Potters' Pod: The Official Stoke City Podcast

Ashley Phillips’ footballing life has, at every turn, been characterised by the need to learn life lessons, and do it fast.   In this episode of Potters’ Pod, the defender reflects on growing up in Salford, the sacrifices his mum made to help him chase a football dream, and the moment he realised he needed to push himself if he wanted to make it as a professional. He talks through his breakthrough at Blackburn, saying ‘no’ to Spurs before ultimately joining the Premier League giants a year later and how he adjusted, at the age of 18, to life in London.  Ashley discusses learning from elite players at the Lilywhites and why regular first team football continues to be key to his development. He explains the circumstances surrounding each of his two loan moves to Stoke, including the exclusive feat in the modern-day game of keeping his signing a secret until the moment it was announced. Phillips speaks of why the dressing room environment makes the Potters feel like home and why he is infinitely grateful to club legend Ryan Shawcross. Away from the pitch, there’s plenty of talk about gaming, an NFL obsession, darts, digs, and the friendships he has formed through football.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the carefree adventures of a diehard fan to the “enormous responsibility” and “absolute labour of love” of being the Club’s owner and Chair, John Coates has lived a life as a Potter like no other. While other interviews during the course of the year provide updates on the present-day direction of the Club, this episode of Potters’ Pod is something completely different, providing a comprehensive insight into the person and fan. In a world where English football club owners hail from all corners of the globe, John was born and bred locally and fulfilled his earlier years as a Potter with travels to Football League stadiums the length and breadth of the land. From the windscreen blowing in on a rickety old coach to Peterborough, to open terrace triumphs and travails and a spontaneous Ford Escort foray to Italia 90, Coates tracks his time as the most avid of Stoke City supporters. The Club Chair, whose ownership of the Potters is characterised by multi-million-pound investments each year, recalls navigating dodgy Center Parcs phone reception whilst brokering the deal to take over the club back in 2006. From that point on, fans can live the story of the ensuing years candidly and uniquely through the eyes of an owner, whose passion for Stoke City remains undimmed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bosun Lawal has spoken of his gratitude to the Potters for their patience during his injury hit inaugural campaign, admitting that many clubs wouldn’t have signed him and that what followed was the hardest period of his career to date. The 22-year-old has rewarded Jon Walters for his long-term thinking in completing the Irishman’s transfer from Celtic during the summer of 2024 despite a stress fracture of the back, with a sequence of stellar performances in a strong City start to the current campaign. During his stint in ST4 to date, Lawal has featured as a full-back, a wing-back, a central midfielder, a striker and most prominently at the heart of the defence, and in this episode of Potters’ Pod, Lawal discusses what he believes is his best role. He also talks about the importance of his faith, what he likes to do in his down time, and what life was like at Celtic working under the likes of Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or a review, and be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast to be notified of all future episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reverend Geoff Eze makes a special guest Potters’ Pod debut to host a profound and thought-provoking discussion with a trio of Potters to mark Black History Month. First team star Sorba Thomas is joined by Pedro Nzau and Deandre Witter, both of City’s under-18s, on the panel. Collectively, the quartet reflect on how their heritage and identity has shaped their lives and careers, and recall the sights and sounds which remind them of their homes and journeys. From Sorba’s life-changing visit to Sierra Leone, to Deandre’s love for all things Jamaica and Pedro’s education of Angolan life from his parents, each individual tells their stories of the pride and respect they have for where they have come from. Meanwhile, they discuss how faith, in one case missing football matches for church, and self-belief have enabled them to overcome the challenge of performing in a world of opinion and scrutiny. This special episode not only tells the story of each individual but also the importance of celebrating black history and never forgetting your roots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What conversations did Divin Mubama have with Pep Guardiola before linking up with Mark Robins’ side on loan? For the young forward, this move is all about opportunity, ambition and a chance to prove himself in front of the bet365 faithful. In a wide-ranging interview, Divin opens up about the tragedy of losing a close friend at a formative age and how he uses that pain as a fuel for his ambitions in life.  He speaks about the pride he felt helping his childhood team West Ham United reach European glory in 2023, but how he knew he had to make the move to Manchester City when the opportunity arose. We hear about his interactions with the Sky Blues’ squad and the tips he’s already picked up from Pep Guardiola before he took the call from Mark Robins to bring him to ST4. Mubama talked about his burning desire to earn and retain his first team shirt week-in-week-out for the lads in red and white this season, and why he blames the Club’s media team for earning him his first fine as a Potter. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or a review, and be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast to be notified of all future episodes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices