A brief history of SCSSC

Stoke City London Supporters' Club was formed in 1968. Its founder, Clifford Charles, was a lifelong supporter, one of many in his family, and a Shelton man.

Having been moved by the Civil Service, to Bath, he missed the camaraderie of match day and the chat of all things Stoke City. Thus did he decide, when next transferred - to London - to do something about it.

Having spoken to the then chairman of SCFC, Albert Henshall, an advert appealing to London Stokies to get in touch, was duly placed in a match-day magazine. The response led to a meeting held at the CS HQ with a small but enthusiastic band of supporters. The outcome was the appointment of Cliff as Secretary and Dennis Cooper as chairman, with Ann Taylor and Don Freeman also prominent.      

Monthly meetings were held at The Barley Mow in Horseferry Rd, where get-togethers were also enjoyed after London matches. Initially a small club, there was a determination to bring in other exiled Potters. Given that we now have over 250 members we have obviously succeeded in this aim!

When Cliff retired to Porlock in Somerset, the name was changed to the Stoke City Supporters Club London, South and West, which remained so for years. As the club expanded and became more professional, the introduction of match-day travel and the production of a monthly magazine, rather than a news-sheet, was welcomed by Cliff, before his death in 1975. 'Potters Monthly' is still going strong today of course.

Ironically Cliff died in the very week when APFSCIL - the Association of Provincial Football Supporters' Clubs In London - was being founded, with the aim of bringing together other such organisations, for their mutual benefit. Happily, our club has played a leading role ever since and has the proud record of never missing a meeting.  

The club's tenth anniversary was celebrated at the Russell Hotel in 1978. Manager Alan Durban and the team were in attendance, as were Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch who managed to fit us in between showbiz commitments! For the benefit of younger members - Tony and Jackie were responsible for our 1972 cup final song 'We'll be with you'.

In 1987 the club name was changed to its present one. This was not only due to its unwieldy nature but an inability to deal adequately with such a widespread fan base and the hope - since fulfilled - that our Western friends would form a satellite club of their own.

Our current chairman, Les Tuck, took office in 1990 (yes, it really is that long ago!) The club continued to grow, helped by the relative success of Lou Macari's team in the early 1990s. Our 25th anniversary was celebrated with a well attended dinner at the Swallow Hotel Waltham Abbey in February 1993. Again the manager and team were present and a good time was had by all. Unfortunately an otherwise excellent weekend was ruined on Saturday afternoon when City's 25 match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end at Leyton Orient!

Another anniversary, our 35th, was celebrated in April 2003. Over 80 members and guests enjoyed the company of Terry Conroy and Stoke City Director Phil Rawlins at the Selsdon Park Hotel near Croydon. Again we were given the opportunity to meet the players, manager and coaching staff beforehand, and Tony Pulis popped into the dinner later to give us his best wishes. Presentations were made to Monica Hartland and Rex Audley (PM cartoonist) for their contributions to our club over many years.

And finally we reach the present. Many things have changed since 1968. Whilst there are probably more exiled Stokies in London and the south than ever before, it is also much easier to get to Stoke by car these days, and The Oatcake fanzine, Sky TV and the internet provide out-of-town supporters with all the latest club news, including all of the goals! However, Stoke City Southern Supporters Club remains popular, and we intend to move with the times to provide the service to southern based Stokies that our constitution demands, this website being an example of this change!

Monica Hartland / Neil Chadwick, 10 October 2004