Twinned with Reykjavik: Stoke City FC: the Icelandic Years 1999-2006

The book "Twinned with Reykjavik" explores the rollercoaster ride of Stoke City's seven years under the Icelandic consortium, including flashy arrivals, cup successes, broken curses, flop signings, and fallouts. It examines whether the takeover was a success for the club, with insights from players and fans.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2021
Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd

For Stoke City fans, the years leading up to 1999 were a dark and difficult period. Relegation, stagnation, embarrassment, and board conflicts became the norm at the club. As the new millennium approached, fans clamored for change, but no one could have predicted the seismic events that were about to unfold.

An Icelandic consortium, led by Gudjon Thordarson, set sail for the Potteries with a promise of exciting foreign imports and Premier League football. The arrival of this group marked a turning point for Stoke City, as they embarked on a journey of transformation and adventure.

The years that followed were a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with a mixture of flashy arrivals, cup successes, broken curses, flop signings, and plenty of fallouts. Stoke City became a living soap opera for seven remarkable years, with extraordinary on-field moments that captivated fans around the world. Cult heroes and villains were born, as the club's fortunes fluctuated wildly.

Twinned with Reykjavik, a new book lifts the lid on this rollercoaster ride, offering the views of the people who experienced the wild journey firsthand. Integral players and fans look back on the key moments that defined the era, as the book ponders the vital question: was the Icelandic takeover actually a success for Stoke City?

The Icelandic consortium brought a fresh perspective to Stoke City, injecting a sense of excitement and ambition into the club. They brought in a host of talented foreign players, including the likes of Peter Crouch, Glenn Whelan, and Jonathan Woodgate, who helped to transform the team's fortunes on the pitch. Stoke City enjoyed a period of stability and success, reaching the FA Cup final in 2006 and securing a place in the Premier League in 2008.

However, the Icelandic takeover was not without its challenges. Financial difficulties and mismanagement led to a period of instability, with the club struggling to compete with the bigger teams in the Premier League. There were also tensions between the Icelandic owners and the club's management, with disagreements over player transfers and coaching appointments.

Despite these challenges, the Icelandic takeover remains a controversial topic among Stoke City fans. Some argue that it brought a new level of excitement and success to the club, while others believe that it ultimately led to the club's downfall. The book explores these arguments and offers a balanced perspective on the era, providing insights into the successes and failures of the Icelandic consortium.

In conclusion, the period leading up to 1999 had been grim for Stoke City fans, but the arrival of the Icelandic consortium brought about a period of transformation and adventure. The years that followed were a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with a mixture of flashy arrivals, cup successes, broken curses, flop signings, and plenty of fallouts. While the Icelandic takeover was not without its challenges, it remains a defining moment in the club's history, offering a unique perspective on the rollercoaster ride that was Stoke City during the 2000s.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 145 x 224 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785317804