tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15528964548527530372024-03-13T19:54:01.571-07:00Ultimate Stoke FC - The Best Online Stoke City Fanzine SiteFollow us now @ultimatestokefc@ultimatestokefchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00275706620681998970noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1552896454852753037.post-22393914446523506672012-01-14T12:33:00.000-08:002012-01-14T12:33:37.011-08:00Ultimate Stoke FC Recall: Phil Heath<div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi" data-height="159" data-width="316" height="159" id="rg_hi" sb_id="ms__id6453" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQVWxErqpGFF5cYE4GGcI2K5Ih7JAh7pw_Tx-3r_Z6GOBj5BCg3" style="height: 159px; width: 316px;" width="316" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phil 'Steady' Heath was one of those footballers
that every fan of every club would be proud of, a local born lad, who played
for and supported his local team. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tricky, fast paced winger had a
distinguished career for the Potters after coming through the youth system.
After Stoke he moved to Oxford United and eventually finished his playing
career turning out for Aylesbury United in 1994.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We managed to track down Phil via twitter
and as part of our new recall section of ex-Stoke City players we put several
questions to him:</span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You came through the youth system
at Stoke and made your debut in the 1982-83 season, can you remember who this
was against and how were you feeling on the day of the match?</span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made my debut in the very last home
game of the 82-83 season coming on as a substitute against Coventry. I can
remember coming on quite early in the match and the game seemed to whizz by. I
didn't have time to feel nervous because I got a call Saturday morning saying
to report to the ground for the afternoon and not to travel with the youth team
for that mornings match. I expected just to be 13th man so was quite shocked
when the manager Richie Barker said that I was the sub that day.</span></em></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My full debut came away at Southampton
in the 83-84 season where I came up against Mick Mills that day. On my full
home debut I got the equalizing goal against Everton in a 1-1 draw.</span></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was<strong> your position always as a winger or
when you played for the youth team did you play any other position?</strong></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I played both as a winger and centre
forward in my youth days; in fact I was quite like Ian Painter who played in
both positions. In many youth games both Ian and I would play up front, we
didn't have much height but we had a lot of pace that centre halves used to
hate. When we got the ball down on the deck, playing it in between the full
back and centre halves we were a quite unstoppable partnership.</span></em></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During your years at Stoke the
club when through a somewhat turbulent era, including narrowly avoiding
relegation on the final day of the 83-84 season, followed by a disastrous
following season with only 3 wins. Mick Mills was drafted in during the 1985-86
era and although he had alot of critics he did steady the boat at Stoke, what
were your memories of him as a manager and was he the best manager you ever
played under?</span></span></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With regards to the 84-85 season it
was a case of throwing to many youngsters in at the deep end too quickly. I
think the senior pros became dejected early on after the miraculous escape the
previous season and didn't give us youngsters the support that we needed. The
training was a shambles that year which didn't help in the slightest. From a
personal point of view I came out of the season with some strong performances
against the likes of Mills, Perryman, Neal, Gidman playing in 34 games that
year.</span></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Mick Mills arrived the following
year he did a great job in steadying the ship under extreme financial
pressures. Mick came in at left back and instantly gave my game a great lift
with his vision and experience. It was this 2 year period where I played my
best football for Stoke, Mick gave me the confidence and belief that I could
become a top player. Sadly he had to retire and then I struggled to get a
partnership going with new left backs.</span></em></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What was the best Stoke game out
of your 200+ appearances and why?</span></span></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best game from a personal point of
view was Oldham away in 85; I was on fire that day and scored the best goal of
my career running from the half way line beating about 5 players (probably only
3)! and walking it around the goal keeper. From a team’s point a view it was a tossup
