Stoke had an inconsistent season as they found themselves being able to score a good number of goals but at the same time conceded many as well, scoring 65 goals and conceding 64. Stoke's final league position in 1965–66 was 10th, a modest improvement on the previous campaign.[1]
Season review
League
The manager, chairman, directors and the supporters, all seemed happy with the squad for the 1965–66 season. But problems arose in defence as they started to concede a worrying number of goals with West Bromwich Albion hitting six while Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday all put four past a leaky Stoke defence.[1] However Stoke were also scoring an equal number of goals themselves as Northampton Town were beaten 6–2 with Ritchie again scoring four goals.[1] Stoke finished the season in a respectable position of 10th.[1] At the end of the season both Jimmy McIlroy and Bill Asprey left the club after having a good careers at the Victoria Ground.[1] The 1965–66 season also saw the introduction of the substitute, Stoke's first sub being Keith Bebbington.[1]
Stoke were drawn at home to Third Division side Walsall in the third round and were to shock Stoke with a 2–0 win.[1]Bobby Irvine played in the match and a produced a woeful performance and his mistake cost Stoke the match and also his Stoke career as he never played for the club again.[1]
League Cup
Stoke went out of this season's League Cup in the fourth round losing 2–1 away at Burnley after knocking out both Norwich City and Chesterfield.[1]
