Tony Pulis has lauded Stoke chairman Peter Coates for taking the club to a higher level, describing him as "a genuine football man".
Coates' cash - the club have spent £27 million in the transfer market this season - resulted in their top flight status being secured with two games to play.
Despite the credit crunch, the owner of online betting giant Bet365 has promised to continue to give considerable financial support to his hometown club.
Stoke boss Pulis said: "The responsibility on a local man running a local club is enormous. Peter, to his credit, has shown his colours and has really come through for Stoke. He is a genuine football man and has turned everything around.
"The Coates family have put money in, not only to keep the club going but to push it forward. Younger chairman out there should speak to him as he has tremendous experience.
"His support when things are not going well is brilliant. Peter is at his best when things are not going right. I am very pleased for him that we are staying up."
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WE ARE STAYIN UP, CMON THE MIGHTY MIGHTY RIPROARING POTTERS, GOOD WIN TODAY 2-0 OVER WIGAN, AND WHAT ANOTHER POOR FOLLOWING FROM WIGAN POOR SUPPORTERS.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO KNOCKED TONY PULLIS WHEN HE FIRST CAME BACK TO STOKE CITY
Can we fill in the corners of the stadium now mr coats, bl*ody cold in the middle of winter with the wind wipping through, but well done pulis and coats prem for another season! were we should be!!
Thank you Mr Coates, we as fans endured more than our fair share of boardroom troubles during the wilderness years but you have more than atoned for any previous misdemeanours. After 23 years of "Division 2 & 3" football I never thought I'd see the day again when we were beating Arsenal, Spurs, Villa, etc... in "Division 1". Let's hope Bet365 conquers the global online market, enabling Stoke City to cement their place back in the top flight year on year with better players and an improved style of playing. Proud to be a Potter...
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