between the Man U 2-1 home win in 84 or the Leeds 7-2 thrashing at home in 86,
both memorable games and victories.</span></em></span><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There has always been talk that
table topping Everton were interesting in signing you, was there any substance
in this and if so do you regret not signing for them?</span></span></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everton apparently did come in for me
at the end of the 85-86 season. They made a bid of £150,000 for either me or
Neil Adams, Mick Mills made the decision at that time, wisely or unwisely to
sell Neil and to keep me. It was the era of no agents and I was none the wiser,
there was no question of putting in for a transfer I was a local boy playing
for my local club and at that time was really enjoying it.</span></em></span><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are your thoughts how Stoke
City are currently doing and do you get down to the Britannia stadium to watch
them?</span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm really pleased to see Stoke doing
so well at the moment and be back to the position where I first joined them in
the early 80's. I go up to watch them about a dozen times a year and have
followed them to the Wembley trips, Tel Aviv and am going out to Spain to the
Valencia game shortly. I'm an active member of SCOBA, Stoke City Old Boys
Association where several times a year the old boys meet up to watch games, put
on functions and raise money for local charities or any Stoke or Vale ex pros
who are in need of financial support.</span></em></span><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After Stoke you played for the
likes of Oxford, Cardiff and Aldershot, what was the highlight of your football
career?</span></span></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The highlight of my career was always
playing for Stoke, being born in Longton and to go on to play for your home
club was always the ultimate.</span></em></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you have any regrets during your playing career? And if so what?</span></strong><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking back now the only regret I
have was not having the chance of joining Everton, at the time they were the
champions of England and I feel that I would have gone to the next stage of my
development playing and training with such a squad of talented players.</span></em></span><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently we have seen Paul Scholes
coming out of retirement because he apparently missed the game, how did you
feel when you retired and did you miss playing, indeed do you still miss
playing?</span></span></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I retired from the game at the early
age of 28, at the time I had no regrets, I was young and had started a business
that needed my full time attention. It was not till some time later when I was
about 37 that I started playing again and missed the game. I took my coaching
badges getting my UEFA 'B' badge, played a bit of non league and veterans
football, even today at 47 I still turn out for Oxford United veterans which I
thoroughly enjoy.</span></em></span><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who was the best player you ever
played with or against and why?</span></span></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>The best player I played with for me
personally was Mick Mills he helped to develop my game so much, another team
mate was Mark Chamberlain he had two or three seasons where he produced some
stunning performances. The best player I played against was Chris Waddle, he
ran the whole show when we came up against him (he also had a nice mullet</em>)!</span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally what are you upto
nowadays? Are you still involved in football?</span></span></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I run 2 successful businesses,
one is an import/distributor business where we import china ceramics,
distribute them to garden centres and department stores in Britain. The other
is a china and cookware store in Bourton on the Water in the Cotswolds. I have
recently just finished coaching The Oxford Universities Football team and now
spend my time watching the game and attending SCOBA functions.</span></em></span><br />
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</div>@ultimatestokefchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00275706620681998970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1552896454852753037.post-89705182459886430182012-01-10T06:53:00.000-08:002012-01-10T13:12:32.111-08:00The Long And Winding Road To Liverpool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5qQhq0XFU7pWSNuhS5hku_gbczRPd2is6bfhTyLsIWxfycgpiEa5zbRf8U8RJBPoyHt7WfJgw3N4rxeCcajFjR8MuU629-9yDfMn7YarASsPPj_uJH78xwe9RnKV3GvyqvuxgcOAPDfT/s1600/lpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5qQhq0XFU7pWSNuhS5hku_gbczRPd2is6bfhTyLsIWxfycgpiEa5zbRf8U8RJBPoyHt7WfJgw3N4rxeCcajFjR8MuU629-9yDfMn7YarASsPPj_uJH78xwe9RnKV3GvyqvuxgcOAPDfT/s1600/lpool.jpg" /></a></div>
