Stoke City: How Rory Delap’s ‘undefendable’ long throws caused Premier League chaos

 

“Like a human sling,” said David Moyes. “The best Scud missile I have ever seen,” added Sam Allardyce, a heavy hint of jealousy in his voice. For Luiz Felipe Scolari, it was more difficult to describe.

“I have never seen anything like this in my life,” said the newly-arrived Chelsea boss.

Scolari was not the only one left dumbfounded by Rory Delap’s long throws when Stoke City shoulder-barged their way into the Premier League in 2008. Arsene Wenger,

whose Arsenal side became regular victims, went as far as trying to get the rules changed. “It is a little bit of an unfair advantage,” he said after a bruising 2-1 loss at the Britannia Stadium.

“If I throw the perfect ball, with the height and quality of the players in our team, I think it is undefendable,” he said at the time. “It’s been good for my kids, seeing my ugly mug in the papers. I’m not going to get any modelling contracts, but you’ve got to enjoy it.”

Stoke did just that. There was little expectation that they would survive in the Premier League following their promotion that year. One bookmaker paid out on them to go straight back down after a 3-1 loss to newly-promoted rivals Bolton on the opening day. But those punters who enjoyed early returns were the lucky few. Stoke weren’t going anywhere.

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