Tony Pulis, who led Stoke City to the 2011 FA Cup final, says he feels “cheated” after news broke last Friday that Manchester City was found guilty of breaching the majority of the 115 financial rules they’ve been accused of breaking. Stoke fans everywhere have been asking Pulis the same thing: “When do we get our FA Cup?” And honestly, it’s a question that makes total sense. Even with an appeal likely coming, this verdict leaves a seriously sour taste for anyone who loves the game.
The Dream That Was Snatched Away
For Pulis, taking Stoke to Wembley in May 2011 was easily one of the biggest moments in his 50 years in football. Think about it: a club like Stoke, dreaming of winning the FA Cup for the very first time in their long history, traveling with their fans from all corners of the world, spending fortunes just to say “I was there.” The stadium was a sea of red and white, the roar of “Delilah” echoing. It was their day, the kind of day smaller clubs and their supporters pray for. Stoke faced a Manchester City squad that was just starting to dominate English football, a team that hadn’t won a major trophy in 35 years but was spending massively on transfer fees and wages, way beyond anything Stoke could ever dream of. They lost 1-0, with Yaya Toure scoring the winner. Toure, who cost around £24 million when he joined City from Barcelona in 2010, was reportedly earning 10 times what Stoke was paying any of their players. His cost alone was more than Stoke’s entire starting 11. Back then, Pulis’s disappointment was just about falling short against a team of superstars and an elite coach like Roberto Mancini.
Justice Demanded, But Unlikely
Today, the feeling is completely different. Stoke lost to a team now found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules. This wasn’t just about one FA Cup final loss; these breaches, occurring between 2009 and 2018, allowed Manchester City to collect a stack of titles and dominate English football for over a decade. So, what’s the punishment gonna be? Stoke supporters are absolutely demanding that City hand over the trophy. And you know every other club affected by City’s rule-breaking successes during that period is looking at their legal options right now. Pulis doesn’t expect Manchester City to just call up and offer back the 2011 FA Cup or those winners’ medals. He’s not really buying that any other trophies or titles will be handed back either. What feels way more likely is a points deduction and a massive fine.
The reality? Pulis still feels cheated. Whatever happens next, Stoke City will never get that magical day back, that chance to celebrate around Stoke-on-Trent with the cup and medals they fought for honestly. Manchester City, after breaking the rules, got to do that instead.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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