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The 2011–12 season is the 149th season in Stoke City F.C.'s history, their fourth in the Premier League and 112th in the league system of English football. Their 13th place finish in the 2010–11 season means it is their fourth successive season in the Premier League. Because FA Cup winners Manchester City qualify for the UEFA Champions League via their third place finish in the Premier League, as FA Cup runners-up, Stoke qualify for the UEFA Europa League. The season covers the period from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

Background
The 2010–11 season was Tony Pulis's fifth full season in charge at Stoke City and the team secured a fourth successive season in the Premier League after finishing 13th in the table. Ibrahima Sonko and Eidur Gudjohnsen left the Britannia Stadium after their contracts came to an end. Former captain Abdoulaye Faye was reunited with manager Sam Allardyce, after agreeing to join West Ham United on a free transfer.

Pre-season
Stoke completed their first signing of the season by capturing England defender Jonathan Woodgate on a free transfer. Goals from Michael Tonge, Jon Walters and Andy Wilkinson helped the Potters round off their six day stay in Austria in comfortable style with a 3-1 victory against part-time Austrian outfit SV Thal. Kenwyne Jones scored one goal and saw another disallowed as Stoke City drew 1-1 in their pre-season friendly against Conference National team Newport County. Braces from Ben Marshall and Diego Arismendi, along with goals from Matthew Lund and Rory Delap, helped Stoke secure a comfortable 6-1 victory in the second friendly in Newport against Welsh Football League Division Two team Newport YMCA. Stoke beat local Northern Premier League Division One South team Newcastle Town 6-0 with goals coming from trialist Robert Stambolziev, Kenwyne Jones, Jermaine Pennant, Glenn Whelan, and Jon Walters. Stoke suffered their first defeats of their pre-season programme as League One team Brentford and League Two team Aldershot Town both beat the Potters 1-0 in the space of 24 hours. Midfielder Matthew Lund agreed a deal to join League One team Oldham Athletic on loan until November 21st. Jon Walters ensured that Stoke's first European campaign for 37 years got off to a dream start by scoring the only goal in Stoke's 1-0 Europa League victory against Hajduk Split. Stoke gave the go-ahead for Carl Dickinson to join Championship team Watford for an undisclosed fee. Tony Pulis gave his Europa League stars a good first half runout as Stoke battled out a 0-0 draw in their pre-season game against League One team Sheffield Wednesday.

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