Potters' Pod: The Official Stoke City Podcast

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

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

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

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

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