WE may be bidding farewell to 2009 with something of a wimper, but overall it's been a vintage year for Stoke City.

From relegation certainties – in the eyes of the media at least – and a hideous FA Cup embarrassment at Hartlepool at the start of January, to comfortable Premier League regulars by the end of the year.

But what has been the moment of the year? There have been so many.

The victory over Manchester City, with James Beattie sparking a run of form which would result in Stoke securing safety, was arguably game of the year, although wins against Spurs, Middlesbrough, Hull and West Brom were just as satisfying.

That win at White Hart Lane seemed to be the culmination of all the good work the manager and players had put in.

Let's hope that high point, epitomised by Fuller's mazy run and Whelan's cool finish, does not prove to be the peak of the entire campaign.

Dave Kitson's first goal at the Brit, which beat Sunderland, was another reason to celebrate.

Defensively, Ryan Shawcross's tackle on Carlton Cole, when he materialised out of nowhere like the Doctor in a Doctor Who Christmas special, was the pinnacle of City's defending.

There have been plenty of comedy moments too. Rory Delap put one of his howitzers straight into the Wigan net in the final home game of last season.

James Beattie's goal celebration after scoring the winning goal against West Ham when he shattered the advertising hoarding behind the Boothen End.

It could be, in the longer term, we discover Beattie's major contribution to 2009 might be the ugliest shower incident since Janet Leigh was hacked to bits by Anthony Perkins in Psycho.

But for me the moment of the year was Abdoulaye Faye's post-match celebration after the victory over Blackburn.

The giant defender's romp around the Britannia touchline summed up everything about his contribution to the first half of the year. Abdoulaye was the beating heart of Stoke City at that point.

Whatever his value to the team now – and his role in Manchester City's opening goal does bring his continued inclusion in the starting line-up into question – that run was the zenith of the big man's Stoke career.

It showed his love for the club and fans which was reciprocated in equal measure.

And so we head into a new year with renewed hope.

Goals are what football is all about so a hot scoring streak from Fuller and Beattie wouldn't go amiss when Father Time sends out the old and brings in the new.