legend?

[PONTAFCE]

09:40 - 11 June 2008



Tony Pulis will become Stoke's greatest manager since Tony Waddington if he keeps the club in the Premier League - says City legend Gordon Banks.

The England World Cup-winner, who is Stoke's club president, says he was hugely impressed by the way Pulis led City back into the top flight for the first time in 23 years.

Pulis has had to overcome critics among supporters in his two spells in charge, but Banks says keeping City up next season would make him the best since Waddington's reign.



He said: "It would have to do, because the Premier League is much harder now. All clubs have international players costing millions.

"What Tony has achieved has been excellent because he has had little or no money to spend, but he has got some good loan players in."

Waddington, who managed City from 1960-77, won promotion to the top flight in 1962/63 and kept the club there until they were relegated weeks after his exit in March 1977.

Banks was one of the heroes of the celebrated Waddington regime, having been signed from Leicester City for just £52,000 in 1967.

He is delighted to see City back in the top flight and is optimistic they can beat the drop.

He added: "I was here for the game when we got promoted last month. When the crowd ran on to the field, it brought back so many memories of when we won the League Cup and had the crowds at the town hall and people lining the streets.

"There's no reason why we can't stay up. It is up to Tony Pulis with the players he buys and what he does on the training ground.

"I am sure he will strengthen but, even if he didn't, if he gets the players fit and working hard for each other then that is half the battle. Team spirit will be important and Stoke had that last season. You could see they were giving all they had got."

Alan Durban is the only other City manager to have won promotion to the top flight (1978-79) since Waddington's exit.

However, Lou Macari won the League One title with City in 1992-93 and took them to the Championship play-offs in 1995-96.

Pulis is preparing for his sixth season at Stoke having been recruited in 2002.

He was axed by the Icelandic consortium in the summer of 2005, but returned a year later when Peter Coates resumed control of the club.

Banks added: "What I like about Tony Pulis is the way he knows his players. He gets into their minds to get the best out of them.

"No one knows what clubs are going to do. We don't expect Stoke to be at the top but if they can hold their own as the seasons go by, and add players here and there, then hopefully we can stay up there."

Stoke's promotion completed a dream double for Banks, who will join Pele in managing celebrity teams at the Britannia Stadium on July 12.

The game is part of the celebrations accompanying the unveiling of a bronze statue of Banks at the Britannia Stadium.

[Somebody_Told_Me]

Legend? To early for that or what will we call him when we get into Europe?

[banburypotter]

ilford pulis?

[Menorca Stokie]

Somebody_Told_Me

When we're in Europe he'll be a Leyenda. ;D

[PONTAFCE]

Hmm hes already a hero to many but as for a legend i still think hes got a long long way to go.

[arniepieinthesky]

I think he's pretty close myself, different ball game todays game, the gulf between the premiership and the championship is big, money has fucked it up, but thats that! I think what he has acheived thus far puts him 2nd behind waddington, if he can get us established in the prem the way football is now, he'll be no.1

[Dr Oetcake]

I imagine "just" 52,000 was a big deal then!

[lordb]

yes it was but not insane

[Pembo]

He got us to the promise land, If he keeps us there then yes i think he'll be a legend ;D

[Bick]

If he can keep us there for one season, he is a king, 2 seasons, a legend, 3 a god.

[crowey]

Waddo was god

[Pottero]

TP is a Legend!

WE ARE PREMIERSHIP!!