And so it turned out to be as Stoke were very average and with seventeen draws they finished in eleventh position as Taylor struggled to find his most successful team.

[1] Dennis Herod and Leslie Johnston both joined Shrewsbury Town and Jock Kirton left for Bradford City.

[1] There was then, a distinct mid-table look about the Stoke City squad as the 1953–54 season got underway and Taylor like so many other managers heard of the impressive young duo at nearby Crewe Alexandra that of Johnny King and Frank Blunstone.

[1] Stoke did however manage to record their highest league away win beating Bury 6–0 on 13 March 1954 at Gigg Lane.

[1] After soundly beating Hartlepool United 6–2 in the third round with Frank Bowyer scoring four Stoke lost to Leicester City after a replay.