Stoke Town Shamblers F.C

⚽️ 5-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT REPORT ⚽️

A slightly different challenge for the Shamblers this weekend… trading the big pitch for a 5-a-side tournament 😅
And in true Shamblers fashion, half the squad were still out at 5:30am 🍺
With no recognised keeper available, joint gaffa Russ rolled back the years at the ripe old age of 46 and stepped between the sticks 🧤👏
Meanwhile, too hungover to actually play, Tom Groves took on managerial duties from the sidelines like a budget Pep Guardiola 😆
The group stage was a mixed bag early on as the lads adjusted to new positions, tiny pitches and the scorching heat ☀️
But the Town got off to a winning start:
✅ Win 3–2
❌ Loss straight after after taking the foot off the gas
✅ Big 4–0 win in our best performance of the day
✅ Another 4–2 victory to top the group 💪
Into the quarter-finals we went, but after the break we never quite settled and eventually lost out to Bradwell.
Still, a cracking run-out for the lads and a much better showing than anyone expected after the previous night’s “preparation” 😂
🏅 Player of the Tournament: Lucas Durose
Calm on the ball, dictated play all day and looked levels above at times 👏
Not bad for a bunch of lads running on zero sleep and vibes 🍺⚽️


North Staffordshire Sunday Football League

🚨🧤 GOALKEEPER WANTED 🧤🚨
Stoke Town Shamblers FC are on the hunt for a new number 1… or at this point, anyone willing to dive towards a football without immediately pulling a hamstring 👀
What we offer:
⚽ A proper Sunday League atmosphere
🍺 Post-match “analysis” in the pub The All New Red Lion
🗣️ Defenders confidently shouting “KEEPER’S!” before leaving you in a 1v1
🥶 Questionable weather conditions
🏆 The occasional football masterclass mixed with absolute chaos
What we need:
🧤 Someone who can catch a ball
🧤 Someone who doesn’t mind muddy goalmouths
🧤 Someone available Sunday mornings
🧤 Bonus points if you can ping a 40-yard pass after conceding 3
Ability level?
As long as you’re reliable, loud enough to blame the defence, and don’t disappear after one bad game… you’ll fit right in 🤝
Training Thursday nights or Friday Night Social 🍻
Matches Sunday mornings ⚽
Drop us a message on our socials if interested 📩

North Staffordshire Sunday Football League

Like a few other clubs were also on the lookout for a goalkeeper 🔍
Drop us a message if you're interested.

Are you looking for a new challenge or a new Sunday league club for the new season?
Get in touch.

North Staffordshire Sunday Football League

And that's it another season done 👍🏼✅
A massive shout out to 85 Secret Garden for our sponsorship and The All New Red Lion for keeping the lads fed and well hydrated through the season 🙌🏼🙌🏼❤️

We truly appreciate your support.

⚽ MATCH REPORT ⚽

Stoke Town Shamblers 2 – 3 Travelers Rest

Final game of the season… and it had a bit of everything 😮‍💨
The Town started bright, taking the lead after 10 minutes. A lovely switch of play from converted centre-back Joe set Matt Coar free — a few tidy touches later and he drilled it low into the bottom corner. 1–0 👌
We had chances to make it two… but as always, didn’t take them 😅
Travelers grew into the game and pulled it back to 1–1 before turning it around to go into the break 2–1 up.
HT: 1–2.

Second half, same story… chances came and went, and Travelers made it 3–1.
But this is Shamblers. We don’t go quietly 💪
Aaron Taft stepped up with an absolute worldie from 20 yards 🚀 — keeper rooted, no chance. 3–2. Game on.
We pushed, we grafted, we threw everything at it… but Travelers held on.
Full-time: 2–3.
Not the result we wanted to end the season, but plenty of fight as always.
We go again next season. 💙🍺

⚽ MATCH REPORT ⚽
Stoke Town Shamblers 2 – 2 Foxley
Midweek madness!!

The Town started well and took the lead through Joe Birks, firing through a crowded box to make it 1–0 👌
Foxley hit back with a quality finish into the top corner — fair play, nothing stopping that. 1–1.
Then… chaos!
Bucko sees red after putting his in head the center backs face! 🤦‍♂️🟥
Somehow, the reactive punches flying around after were completely missed… so it stayed 10 vs 11.

Foxley took control with the extra man, kept the ball well and eventually made it 2–1 with a cross that found its way into the net.
HT: 1–2.

Second half, different story 💪
The Shamblers regrouped, stayed compact, let Foxley have it in front of us and worked as a unit. Proper disciplined stuff.
Chances started to come — a couple of corners we really should’ve buried 👀
But when you need a goal…
Mr Reliable Aaron Taft steps up and bags his 15th of the season ⚽🔥
From there, we held strong and saw it out for a hard-earned point with 10 men.
Full-time: 2–2

Massive effort. Massive discipline.
That’s Shamblers. 💙🍺

Some classic convos from Giannis

⚽️ Looking for a new team? ⚽️

Stuck watching from the sidelines? Fancy getting back into football? Or just want a good laugh on a Sunday? 👀

Stoke Town Shamblers FC are on the lookout for new players to join the squad!

✔️ Competitive football
✔️ Top lads & unreal team spirit
✔️ Goals, assists & the occasional worldie
✔️ Social side that’s just as strong as the football 🍻

Whether you’ve played for years or just fancy getting involved, we’d love to hear from you.

Drop us a message or tag someone who should be pulling on the shirt 👇

Up The Town 🔴🔵

LEAGUE CUP MATCH REPORT 🏆
Stoke Town Shamblers 5 – 5 Foxley
(Foxley win on pens 3–2)

Football. Bloody hell 😮‍💨
Foxley started fast and took the lead, controlling the opening 15 minutes before the Town could settle. But once we woke up, Aaron Taft produced a delightful chip to make it 1–1 👌
Foxley retook the lead after a defensive mix-up, but just before half-time Mat Guest popped up to level things again.
HT: 2–2. Game very much on.

Then came one of the maddest second halves you’ll ever see…
Foxley again edged in front for the third time, but then the moment of the day arrived.

Will Bossons entered the game after 18 months out battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma — and the impact was instant. Dictating play, lifting everyone, changing the tempo.
Not long after, Mat Coar made it 3–3…
Then the fairytale continued as Bossons himself got on the end of a great pass and put the Town 4–3 up. Goosebumps stuff 💙
Eight minutes left… but football loves a twist.
Foxley scored from a corner: 4–4.
Then with a minute to go, heartbreak — Foxley nicked another: 4–5.
Last kick. Kitchen sink thrown.
Out of nowhere… Aaron Taft volleys it home.
5–5. Absolute Scenes. 😆
On penalties, Deggy did his bit, but the fairytale ends here for this cup.

No moaning. No excuses. Heads held high.
We keep our integrity and wish Foxley all the best 🤝
I’m proud of every single person associated with this club.
We go again.

💙⚒️