‘Stoke Lads 1990-92‘ is a photographic series by photographer Tony Davis that focuses on the supporters of Stoke City Football Club…

…during matches at the historic Victoria Ground in the early 1990s. It was the 90s, and Stoke City’s fans were revelling in the electric atmosphere only derby days generate.

Photographer Tony Davis was right there in the thick of things at the Victoria Ground, first for the visit of Birmingham City in September 1990, and then the Potteries local showdown with Port Vale in October 1992.

Davis remembers the tension before the games, the feeling that different rivalries would “kick off” at any time. Second and Third Division football, he says, away from the multi millions of the Premier League.

“Proper football; proper fans. You had standing terraces in parts and could turn up at five to three and pay on the gate. Stoke is a proper lads team. The fans had a reputation to protect and they were right up there with other notorious groups of supporters.” Tony Davis

Football culture, lifestyle and community | Photographic features and prints