MIAMI NICE BUT HERO SHAWCROSS WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE POTTERIES

IF Stoke City’s social media community is anything to go by, February 19 will become some sort of day of remembrance in the Potteries.

- ANDYDUNN

Ryan’s Day.

Grown Staffordshire men were weeping into their tweets on Friday, there was talk of statues, and tear-stained pleas for the No.17 jersey to be retired.

There were video tributes, distraught Stokies calling for the stadium to be renamed, some too sick to stomach their oatcakes. The momentous occasion? Ryan Shawcross was leaving Stoke City.

It is easy to mock. Even Shawcross himself might have been a little embarrassed by t h e outpouring of emotion on confirmation of his departure for a great gig in Miami in Major League Soccer.

But you know what? It was brilliant. It was a reminder of what a player can mean to a club and its community. A reminder of the relationship that can bond the three.

A community going through a hard time finds escape, finds joy, finds a purpose in its football club.