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So this Saturday the mighty Potters take the short trip up the M6/M62 to Liverpool. In our 3 seasons in the Premier league at Anfield we have 1 draw and 2 defeats, with 0 goals been scored by the Potters.<br />
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This report takes a light hearted look at Liverpool and what the away fan should expect upon arrival in the city enclosed by the River Mersey. <br />
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There are still arguments as to the origin of the city's name, Liverpool. Some people believe the terminology originates from the words large pool while others are adamant its from the different plants and birds (the flying type!), those such as the famous Liver bird. <br />
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For those Stokies making the trip up to Liverpool, we suggest getting the train they run regularly from Crewe. Upon arrival into Lime Street Station, you exit onto Lime Street itself where you are met by the stunning view of St Georges Hall dating back to 1794. <br />
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Of course Liverpool is made by the people, and these lot provide lots of entertainment. Most refer to them as scousers, even Liverpudlians call themselves scousers. They are the butt of endless jokes and digs, seen as hard nosed and really dont like those Manc's along the M62. There own language is no different to our old Potteries dialect and they are proud to use it. <br />
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We suggest first port of call is the Crown Hotel Pub to the left of Lime Street, here you can grab yourself a quick 'bevvy' (beer), and get chatting to some 'auld baigs' (older women!). Once you have had a few bevvy's there we suggest you cross the road and nip into the Wetherspoons by St Johns bus station, always rammed on a Saturday and provides great 'scran' (food!). You can get well and truly 'bevvied' (drunk) in there and if you fancy any 'jargged' (fake/knock off) clothing then just head into St Johns precinct opposite!<br />
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After the Weatherspoons, we suggest you head for the Ship and Mitre on Dale Street, a fantastic old mans pub serving quality real ale, its about a 10 minute stroll but well worth it. When you are ready you can 'go ed' (get going) and jump a taxi to the match alternatively if you have a good pair of 'drabs on' (trainers) then it is a brisk couple of mile walk up Scotland Road. <br />
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There will be many sites in Liverpool and the 'to do' thing for scouse girls is walk around town with their hair in rollers, some with pyjamas on doing shopping and the must have is the famous scouse brow (a ludicrous looking drawn on eyebrow!), although we do admit scouse women are stunning, although a lot of these, who have orange tans hang around places like the Newz bar trying to sleep with celebs, in Liverpool they are referred to as 'slaperazzi'. <br />
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In the taxi to the ground, if you see any over weight people they you can shout out the window and call them 'fat waps', although they will probably tell you to 'do one' (go away!)<br />
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Hopefully the Potters can continue their great form of late and pick up 3 points. So have a great time, get bevvied up, watch the bizzies and dont act like a better beaut!<br />
<br />
COYS<br />
<br />@ultimatestokefchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00275706620681998970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1552896454852753037.post-45601434917539480872012-01-10T05:55:00.000-08:002012-01-11T10:51:09.619-08:00Michael Uchebo - One For The Future Or The New Demba Ba?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQwjPFKpB-PZsQ5TanjNDi3q1d9Zp2Lsnple6mSSK0r4yFyMbqaVYu-LD1LM8ZNUr1AwLAtN0fd_4-NrlMYEUAsiZRJ_BeUExQJLjvyt7pfNfzg_4g2lWwH3yDUbWvT9dpzAlmu0pqic2/s1600/uchebo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQwjPFKpB-PZsQ5TanjNDi3q1d9Zp2Lsnple6mSSK0r4yFyMbqaVYu-LD1LM8ZNUr1AwLAtN0fd_4-NrlMYEUAsiZRJ_BeUExQJLjvyt7pfNfzg_4g2lWwH3yDUbWvT9dpzAlmu0pqic2/s320/uchebo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So it was confirmed yesterday that Michael Uchebo, the 6ft 8.5 inch Nigerian born striker was finally at the Potteries for a trial and chat with mananger Tony Pulis. Uchebo is out of contract at the end of the season with his current club VVV Venlo, a team that play in the dutch Eredivisie.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Have we heard of VVV Venlo before? Well in 2010 they did sign a 1 year old baby, Baerk Van Der Meij for a scoring a hat trick in that youtube video that went viral worldwide ( <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31pxEs64z9s">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31pxEs64z9s</a>) for that he was rewarded a ten year contract!