From Pill to Premier League

10:47am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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FROM Pill to the Premier League - Stoke City's Newport-born manager Tony Pulis has dedicated promotion from the Championship to the fans following an historic afternoon on Sunday at the Britannia Stadium.

City's goalless draw against Leicester City ensured a return to the top flight after a 23-year absence and speaking after the game the former Newport County player couldn't hide his delight.

"It is an absolutely unbelievable achievement and I am so happy for the supporters," the 50-year-old Pulis said.

"They have come here week in week out and travelled the length and breadth of the country and have been brilliant.

"This is why I came back here two years ago, I am just so happy for everyone involved with this fantastic football club."

Pulis was signed as a centre-half for Newport County in 1984 after first signing for Bristol Rovers in 1975.

He went on to play for Bournemouth, in two spells, and Gillingham before his playing career came to an end in 1992.

His first job as a manager was at Bournemouth as soon as his playing days were over where he spent two seasons.

In 1995, he took over at Gillingham and later managed Bristol City and an unhappy ten-month spell at Portsmouth before his first reign at Stoke in the 2002-03 season.

Pulis then spent three seasons at The Potters before he left for Plymouth Argyle in the 2005-06 season.

Pulis said he recalls a phone call he held with Stoke City chairman Peter Coates prior to his return two years ago, and says he knew then he was joining a club with massive potential.

"I remember having a conversation with the chairman when I was at Plymouth, and I told him if he was prepared to give me a budget to challenge I would stick my neck on the line and come back.

"He stuck to his word and we have got the club in to the Premier League."

Pulis said: "The players have been absolutely fantastic this season and all the credit they are getting now is fully deserved.

"They have done me proud, the supporters proud and themselves and their family's proud.

"These players will go down in Stoke City history and that is fully deserved."

Stoke celebrated their historic promotion with an open-top bus tour yesterday. The victorious players travelled around the Staffordshire city with thousands of fans lining the streets, ready for trips to Anfield and Old Trafford.