Stoke City Message Board

It was started many years ago by TJ,(no, not tom jones) a supporter, following heavy away...

It was started many years ago by TJ,(no, not tom jones) a supporter, following heavy away defeats to Norwich (5-2) and Nottingham Forest (5-0 ..i think) at the beginning of the season.

The song was sung in 'despair' at our plight of sufference. The song caught on and began to be sung as a recognised 'anthem' for supporters in defiance of our performances and then it evolved ironically, full circle to be sung at moments of celebration or encouragement and simply to state 'we are here, we are stoke'

The first time i heard Delilah sung by fans of The Mighty Potters was back in the late ...

The first time i heard Delilah sung by fans of The Mighty Potters was back in the late '80s at the end of a drab away match against Plymouth. This was a memorable day as all the pubs in Plymouth itself were shut, and on asking a local where we could get a drink, he replied "You'll have to go into Stoke village...!!" This we did, and enjoyed a few pints with the locals (wink wink!) in a pub called the Stoke Arms!!!
After a poor match, we were kept locked in the ground for some time, and Delilah was sung. I went to most matches, home & away, that season, and hadn't heard Delilah sung before that afternoon, but it was certainly sung at matches from then on.
This may well not be the first time it was sung, but certainly was my first experience of what is now an absolute classic Stoke F.C. theme tune. The very best rendition was after the Autoglass trophy sucess over Stockport, courtesy of a Mark Stein wonder goal. 30,000 plus Stokies were silent as a long term fan T.J(!) started us off, whilst the wembley score-board stated "T.J. sings Delilah...!!
Memorable moments of the lean times of being a Stoke fan, when true supporters still travelled in numbers to the lesser known football grounds. Life in the Premiership is a lot different, but the singing of Delilah remains loud n proud!! GO-ON-STOKE!!

I think you will find it started back in 84

I think you will find it started back in 84

Afraid you are all wrong, it started way back in the late 80's, when Leek Town F.C. we...

Afraid you are all wrong, it started way back in the late 80's, when Leek Town F.C. were doing well, and they went to Wembley for the F.A. Trophy. On the way they even beat Stafford Rangers, who were a very good Conference side at that time. The players, manager (Neil Baker) and back-room staff would gather in the bar after the cup matches, and my brother (the then physio, Jim Robinson) often led them in the sing-songs, of which Delilah was one. It was then carried over to Stoke City, and every time I hear it it reminds me of Leek's halcyon days, with Mozzer, Smithy, etc.

The story I heard was that it was on the juke box in a pub near the ground before a home m...

The story I heard was that it was on the juke box in a pub near the ground before a home match, a bunch of lads sang along with it, later at the match, bored and full of ale sang it again and it caught on...!