Another Carling Cup test for Stoke

The Potters will be away at Cheltenham Town in the second round of the Carling Cup.

The Carling Cup has not been a happy hunting ground for Stoke for many years. We’ve seen the team go out to lower league opposition in the first round more times than we care to remember, but at least this year we’re in the second round, even if this is due to the fact that Premier League clubs aren’t involved until then!

This time around there is a trip to Whaddow Road and the home of Cheltenham Town to endure. We’ve never played the Robins in a competitive match before, the only other encounter being a 3-0 victory in a pre-season friendly back in 1996.

But there are a couple of links between the clubs. Their current manager, Keith Downing, played for the Potters for a year in the mid 1990’s making 22 appearances. Also, who can forget a certain Steve Cotterill who joined us from Cheltenham in 2002.

The match will be played on Tuesday 26th August with the kick-off at 7.45pm.