Well!!! On Sunday 4th May Sstoke City played their last home game of the season at the Brittania Stadium, 2 miles away from my home. They played Leicester City,it was a crucial game, Stoke only needing 1 point from the match to secure a place in the Premier League, to play the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. The whole of Stoke On Trent were buzzing with Stoke fever,they knew that this would be the icing on top of the cake for them, as the last time Stoke City were in the top flight was 23 years ago (When i was 10 years old- not that i can re-call it that much to be honest!!)

Stoke City are a big passion of mine, before i had the Children i was an avid follower, both Home and Away games i would attend, and there i would be (like a typical girl being 18 and fashion consious!!-even at Football matches!!) i would colour co-ordinate in the red and white Stoke shirt and red and white scrunchies in my hair and in summer a red and white mini skirt to accompany my look!!! I could cringe now looking back as im now 33 and neither have my 17 year old figure or the staminer to have a drink and cheer on the Stoke players!!!!

So Saturday it was pre-match nerves for all our Family, my Dad who is 66 has seen Stoke at their best and at their worst, and from the age of 18 i too have walked out of the Victoria Ground (their old football ground) displaying every emotion, the same goes for all the away matches  i attended too.

My Dad summed it up in a nutshell...."if they're good enough then they will win" well when you put it like that then there really is no need to worry!!! All the Stoke supporters you see are extremly passionate about their beloved "Potters" they are nicknamed this as Stoke On Trent is called "The Potteries" because thats what Stoke On Trent is famous for, making Pottery, plates, cups,bowls etc.

So off we went on Saturday to buy a giant Stoke Flag to proudly fly from the outside of our house, the nerves were hitting me really soon!!

My Husband isnt a Stoke fan (but im certain ive now converted him!!)

However he sat and watched every minute of the 90 minute game, a game of two halves, two halves that Stoke dominated and were looking like a Premier League side already. Stoke were on top form, the crowd of excited Stoke Fans were roaring out the clubs songs and lifting their spirits through the roof

My Husband and i sat watching the match on our t.v, the volume was turned up high, i was on the sofa, then on the floor, then jumping up and putting a cushion over my face as at times i couldnt bear to see!!!

Stoke were amazing though, and  at half time it was 0-0 which was great for Stoke as we were definatly being promoted. I was sure that the next 45 minutes were going to be painstaking!!

Out they came and the crowd took off with their chanting and glorious singing, i got goosebumps just hearing it, it took me back to when i once took part in that home and away every saturday and weekday match. Stoke had the City on the edge of their seats.

Before we knew it there were minutes to go, and in old tradition you could see all the Stoke fans preparing themselves for a pitch invasion, they knew there were only seconds to go (15 to be precise) however all of a sudden the Stoke City fans bombarded the pitch, oh no i thought as the final whistle hadnt been blown, the players and the referee were imploring them to get off the pitch, it took a few minutes to clear the pitch and the final kick of the ball came from a Stoke player then..........pure elation and music to my ears........the whistle blew and the Brittania Stadium went crazy!!! running onto the pitch knowing that we had done it!! The commentator shouted out "Stoke City are back in the Premier League for the 1st time in 23 years" well i was ecstatic and i cried and hugged my hubby and our Children. The green pitch had dissapeared from view, all as you could see were Stoke City Fans on the pitch amongst them were the Stoke players enjoying the celebrations that were happening.

Its now 7th May, last night the victory bus with the Stoke City players came up our street, there were easily 200 fans just on our road, waving flags, blowing whistles and singing their hearts out for the Stoke Players before us, i took pictures of the occasion as it was so electric.

This has been the best thing to happen to Stoke On Trent for a very long time, everywhere i look i see people wearing their Stoke shirts and they have a big smile on their faces, everyone is happy in our City and its all because our victorious Sstoke City Football Club has had a fantastic season and made it back into the top flight of Football.

WELL DONE STOKE, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.

BE LOYAL, BE PROUD, BE STOKE!