# 1998–99 Stoke City F.C. season

The 1998–99 season was Stoke City's 92nd season in the Football League and the fifth in the third tier.
Stoke entered a new era at their 28,000 seater stadium in the third tier of English football with heavy debts of around £5 million and had no manager the future seemed very uncertain. It came as a welcome surprise then when chairman Keith Humphreys appointed former Aston Villa manager Brian Little. And Little's new look side started the season on fire winning six straight matches as it looked like that Stoke would be too good for their Second Division opponents. By November it seemed a matter of when and not if Stoke would gain promotion but their form completely dropped off and just one win was registered from the end of November to March. Chief executive Jez Moxey was now coming in for some serious pressure to resign by the supporters due to the poor finances and with no chance of promotion Stoke finished in 8th place with 69 points. Little had since lost interest way before the end of the season and he resigned in July leaving Stoke to find another manager.

## Season review
### League

Chief executive Jez Moxey predicted that Stoke would lose around £1 million a year through being in the Second Division, such was the price Stoke had to pay after poor financial mismanagement on moving to the Britannia Stadium. In an attempt to retain fan interest, season ticket prices were frozen and chairman Keith Humphreys apologised for the past nine months of "bloody awful football" and he also appealed to the supporter group S.O.S (Save Our Stoke) to lift their ban on season tickets and merchandise. SOS wanted to starve out the current board and force them to sell in order to breathe fresh life back into the club. It came as a welcome surprise then when chairman Keith Humphreys appointed former Aston Villa manager Brian Little. Accepting that there was hardly any money available, Little signed players from the lower leagues such as Bryan Small, Phil Robinson and David Oldfield.
Little's new look side started the 1998–99 season with a bang, winning their first six matches which included a 4–3 win at Preston North End and saw Stoke installed by the bookies as promotion favourites. However a remainder that the club still had incompetent people working there when Jez Moxey revealed that they had budgeted for three rounds in the League Cup, Stoke lost to Macclesfield Town in the first round and therefore lost some £125,000. On the pitch Stoke's run came to an end at Fulham and new signing Chris Short had breathing problems and had to be carried off, which would disrupt the balance of the team and his condition would eventually end his career. Up front the goals dried up with Kyle Lightbourne out injured and Simon Sturridge retiring the injuries slowed Stoke's progress and David Oldfield was having a poor time and became a target for the fans.
It was becoming frustrating for Stoke as promotion rivals Fulham spent £2 million on Barry Hayles whose goals would win them the title, and Stoke on the other hand had to rely on free transfers and loans as well as academy players. Stoke won one game between Christmas and the beginning of March, dropping out of the play-off places. Little was very unimpressed and after a 2–0 defeat at Millwall, who won despite having nine men for most of the match said: "That was the worst result in my twelve years in management". More protests by the supporters followed against Moxey and the directors as Stoke's slim hopes of making the play-offs ended with a humiliating 4–1 defeat at home to Bristol Rovers and Stoke finished the season in 8th place. Brian Little resigned in July 1999 saying: "I have tried my best and the disappointment is very hard to take. I hope the supporters understand that it's best that I leave". He soon joined West Bromwich Albion meaning that Stoke would at least get some compensation.

### FA Cup

Stoke won their first FA Cup away tie in 26 years against league rivals Reading alas normal service was resumed in the next match a defeat at Swansea City.

### League Cup

Stoke met nearby Macclesfield Town in the first round and came away embarrassed as the "Silkmen" won 3–2 on aggregate.

### League Trophy

After beating Blackpool Stoke lost 2–1 at home to Rochdale.