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So we wanted to find out more about Michael Uchebo, the man dubbed the new Peter Crouch, although his goal scoring record is nothing to write home about, 37 played, 5 scored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So I put some questions to Hans Huijis the Chairman of the official VVV Venlo supporters club. He are his responses:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>So tell me about VVV Venlo are they are successful dutch club?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />VVV-Venlo is club wich was founded in 1903. It is a club which is located in Venlo, in the south-east of Holland. Venlo is a small city of about 100,000 inhabitants. VVV-Venlo play at Seacon stadion -de Koel- with a capacity of about 8,000 spectators. <br /><br />VVV is playing at the highest level now for the third season in a row. The were promoted to the "eredivisie" (Dutch Premier League) after their second championship (1993 and 2009) in the dutch first division. The years before have been both successfull and less success full as well. Before 2006-2007 they played in the first division for 13 years and finished in last place once. First division in Holland has no relegation those days so they stayed up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">VVV have had some successful years. They won the cup in 1959 and had several chances to qualify for the Uefa cup. But they never succeeded. They also won some legendary matches against Ajax and Feyenoord (search at youtube for "VVV-Ajax sneeuw". a legendary match on a pitch loaded with snow and a 3-0 victory).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Now up at the highest level since 2009 but still a modest club and they trying to grow. They are planning to build a new stadium for about 17,500 spectators wich should be ready by the start of season 2014-2015. Till then expectations are not to big. Try to stay up. It doesn't matter how, just stay up! The best way at this moment is to buy cheap (foreign) talents and give them a chanche to play in the eredivisie. One example is Keisuke Honda, a Japanese star, who started his European career in Venlo. An other name is Ahmed Muse, recently sold to CSKA Moscow (like Honda).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /><strong>What are the fans general thoughts on Michael Uchebo?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />We hope to sell Michael asap! His contract ends at the end of this season, so this is the only possible way to earn a bit of money on this guy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>What are Uchebo's best skills and qualities?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">He's strong and can make beautiful moves in small spaces. Sometimes he's very clumsy (I guess because of his long legs) but sometimes it looks very clumsy and then he manages to get out of the situation in a beautiful way. He needs assists to score goals. I think he needs to be a bit more patient and he needs a bit of good luck to get into really good form. And, of course, teammates who make him a better player!<br /><br /><strong>Will his departure be a big loss for VVV Venlo?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />No, I don't think so. Because of the money aspect. £1 million is a huge amount of money for modest club VVV and they will be able to get new players for less money (and hopefully sell them in future). VVV does also have another Nigerian striker, Uche Nwofor, who is even a bigger talent. We hope he will get his chance!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /><strong>Do you think Uchebo has the ability or the promise to make it at the highest level in the Premier League?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />That is very difficult to say. At first I would say "no". But we've only see him play with these teammates. Stoke is a diffent team, with different players who will probably make Michael a better player. So he might make it at this level. He is also a young player. He is not very experienced so give him a chance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>What will VVV Venlo do with the transfer fee, are they a selling club or would they reinvest for new players?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />Like I said before: Reinvest in new players. First goal is to reinvest in players so that we stay up, second goal is to invest in players and make a profit out of that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /><strong>Finally what are Venlo fans' thought on Stoke City Football Club? Do they get much coverage over in the Netherlands?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In the south east of Holland I think there aren't a lot of people who really know Stoke (including myself). Off course they know Stoke because of the possible transfer of Michael Uchebo but I doubt if they know Stoke plays European football in the Uefa league. There is some coverage of the Uefa league on pay tv with not to many viewers so Stoke doesn't get much airtime. However, it is increasing since they reached the Uefa league!</span> </div>@ultimatestokefchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00275706620681998970noreply@blogger.com0