Potters' Pod: The Official Stoke City Podcast

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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Stoke City goalkeeper Frank Fielding joins Rob Adcock for a brilliantly unpredictable edition of Potters’ Picks. And true to form, his all-time XI is packed with personality and stories of the characters which make up a team from the stopper’s career.Opting for a classic 4‑4‑2, Fielding digs into a career spent across the Premier League and EFL to assemble a team full of leaders and cult heroes. You can expect:

A surprise choice in goal based on years of shared dressing‑rooms

A centre‑back pairing featuring a born leader and a future England international

A midfielder whose pre‑match routine is the stuff of legend

A winger whose raw talent never stopped turning heads

And a front line featuring two forwards with totally different, but equally unforgettable, stories

Frank also picks the perfect ‘proper’ football ground to host his dream match, debates the essentials of a matchday kiosk (including a passionate case for Bovril), and reveals the one type of pie he absolutely will not entertain. Full of warmth, nostalgia and typical Fielding humour, this episode offers Stoke fans a brilliant insight into the teammates, tales and moments that shaped his journey.If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to leave a review or share it with a fellow Stokie.
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Potters’ Picks is here! A brand new companion series to Potters’ Pod, giving Stoke City players and favourites the chance to build the ultimate fantasy football match.

In the inaugural episode, Aaron Cresswell steps up to create his dream all‑time XI from almost two decades in the professional game and a career that spans more than 600 matches, more than half of which were played in the Premier League.

With plenty of difficult decisions to make in a star-studded line-up, the former England international has built a team stacked with talent and character.

He and host Rob Adcock go beyond the pitch too, deciding on:

Where in the world this one‑off match is played and why

The half‑time food and drink every fan should be allowed to enjoy

Who delivers the half‑time show

Which manager is trusted to lead this star‑studded XI

A post-match night out only Vegas could handle

It’s not just names you’ll hear from the Potters’ defender, expect stories from his time as a Hammers’ hero, Three Lions camps, and the dressing rooms that shaped his career, with plenty of nods to Stoke City connections.

In a career littered with success at the highest level, the high calibre defender also has the dilemma of whether to include himself in his XI.

If you enjoy the first ever Potters’ Picks, don’t forget to leave a review and share it with a fellow Stoke fan.
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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. 
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