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14:41 GMT, Thursday, 14 August 2008 15:41 UK

Potters ready for Premier League

Stoke City fan Jayne Dalton can't wait for the first game of the season - it's the first Premier League game for the team in 23 years.

The 24-year-old nurse from Stoke-on-Trent volunteered to be Newsbeat's pet fan for the day as Stoke prepared for a return to the top flight of English football against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Season ticket holder Jayne has had the same seat at Stoke's Britannia Stadium for the last five years and describes it as her second home.

Jayne was there on the day Stoke clinched their long-awaited promotion with a 0-0 draw against Leicester.

She said: "May 4th 2008 is a day I will never forget. The place was just rocking - the fans were on the pitch.

"It's a day that will stay with me forever. I was breaking my heart with tears but they were tears of joy."

Jayne Dalton and Liam Lawrence

The big question on everyone's lips now is how Stoke will fare in the top division, which will see them competing with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Jayne went along to watch Stoke being put through their paces at pre-season training and managed to catch some of the players as they came off the pitch.

One particular favourite was midfielder Liam Lawrence who was named the fans' player-of-the-year as well as Championship player of-the-year.

Although, maybe more importantly for Jayne, he was also voted one of the sexiest players.

So how has he been finding the training regime?

"It's tough - as you can see today. I've not played for a few games because I've been injured. I'm really looking forward to it."

Striker Richard Cresswell doesn't feel intimidated by any talk of Stoke going straight back down to the Championship next year.

He said: "I think it's just the normal thing. All three teams that go up every year are favourites to go down.

"It puts you under no more or less pressure, we know what we have to do this season. The lads have had a fantastic pre-season and we're looking forward to the game on Saturday."

Jayne also managed to catch a moment with midfielder Glenn Whelan.

Stoke City training ground

She was relieved to hear him dispel any rumours that he wouldn't be staying at Stoke and is planning on permanent move to the area.

With training out of the way it was off to the home of the Potters, the Britannia Stadium, so we could catch a glimpse of Jayne's coveted seat.

On arrival the final touches were still being put in place, with a new dugout under construction and fresh paint being applied to the reception area.

After meeting the team Jayne is optimistic about the upcoming season, but more importantly is as determined as the rest of Stoke's contingent to enjoy the show.

She said: "I just hope that next season we can continue and build on the strength of the team and I hope that we don't do a Derby - that's the last thing I want."

(Derby were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2008 season with the lowest points total on record).

She added: "My heart says we'll stay up but my head says we haven't got a cat in hell's chance. I hope we really do."




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