Stoke City holds celebration of life for fans who died in 2025

A celebration of life for Stoke City supporters who died in 2025 is being held at Stoke Minster ahead of the club's first home league match of the year against Queens Park Rangers; friends and family can light candles and images of the deceased will be shown on the stadium screen before kick-off.

Stoke City supporters who died in 2025 are being remembered at a celebration of life at Stoke Minster. The service is scheduled for Saturday ahead of the club's first home league fixture of the new year against Queens Park Rangers. Friends and family are invited to light candles at the church. The club will also display images of the deceased on a big screen at the stadium before kick-off. Event details: - Location: Stoke Minster. - Arrival and timing: Fans can arrive from 10:15 GMT; the service starts at 11:00 and is due to finish at midday. - Stadium element: Images of the individuals will be shown on the stadium screen before the match. - Participants: Stoke City's sporting director Jonathan Walters will give a reading; representatives from the club, its academy and former players will attend. - Organisers and community: Reverend Geoff Eze and Lloyd Cooke, CEO of local charity Saltbox, are involved in running the service. Summary: The event is framed as both a remembrance for those who supported the club and a recognition of their wider roles as family and community members. The service will conclude around midday and the club will present images of the deceased at the stadium before the home match against Queens Park Rangers.