Episodes

  • 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
  • Tom Cannon & Ben Wilmot: Live Audience Show from Ricardo's Bar

    Tom Cannon & Ben Wilmot: Live Audience Show from Ricardo's Bar
    Jan 9 2025
    Tom Cannon and Ben Wilmot joined Rob Adcock on stage in Ricardo's bar at the bet365 Stadium for Potters' Pod's first show in front of a live audience. Tom talks about his lifelong ‘rinse and repeat’ obsession with football and how, despite interest from rival clubs spanning the length & breadth of the land, Stoke City was an easy sell. Ben, meanwhile, talks through an early career Italian job with Udinese, warming up the Stevenage Borough goalkeepers at the age of seven and why he enjoys being Ben Wilmot, not just Richard Wilmot’s son. 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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    57 mins
  • Ryan Shawcross (Part 2): Being a Bona Fide Stokie, Spoiling Steven Gerrard’s Swan Song and Life in Miami with David Beckham

    Ryan Shawcross (Part 2): Being a Bona Fide Stokie, Spoiling Steven Gerrard’s Swan Song and Life in Miami with David Beckham
    Dec 19 2024
    In Part 2 of our interview Ryan Shawcross, the former Potters’ captain discusses leading his side to a memorable 6-1 victory over Liverpool, getting to know David Beckham in Miami and why he speaks from bitter experience when telling Stoke’s current crop of youngsters they might only get one chance. Currently Lead Coach of the Club’s U21s, Shawcross reveals why being a defender is too stressful to ever enjoy playing, becoming a proper adopted Stokie, and why, despite many opportunities, he never wanted to leave. The club legend reveals why he’s a tough ‘no silver spoon’ parent, how injuries during his latter career left his body ‘shot to pieces’ and why saying what he sees has always served him well. You can listen to Part 1 of our interview with Ryan here 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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    31 mins
  • Ryan Shawcross (Part 1): The Pulis Influence, Promotion, Three Lions and The Highs & Lows of Football

    Ryan Shawcross (Part 1): The Pulis Influence, Promotion, Three Lions and The Highs & Lows of Football
    Dec 5 2024
    In this episode of Potters’ Pod, Rob Adcock is joined by our former defender and current U21 coach, Ryan Shawcross. Ryan reflects on how his time at Stoke City began under Tony Pulis and how a squad full of players with something to prove helped define the team’s gritty identity. He reveals ways in which the Championship is actually tougher than the Premier League, opens up about the whirlwind of being called up to the England squad at just 21 and why both Pulis and Mark Hughes were the right managers at the right time. He also recounts the terrifying presence of Fabio Capello, the mythical magic of Rory Delap’s long throw, FA Cup and European adventures and how the Potters’ family supported him during the toughest moments of his career. Part Two is on the way soon, 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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    48 mins