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.

John Parrott

By James Drakeford: John Parrott has been crowned Stoke’s Snooker Legend.

A packed crowd at Hanley’s Victoria Hall watched three world champions and a six-time runner-up showcase their talent in a two-frame tournament as part of the Snooker Legends tour.

Parrott came agonisingly close to a century break in the opening frame of the first semi-final against Jimmy White when the black fell millimetres short on a break of 94.

Putting on a master class in a high tempo game, Parrott defeated Jimmy White 2-0 before the more tactical and cautious approach of  ‘The Grinder’  Cliff Thorburn overcame 1985 World Champion Dennis Taylor 76-40 and 99-0 in the second semi.

In a battle of speed versus caution, the former Question of Sport team captain Parrott came from behind to win a tense one frame decider in the final against the Canadian, Thorburn.

The legends tournament harks back to the glory days of snooker when more than 18 million people tuned in to see the likes of Dennis Taylor, Cliff Thorburn, and Jimmy White.

Now the trio join Parrott on the Legends tour, along with glamorous referee Michaela Tabb, and the  host John Virgo.

Virgo kicked the night off with his famous trick shots and impersonations.

Tony Pulis

The Potters were beaten 1-nil by Manchester City in their first ever FA Cup Final.

Yaya Toure did the damage with a late goal at Wembley but the Britannia Stadium outfit can be proud of their cup run, according to Pulis.

”I am very proud of what the players have done this season and they can hold their heads high, even though they are desperately disappointed.” said the Welshman.

Stoke made their first final in 39 years and have secured a place in the Europa League next season after their cup exploits.

But he gave credit to their final opponents and conceded that they were well beaten: ”There are no arguments that they were the better side on the day and they deserved to win.”

Few would argue with Pulis’ opinion as Roberto Mancini’s side were kept at bay by an inspired goalkeeping display from Stoke’s Thomas Sorensen.

The Danish international ‘keeper broke down in tears in the dressing room after the final whistle as Stoke’s dreams were shattered.

The 34-year-old second choice stopper said it might be the last chance he gets to lift any silverware: “There was a stage in the second half when I thought it could be our day,”

He added: “I’ve been looking forward to this game all my career, I wanted to win it so desperately, but I don’t think I could have done anything more on the day.”

But a dejected Sorensen still reserved praise for the ”tremendous character” of the club.

The Potters have the opportunity to bounce back tomorrow night as they play their Cup Final conquerors again at Eastlands in their rearranged Premier League game.

Stoke playing earlier this season

Wayne Dicken and Simon Price both scored for Stoke, who managed to go one better than their footballing counterparts and come back from London with silverware.

Despite being down 5-3 at half-time, Stoke fought back with a penalty from fly-half Steve Talbot and tries from Price and Dicken.

Price bundled over from close range to make it 11-5.

The Bulls set up a tense finish by scoring on 75 minutes.

However,  it proved to be too much for the team from Kent, as a last minute attack from behind their own line threw up the ball for Dicken to dive on and secure the win for Stoke.

Stoke RUFC: P White; G Joss, S Price, W Dicken, R Spruce; S Talbot, C Rowley capt; R Brown, S Yorke, J salt, J Grmshaw, D Bennion, B Cornwall, R Meredith, J Cordall
Replacements all used: P McPherson, P Ramage, J Bricknell, M Hulme, S Currie, P Wilshaw, C Robb.

Aylesford Bulls: A Sutherland; B Summers, E Johnston, M Henry, S Stewart; D Harvey, L Cherrington; R Nanson, R Weir, S Ireland capt, P Webdale, E Finley, J Stringer, S Carroll, T Sullivan.
Replacements all used: D Baker, S Hollister, T Vereivalu, M O’Neill, A Martyn, L Woodger, A Takala

Referee: N Cockburn (RFU)

Toure gave Manchester City the lead in the 74th minute after Stoke failed to clear their lines. Potters’  keeper Thomas Sorensen stood no chance as Toure’s left foot shot was rifled into the back of the net.

Stoke’s first clear cut chance came just after the hour mark after Kenwyne Jones was put one-on-one with keeper Joe Hart but the England number one stood up tall to save Jones’ shot.

Stoke grew in confidence compared to the first half but Man City were also dangerous going forward. However Toure’s goal was a sucker-punch.

Despite dominating the first half Manchester City just could not find the breakthrough. Tevez and Kompany forced Sorensen into some good saves but David Silva wasted the best chance when he fired over.

Stoke chances were and far between with Joe Hart rarely tested.

Robert Huth was lucky to stay on the pitch after elbowing Balotelli in an off the ball incident which was not seen by the officials.

However, Huth did receive the first yellow card after a foul on Micah Richards.

Stoke’s loyal fans sang their hearts out all game but it was Blue Moon that truimphed over Delilah at the final whistle.

Despite losing, the Potters will play in the Europa League next season but Stoke City’s long wait for another major trophy continues.

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:

Barbary macaques

By Matt Richardson: Monkeys at Trentham Monkey Forest have predicted Stoke City will beat Manchester City 3-2 in the FA Cup final.

Organisers placed two buckets of feed, one decorated for Stoke City and the other for Manchester City, between the Barbay macaques and gave them 30 seconds to choose which one to go to.

As the final whiste blew, Stoke City were hailed as the future winners of the FA Cup.

Matt Lovatt, Trentham Monkey Forest Manager, told Staffslive: “If the result comes it may become a regular fixture, who knows, we could do tennis and rugby aswell”.

Watch the full report below: