Episodes

  • Ben Pearson: Scaling fences, Grand Designs and doing ANYTHING to win

    Ben Pearson: Scaling fences, Grand Designs and doing ANYTHING to win
    Jul 3 2025
    Stoke City midfielder Ben Pearson charts his story from scaling the fence of his Oldham primary school and working under Sir Alex Ferguson & Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United, to a future life in property developing and “wanting to win so badly” every time he plays for Stoke – all this and more on the latest episode of Potters’ Pod, the only official Stoke City Podcast. The former Man Utd, Barnsley, Preston North End and Bournemouth man recalls how 2am starts working in a local bakery didn’t deter his Dad from putting in the hours to help Ben work on his football, and how training with a star-studded Red Devils first team allows City’s number four to empathise with youngsters taking similar steps in ST4 today. Ben also discusses genuinely living the old cliché of never looking too far ahead, how his win at all costs “game mode” and off-field personality are completely at odds and why he plans to step fully away from the game at the conclusion of his playing career. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or a review, and be sure to subscribe to or follow the podcast to be notified of all future episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Peter Odemwingie: Flying in to make his Stoke debut, “Peter Crouch stole my goal!” and the lasting impact of THAT deadline day

    Peter Odemwingie: Flying in to make his Stoke debut, “Peter Crouch stole my goal!” and the lasting impact of THAT deadline day
    Jun 5 2025
    Popular Premier League Potter, Peter Odemwingie talks candidly to Rob Adcock for an hour of raw and unmissable insight from his time at the bet365 Stadium. The former striker vividly recalls the circumstances surrounding his earliest moments as a Stoke City player; from flying in to make his debut, to the details of the kit, even down to what boots he was wearing on the day. Peter provides a fresh take and explains why perception was far from reality following media coverage of his failed deadline day move from West Bromwich Albion, and the lasting impact it had for better and for worse. He also discusses his journey into coaching, playing professional golf, how his own life experiences are leading to an all-encompassing approach to parenting – and calls out Peter Crouch for stealing one of his goals! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or a review, and be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast to be notified of all future episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Liam Lawrence (Part 2): Potters’ pride, a Pulis pre-season, major mistake and a home for life

    Liam Lawrence (Part 2): Potters’ pride, a Pulis pre-season, major mistake and a home for life
    May 22 2025
    This is the second part of Rob Adcock’s conversation with Liam Lawrence. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, go and check that out to set the scene here. In this section, Liam discusses his arrival at the Club, promotion and survival against the odds and the celebrations which followed. A proper Premier League Potter, our former winger also revels on reflection at the resilience he gained from a Tony Pulis pre-season and reveals how the manager used the infamous bookmakers paying out on relegation to spur City on to a memorable inaugural Premier League campaign. Now back in ST4 developing the next generation of young Potters, Lawrence also discusses his reasons for leaving the Club back in 2010, a move which transpired to be the biggest regret of his career. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or a review, and be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast to be notified of all future episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • Liam Lawrence (Part 1): Learning Life’s Lessons, Falling Out with Roy Keane and Answering Tony Pulis’ Call

    Liam Lawrence (Part 1): Learning Life’s Lessons, Falling Out with Roy Keane and Answering Tony Pulis’ Call
    May 8 2025
    In this episode of Potters’ Pod, Rob Adcock is joined by our former winger and current U21s Assistant Manager, Liam Lawrence. This first instalment is all about getting to know Liam as a person. We hear how his early family life and tough upbringing shaped the person he is, about learning costly but valuable lessons as he rose through the football ranks, and how he is now using his own past experiences to educate the next generation in ST4. Liam tells us how a clash with a one-time idol brought an end to his time at Sunderland and we end part one hearing how he finally answered Tony Pulis’ call and agreed his move to Stoke City. Part Two is on the way soon, where the story of Liam’s talismanic time as one of the lads in red and white will be discussed in detail, so make sure you’re subscribed to Potters’ Pod to get notified when the next episode is released! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Junior Tchamadeu: Parental Sacrifice, The Wow Factor of Stoke City and Being The Barking Boy Who Bounced Back

    Junior Tchamadeu: Parental Sacrifice, The Wow Factor of Stoke City and Being The Barking Boy Who Bounced Back
    Apr 3 2025
    Junior Tchamadeu has articulated an immense debt of gratitude to his Mum and Dad as he becomes the latest player to tell his story on Potters’ Pod. The full-back charts his life from Barking beginnings and the torture of the trapdoor at Charlton, to a dream debut for Colchester United at the age of 16 and being mentored by Wouter Burger in the Stoke City changing room today. The parental sacrifices that forged the formative stages of his footballing career is a recurring theme for City’s number 22, who articulates his sense of duty to repay those that helped put him in his current position. Tchamadeu also opens up to Rob Adcock about the massive importance of his faith, walking into Stoke City and thinking ‘wow’, and the ‘unimaginable’ pride and ‘beautiful experience’ of representing Cameroon. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or a review, and be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast to be notified of all future episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Ali Al-Hamadi: Growing up in Toxteth, becoming a role model in Iraq and a full circle move to the Potteries

    Ali Al-Hamadi: Growing up in Toxteth, becoming a role model in Iraq and a full circle move to the Potteries
    Mar 6 2025
    Stoke City’s number nine, Ali Al-Hamadi, joins Rob Adcock in the latest episode of Potters’ Pod. The 23-year-old takes listeners back to the beginning as the oldest sibling of three living in Toxteth, Liverpool where he was handed a peculiar nickname by his junior team. The striker speaks of the sacrifices he made to become a professional footballer, the privilege of being the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League and being a role-model in the country of his birth. Ali shares his first impressions of Stoke City after joining in January, singing along with the ingenious chant the Potters’ faithful quickly bestowed, what his teammates fined him for in week two and why his move to the Potteries was a ‘full circle moment’ for his family. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or a review, and be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast to be notified of all future episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Frank Fielding: Fun-time Frankie

    Frank Fielding: Fun-time Frankie
    Feb 6 2025
    Stoke City goalkeeper Frank Fielding joins Rob Adcock in this episode of Potters' Pod. Frank talks about his career journey, starting at his boyhood club Blackburn Rovers where he was mentored by goalkeeping legends Brad Friedel and Paul Robinson. Now, in the latter years of his own career, Frank talks about working alongside Viktor Johansson and gives his opinion on the heights that the talented Sweden goalkeeper could reach. He also lifts the lid on the regimented fine system in place in the Stoke City dressing room, with each case being judged for punishment! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or a review, and be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast to be notified of all future episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Mark Robins: United Strength is Stronger

    Mark Robins: United Strength is Stronger
    Jan 17 2025
    The newly appointed Manager of Stoke City, Mark Robins, joins Rob Adcock for a special episode of Potters’ Pod. From winning trophies and managing injuries, to ironing newspapers and living the life of a fugitive, Robins relives his playing days at home and abroad. He goes on to reveal how sustained success in the dugout, after nearly going under in his maiden management role, continues to prove the late Graham Taylor right. A chance meeting with Lou Macari and access all areas treatment from "top man" Tony Pulis were steps along the way to the bet365 Stadium for the former Coventry gaffer. Now he explains how an eagle eye for a player, a knack for building successful sides and being unapologetically direct can be his secrets for success in ST4. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or a review, and be sure to subscribe or follow the podcast to be notified of all future episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr