Pulis praise for chairman

Stoke boss delighted to secure promotion to Premier League

Last updated: 4th May 2008

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Pulis: Had to return to Stoke

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Tony Pulis spoke of his delight after leading Stoke back into the top flight of English football after an absence of 23 years.

A goalless draw against Leicester gave the Potters the point they needed to secure automatic promotion, although Hull's defeat at Ipswich would have also sent them up.

Former manager Pulis was brought back to the club in 2006 by former chairman Peter Coates when he completed his takeover at the Britannia Stadium.

"I'm very proud for everybody connected with the football club, especially the players, the staff and the people who have been around us all year," Pulis told Sky Sports News.

Enormous risk

"A very big thank you also to the chairman Peter Coates. He took an enormous risk coming back to this football club and showed a lot of character.

"And when he rung me and asked me to come back, with him showing that sort of balls I had no option to come back. I left a really good job at Plymouth and a good club, but I am delighted for everybody."

Asked how much of an ambition it was to secure promotion to the Premier League, he replied: "When I came back I said we wanted to become a top six/Premier League club.

"To do it in two years has been fantastic and full credit to the players."

Fantastic

Stoke striker Richard Cresswell is looking forward to the opportunity of playing top-flight football again after praising Pulis for putting a successful team together.

Cresswell said: "It's fantastic. Credit must go to the manager, he has put a team together this year and brought a lot of players to the club.

"It has all come together and produced a season that Stoke fans can only dream about, which is fantastic.

"I've had my injuries in the last couple of years and it's been nice to play a lot of games this year and be involved.

"But it's not about a personal thing, it's a team thing. It's a fantastic achievement and a great thing for the city."