Thousands attend team bus parade

Crowds lined the streets to show their support

Thousands have cheered Stoke City's footballers in a tour of the Potteries in an open-top bus to celebrate their promotion to the Premier League.

About 11,000 also went to the Britannia Stadium as a civic reception marked the club's return to English football's top division after an absence of 23 years.

The team had secured promotion at the stadium on Sunday in a goalless draw with Leicester City.

Manager Tony Pulis described the turn out on Tuesday as "just breathtaking".

"The support today has been absolutely fantastic," he said.

"We've been around the towns and everywhere we've gone the support and the delight on the supporters has just been unbelievable."

'Great city'

The club's chairman, Peter Coates, told the crowd that the players' team spirit and work ethic were "fantastic".

He said: "They will go down very much in the history of the club and we shall have a very special place for them."

Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Mark Meredith said he recognised the role the chairman had played in the club's success.

"Peter has put his money where his mouth is and has really taken the club forward," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Now we can show the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and the other big teams what we are made of."

The mayor said promotion puts the city on the map, adding: "People from all around the country will have the opportunity to visit our great city."

Striker Mamady Sidibe added: "It's something you can't forget forever. It's something good to enjoy."

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