Waddington was replaced by George Eastham in March 1977, however he could not halt the club's slide to the Second Division in 1976–77. Eastham did not last long in the job, leaving during the 1977–78 season, in January 1978, after only 10 months in charge. Alan Durban, arriving from Shrewsbury Town, was selected as the club's new manager in February 1978. Durban achieved promotion to the First Division in his first full season in charge, 1978–79, on the last day of the season. After consolidating the club's position in the First Division, Durban left for Sunderland in 1981. Ritchie Barker, who was appointed for 1981–82, had a short spell in charge, but was sacked in December 1983. The club's new manager, Bill Asprey decided to bring back veteran Alan Hudson. The decision paid off as an improved second-half of the season led to Stoke avoiding relegation on the final day of the 1983–84 season.
The next season, commonly referred to as The Holocaust Season by fans,proved to be disastrous. Stoke finished the season with only 17 points, with just 3 wins all season. Mick Mills was appointed player-manager for the 1985–86 season. After four seasons in charge Mills was unable to sustain a challenge for promotion and was sacked in November 1989 following a poor start to the 1989–90 season, after spending £1m on players. His successor, Alan Ball, Jr. became the club's 5th manager in 10 years.
Ball struggled in his first season in charge, 1989–90, and his Stoke were relegated to the third tier of English football after finishing bottom of the Second Division. Ball kept his job for the start of the following season, 1990–91, but departed during February 1991, in the midst of an indifferent season that saw Stoke finish 15th in the Third Division.
Ball's successor, Lou Macari, was appointed in May 1991, prior to the start of the 1991–92 season. He clinched silverware for the club; the Football League Trophy was won with a 1–0 victory against Stockport County at Wembley, with Mark Stein scoring the only goal of the game. The following season, 1992–93, promotion was achieved from the third tier – now known as League One with Stoke finishing as league champions. Macari left in October 1993; Stein also departed, in a club record £1.5m move to Chelsea.
Joe Jordan's tenure in charge was short; as he departed the club less than a year after joining. Following Jordan's departure, Stoke opted to reappoint Lou Macari only 12 months after he had left. Stoke finished 4th in 1995–96 but were defeated in the play-off semi-final by Leicester City. Macari left the club at the end of the season, his last game in charge was the final league game at the Victoria Ground. Mike Sheron, who was signed two years previously from Norwich City, was sold for a club record fee of £2.5m in 1997.
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