Stoke City News Release - www.stokecityfc.com

Monday, May 5, 2008

Stoke-on-Trent, England -- Stoke City have been promoted back to the top flight of English football to end a 23-year absence following a goalless draw against Leicester City Sunday afternoon. Over 26,600 supporters packed in to the Britannia Stadium, the highest league attendance in ten years, to witness the historic game.

The PDL's Austin Aztex, who will launch a USL-1 team in 2009, are owned by Stoke Director Phil Rawlins, opened their inaugural season Saturday, ironically, with a scoreless draw against the El Paso Patriots, one of USL's oldest franchises.

The result also condemned the Foxes to relegation after Southampton secured a 3-2 victory over Sheffield United, to send Ian Holloway's side out of the top two divisions for the first time in their history.

Manager Tony Pulis was forced in to one change after Chris Riggott was recalled by Middlesborough on Friday, meaning Andy Wilkinson came in at right back.

City started brightly with Richard Cresswell latching on to a long ball forward, only to see his strike blocked by Paul Henderson at the near post.

The hosts continued to dominate the early proceedings and should have been awarded a penalty after eight minutes.

Jamaican international Ricardo Fuller out-muscled and out-paced Bruno N'Gotty, and just as he was about to drive the ball across goal, the former Bolton star looked to have hacked his down but the referee waved play on.

Minutes later a trademark Rory Delap throw-in almost led to the opening goal of the game, however both Fuller and Richard Cresswell failed to connect inside the 6-yard box.

Ryan Shawcross was next to try his luck for the Potters but he headed a Lawrence corner just wide of the right hand post.

Pulis was forced in to an early change on 20 minutes after Wilkinson went down under a heavy challenge from Gareth McAuley, Lewis Buxton was the man to replace him.

Chants of we are staying up echoed around the away stand following the news of an early Sheffield United goal against Southampton.

Coinciding with the news Ian Holloway's side created their first chance, Barry Hayles burst through on to a Steve Howard knockdown, but fired horribly wide from 15-yards.

Fuller was again the catalyst in City's next attack. The pacy striker burst in to the penalty area and drilled a shot at goal which Henderson did well to parry away from trouble.

The tireless Lawrence was last to try his luck after an exciting first half, but his long range effort was comfortably gathered by Henderson.

A superb save from the Leicester stopper thwarted Glenn Whelan on 48 minutes, while Nash had to be alert to deny Steve Howard shortly after.

City supporters had their hearts in their mouths on 60 minutes as Leicester skipper Gareth McAuley powered a header against the post, before Whelan swept the ball away from danger.

Henderson produced a world class save to keep the Potters at bay on the 63rd minute, as he somehow blocked Fuller's effort from point blank range.

Seventeen-year old Joe Mattock was next to try his luck for the visitors, but much to the delight of the City supporters his effort flew well over the bar.

With news filtering in that the game had been turned on its head at St Mary's, Holloway changed the outlook of the Foxes side as they went 4-2-4 in a desperate attempt to elevate his side out of the bottom three.

Meanwhile minutes later, the Britannia erupted thanks to the news that Hull City had fallen behind against Ipswich Town.

Cresswell almost put the Potters ahead as the game entered its final 20 minutes, then much to the delight of the 2,000 visiting supporters Sheffield United levelled the scoreline against Southampton.

An exceptional reaction save from on loan Wigan stopper Nash denied Iain Hume in the 81st minute, before he frustrated the visitors again seconds later with a superb save from Barry Hayles.

To compound to the visitors agony, Southampton went 3-2 up meaning Leicester had to win the game to retain their Championship status.

Despite the visitors attempts to grab a late winner, City's resolute defenders stood firm and held on to secure a result which would go down as one of the most important in the clubs history.