Stoke City

Competition:

The 2008/09 season will mark Stoke City's first appearance in the Premier League. Manager Tony Pulis and his players won promotion by finishing second in the Championship, two points behind champions West Bromwich Albion. A goalless draw with Leicester City was enough to send them up on the final day.

This is Pulis' second spell in charge at the club. He originally parted company with the Potters at the end of the 2004/05 season. Dutch manager Johan Boskamp stepped in but left at the end of the season after a mid-table finish.

Boskamp's departure came as former-chairman Peter Coates was completing a takeover of the club and he reappointed Pulis who, after leading the club to eighth in the 2006/07 season, guided them to promotion.

Prior to their promotion, Stoke had not competed in the top flight since the 1984/85 season.

Their most recent trophy was won in 2000 when their first overseas manager, Gudjon Thordarson, guided them to The Auto Windscreens trophy. It was the Icelander who led them to promotion into the First Division in 2001.

Forthcoming Matches: