The 1904–05 season was

Stoke Stoke is a common place name in the United Kingdom. Stoke may refer to: Places United Kingdom The largest city called Stoke is Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire. See below. Berkshire * Stoke Row, Berkshire Bristol * Stoke Bishop * Stok ...

's 16th season in

the Football League The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in Engla ...

. There was no relegation worries for Stoke this season due to the First Division being expanded to 20 clubs for the 1905–06 campaign. Stoke struggled for consistency and finished in a mid-table position of 12th after picking up 30 points.

Season review

League

The summer of 1904 saw a further exodus of players, including

Arthur Capes Arthur John Capes (23 February 1875 – 26 February 1945) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Bristol City, Burton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Stoke. Capes played with his brother Adrian at Burton Wanderers ...

who left for

Bristol City Bristol City Football Club is a professional football club based in Bristol, England, which compete in the , the second tier of English football. They have played their home games at Ashton Gate since moving from St John's Lane in 1904. The ...

and

Leigh Richmond Roose Leigh Richmond "Dick" Roose, Military Medal, MM, (27 November 1877 – 7 October 1916) was a Welsh international association football, footballer who kept goal for a number of professional clubs in the English Football League, Football League b ...

who went to Everton. There was now a distinct lack of quality players available within the club and with these two major departures, the now despondent Stoke supporters saw very little hope of improvement out on the pitch.

Tom Holford Thomas Holford (22 February 1878 – 6 April 1964) was an English footballer who played for Stoke, Manchester City, Port Vale and the England national team. His primary position was wing-half, but over the course of his career he played in ma ...

took over captaincy whilst

Jack Whitley Jack Whitley (1880–1955) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Aston Villa, Chelsea, Darwen, Everton, Lincoln City, Leeds City and Stoke. Career Whitley was born in Seacombe, Cheshire, and played amateur football ...

arrived as first choice 'keeper from Everton. James Sheridan an Irish International forward also came in from Everton, but never fitted in at the

Victoria Ground The Victoria Ground was the home ground of Stoke City from 1878 until 1997, when the club relocated to the Britannia Stadium after 119 years. At the time of its demolition it was the oldest operational ground in the Football League. History ...

although he did win an Ireland cap whilst at Stoke becoming the clubs first capped Irishman. Jack Hall another recruit signed from Newark, in October 1904 and his seven goals were only exceeded by

Fred Rouse Fred Rouse may refer to: * Fred Rouse (gridiron football) (born 1985), gridiron football wide receiver * Fred Rouse (footballer) (1881–1953), English footballer *Fred Rouse, 1921 lynching victim, see lynching of Fred Rouse {{hndis, Rouse, ...

who was top scorer with 12. Not being able to field a settled forward line was a major problem for manager

Horace Austerberry Horace Denham Austerberry (1868–1946) was an English football manager who managed Stoke. Career Austerberry was born in Hanley and worked at St. John's school as assistant schoolmaster to former Stoke manager Thomas Slaney. It was Slaney who ...

and 12th place in the division was the final outcome in an inconsistent season.

FA Cup

Stoke went out of this season FA Cup in the second round after being well beaten 4–0 at home to Everton.

Season review

League

FA Cup

Final league table

Results

Legend

Football League First Division

FA Cup

Squad statistics

References