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14

May

2011

The Nightmare with the Dream Ending? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Satish Sekar   

The Second Coming

Peter Coates was born into poverty. The local boy became a self-made millionaire and was a football fan. His first spell in charge of the club was disastrous, ending in relegation to the Third Division thirteen years ago. Driven to sell to Icelandic owners, after relegation ended in hatred and abuse directed at him, he left, but Coates returned, bringing in Tony Pulis as the manager for his second spell.

 

It paid off. Pulis led Stoke City back to the big-time, maintaining Premier League status and leading the club to its first FA Cup final. He may have been an unsung manager when he joined Stoke, but he certainly is not any more, having led Stoke City to a chance of their second major trophy – they won the League Cup in 1972. They also lost in semi-final of the FA Cup in 1971 and again the following year.

 

Team Spirit

Pulis has built a team spirit with a fraction of the budget available to today's opponent Roberto Mancini. Among the bargains he obtained was Jermaine Pennant. The former Arsenal and Liverpool player had failed in Spain and Pulis got him cheap. He repaid the investment as Stoke brushed an appalling Bolton aside 5-0 in the semi-final last month. It could have been more.

 

" A great moment," Pennant said of reaching the final, "not only for me, but the club. I think it's the first time they've been there in their history. The atmosphere was great. We know what the fans are like from the Britannia, It was loud; it was great. We might have had the edge, because our fans wanted it more."

 

History Beckons

They could be the not so secret weapon that lifts the Potters to one more odds-defying performance. "It was more, not just for me, but the club as well," said Pennant. "Everyone wants to play in a final. It's a big occasion. There's a lot staking on it and also for the club, it will be the first time, not only for myself, but the lads. They've made history for Stoke City." And regarding the final, he made an easy prediction. "I doubt it will be 5-0, but we'll see what happens."

 

If Stoke City achieve their dream at Wembley this afternoon, Coates' status as local hero will be secured. The villain status of his last tenure, which was unjust, will be banished for ever. Pulis will undoubtedly be a serious contender for Manager of the Year and Stoke's players will be honoured in the city and by all serious students of football for such an unlikely triumph. It will rank as one of the great upsets in FA Cup history.
 
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