A NEW York Stoke City Supporters' Club has been sprouted by a group of ex-patriots who follow the club's fortunes at their local pub.

The Fitzgerald's bar on Third Avenue, Manhattan, becomes a shrine to the Potters, with all of their Premier League matches screened live on television.

Scott Robertson, who emigrated from Baddeley Green to New York 12 years ago, came up with the idea of the supporters' club in the wake of last season's promotion.

He said: "I hardly missed a game at Stoke when I lived in England and I've continued to follow their fortunes over here. I'm always on The Sentinel website seeing what's going on.

"Three of my friends who used to live in Milton also now live in New York, so I thought it would be good to get something official going."

Scott, who also runs a football team from Fitzgerald's, has already recruited around a dozen of his American friends, including bar owner Kevin Fitzgerald.

He said: "Stoke matches are now big business at the pub and we are picking up new members all the time. Kevin is a great publican.

"It's an Irish bar as you might expect and there is a cracking atmosphere when the games are on and the Guinness is flowing.

"I think Tony Pulis and the lads have done very well so far and certainly deserve more points on the board than they have got.

"They were unlucky not to get something at Middlesbrough and they deserved at least a point against Everton. Ricardo Fuller's goal should have stood."

Scott, who used to service bicycles when he first moved to the States, now owns his own computer telecommunications company.

The ex-Milton members of the supporters' group are perfume bottle designer Paul Hough, construction worker Anthony Weston and computer technician Tim Hughes.

Scott is currently back in Baddeley Green visiting his mother, Betty, and other family members.

He was at Anfield to witness the 0-0 draw against Liverpool and unfurled his New York Stoke City Supporters' Club banner at last weekend's clash with Chelsea at the Britannia.

He added: "It's one thing to watch them on television, but I couldn't wait to see the real thing.

"It's obvious that the atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium has been very special and the Chelsea game was something else."