The 2002-03 campaign delivered a heart-stopping relegation battle for Stoke City as The Potters, plagued by managerial turmoil and a club-record 16-match winless run, narrowly clung to their First Division status with a 21st-place finish. The season was secured on the dramatic final day with a crucial 1-0 victory over Reading. Leading the line was forward Andy Cooke, whose 7 league goals proved vital in a year built on sheer, desperate grit under new manager Tony Pulis. It remains a defining, nerve-wracking chapter in the club's modern history.