The Manchester Metropolitan University graduate was studying sport and exercise science when he took a door security job at Steam in Crewe.

Richie Skelding

Now, seven years later, as the owner of the same club he is hosting some of the biggest student nights in the region.

Richie (pictured), 27, never thought about owning his own business and was studying a course he hoped would lead him to become a personal trainer.

But the security job soon had him thinking about student nights and what would make them better.

He said: “It was seven years ago when I first started organising events.

“Steam was my first, it was a student night with cheap drinks and lots of games and fun for them.”

Three years ago he bought the club, previously known as Steam, with a business partner and renamed it Metz.

Now the not-for-profit club is attracting hundreds of students from Staffordshire, Keele and Manchester Metropolitan universities.

All the money made goes back into student events.

As a result Richie is having to work as a personal trainer as well to make ends meet.

“Every year has been better and better for us,” he added.

“Be honest, be ready to work hard for what you want and you need to know your market.”

Daniel Hyland, 20, a student from Staffordshire University, said: “I went to one of these student nights a few weeks ago and had a really good night.

“The prices were quite cheap, there were loads of people, it was well organised and overall a really good atmosphere.”

Yaya Toure’s scrambled goal sent the Potters home without a trophy.

But while the team’s performance left a lot to be desired, the fans once again stepped up and showed why the Britannia is the noisiest stadium in the Premier League

From 7am, fans gathered at the Britannia and Stoke railway station to begin their journey to the home of football.

Songs, banners and painted faces were the order of the day as the carnival spirit took hold.

StaffsLive were there to capture all the best moments.

We have teamed up with local band, Universal Thrift Club, to produce a StaffsLive TV tribute to the fans - the Pride of the Potters.

By Holly Ranford

The 20-year-old was travelling along the A522 Leek Road in a blue Toyota Yaris when he collided with a tree near the JCB site at 7am on Monday morning (May 16).

His two passengers, an 18 year-old man and a 19 year-old man, were taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where they were treated for minor injuries.

Thieves have targeted donation bags left on doorsteps by shops and from clothing banks in the city.

Hanley’s British Heart Foundation shop manager Julie Howell told Staffslive: “Incidents of theft of charity donations is well known in the area.

“We get a lot of bags stolen and it is on the rise. We are getting an increasing number of phone calls each week from the public alerting us.

“Our drivers must go out earlier and are extra vigilant.”

Last year the branch bought eight new defibrillators with the proceeds from the shop, but fear what future help they will be able to provide.

Donations have declined by 25% and theft is seen as the key reason. A new appointment-based collection service shows Stoke-on-Trent residents are still giving to charity, despite tough times.

Julie warned: “All our drivers have high visibility vests, ID and vans with logos on them, all other charities operate in the same way. If they don’t have these, don’t give your donations to them.

“It’s robbing people of the treatment and care they deserve.”

Staffordshire Police are currently working with charities to crackdown on donation thefts.

Watch the full report:

Lelia Atlasi

Lelia Atlasi, 26, from Brock Hollow in Sandbach, hopes to raise more than £5,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society, who help in the care and research of dementia.

Leila decided on tackling the highest freestanding mountain after a previous visit to Kenya when she was in high school.

“In 2002,  I  spent four weeks in Kenya. A part of that time was based at an orphanage on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, from there I could see Mount Kilimanjaro. I knew that one day I would climb it,” she told Staffslive.

“With the amount of sufferers increasing they need our support,” Lelia added.

Currently in the UK there are more than 800,000 people with Alzheimers but studies indicate this will reach over a million in the next 10 years due to an ageing population in the UK.

Lelia’s family have keenly supported the Alzheimer’s Society with the work they do due to her father’s experience of working with sufferers.

To prepare for the challenge, Lelia has been building her endurance on long walks but admits nothing can prepare her for the effects of altitude when she embarks on the 11-day trek in February.

Lelia’s fundraising efforts will be supported by other events and weekly car boot sales in order to achieve more than her target.

“I’ve always said targets are supposed to be smashed,” Lelia added.

Click here to support Lelia and the Alzheimer’s Society

Watch the video report below:

Presenter Kevin Angel broadcasting at Cre8 Radio.

Cre8 Radio will begin its FM broadcast on May 21 and will be run entirely by volunteers from the local area.

The community station status means revenue does not come from commercials and the station is instead funded by Government grants and public donations.

Due to Ofcom regulations the station can only transmit for two weeks but it will be available to listen to online and on 87.7FM.

Project Manager, Jules McCarthy told StaffsLive that community radio has an advantage over the commercial networks:

Volunteer Chris Edwards added: “I want to get better at presenting, obviously I’m looking to do a bit more production work that goes into the show.

Station Manager Charles Ballard believes the presenters will benefit from working in this environment:

There was relief for Stoke fans even before kick off as injury doubts Matthew Etherington and Robert Huth were included in the starting line up.

Manchester City dominated the first ten minute with Carlos Tevez getting the first clear chance but his shot from the edge of the area was well saved. Yaya Toure’s 30 yard drive whistled just past the post after 11 minutes.

In the 14th minute, Stoke’s Robert Huth was lucky to stay on the pitch after seeming elbowing Mario Balotelli in an off the ball incident but it went unseen by the match officials.

20 minutes had passed before had their first shot but Kenwyne Jones’ shot was blocked before reaching Joe Hart. Minutes later Stoke’s Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen did brilliantly to tip Mario Balotelli shot round the post after the Italian had been set up by Yaya Toure.

There were shout for a Stoke penatly after 29 minute when Jones claimed that defender Vincent Kompany had handled, but the referee waved play on and Kompany ran the length of the pitch but his shot was well saved.

Man City got a real sight of the Stoke goal after 35 minutes but David Silva wasted the chance by putting the ball over the bar.

On the stroke of half time Jermaine Pennant took a heavy blow and limped off to the sidelines but no change was made before the half time whistle from referee Martin Atkinson.

FA Cup (Picture by Flawka)

From a Rory Delap throw-in, to fan reaction across Stoke-on-Trent and Wembley.

StaffsLive will keep you up to date with all the action as it happens.

Follow our reporters as they update you on all of the match action.

Don’t forget, you can join the discussion and comment on the latest developments via our live blog.

Click here for our live coverage.

Potters fans gave their best singing voices, and their hopeful predictions as StaffsLive saw them off at Britannia Stadium and Stoke-on-Trent railway station.

See the video below:

Mark Murphy

By James Drakeford: A Stoke City icon has been sold, just in time for the FA Cup Final this weekend.

Andrew Duncan’s Dodge Day Van has become a part of Stoke City folklore after spending £3,000 to get it painted with Stoke City legends.

After travelling over 100,000 miles and attending over 100 games, Andrew has decided to sell the van following his move back to his native Scotland.

One man’s loss is another man’s gain and in this instance, recently redundant health worker, Mark Murphy, 35, picked up the bargain on the condition he could have it in time for Wembley.

“I’ve decided to have a crazy year, a bit of a midlife crisis,” says Mark Murphy, from Woodhead Yard, Cheadle.

“I’ve bought myself a new TV, taking my kids to Pontins, and now I’ve decided to buy the Stoke City van. This van is my dream machine to take me to matches.”

To see the interview with Mark, watch the video below: