How Stoke City could vote down fiercest rivals as old boy Verlinden sees red in new setback
Stoke City are likely to be asked to vote on plans for three-team promotion from the National League - and as the outcome will also dictate relegation from League Two, they could inadvertently be having a huge say on the future of their biggest rivals.
Admittedly, Port Vale are more focused on winning promotion from the fourth tier this season, handily placed in sixth but just three points outside the automatic promotion places. However, if their fortunes should dramatically change for the worse in the near future, then Stoke’s vote along with those of all Championship clubs could be crucial.
The Mirror reports that EFL chiefs have opened the door to the National League's "three-up" campaign, while insisting their plans must be part of a “broader package of reforms” to benefit the whole of the pyramid.
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The report adds: “All 72 National League clubs - including the likes of Oldham, Altrincham, Southend and Hartlepool - have backed a letter to the EFL asking for an extra promotion place into League Two from next season.
“This would be revolutionary for the National League as it would see three clubs go up and three go down rather than the current two. National League bosses believe it would create a more fluid promotion and relegation.
“The EFL are sympathetic to the campaign, but it would require a vote from all clubs to introduce an extra place. It also requires an additional vote - and majority - from Championship clubs as it represents a change to the statute.”
The additional vote is where Stoke City come in - provided they are still a Championship side come the end of the season. It remains unclear what the EFL see as a “broader package of reforms”, but a league spokesman added: “Recognising the strength of the pyramid, the league has been consistent in its commitment to looking both upwards and down when considering future changes.”
A National League spokesman responded by saying: “Our clubs have now made it abundantly clear that they see no reason for a further delay on the official process, so we’d now like that to actually happen.”
Anderson goes West
He may be the son of an England icon, but that does not mean Stoke City academy defender Freddie Anderson will be donning the Three Lions himself.
The 18-year-old son of Nottingham Forest legend Viv Anderson, the first black player to be selected for England, has been called up for a USA under-20s training camp taking place in West Palm Beach, Florida later this month.
Anderson, who marked his Stoke first team debut by scoring against Carlisle United in the Carabao Cup last August, qualifies to play for the USA through his mother.
The USA youngsters are preparing for the FIFA World Cup in Chile later this year, and the week-long camp from January 19 will include time training with Mauricio Pochettino's senior men’s squad and a friendly against MLS club Nashville SC. Anderson is currently on loan in Ireland, moving to Cork City on loan for the whole of the League of Ireland Premier Division season.
Verlinden on the move
Thibaud Verlinden was tipped to have a big future as a youngster at Stoke City from 2017 to 2021, but things didn’t work out for the Belgium age group forward. Instead, he left the Potters after an injury-hit four years only to suffer more career frustration at both Fortuna Sittard and DAC Dunajská Streda.
It was a move back to Belgium from the Netherlands that finally got his career back on track, the now 25-year-old finding his feet at Beerschot. In three years since 2022, he played 89 games for the club, scoring 14 goals and registering an impressive 25 assists as they won promotion last season. It has been tougher this term, however, and now Verlinden has moved on again, joining Leicester City's Belgian sister club OH Leuven. Not that it could be Verlinden without a significant twist as he made his debit for his new club.
The website One Football reports: “Any lingering hopes that Beerschot had of survival in the Belgian Pro League have been dealt a huge blow by the departure of their star player, Thibaud Verlinden.
“The former Stoke City winger was a key member of the side that won promotion last year and has been a standout player for the side so far in a disappointing season. However, he is now gone, with fellow strugglers OH Leuven deciding to trigger a purchase option on the player's contract."
Verlinden made his OH Leuven debut against high-fliers Club Brugge on Saturday - only to see red and infuriate his new manager, former Wales national coach Chris Coleman. His marching orders came on the hour for a tackle on opposition winger Christos Tzolis, prompting Coleman to predict: "The next step is that contact will no longer be allowed in football."
