Potters' Pod: The Official Stoke City Podcast

In one of the most open and powerful conversations in Potters’ Pod history, former Stoke City defender Erik Pieters joins Rob Adcock to reflect on a career, and a life, shaped by resilience, perspective and honesty.

From growing up in a tiny village in the Netherlands to playing in the Premier League and Champions League, Erik takes us on his journey through football’s highest highs and its most difficult moments. He speaks candidly about career‑defining injuries, missed international tournaments, and how learning to process emotion has reshaped the way he views both football and life.

There’s extensive reflection on his six years at Stoke City; why the club immediately felt like home, what made the Mark Hughes era dressing room so special, and how a core group of leaders helped redefine the Potters’ identity in the Premier League. Erik also shares memories of playing alongside and learning from true club legends, and why those years now feel even more special with the benefit of hindsight.

Away from the pitch, Erik opens up about retirement, identity after football, family life, and the most challenging period he and his wife have faced, a story he tells with remarkable honesty in the hope it helps others. He explains why speaking out matters, why “real men do cry”, and why mental health support must continue to evolve in the modern game.

This is a thoughtful, emotional and deeply human episode, one that goes far beyond football, while remaining rooted in everything that made Erik’s time at Stoke City so meaningful. 
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Stoke City striker Robert Bozenik steps up for his episode of Potters’ Picks, choosing his dream XI from across a career that’s already taken him through five countries and the heart of the Slovakia national team setup.

Rob talks us through the players who shaped him, including a national team skipper, a Premier League mainstay, and a midfielder he says is “impossible to defend against”.

There’s even a surprise inclusion for one attacking role… and a very familiar face leading the line.

Rob shares stories of life inside the Slovakia camp, reflects on his development at Stoke City, and explains how a certain Dutch icon from his Feyenoord days ended up influencing his game more than anyone else.

If you want more from Rob, including his journey from Slovakia to the bet365 Stadium, adapting to life in England, and the teammates who’ve helped shape him, you’ll also find his full Potters’ Pod interview in this feed.
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From a small Slovakian village near the Polish border to the roar of 55,000 fans in Rotterdam, Robert Bozenik’s journey to Stoke City has been anything but ordinary.

In this episode of Potters’ Pod, the striker opens up about the values instilled in him from childhood; hard work, humility and never expecting anything for free, and how they shaped the player Potters fans see today.

Robert reflects on his rapid rise at Žilina, a whirlwind move to Feyenoord as a teenager, and the tough injury spells that taught him resilience and patience.

He talks candidly about life in Portugal, learning new languages, regaining his rhythm at Boavista, and why swapping sunshine for Staffordshire rain felt like the right step at the perfect time.

From bonding with Viktor Johansson through injury rehab, to linking up with compatriot Tomas Rigo, Robert shares why he felt “at home” at Stoke from day one.

There’s insight into the dressing room’s biggest characters, the teammates he’d least like to face as an opponent, and what he’s learned from legends like Steven Nzonzi and the club’s coaching staff.

There’s even a story about pastries, Portuguese hospital conversations, and an ill‑fitting pair of trousers that changed his life.
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Stoke City defender Ashley Phillips returns to the mic to build the ultimate five‑a‑side showdown.

Ashley selects two teams of five: one made up of the best teammates he’s ever shared a pitch with, and the other formed from the toughest opponents he’s faced in his young career. Expect bold calls, surprise inclusions and a few nods to his time at Stoke City.

There’s a surprise choice between the posts, a midfield maestro destined for the very top, and one former Premier League Golden Boot winner who had Ashley scrambling in training.

On the opponents’ side, Ashley lifts the lid on marking a much‑debated England international, chasing shadows against a veteran Premier League striker, and the moment he almost asked a Premier League winner for their shirt.Away from the teams, Ashley reveals:

Why his dream fixture takes place under the arch at Wembley

The superstar he selects for halftime entertainment

How the pace, personality and professionalism of elite players have shaped his own development

His pride in returning to Stoke City and why the club already feels like home

Packed with character, honesty and a few brilliant stories from inside the dressing room, it’s a must‑listen for Stoke City fans and anyone following Ashley’s rapid rise.
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In this special International Women’s Day edition of Potters’ Pod, we shine a spotlight on women playing an integral role at Stoke City — on and off the pitch.

Host Sam Fletcher sits down with four leaders from across the club:

•⁠ ⁠Steph Wakelin, Women’s & Girls’ Performance Director

•⁠ ⁠Sarah Richardson, Women’s First Team Head Coach

•⁠ ⁠Laura Nicholls, Director of Community Engagement

•⁠ ⁠Clare Buckley‑Prescott, Head of Safety Operations

Together, they reflect on their journeys into football; from childhood dreams to unexpected career pivots and the barriers, biases, and breakthroughs that have defined their paths.

They discuss the changing landscape for girls and women in the sport, the power of visibility, and why leadership should never be defined by gender.

There are stories of resilience, sacrifices made by families, imposter syndrome, and the pinch‑me moments that remind the quartet of how far both they and the game have come.

They share the pride they feel in representing Stoke City, the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation, and the advice they would give to young girls who dream of working in football.

It’s an honest, thought-provoking and inspiring conversation about determination, identity, community, and the women helping shape a more inclusive future for the game.
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