I'll buck the trend.
From the early 70s, I spent a lot of time in the Potteries, and have a lot of time for the locals (or "Clayheads", as my brother-in-law calls them - he lives in Crewe!).
Sure, they have a funny accent, but don't we all to "outsiders"? There's nowt wrong with being called "duck" - in Sheffield they call you "love" (strange coming from a 6' 6" steelworker) -it's just like being called "mate" round here.
Nowt wrong with oatcakes either, and they don't say barm or muffin.
Had things turned out differently, I'd have possibly married a Stoke girl, who I used to see when I visited one of the offices there. Everyone I met was very friendly - it's not like Royston Vasey in any way.
As for football fans, they're no worse or better than any other. The old Boothen End at the Victoria Ground was not a place for faint hearts, just like the Kippax was.
Oh, and they don't ALL have 6 fingers on each hand - some of them are quite human looking!