By Adam Calverley: Two Signal One radio presenters are to release a World Cup song ahead of the tournament this summer.
Chris Peace and Johnny Owen have adapted their 2006 cult hit ‘Standing Together’ to inspire England fans in Stoke-on-Trent. The lyrics have been altered to create a South African theme to the song.
World Cup winner Gordon Banks, local comedian Nick Hancock and fifteen times darts world champion will be involved in the video that is being shot by Staffordshire University MA students.

By Adam Calverley and Jon Naylor: Nantwich Town’s Weaver Stadium could be involved in the 2018 World Cup as one of four possible satellite training venues selected for teams playing their games in Manchester.
The 3,500 capacity ground could host the likes of Brazil or Italy if the Cheshire club’s proposal is successful.
The £4m development of their facilities has placed them amongst the best-equipped in the Unibond League.
Club chairman, Clive Jackson,  told Staffs Live: “To get one of the teams to house themselves here in Nantwich would be a massive achievement …

By Holly Ranford:Three Stoke City stars are eagerly awaiting today’s draw for next summer’s 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Denmark’s Thomas Sorensen, German defender Robert Huth and Uruguayan Diego Arismendi are all Potters who could feature in the tournament, which starts on June 11.
Sorensen succeeded former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel as his country’s Number One and played a key role in the Danes’ qualification.
He said: “It would be wonderful to emulate Peter because he has been such an inspirational figure, not only for me and other keepers in …

By Colin Munford: Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan and Liam Lawrence have seen their World Cup hopes dashed after FIFA ruled out the Football Association Of Ireland’s request for a replay against France in their World Cup play-off tie.
The FAI put the request in after Thierry Henry clearly handled the ball in the build up to William Gallas’ extra time goal that took them through to the finals with a 2-1 win on aggregate.
A statement from FIFA read: “The result will not be changed and the match cannot be replayed.”
Republic of …

By Jonathan Moulds:  Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan is already living the dream – the 25-year-old midfielder personifies more than anyone the change brought by Giovanni Trapattoni since he became Republic of Ireland boss 18 months ago.
Whelan was handed his first senior cap in the Italian’s first game in charge, a 1-1 friendly draw with Serbia, in May last year.
The intervening months have brought 14 more appearances for his country and two goals, the second of them a stunning opener in last month’s 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw with reigning champions …

By Joe Bennett & Paul Jenkins: Thomas Sorensen became Stoke City’s first guaranteed representative at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa following Denmark’s 1-0 win against Sweden.
His clean sheet ensured his team would be featuring at next summer’s competition.
Now Sorensen’s fellow teammates Glenn Whelan and Liam Lawrence face an anxious wait to see if they will be joining the Dane in South Africa.
Ireland secured second place in Group 8 by drawing with current World Cup champions Italy.
The Stoke duo played a key role in the game at Croke …