## Final league table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 6 | Wigan Athletic | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 75 | 48 | +27 | 76 | Qualification for the Second Division play-offs |
| 7 | Bournemouth | 46 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 63 | 41 | +22 | 76 | |
| 8 | Stoke City | 46 | 21 | 6 | 19 | 59 | 63 | −4 | 69 | |
| 9 | Chesterfield | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 46 | 44 | +2 | 64 | |
| 10 | Millwall | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 52 | 59 | −7 | 62 | |

## Results

Stoke's score comes first

### Legend

| Win | Draw | Loss |

### Football League Second Division

| Match | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
| 1 | 8 August 1998 | Northampton Town | A | 3–1 | 6,661 | Kavanagh (pen) 7', Thorne 63', Crowe 83' |
| 2 | 15 August 1998 | Macclesfield Town | H | 2–0 | 13,981 | Crowe 25', Thorne 36' |
| 3 | 22 August 1998 | Preston North End | A | 4–3 | 11,587 | Crowe (2) 50', 85', Kavanagh (2) 69', 72' (pen) |
| 4 | 29 August 1998 | Oldham Athletic | H | 2–0 | 12,306 | Keen 22', Lightbourne 90' |
| 5 | 31 August 1998 | Colchester United | A | 1–0 | 4,728 | Kavanagh 78' |
| 6 | 5 September 1998 | Bournemouth | H | 2–0 | 13,443 | Thorne 70', Crowe 76' |
| 7 | 8 September 1998 | Fulham | A | 0–1 | 12,055 | |
| 8 | 12 September 1998 | Millwall | H | 1–0 | 12,307 | Lightbourne 90' |
| 9 | 19 September 1998 | Wrexham | A | 1–0 | 7,290 | Wallace 78' |
| 10 | 26 September 1998 | Blackpool | H | 1–3 | 15,002 | Crowe 69' (pen) |
| 11 | 3 October 1998 | Reading | A | 1–2 | 13,089 | Whittle 69' |
| 12 | 12 October 1998 | Chesterfield | H | 0–0 | 10,557 | |
| 13 | 17 October 1998 | Lincoln City | A | 2–1 | 6,159 | Robinson 59', Sigurðsson 52' |
| 14 | 20 October 1998 | Bristol Rovers | A | 0–1 | 6,752 | |
| 15 | 24 October 1998 | Wigan Athletic | H | 2–1 | 11,480 | Kavanagh 52', Griffiths 53' (o.g.) |
| 16 | 31 October 1998 | Notts County | A | 0–1 | 8,546 | |
| 17 | 7 November 1998 | Luton Town | H | 3–1 | 12,964 | Oldfield 3', Forsyth 37', Lightbourne 90' |
| 18 | 10 November 1998 | Burnley | A | 2–0 | 10,575 | Lightbourne 47', Thorne 62' |
| 19 | 21 November 1998 | York City | H | 2–0 | 11,795 | Forsyth 30', Oldfield 35' |
| 20 | 28 November 1998 | Wycombe Wanderers | A | 1–0 | 6,023 | Kavanagh 79' |
| 21 | 12 December 1998 | Gillingham | H | 0–0 | 17,233 | |
| 22 | 19 December 1998 | Walsall | A | 0–1 | 9,056 | |
| 23 | 26 December 1998 | Preston North End | H | 0–1 | 23,272 | |
| 24 | 28 December 1998 | Manchester City | A | 1–2 | 30,478 | Sigurðsson 31' |
| 25 | 9 January 1999 | Northampton Town | H | 3–1 | 11,180 | Wallace 56', Thorne 74', Lightbourne 84' |
| 26 | 23 January 1999 | Colchester United | H | 3–3 | 12,507 | Gregory 30' (o.g.), Lightbourne 34', Sigurðsson 42' |
| 27 | 29 January 1999 | Manchester City | H | 0–1 | 13,679 | |
| 28 | 6 February 1999 | Bournemouth | A | 0–4 | 7,637 | |
| 29 | 20 February 1999 | Millwall | A | 0–2 | 7,855 | |
| 30 | 27 February 1999 | Wrexham | H | 1–3 | 10,765 | Sigurðsson 82' |
| 31 | 6 March 1999 | Blackpool | A | 1–0 | 5,504 | Lightbourne 34' |
| 32 | 10 March 1999 | Reading | H | 0–4 | 8,218 | |
| 33 | 13 March 1999 | Luton Town | A | 2–1 | 5,221 | Kavanagh (2) 10' (pen), 17' |
| 34 | 16 March 1999 | Fulham | H | 0–1 | 12,298 | |
| 35 | 20 March 1999 | Notts County | H | 2–3 | 9,565 | Oldfield 68', Keen 90' |
| 36 | 27 March 1999 | Wigan Athletic | A | 3–2 | 4,133 | Thorne 54', Kavanagh 80', Strong 88' |
| 37 | 3 April 1999 | Lincoln City | H | 2–0 | 12,845 | Thorne 21', 65' |
| 38 | 5 April 1999 | Chesterfield | A | 1–1 | 5,290 | Oldfield 32' |
| 39 | 10 April 1999 | Bristol Rovers | H | 1–4 | 17,823 | Thorne 41' |
| 40 | 14 April 1999 | Wycombe Wanderers | H | 2–2 | 6,569 | Wallace 38, Oldfield 61' |
| 41 | 17 April 1999 | York City | A | 2–2 | 4,142 | Kavanagh 10' (pen), 85' |
| 42 | 24 April 1999 | Burnley | H | 1–4 | 10,965 | Crowe 31' |
| 43 | 27 April 1999 | Macclesfield Town | A | 2–1 | 3,825 | Oldfield 31', Crowe 50' |
| 44 | 1 May 1999 | Gillingham | A | 0–4 | 8,289 | |
| 45 | 4 May 1999 | Oldham Athletic | A | 0–1 | 5,015 | |
| 46 | 8 May 1999 | Walsall | H | 2–0 | 12,091 | Connor (2) 24', 50' |

