[1] With war on the horizon, there was debate as to whether football should be cancelled; it was not, but a number of clubs in the Southern League Division Two withdrew, claiming it to be 'unpatriotic'.

[1] Stoke had a good season and won the division with 38 points, which prompted the club to seek re-election to the Football League.

[1] Stoke, now under the management of 39-year-old Peter Hodge the former boss of Raith Rovers, led the Division from virtually from the start.

[1] An impressive start was made to the 1914–15 season and a draw against Brentford on Christmas Day was only the third point Stoke had dropped.

[1] Stoke's success prompted them to apply for election to the Football League at the annual general meeting held on 19 July 1915.