THERE maybe some crucial battles still to come ... but the mighty Stoke City have almost done it again.

Despite manager Tony Pulis’s understandable caution, the Potters are within touching distance of a third season in the Barclays Premier League.

Let’s just repeat that. Stoke, for so long damned to live up to Tony Waddington’s legendary team of the early 1970s, are within touching distance of a third season in the top flight of English football. It’s a remarkable achievement.

It’s also one that must never be taken for granted. Too many teams have fought tooth and nail to reach the top flight, only to then assume it is a given. Not so ... it’s a battle to retain that status, and one to be fought every season.

Pulis’s Potters have never looked like taking their foot off the pedal during this campaign ... and their reward has been an early sight of the Premier League finishing line, a possible top-10 finish ... and their best FA Cup run for 38 years.

Along the way, they’ve again claimed some notable scalps, turning over Spurs in their own backyard and then beating Arsenal again at the Brit.

The Brit. It’s certainly the place to be ... and ‘Fortress Britannia’ promises to be every bit as crucial to Stoke’s ambitions again next season, so The Sentinel is inviting Potters fans to once more help shout their club on to glory.

Courtesy of Stoke City FC, we have a pair of season tickets to give away for the Potters’ 2010/2011 Premier League campaign.

All you have to do to make sure you are in with a chance of winning this great prize is correctly answer the following question.

The closing date for entries is Monday, March 15, 2010, and all entrants must be aged 18 or above to be eligible. The winner of the competition will be notified by phone. No cash alternative is available and the editor’s decision is final.

For full competition terms and conditions, please go to www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/terms.