Promotion is a tribute to the great spirits in the sky

SIR Stan is embracing Waddo warmly, one brandishing an orange juice and the other clutching a glass of something slightly stronger.

Big John leans against the other corner of the bar giving a knowing nod, a definite twinkle in his eye, while entertainment secretary Mike Potts is chasing a signature for the drinks tab.

A double G&T lies idle and lonely on the bar.

“That one’s for Huddy,” explains the bartender.

“We poured it over 10 years ago when we thought he was about to join us, but it will keep for a long while yet.”

And over towards the entrance of Victoria G, a homely watering hole in Seventh Heaven, a squeaky voice is pleading: “Room for one more?”

To which a huddle at the bar, Franklin and Mountford included, respond unanimously: “Get in here Bally. There are no grudges today.”

Stoke City’s promotion celebrations have spread further than we could ever have imagined, it seems, as the Champagne corks start to pop in the next world as well as this.

Spirits are running high and flowing freely down here, too, as tears of joy and sentiment accompany celebrations intoxicated by more than alcohol.

Now is the time for dedicating victory to those partying out of sight, but certainly not out of mind, especially that truly lost generation of fans, and would-be fans, who arrived and departed within the past 23 years without ever seeing Stoke City in the top flight.

Yes, 23 years, 1,057 league matches, 15 managers, two promotions, two relegations and one bloody long wait to restore Stoke City Football Club back to the top echelons of English football.

You want to know how long that really is? Well, put it this way. Back in May 1985, when Stoke were expelled from the top division with a meagre 17 points to their credit, Margaret Thatcher was barely midway through her 11-year premiership, Paul Hardcastle’s ‘N-n-n-nineteen’ was number one, EastEnders was only three months old and internet was the average Yorkshireman’s description of a goal.

No wonder the ground shook, the roof wobbled and the heart thumped on a day destined to be written large in the annals of Stoke City.

The game was no match for the occasion, sadly, but that mattered little as scorelines from Stoke and Ipswich combined dutifully to carry the club shoulder high on the final leg of its thrilling nine-month journey.

Only briefly in the second half, when Leicester were forced to emerge from their shell and promptly struck the post and forced a save or two, did the pulse-rate truly rocket towards physically dangerous levels.

But news of Hull’s impending demise at Portman Road was a handy insurance policy against any collision of heads and brick walls during a potentially unbearable climax.

Instead, the biggest gathering of Stoke fans ever assembled at the Britannia Stadium could almost relax during the final moments of an afternoon few could have anticipated during the darkest days of that 23-year exile.

Yesterday’s noise was surely unprecedented at the Britannia – Motorhead meets Led Zeppelin – while tears accustomed to falling in despair and frustration were now streaming in joy and relief.

A victory would have been fitting, the Championship title a glittering bonus, but yesterday was all about the very outcome Stoke were to accomplish with a familiar mix of sturdy defence, midfield resolution and attacking intent.

Their first-half ascendancy was a tribute to the lack of nerves which may just have tripped them, while the musical chairs at right-back appeared to unsettle them little thanks to Lewis Buxton’s laudible reminder of the squad effort underpinning this success.

While Andy Wilkinson’s ankle was being stitched back together after Steve Howard’s valiant attempt to earn another red at the Britannia – he was dismissed two seasons ago for spitting at Carl Hoefkens – Buxton slotted remarkably smoothly into a Stoke defence rarely threatened during the first half.

A skewed effort from Barry Hayles, followed by his deflected shot into the keeper’s arms, was a welcome demonstration of the scoring problems blighting Leicester’s doomed season.

Instead, it was Stoke calling most of the shots in the first 45 as Mama Sidibe headed firmly into the keeper’s arms and Ryan Shawcross headed wide from a corner, while Ricardo Fuller saw one hooked effort parried and a second smothered at his feet a few seconds later.

Stoke came closest to scoring shortly before the hour.

First Fuller’s close-range stab was blocked, then Liam Lawrence appeared to be tripped in the box when trying to dribble his way into a shooting position.

News of Southampton winning on the south coast suddenly upped the ante for a Leicester side now needing to win and, right on cue, Gareth McAuley headed a corner against a post and then saw his follow-up shortly afterwards brilliantly blocked by Richard Cresswell.

No wonder Messrs Pulis and Holloway were jumpily prowling their technical areas as if walking on coiled springs.

With Hull still drawing at this stage, the doomsday scenario was drifting ominously towards the Potteries on the back of the latest rain clouds.

Stoke continued to struggle to truly pressure Leicester from their many set-pieces, while their earlier exertions were threatening to leave one or two out on their feet for the final push.

But then news of Ipswich’s 1-0 lead over Hull dramatically, almost mercifully, transformed the entire complexion of an occasion now careering gleefully towards a jubilant conclusion.

Carlo Nash’s faultless goalkeeping was still a welcome sight, nevertheless, as he reacted superbly to push Iain Hume’s snapshot round a post, while his agility was also required to palm over a header from the subsequent corner.

Leicester were done for now, however, their fate sealed by the very club they conquered in the play-offs 12 years previous.

One pitch invasion proved premature after fans either misinterpreted a referee’s whistle, or simply refused to contain themselves after hearing the final score from Ipswich.

Supporters dutifully removed themselves, and thankfully no player’s clothing, to leave the last rites being read on Stoke City’s truly wonderful campaign.

How we shaped up:

NASH: A couple of wonderful second-half saves to compliment fine decision-making and secure handling throughout 9

WILKINSON: Heartbreak injury cut short his return to the starting line-up, but at least he was part of an historic occasion 9

DICKINSON: Kept head well after booking – not least with one second-half clearance – to turn in another proud display 9

CORT: Steady Eddie at the back with spot-on decision-making, which was just what Stoke needed on a day like this 9

SHAWCROSS: Terrific challenges in the air and on the deck to play his part in that crucial clean sheet 9

LAWRENCE: Tremendous energy in both halves and always asking questions with set-piece deliveries 9

DELAP: What can you say about Mr Reliable after being within sniffing distance of the action throughout? True captain’s display again 9

WHELAN: His team’s most outstanding player for much of the afternoon after a great range of passing to compliment usual energy 9

CRESSWELL: Always a threat within sight of goal as he sought another winner to confirm his place in history 9

SIDIBE: Missed out with one first-half header, but terrific effort and muscle in all aspects during yet another honest offering 9

FULLER: Frightened the life out of N’Gotty every time he took possession, just a pity he couldn’t round it off with a goal 9

SUBSTITUTES

BUXTON (for Wilkinson, 22): Stepped up to the plate magnificently at short notice and demonstrated composure in tight situations 9

AMEOBI (for Sidibe, 90): Thrown on to run down the clock 9

PUGH (for Lawrence, 90): Ditto Mr Versatility to earn a brief and deserved moment in the spotlight 9

Not used: Simonsen, Pearson.

LEICESTER: 31 Henderson, 17 Stearman, 23 Mattock, 4 N’Gotty, 5 McAuley, 9 Bell, 20 Worley (12 Fryatt, 85), 26 Oakley (39 Chambers, 90), 24 Hayles, 7 Hume, 38 Howard. Subs not used: 41 Douglas, 11 Clapham, 14 Wesolowski.