Stoke City chairman Peter Coates hailed this milestone ahead of the game against Tottenham.
Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has lauded the fact that his side are pretty much guaranteed to secure a decade in the top flight.
Whether they are mathematically guaranteed safety at White Hart Lane this Sunday or the following weekend, next season will mark a significant milestone.
Ten years ago Stoke finished second in the Championship, securing an automatic promotion place at the end of the 2007/8 season after drawing at home to Leicester City (who were relegated on the day).
Chairman Coates spoke to local newspaper The Sentinel and said “To be in the Premier League for a decade is a big achievement I believe, one of the biggest in the club’s history.’’
“Given how long it took us to get back into the top division (23 years) and how tough it is once you get here, it’s an achievement we can be pleased and proud about.
And it looks as though Stoke City could mark their tenth season in the Premier League with a changed squad.
Mark Hughes may make big changes next season. The most high profile departure is likely to be Bojan, who is currently on loan at German side Mainz.
There are also question marks over the futures of both attacking midfielder’s Ibrahim Affelay and Stephen Ireland. Both of whom are out of contract at the end of the season.
Although, for the time being Hughes has a tough fixture to worry about at the weekend, even if it does seem a good time to play the title challengers. Tottenham are now out of Europe after Thursday’s draw to Gent and lost their last league game at Anfield.
Stoke City beat a struggling Crystal Palace in their last game, while their last away win was at Sunderland on January 14th.
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