The team was in a hard relegation battle again and for the third time in four seasons Stoke required a final day escape and again they survived.

[1] Off the pitch, Stoke's financial problems continued after spending £2000 on a roof for the Butler Street Stand meaning that the season's budget was spent before a ball was kicked.

Arthur Lockett such a key figure in the side last season signed for Aston Villa, and although one or two other players were drafted in few looked to have any real class.

[1] Stoke's best signing was that of Fred Rouse from Grimsby Town who would eventually be sold for a profit.

[1] By January 1904 Mart Watkins had followed Lockett to Villa and at Easter time there was certainly an element of déjà vu about the position the club were in.