BBC · Feb 28, 2025
'SAS visit was inspiring for us' - Robins
Mark Robins in the Stoke dugoutMark Robins says a visit from former SAS Warrant Officer Melvyn Downes on Thursday provided some inspiration to his Potters squad.
Stoke-born City fan Downes served 24 years in the British Army, the majority with the Special Air Service, and has gone on to train special forces around the world as well as appearing on reality TV series SAS: Who Dares Wins.
While the tasks facing Stoke's players are vastly different to those experienced by Downes around the globe, Robins invited him to give a talk on facing adversity and rising to challenges as they sit five points above the Championship relegation zone after three defeats in their past four games.