As the "Brit-10-Years" project continues, we take a look back at Peter Coates' chairman's notes from the first ever league game at the Britannia Stadium.

Chairman's Welcome (versus Swindon Town)

Welcome to the new Britannia Stadium and a new era in the history of Stoke City Football Club, to be opened by Stoke's most famous son and the Club's greatest player, Sir Stanley Matthews.

Talks about the project started with the Council over three years ago and over this period many people have been convinced that we would not succeed. The splendour of the stadium, such an impressive addition to the Stoke-on-Trent skyline, proves that we have and is a testimony to all those who believed and made it happen.

The stadium is the biggest investment Stoke City has ever made. The £20 million package put together with the help of the Council and Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration must be seen as one of the most significant landmarks in the long history of the Club.

The infrastructure to play at the highest level is now in place, it is now up to all of us to ensure the Club plays at such level. For this to happen we need your help and support in filling the new stadium on a regular basis.

Big clubs have big support, an iron law which nobody bucks in the long run.

Thank you in anticipation of helping make such a dream a reality.

Peter Coates
Chairman
Stoke City Football Club