Promotion to the Premier League is sweet at the best of times, so imagine how Carl Dickinson must feel having endured the hardest year of his playing career.

The City protégé sadly lost his father earlier in the season, but came back to cement a spot in Tony Pulis' starting eleven and play an integral part as the Potters ended a 23-year absence out of the top flight.

His tough tackling, hard working approach has seen him quickly engrave himself in to the hearts of thousands of City supporters, and admits winning promotion was a moment that will live with him for the rest of his life.

"This is definitely the highlight of my career its just unbelievable," he told Stoke City World.

"I've dreamt about going up for the last month. Now it's finally here I just can't believe it.

"I want to dedicate this to my dad, I wish he could be here. And for all my family, it's been an unbelievable day.

"When it happened I just wanted to be around the lads and they've been brilliant, not just the lads but everybody involved at the grounds.

"I don't rest on my laurels, I just want to keep fighting and that's what we've all done for the club.

"You saw us all together at the end when we went up and that's been the team spirit throughout the whole season so hopefully we can take that in to the next season with the big boys.

"Bring them on, I don't care who we play, I'm not bothered."

Recalling a moment from the first day back at pre-season training, Carl says an inspiring talking to from the gaffer left everybody desperate for a top two finish.

"From the first day in pre-season the manager got us in the changing room and his first words were "I want to get into the Premiership.

"We have done that now and to be honest it still hasn't really sunk in, and nobody really knows what to say.

"We were all desperate to get promoted and to be honest I always believed we would do it, but when it was all confirmed after the game on Sunday, it was very emotional.

"It's just unbelievable, not just for the players, management and staff but everyone involved with the club - the fans, the people who work here, everybody. It's an unbelievable achievement."

The 20-year old, who was on the losing side just three times this season, admits he can't wait to come up against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres next season.

"I saw a sign which made me laugh but I don't think it will hit us until we actually play that first game of the season but we're looking forward to it.

"It will be fantastic to be playing against some of the best players in the world, but that is something I will relish and not worry about.

"This is why I became a footballer, I want to play at this level and next season I have the chance to do so."