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Bae Junho shows class with fans who made 5,500-mile trip to watch Stoke City
Stoke City this weekend welcomed a 50-strong delegation from South Korea for a chance to watch Bae Junho.
Junho showed his potential in a draw with in-form Millwall, setting up a fifth league goal so far this season into the bargain which puts him joint-top in the Championship assists charts. They have all come during Narcis Pelach’s 10 games in charge, having missed the start of term as he recovered from a calf injury.
The 21-year-old playmaker was being cheered on by a group of his biggest fans, who had flown in from Seoul for this match and took their seats in front of the press box in the Franklyn Stand. Junho made a point of picking them out for a big wave at full-time then hopped up to the 1863 Suite to sign a load of shirts that had been snapped up in the club shop and spent the best part of half an hour posing for photographs and videos and staying for a chat.
READ MORE:Referee pundit gives verdict on Stoke City penalty and red card claim vs Millwall
Junho is now flying out to Kuwait for a World Cup qualifier with South Korea (Thursday, 2pm), then going to Jordan to take on Palestine (Tuesday, November 19).
Frank Soo takes place in Hall of Fame
Stoke legend Frank Soo has been inducted into the National Football Museum’s hall of fame this month, recognised as a pioneer for footballers from South East Asia as well as superb player in his own right.
Soo, whose dad was a Chinese sailor and grew up in Liverpool, made his name in Stoke’s great midfield of the 1930s and who knows what would have happened with him and Arthurs Tutin and Turner behind Freddie Steele and Stanley Matthews if it hadn’t been for the Second World War.
Relatives and supporters walked from Frank Soo Street by the old Victoria Ground to the bet365 Stadium in his honour ahead of Stoke’s game against Derby, when his story was told on Sky Sports.
It was fitting that Stoke had two star performers on the day from East Asia; Junho and Japan’s Tatsuki Seko and former Stoke boss Steven Schumacher, on TV duty, said: “I think we will see more Asian players coming over and playing in our top leagues. Those two players in particular are both really talented.
“I think what’s important to remember as well as that it takes time to settle in. Bae Junho last season was an outstanding season for us but it took a little while to get going, as has been the same with Tatsuki. We brought Tatsuki in at the end of the transfer window and just the language barrier, culturally how they fit in, what food they eat and how they settle in the local area means that people have to be mindful that it might take a while to get going. But those two players are certainly talented.”
Stoke City Women on a roll
High-scoring Stoke City Women have now won eight games in a row after they rolled over Halifax 4-0.
Millie Ravening and Evie Priestley scored twice in an emphatic performance which puts Stoke fifth at the half-way point of a congested National League. They are tied in points with Rugby Borough, in third, and Burnley, in fourth, four behind Nottingham Forest and six adrift of leaders Wolves, who have played a game more.
Coach Marie Hourihan said: “We weren't happy with our start, albeit we played four of the top five in our first few games of the season. It was difficult during a period when we were looking to develop relationships in a new-look squad and build that consistency which underpins success.
“We are certainly seeing that now and we are in a good position but this league is relentless and it's got some top teams in it so, if we want to stay a part of that group and be in the mix, then we've got to maintain our standards.”
Stoke are next in action against Forest at the City Ground next Sunday (2pm).
Tribute to Malcolm Clarke
We have managed to get hold of a bespoke fanzine that was produced by the Football Supporters’ Federation to pay tribute to Stoke-supporting long-serving chairman Malcolm Clarke.
It’s a super read. Over 22 years, Malcolm has led the fight for supporters on issues such as Game 39, defeating the idea to play an extra Premier League fixture for each club abroad; Hull City’s then-owners to turn their name to Hull Tigers; the introduction of a £30 price cap for away tickets in the top flight; the legalisation of safe standing; and increasing the number of FA Cup final tickets for supporters of the two clubs involved.
There is a note, too, from Stoke’s chief operating officer Simon King, who said: “We are grateful as a club to Malcolm for his long-standing contribution to important support matters, both in the Potteries and at national level, and I know that sentiment is shared by many of our fans.
“Locally, he helped to create a successful structured dialogue model, the supporters’ council, 15 years ago, and has now gained a place on our recently revised model, Stoke City Connect.
“Malcolm’s passion and supporter-centric approach has improved experiences for his fellow fans while also providing key insights and feedback that have been of real benefit to Stoke City.”
Anniversaries this week
November 11 – birthday: John Devine (65)
November 11, 1995 – 4-2 win over Southend: Justin Whittle (first league appearance), Simon Sturridge (hat-trick)
November 11, 2006 – 1-0 win over Crystal Palace: Luke Chadwick (final league appearance)
November 12, 1938 – 3-1 win over Aston Villa: Arthur Turner (final league appearance)
November 13 – birthday: Des Backos (74)
November 14, 1999 – 1-1 draw with Bristol City: Chris Short (final league appearance)
November 15 – birthdays: Bryan Small (53), Kevin Wimmer (32)
November 16 – birthdays: Steve Bould (62), Paul Barnes (57)
November 16, 1974 – 4-2 win over Luton Town: John Farmer (final league appearance)
November 17 – birthday: Peter Bullock (83)
