Twenty years ago, Stoke City celebrated a memorable 2-1 home victory over Derby County, with Ade Akinbiyi marking his goal in a unique way—surrounded by more than a hundred Elvis Presley impersonators. The stadium was filled with energy as fans, many dressed as “The King” himself, came together to show their support. Stoke faces Derby at the bet365 Stadium again today at 12:30 pm, yet it’s unlikely the same lively display of costumes will appear. Back in January 2004, the Elvis-inspired fans not only brought cheer to the match but also raised funds for the Donna Louise Trust, adding to the festive spirit with a halftime karaoke contest featuring classic Presley hits.
The event was part of a beloved tradition known as “Elvis Day,” which had been held for six consecutive years. Each season, Stoke City’s east stand would fill with fans sporting Elvis’s trademark quiffs, flared pants, and sunglasses. After the game, the fun continued with a city-wide pub crawl, further solidifying the unique charm of this fan-led tradition. The annual celebration began in December 1998 when a group of Stoke fans, who made it a habit to dress up for the holiday fixture, decided to attend the game against Gillingham in Elvis costumes. The sight of multiple “Elvises” parading around the pitch thrilled fans, and despite the game ending in a 0-0 draw, the Elvis lookalikes stole the show.
The tradition carried on until 2004, and these enthusiastic supporters even wore their Elvis attire to England matches, most notably at Euro 2004 in Portugal. However, after a six-year run, “Elvis Day” faded into the background, and it seems, at least for now, that Elvis has indeed left the building. Perhaps it’s time for a comeback special and the return of this one-of-a-kind fan celebration at Stoke City.
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