Stoke & Staffordshire

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  1. 'Straightaway I got that feel-good factor' - Cresswell

    Aaron Cresswell playing for Stoke City vs Burnley.Getty Images

    Stoke City defender Aaron Cresswell says he felt "straightaway the feel-good factor" in the club after joining in July.

    Cresswell left West Ham after 11 years with the club and has started both the opening two games for the Potters.

    The 35-year-old has praised his new teammates and the club's start to the campaign.

    "We've had a fantastic start to the season, no doubt about it, but it's only the start. We're not getting complacent or anything like that; we know how tough this division is, and we have just got to be ready for every challenge.

    "Every team will bring a different strength and weakness and we have to go into that full of positivity and ready for the next challenge.

    "Since I've been here I've watched the games, obviously I missed a couple, but the lads were excellent in those games, beating Burnley at home and drawing with Wolves and a couple of other games we've played, but it's a start, and that's all it is,

    "I can only speak for what I've experienced up to now, but straightaway I got that feel-good factor, and the positivity around the place feels right; that's the way I'm feeling. The group, the fans and everything about it feels so positive at the moment, and we want to keep it that way."

    Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds

    BBC Sounds

  2. A large orange and cream coloured brick building with a "Civic Centre" sign over the top. It is viewed from the road, next to a traffic light-controlled junction.

  3. A brown and white dog sits in the middle of a field and looks to our right. The dog's ears have been cropped.

  4. A stock photo of a woman on a powered mobility scooter outside in a park

  5. A man with short grey hair smiles at the camera. Behind him is a blurred background including trees and houses.

  6. A still of a dashcam video showing an unmarked police car alongside another car. A white van can be seen in the background, with trees either side of the road.

  7. 'Something we should have done years ago' - fans react to new Stoke crest

    New Stoke City crest

    Stoke City supporters have given their thoughts on the club's new crest for the 2026-27 season.

    The Potters have been liaising with fans and conducting a voting process in which supporters could opt to keep the existing badge or change to one that has been newly designed by the club.

    A vote from supporters resulted in 68% being in favour of the new identity, which is inspired by the badge that was used from 1977 to 1992, while 32% wanted to keep the current crest.

    "I think it's something we should have done years ago, I know there's the 1863, but we have to have some recognition of the city with the Pot bank, the Staffordshire knot, I think that's part of us," a supporter told BBC Radio Stoke.

    "I'd definitely buy a shirt with that badge on if it comes out next year."

    The new club badge hasn't been devoid of criticism from some supporters.

    "Being completely transparent, there are probably a couple of things about the badge that I don't particularly like and that I would change if I had that power," another supporter said.

    "Ultimately those very changes that some people would probably want to make, would be unfavourable to a lot of other supporters."

    Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds

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  8. A Google street view of a rural road in the middle of fields and hills, viewed from a junction. On the left are several houses, a fence and road signs.

  9. Burton's Fin Delap celebrates with keeper Kamil Dudek after Burton's win on penalties

  10. A woman sits on a sofa with her head in her hands.

  11. Tamworth v Truro City

  12. Sue Vaughan in her cafe. She is behind the till and we can see tea and coffee making facilities behind her. She has her arms folded and does not look happy. She is wearing a white, summery top and a baseball cap. She is wearing glasses and has a necklace on with a large gem.

  13. A picture compilation shows chefs Si King and James Martin. A red stamp on the side says "event cancelled" and has been placed over a plate of food. In the background, one can see the countryside and a big Ferris wheel.

  14. A woman with a white helmet and wearing a blue denim jacket, a green lanyard, a yellow top and with a rucksack over her shoulders, smiles as she stands next to a man wearing a white helmet, black leather jacket, jeans and a blue zip-up top. They are standing next to a green fence and some scaffolding.

  15. A butterfly with red and gold wings with black spots, sits on a yellow flower.

  16. "It will need to be better" - Robins wants more from Stoke despite 100% start

    Robins: 'It will need to be better'

    Stoke boss Mark Robins says his side need to keep getting better after claiming two wins from their first two Championship matches of the season.

    Following a 3-0 success at Sheffield Wednedsay, the Potters' boss told BBC Radio Stoke: "I thought it was a brilliant, hard-fought win, and the three goals don't tell the full story of the game.

    "Today was always going to be hard, but we wanted to start quick and that early goal settled everything.

    "We spoke about coming out in the second half and getting another goal to see the game off, and we hit the bar and forced their keeper into some good saves too.

    "We won 3-0, we have six points and one goal conceded [in two games] but there is still room for improvement. It's very early and we have played two teams who are tough to play against, but it will need to be better."

  17. 'It's just the start for the Potters'

    Mark Elliott
    Stoke City commentator for BBC Radio Stoke

    Million Manhoef celebrates his goal against Sheffield WednesdayRex Features

    So much of the talk before kick-off centred on the planned protests by Wednesday fans desperate to see an end to the problems that have blighted their club's summer.

    In the end, Stoke managed to silence most of the whistles and boos pouring down from the crowd aimed at Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri by scoring early, right in the middle of the supporters' intended demonstration.

    From the moment Million Manhoef gave Stoke the lead the result seemed set.

    For him personally, it was a reminder of what he can do, with new arrivals Sorba Thomas, Jamie Donley and Lamine Cisse all set to threaten the Dutchman's place in the side.

    It was a nicely taken goal, slotted in at the near post and showed the close control and balance that can set Manhoef apart from most in this league when he's at his best.

    Too often Manhoef has flattered to deceive in a Stoke shirt but his second goal, attacking the far post following Divin Mubama's strike further underlined his potential.

    A fit and motivated Manhoef could be a real asset for The Potters this season.

    Mubama is a goal scorer. His movement and work rate are excellent and he has a knack of finding space in the box. He scored for the second successive game and could have had another two with close range headers. His loan from Manchester City looks like a great piece of business.

    Stoke hit the bar through Lewis Baker and Thomas was a constant threat from either wing. They were very effective going forward but were also grateful to Viktor Johansson who made three good saves to keep the game comfortable.

    The opening two games offer real hope that Stoke can compete at the right end of the table this season and after the game, manager Mark Robins said he's determined that his side will continue to improve.

  18. The Red Arrows fly over a topiary garden with a military band performing for onlooking crowds. The jets have red, white and blue streaming behind them through a sunny sky. Banners with VJ DAY 80 are hung from the tall topiary cylinders and representatives of the armed forces in dress uniform stand to attention.

  19. A female child with long brown hair and a white top is getting a white plater stuck onto her arm following an injection. They person putting the plaster on is wearing light blue gloves, a pale blue top and has a pearl bracelet on one of their wrists.

  20. A long straight road with residential terraced housing on the right hand side. There is a car dealership on the left hand side with red and white banners on poles. There are cars driving in both directions on the road

  21. Million Manhoef celebrates scoring Stoke's third goal at Sheffield Wednesday

  22. A woman in a purple striped crop top is standing in an old pottery. Behind her, mats are laid on the cobbles and four children are spinning ribbons on sticks through the air. The woman has short curly hair.

  23. A man with short grey hair and goatee beard stands in a park. His white tshirt has a sun, palm tree and the letters WG forming a logo. Beneath the logo it says WINDRUSH GENERATION. There are trees and people playing cricket in the background on a sunny day.

  24. A woman wearing a white and green top stands in front of pieces of art. She is smiling at the camera. Behind her lies two paintings, as well as a piece of patchwork.