 While he was reluctant to leave, he admitted that his face did not fit in with the new coach, former teammate Jimmy Adamson.Elder made an unfortunate start to his Stoke career as in pre-season training for 1967–68 it took him until the end of October to make his debut and failed to reach the heights he set at Turf Moor and is considered to be one of Tony Waddington's worst signings.He played 44 games in 1968–69 and over the next four seasons he made 27 appearances and was released by the club after played exactly 100 matches.