Simon King: The Life of a Chief Operating Officer, a Passion Project in the Potteries​ and a Window Into the World of Football Business

What does a Chief Operating Officer actually control at a football club? In this episode of Potters’ Pod, host Rob Adcock sits down with Simon King to explore the off-field side of modern football and the seminal role he plays in shaping the future of Stoke City.

From growing up in Kent and finding his way into the game via Stockport County, Simon reflects on working through administration battles, building a career across Hull City and West Bromwich Albion, and the moment he realised football was where he belonged.

He discusses the growing importance of commercial performance in the modern era, why supporter engagement has never mattered more, and the lessons learned from some of football’s most debated decisions around club identity and change.

Simon also opens up on Stoke City’s crest evolution, the challenges of balancing tradition with innovation, the thinking behind kit designs, stadium investment plans, future improvements to the matchday experience and the club’s ambition to bring major events back to the bet365 Stadium.

There’s plenty of insight into the realities of working in football too, including the pressures, the passion, the chaos, and why helping Stoke City move forward remains his driving ambition.

Away from the beautiful game, Simon talks podcasts, a memorable piece of career advice that changed his outlook forever, why football continues to dominate almost every aspect of his life and the previously nomadic life that ultimately landed him in ST4.
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