### FA Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
| R1 | 14 November 1998 | Reading | A | 1–0 | 10,095 | Lightbourne 27' |
| R2 | 5 December 1998 | Swansea City | A | 0–1 | 7,460 | |

### League Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
| R1 1st Leg | 11 August 1998 | Macclesfield Town | A | 1–3 | 2,963 | Kavanagh 10' |
| R1 2nd Leg | 19 August 1998 | Macclesfield Town | H | 1–0 | 6,152 | Thorne 78' |

### League Trophy

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
| R1 | 8 December 1998 | Blackpool | A | 2–0 | 1,759 | Kavanagh 10' (pen), Thorne 76' |
| R2 | 2 February 1998 | Rochdale | H | 1–2 | 7,661 | Crowe 88' |

## Squad statistics

| Pos. | Name | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | League Trophy | Total | Total | Discipline | Discipline |
| Pos. | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | | |
| GK | Stuart Fraser | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | Carl Muggleton | 40 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| GK | Gavin Ward | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Clive Clarke | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Lee Collins | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| DF | Jason Kavanagh | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Nicky Mohan | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| DF | Ben Petty | 9(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11(2) | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| DF | Ally Pickering | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Phil Robinson | 39(1) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43(1) | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| DF | Chris Short | 19(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21(2) | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| DF | Lárus Sigurðsson | 38 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
| DF | Bryan Small | 35(2) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41(2) | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| DF | Steven Tweed | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Ray Wallace | 11(20) | 3 | 0(1) | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12(22) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| DF | Justin Whittle | 9(5) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10(5) | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| DF | Steve Woods | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| DF | Ashley Wooliscroft | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Richard Forsyth | 13(5) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 16(6) | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Robert Heath | 7(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Graham Kavanagh | 36 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 42 | 13 | 10 | 2 |
| MF | Kevin Keen | 43(1) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 47(2) | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| MF | Neil MacKenzie | 3(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 3(4) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | James O'Connor | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 4(1) | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| MF | David Oldfield | 43(3) | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48(3) | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| MF | Greg Strong | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| FW | Paul Connor | 2(1) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(1) | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Dean Crowe | 19(19) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 21(19) | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Kyle Lightbourne | 28(8) | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 31(8) | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| FW | Simon Sturridge | 1(2) | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(1) | 0 | 2(4) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Steven Taaffe | 1(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Peter Thorne | 33(1) | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 38(1) | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| – | Own goals | – | 2 | – | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | – | 2 | – | – |