[1] With Alfred Barker still manager of the club there were high hopes that the 1912–13 season would see Stoke come good in the top division of the Southern League.

[1] William Smith, who had been such a key player in attack missed most of the season through injury and his absence proved costly as Stoke had a very poor forward line.

[1] Only 14 goals were scored in the first 15 matches (4 against Watford) summed up Stoke's problems and there was no upturn in fortune after Christmas and relegation was duly suffered and it was back to the drawing board once more.

[1] The directors eventually accepted life in the Southern League Division Two again but fans vented their anger at them in the annual general meeting.

[1] Stoke's miserable season also included a first round exit to fellow Southern League side Reading.