So pleased for Pulis and Coates.

[headsgoup]

I've always wondered why Peter Coates stayed on at Stoke after such a torrid time he had in the past. He suffered an almost a constant barrage of abuse, week in, week out. Whether this was merited or not is a matter of opinion. But he never walked away or let go of the club. It must have taken some doing. For me It shows he has courage and commitment far and away what most people would expect.

What other manager would return to a club where he knew that there was a sizable chunk of it's supporters were totally against his re-appointment? I sat behind the dugout at his first match back at home and you could see he was visibly nervous. Must have taken some guts that.

Now just a few years on that sheer guts and determination has paid off. We sit halfway up the hardest league in the world and exceeded nearly everyones expectations.

So bloody well done to the pair of them.

[fradleyhomes]

Without them we would be no where near where we are, we all owe them a massive amount!

[Titan Uranus]

Listen, Coates was a tight-fisted, self-centered, manipulating, egotistical twat during his first spell at the Club.

He is now doing a magnificent job and all credit to him.

Well done.

Let's not try to rewrite history though eh.

[march4]

I couldn't get to PC today as all of his family were there. Next time I see him I will shake his hand and thank him again for everything he has done for our club.

[Etain Tur-Mukan]

Thank him for me too march

[Jimbo]

I was delighted for Peter Coates when he was shown on the big screen. I too was critical of his previous regime. Indeed, much of the criticism was justified as the club was in huge financial trouble. Who can forget the days when we were selling any player who could attract a transfer fee?

Fast forward ten years or so and the same man has bought the club back, put in the investment and had the guts to bring back Pulis. Whatever we may think about both men's actions in the past, we wouldn't be where we are today without them.

[zippy1978]

Can't remember which season it was but i remember being on the pitch at the Vic on the last day joining in with most of the other stokies baying for Coates' blood.
He was an appalling chairman in those days, selling our best players on deadline day etc when we were set for a promotion push.

I have no regrets for my antipathy towards Coatsy at the time but on the same note fair play to him now - Cheers Pete, I hope the knighthood comes sooner rather than later

[Beardy200]

Two blokes with loads of class who deserve every success they get. Just as long as we can hitch a ride