Pulis avoids driving ban after 'relegation' defence
PA Photos
Tony Pulis has been allowed to keep his driving licence
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has escaped a driving ban after his lawyer argued that such a punishment could result in the club's relegation.
Pulis was caught doing 96mph in his BMW in a 60mph zone on the M42 following Stoke's 5-0 loss against Bolton in November. This offence would have seen Pulis' licence exceed 12 points, resulting in the Welshman being banned from driving.
However, Pulis' lawyer argued that such a ban could have an adverse effect on those affiliated both with the club and the city. Mike Stephenson told magistrates: "There are numerous phone calls every day between Mr Pulis and the chairman which are totally confidential.
"That has contributed to the success of the football club. As a result of being in the Premier League it has put Stoke-on-Trent on the map. It has led to numerous businesses being set up. A number of them are totally reliant on Stoke City, and those businesses would suffer if they were relegated. The people of Stoke-on-Trent could suffer if Mr Pulis lost his licence and lost his job."
Allowing Pulis to keep his licence, magistrate Donnie Clarke told him: "You will not be able to use this defence again in any other proceedings in the next three years."
The Sentinel quotes Pulis as telling magistrates: "I'm in control of over 100 employees. I deal directly with the chairman and his son; it's very unique in that respect.
"They're concerned about the circus of media which follows football clubs. A lot of the success of the club is because a lot of deals have been kept within the football club until we have to disclose them. We try to keep it that way."
Asked why he could not employ a chauffeur, Pulis responded: "We signed Peter Crouch in the summer without anyone knowing. That took almost four days of non-stop conversations between us and Tottenham - and Peter and the like.
"If other clubs had found out, they would have been attracted and might have signed him before us. I have my staff who I trust implicitly, but there are things I wouldn't even discuss with them."
Pulis, who admitted speeding on November 6, has seven days to pay his £2,500 fine and £85 costs.
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The real question is why do United fans worship a scouser?
Rooney is bigger than United - he screwed the club and he screwed the manager (probably literally given his form with pensioners). You should wear Everton scarves - you worship an Evertonian and your next manager will be Moyes. LOL
Asked if he will ever pick Tevez again, he replied: "No. If we want to improve like a team, like a squad, Carlos cannot play with us. With me, no – it is finished.
"It may not be my decision but if I'm deciding then, yes, he goes. For me, if a player earns a lot of money playing for Manchester City in the champions league he behaves like this – he cannot play again. Never. He has wanted to leave for the last two years. For two years I have helped him, and now he has refused to play. Never again."
shut yer gob!
