Region claims share of 'at least £500 million' as the world follows club's fortunes

STOKE City's Premier League status has already netted the club – and North Staffordshire as a whole – exposure worth £500 million, according to one public relations expert.

Russ Cockburn, director of Wolverhampton-based Danks Cockburn Public Relations, said the estimate – based on how much it would cost the area to buy the equivalent advertising time – is conservative. He said North Staffordshire will have benefited from daily television coverage, newspaper interest, blogs, websites and online forums.

Mr Cockburn said: "It's important to acknowledge the strong link between the club and the area – this is something nobody can take away, so when Stoke City is mentioned in any one of dozens of communications channels, it brings with it all manner of associated benefits to the club and the city.

"The Premier League is watched by over half a billion people in 202 countries, an amazing ready-made market on which Stoke is presented week in, week out.

"The internet opportunities are mindboggling, meaning Stoke will be read about and spoken of in every corner of the world as part of the 'Greatest Show On Earth'."