Pulis says big thank you to chairman

May 5 2008 South Wales Echo

STOKE manager Tony Pulis thanked the support of chairman Peter Coates following his side’s promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

The Potters are back in the top flight after a 23-year absence following a goalless draw against Leicester at the Britannia Stadium.

Pulis, who was Stoke boss between November 2002 and June 2005, was persuaded to return for a second spell as manager by Coates almost a year to the day after he had left the club to take over at Plymouth.

Promised that money would be made available to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship, Pulis turned his back on Argyle and returned to the Potters.

“I am obviously very pleased. Pleased for everybody connected with the football club – the fans, the players and especially the staff and the people who work closely with you,” Pulis said.

“They have all been a massive part of it and I am very pleased for them. After the game I just took the staff away and shared a glass of champagne with them all, just to savour the moment.

“But a massive thank you goes to Peter Coates above anything else.

“Two years ago I was in Portugal on the beach having just kept Plymouth up and I was really enjoying it at Plymouth.

“But Peter rang me and said he was going to buy the club.

“He wanted me to come back because he wanted to have a bit of a go atpromotion.

“I said last time I was here I got criticised on a budget that was a bottom-three budget and there was no way I was going to come back unless he gave me a chance to compete.

He said I would be able to compete and he has certainly kept his word.”