Celebration of life for football club's late fans

A celebration of life service is being held for Stoke City supporters who died in 2025.

The commemoration at Stoke Minster on Saturday is ahead of the club's first home league fixture of the new year against Queens Park Rangers.

Friends and family of the deceased are invited to light a candle for them at the church, with images of the individuals also displayed on a big screen at the stadium before kick-off.

Stoke City's sporting director Jonathan Walters will give a reading at the minster, with other representatives from the football club, its academy and former players also amongst those attending the service.

The club recognises that the fanbase is not just about the people who sit in the stands, said Reverend Geoff Eze, who is involved in the service, alongside Lloyd Cooke, CEO of the local charity Saltbox, who is leading it.

"These are fans, that once they leave the Bet365, they go home to wives, to husbands, to sons, to daughters," said Eze.

"And sometimes as their names appear, as they have done, we remember that there is a whole plethora of people who have contributed to who this fan is."

There will be thread throughout the service about what it means to be a Stoke City supporter, he added.

Fans can arrive at Stoke Minster from 10:15 GMT on Saturday, with the service starting at 11:00 and due to finish at midday.

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