conversation about the journey that brought him to the bet365 Stadium. Rowberry deep dives into the day-to-day of an Assistant Manager and offers a fascinating insight into the analysis, planning and coaching that goes on behind the scenes at a Championship club. He reflects on growing up in Newport, following in his father’s footballing footsteps, and realising at an early age that coaching, rather than playing, would be his future. There are stories from his time at Cardiff City, working alongside some of the game’s biggest characters, including Neil Warnock and Mick McCarthy, plus his experiences with the Wales national team and the pride of representing his country on the international stage. Most poignantly, Rowberry opens up about two life-changing health diagnoses and the tragedies which have altered his perspective on football and life, and how they continue to shape his ambitions today. From family sacrifices and management lessons to trainer collections and promotion dreams, this is a revealing conversation with one of the key figures behind Stoke City’s first-team setup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 17 分
  • Ethan Galbraith: Belfast to the bet365 Stadium via Manchester United

    Ethan Galbraith: Belfast to the bet365 Stadium via Manchester United
    2026/09/10
    Midfielder Ethan Galbraith joins Rob Adcock for an open and honest conversation about the journey that has brought him to Stoke City. The Northern Ireland international reflects on growing up in Belfast, the sacrifices his parents made to support his football dream, and the life-changing move that saw him leave home at 16 to join Manchester United. Ethan discusses learning alongside some of the game's biggest names, making his senior international debut at a young age, and the pressures that come with carrying expectations early in a career. He opens up about loan spells that shaped him as a player, a special bond with a Manager who played a key role in his development, and the unforgettable play-off highs and lows that followed. There's also plenty of chat about family life, becoming a dad, life away from football, tattoos with personal significance, trainer collections and why Stoke City feels like the right move at the right time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 6 分
  • Svante Ingelsson: From Sweden to Stoke, Surviving Serie A and the Relationship That Changed Everything

    Svante Ingelsson: From Sweden to Stoke, Surviving Serie A and the Relationship That Changed Everything
    2026/08/06
    New Stoke City midfielder Svante Ingelsson joins Rob Adcock for a candid and entertaining edition of Potters' Pod. Ingelsson reflects on growing up in Sweden, scoring goals as a youngster, representing his country alongside future stars such as Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, and making the life-changing decision to leave home for Udinese as a teenager. He opens-up about the challenges of moving to Italy at just 18 years old, coping with serious injuries during the early stages of his career, and why his relationship with wife Wilma helped him navigate life in a new country far from home. As well as explaining why Stoke City felt like the perfect next step, what attracted him to the Club's ambitions, and what supporters can expect from him this season, Svante also discusses his time in Germany, becoming a father, finding his best form at Sheffield Wednesday, and the experiences that shaped him on and off the pitch. Along the way, Rob surprises Svante with messages from former coaches, close friends and influential figures from his career, before putting his 14-year relationship to the test in a brand-new Potters' Pod game that may reveal more than he bargained for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 分
  • Sorba Thomas: Player of the Year, Proving People Wrong and Finding a Home at Stoke City

    Sorba Thomas: Player of the Year, Proving People Wrong and Finding a Home at Stoke City
    2026/07/02
    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 his family, and the early setbacks that shaped his mentality, including the moment he walked away from football entirely before rediscovering his love for the game. Sorba opens up on his unconventional route through non-league, balancing football with jobs in retail and construction, and how those experiences still shape his mindset today. There are insights into his time at Huddersfield, the pain of a play-off final defeat, and what it was like stepping onto the World Cup stage with Wales, which was a dream he’d held since childhood. He also explains why Stoke City feels like a “second home”, the impact of Mark Robins and the dressing room culture, and how he’s embraced both responsibility and expectation as a leader within the squad. There are heartfelt messages from key figures in his journey, reflections on being misunderstood, and plenty of personality from City’s Welsh wizard on the wing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 11 分
  • Tommy Simkin: Martial Arts, Mentality and His Mission to Make It at Stoke

    Tommy Simkin: Martial Arts, Mentality and His Mission to Make It at Stoke
    2026/06/11
    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 on his rapid development, including stepping into men’s football at just 16 with Hanley Town, learning his trade out on loan, and the experiences that toughened him up both on and off the pitch. There’s insight into Wembley heartbreak with Walsall, the realities of the lower-leagues, and how those moments helped shape his mindset. The conversation also covers his journey with England, including what it’s like to be part of an international setup packed with elite talent and the experience of lifting a trophy for his country. Simkin also reflects on breaking into Stoke City’s first team, the role senior players have played in his development, the influence of Viktor Johansson and Frank Fielding and what it means to represent the Potters. There’s also plenty of insight into dressing room culture, life away from football, and the grounded mentality that continues to drive him forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 時間 18 分
  • Erik Pieters: Stoke Felt Like Home, Life After Football and the Battles You Don’t See

    Erik Pieters: Stoke Felt Like Home, Life After Football and the Battles You Don’t See
    2026/05/07
    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 difficult moments. He speaks candidly about career‑defining injuries, missed international tournaments, and how learning to process emotion has reshaped the way he views both football and life. There’s extensive reflection on his six years at Stoke City; why the club immediately felt like home, what made the Mark Hughes era dressing room so special, and how a core group of leaders helped redefine the Potters’ identity in the Premier League. Erik also shares memories of playing alongside and learning from true club legends, and why those years now feel even more special with the benefit of hindsight. Away from the pitch, Erik opens up about retirement, identity after football, family life, and the most challenging period he and his wife have faced, a story he tells with remarkable honesty in the hope it helps others. He explains why speaking out matters, why “real men do cry”, and why mental health support must continue to evolve in the modern game. This is a thoughtful, emotional and deeply human episode, one that goes far beyond football, while remaining rooted in everything that made Erik’s time at Stoke City so meaningful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    59 分
  • Robert Bozenik - Potters’ Picks: The National Team Captain, a Premier League Veteran and a Surprise Pick Up Front

    Robert Bozenik - Potters’ Picks: The National Team Captain, a Premier League Veteran and a Surprise Pick Up Front
    2026/04/23
    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 even a surprise inclusion for one attacking role… and a very familiar face leading the line. Rob shares stories of life inside the Slovakia camp, reflects on his development at Stoke City, and explains how a certain Dutch icon from his Feyenoord days ended up influencing his game more than anyone else. If you want more from Rob, including his journey from Slovakia to the bet365 Stadium, adapting to life in England, and the teammates who’ve helped shape him, you’ll also find his full Potters’ Pod interview in this feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    21 分