Ex-Town striker Jon Walters couldn’t hide his delight after netting twice as Stoke reached the FA Cup final for the first time by beating his former club Bolton 5-0 at Wembley this afternoon. The 27-year-old added the Potters’ fourth and fifth in the second half, Matthew Etherington, Robert Huth and Kenwyne Jones having set them well on their way before the break.

Walters, who joined Stoke in August for a fee of £2.75 million rising to £3.25 million on appearances, says today was the greatest day of his footballing life: "To score two goals at Wembley and crown a win like that is the stuff that dreams are made of and it is certainly the pinnacle of my career.

"I just want to keep this run going now and score a few more goals because it has been a remarkable few weeks for the club and we now have to finish the season off in style.

"To start the game like we did and get three goals in the first half hour was absolutely fantastic for us and that really settled any nerves we had.

"We expected Bolton to come at us in the second half because they had nothing to lose, so to get the fourth goal really killed off any hope of them coming back."

The final on May 14th against Manchester City will be Stoke’s first in their 148-year history, something Walters says he and his team-mates were conscious of before today's game: "We were aware of the history in the cup and obviously we wanted to change that and reach a first FA Cup final, and thankfully we did that.

"It was a fantastic day for the fans too. As ever, they were magnificent and you could see what it meant to all of them. They had a great day out.

"There is still a long way to go but we are confident. It's the best chance this club has had of winning this trophy and we want make the most of that."

Photo: Action Images

Gus added 20:03 - Apr 17 looks like he is a good player afterall. Fair play to him, hope he continues his good form.
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arc added 20:18 - Apr 17 Good luck to him. Falling out with Keane doesn't look so bad now, does it?
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leadbitter6 added 20:30 - Apr 17 dont care about this greedy muppet
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Garv added 20:30 - Apr 17 Just needed a manager to get the best out of him, Pulis has certainly done that. Would be nice to have kept him but can't help thinking the fee was pretty good for us? But then he has contributed to them fairly well.
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leadbitter6 added 20:31 - Apr 17 worthless news
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fourth added 20:37 - Apr 17 Brilliant player. So good to hear good news
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J4ck22 added 20:38 - Apr 17 @leadbitter6 - If you don't like it, don't post on it and go back to your little dark corner. I actually wish we didn't sell Walters now, although we did get good money for him. Let's not forget that pre-Keane he was our best player, plus added onto that, we were close to relegation in his last season with us with a shocking team, so it wasn't just his fault that we were poor. His move to Stoke clearly shows that he is a very good player and it may have been a mistake to let him go... He probably would have been back to his normal self if he was playing under Jewell.

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JayITFC added 20:40 - Apr 17 Let's no forget Jon Walters was a fine player for ITFC who gave everything for the club we support when those around him were putting in half shifts. Also well done to scouts & Jim Magilton for bringing him to our club. Great bit of business and one of the rare occasions I can remember us making a tidy profit on a player in recent years! I've got a lot more time for Jon that I have Keane & would hope others would feel the same! Hope Stoke win the cup with a Walters goal...

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J4ck22 added 20:43 - Apr 17 @JayITFC - Well said! He was actually our top scorer in his last season with us even though we were still poor... Why did we sell him again? Damn Keane -_-
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hollywoodginge added 21:02 - Apr 17 Well done jon, great performance and you deserve this success for the career sacrifices you made for the sake of your family when they needed you. Enjoy the final.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 21:07 - Apr 17 Jay... Walters wasnt scouted, he played for chester against us in the 3rd round of the fa cup and was such a handful that the defenders at the time told jim to sign him up.
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dirtydingusmagee added 21:15 - Apr 17 well done Jon ,good luck to you !
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awayfan added 21:23 - Apr 17 Well done Jon, you've earned your success. Good luck in the final
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StochesStotasBlewe added 21:35 - Apr 17 Congratulations Jon. If ever an ex Blue deserves a bit of success, then you do. Good luck in the final sir.
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bluesym added 22:26 - Apr 17 Fair play to him,but he wanted to leave so Keane can't be blamed for that.
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Bluetone added 22:31 - Apr 17 Just goes to show what a useless plank Keane was. Just a shame we took so long to ship him out.
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Tractastic added 22:47 - Apr 17 His success in the premiership says everything we all knew about Keane. He has the ability.Keane couldn't get it out of him. Clegg says we would have done better this year if Jewel had been appointed earlier.So what does Clegg do..... Clegg should have gone with Keane.
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Sospiri added 22:53 - Apr 17 Jon Walters was good for town. He was one of our best players when he was here, then made us a good pot of money when he left. Win-win. I'm pleased for him. Well done mate.
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TrueBlue4Eva added 22:58 - Apr 17 its all well and good saying we shouldnt of sold him cause of his recent performances... but lets just take our minds back to last season when he was struggling to put in a single good cross in for us... 3 million a good deal for us, he didnt want to be at the club any longer.. even after all we did for him. good riddence
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hollywoodginge added 22:58 - Apr 17 Keane made Walters captain....
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chrisw2045 added 23:13 - Apr 17 Always gave his all for Ipswich, out best player of the last decade. Wish all the best success in the final.
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Blue4life added 23:20 - Apr 17 @ TrueBlue4Eva Walters gave his all when ever playing in a town shirt, and was one of our best players... He only wanted to leave because of keane's rant and the dullness that surrounded Ipswich Under Keane and he didnt wan to be around taht anymore and I dont and i dont think anyone should blame for that... Plus he had always wanted to play in the prem again one more time and who wouldn't?? Again cant blame him.. He wanted to do it with Town But we suffered 2 Mediocre seasons under Magilton in his 1st n 2nd season and relegation threatened season in the 3rd so cant blame taking prem football when we where not getting any closer + 3 Mill at the time was good for town after the moeny keane blew! So... Well Done Jon, All the Best... Every Town Fan should be saying this!

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devontractorboy added 23:45 - Apr 17 Well said Blue4life, liked his 110% commitment in a Town shirt, I wish him and Stoke well in the final, hope Jon scores the winner. Leadbiiter6 cheer up man!!!
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Acen added 00:19 - Apr 18 Not doubting Walters effort and achievements as a player for us but, seriously what has this got to do with Ipswich Town? :S
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TractorBeezer added 00:24 - Apr 18 Well done Jon...lad to see that things are working out for you. The move was a win/win/win situation considering the circumstances. Hope that you score 2 more against City.
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