The city of Stoke has a population approaching a quarter of a million, is located between Manchester and Birmingham (40+ miles North/South) and is renowned for ceramics, hence the football team being known as 'The Potters'. The city hosts a campus for Staffordshire University and Keele University, a campus university, is based 5 miles away in the tiny village of Keele. Whilst the universities don't mix too much there is an annual varsity match for some 'friendly' rivalry. As with any large city, the nightlife is energetic and varied whilst transport is good with bus links to Keele University.