Tony Pulis - Personal Life

Personal Life

Pulis was born and raised in the Pill area of Newport in Wales with his father Angelo a steelworker and his mother Jean as well as his brothers and sisters. Growing up in Newport he supported Manchester United as well as attending matches at Cardiff City and Newport County. One of his brothers, Ray also used to play for Newport and is currently chairman of Welsh non-league side Pill AFC. His son Anthony is a professional footballer who plays for Orlando City. Pulis's former Bristol Rovers team mate Ian Holloway is Anthony's godfather. He also has a daughter, Stephanie whose partner, Jack Swann is an amateur footballer who plays for Bournemouth Poppies.

Pulis was awarded an honorary degree at the University of Staffordshire on 10 July 2009. He received the reward for his contribution in helping sports journalism students at the university. Pulis participated in the 2009 London Marathon to raise money for the Donna Louise Trust which assists a children hospice. He completed the marathon in 4 hours 31 minutes 57 seconds. In May 2010 Pulis climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with Nick Hancock to raise money for the Stoke-on-Trent based charity the Donna Louise Trust. In March 2012 he escaped a driving ban for speeding after his lawyer claimed that the city of Stoke-on-Trent would suffer as a result. On 31 May 2012 Pulis was a Olympic Torch bearer for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Pulis is a Catholic and regularly attends church. His mother died on 13 September 2010, the same day that Stoke had a Monday night fixture against Aston Villa. Pulis made an unexpected return to the dug-out after the half-time break, having missed the first half, amidst huge applause from the home crowd.

His grandfather was born in Ħaż-Żabbar in Malta before he moved to Wales.