Stoke City FC were the founder members of the football league in the years 1888, and they enjoyed some fine moments in the FA Cup, reaching the semi finals in 1899. In 1925, when Stoke on Trent became a City, the football club added ‘city’ to its name and it was not until the mid 1930’s when Stoke City made a real name for themselves. With young promising players at their disposal, such as Stanley Mathews and Freddie Steele, Stoke City reached the top flight in 1933 and soon established them selves as a first division football team. They finished the 1935 – 1936 league season off in fourth place, repeating that success once again in 1946, and their highest placing in the history of the club to this date. Their managers in the early years included, Bob McGrory and Frank Taylor.