Sorba Thomas: Player of the Year, Proving People Wrong and Finding a Home at Stoke City

Sorba Thomas: Player of the Year, Proving People Wrong and Finding a Home at Stoke City

Sorba Thomas’ journey to Stoke City has been anything but straightforward and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. In this episode of Potters’ Pod, the winger reflects on being named the Club’s Player of the Year and why that recognition from supporters means so much after a season built on relentless work ethic and honesty on the pitch. He discusses growing up in London, the influence of his family, and the early setbacks that shaped his mentality, including the moment he walked away from football entirely before rediscovering his love for the game. Sorba opens up on his unconventional route through non-league, balancing football with jobs in retail and construction, and how those experiences still shape his mindset today. There are insights into his time at Huddersfield, the pain of a play-off final defeat, and what it was like stepping onto the World Cup stage with Wales, which was a dream he’d held since childhood. He also explains why Stoke City feels like a “second home”, the impact of Mark Robins and the dressing room culture, and how he’s embraced both responsibility and expectation as a leader within the squad. There are heartfelt messages from key figures in his journey, reflections on being misunderstood, and plenty of personality from City’s Welsh wizard on the wing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Tommy Simkin: Martial Arts, Mentality and His Mission to Make It at Stoke

Tommy Simkin joins Rob Adcock for this episode of Potters’ Pod to reflect on a remarkable rise through the game, from martial arts world champion to exciting young Stoke City goalkeeper.  Simkin talks through his early life in a fiercely competitive sporting family, the influence of his dad’s martial arts background, and how that shaped the mentality that now defines him on the pitch. He opens-up on his rapid development, including stepping into men’s football at just 16 with Hanley Town, learning his trade out on loan, and the experiences that toughened him up both on and off the pitch.   There’s insight into Wembley heartbreak with Walsall, the realities of the lower-leagues, and how those moments helped shape his mindset. The conversation also covers his journey with England, including what it’s like to be part of an international setup packed with elite talent and the experience of lifting a trophy for his country. Simkin also reflects on breaking into Stoke City’s first team, the role senior players have played in his development, the influence of Viktor Johansson and Frank Fielding and what it means to represent the Potters. There’s also plenty of insight into dressing room culture, life away from football, and the grounded mentality that continues to drive him forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Erik Pieters: Stoke Felt Like Home, Life After Football and the Battles You Don’t See

In one of the most open and powerful conversations in Potters’ Pod history, former Stoke City defender Erik Pieters joins Rob Adcock to reflect on a career, and a life, shaped by resilience, perspective and honesty. From growing up in a tiny village in the Netherlands to playing in the Premier League and Champions League, Erik takes us on his journey through football’s highest highs and its most difficult moments. He speaks candidly about career‑defining injuries, missed international tournaments, and how learning to process emotion has reshaped the way he views both football and life. There’s extensive reflection on his six years at Stoke City; why the club immediately felt like home, what made the Mark Hughes era dressing room so special, and how a core group of leaders helped redefine the Potters’ identity in the Premier League. Erik also shares memories of playing alongside and learning from true club legends, and why those years now feel even more special with the benefit of hindsight. Away from the pitch, Erik opens up about retirement, identity after football, family life, and the most challenging period he and his wife have faced, a story he tells with remarkable honesty in the hope it helps others. He explains why speaking out matters, why “real men do cry”, and why mental health support must continue to evolve in the modern game. This is a thoughtful, emotional and deeply human episode, one that goes far beyond football, while remaining rooted in everything that made Erik’s time at Stoke City so meaningful.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Robert Bozenik - Potters’ Picks: The National Team Captain, a Premier League Veteran and a Surprise Pick Up Front

Stoke City striker Robert Bozenik steps up for his episode of Potters’ Picks, choosing his dream XI from across a career that’s already taken him through five countries and the heart of the Slovakia national team setup. Rob talks us through the players who shaped him, including a national team skipper, a Premier League mainstay, and a midfielder he says is “impossible to defend against”. There’s even a surprise inclusion for one attacking role… and a very familiar face leading the line. Rob shares stories of life inside the Slovakia camp, reflects on his development at Stoke City, and explains how a certain Dutch icon from his Feyenoord days ended up influencing his game more than anyone else. If you want more from Rob, including his journey from Slovakia to the bet365 Stadium, adapting to life in England, and the teammates who’ve helped shape him, you’ll also find his full Potters’ Pod interview in this feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Robert Bozenik: Five Countries, Fierce Determination and Finding Home at Stoke City

From a small Slovakian village near the Polish border to the roar of 55,000 fans in Rotterdam, Robert Bozenik’s journey to Stoke City has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of Potters’ Pod, the striker opens up about the values instilled in him from childhood; hard work, humility and never expecting anything for free, and how they shaped the player Potters fans see today. Robert reflects on his rapid rise at Žilina, a whirlwind move to Feyenoord as a teenager, and the tough injury spells that taught him resilience and patience. He talks candidly about life in Portugal, learning new languages, regaining his rhythm at Boavista, and why swapping sunshine for Staffordshire rain felt like the right step at the perfect time. From bonding with Viktor Johansson through injury rehab, to linking up with compatriot Tomas Rigo, Robert shares why he felt “at home” at Stoke from day one. There’s insight into the dressing room’s biggest characters, the teammates he’d least like to face as an opponent, and what he’s learned from legends like Steven Nzonzi and the club’s coaching staff. There’s even a story about pastries, Portuguese hospital conversations, and an ill‑fitting pair of trousers that changed his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]