Chris Stokes (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Martin Thomas (Chris) Stokes (born 8 March 1991) is an English
footballer who plays for Forest Green Rovers
in the Conference National
.
and Bristol City
youth teams before joining Bolton Wanderers
at the age of 14 for an undisclosed fee. He has captained the Wanderers at youth level during their successful run to the Youth Cup
quarter finals in the 2008–09 season, scoring a penalty against Liverpool
at Anfield
and was a regular in Bolton's reserve team.
On 12 March 2010, he signed for Crewe Alexandra
on a one-month loan deal, making his debut two days later in a 1–1 draw with Torquay United
and played 90 minutes.
On 11 May 2010, Stokes was released by Bolton Wanderers following the expiry of his contract.
On 21 July 2010, Stokes opted to quit his trial period at Crewe in order to take up a similar opportunity at Walsall
. Not offered a contract by Saddlers manager Chris Hutchings
,
On the 11th of November 2010 he signed permanently for Forest Green.
It took until February 19, 2011 for Stokes to make his Forest Green debut in a 1-1 home draw against Darlington
. After impressing in his first few months at Forest Green, Stokes was offered a new contract for the 2011-12 season.
On 24 August 2011 it was announced that Stokes had been included in the England C Squad to face the India national under-23 football team
side on 6 September.
Despite scoring his first goal for the club in a pre season friendly with Hellenic Premier Division
side Slimbridge
in August 2011, Stokes scored his first league goal for Forest Green in a 3-0 win over Bath City
on 29 August 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who plays for Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
.
Career
Stokes is an English left-back who has been capped by England at Under 17's level. He has played for SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
and Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
youth teams before joining Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
at the age of 14 for an undisclosed fee. He has captained the Wanderers at youth level during their successful run to the Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
quarter finals in the 2008–09 season, scoring a penalty against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
and was a regular in Bolton's reserve team.
On 12 March 2010, he signed for Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
on a one-month loan deal, making his debut two days later in a 1–1 draw with Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
and played 90 minutes.
On 11 May 2010, Stokes was released by Bolton Wanderers following the expiry of his contract.
On 21 July 2010, Stokes opted to quit his trial period at Crewe in order to take up a similar opportunity at Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. Not offered a contract by Saddlers manager Chris Hutchings
Chris Hutchings
Christopher "Chris" Hutchings is an English former footballer and former manager of Walsall. He played for a number of clubs including Chelsea and played more than 100 games for Brighton & Hove Albion and Huddersfield Town...
,
On the 11th of November 2010 he signed permanently for Forest Green.
It took until February 19, 2011 for Stokes to make his Forest Green debut in a 1-1 home draw against Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. After impressing in his first few months at Forest Green, Stokes was offered a new contract for the 2011-12 season.
On 24 August 2011 it was announced that Stokes had been included in the England C Squad to face the India national under-23 football team
India national under-23 football team
The India U-23 is the national team which represents India at U-23 level. India U-23 participated in Asian Games. They are also a dominant force in South Asian Games.-2012 Olympics:...
side on 6 September.
Despite scoring his first goal for the club in a pre season friendly with Hellenic Premier Division
Hellenic Football League
The Hellenic Football League is an English football league covering an area including the English counties of Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, southern Buckinghamshire, southern Herefordshire, western Greater London, and northern Wiltshire. There is also one team from Hampshire.The league...
side Slimbridge
Slimbridge F.C.
Slimbridge Football Club are an English football club representing the village of Slimbridge, near Dursley, Gloucestershire , currently playing in the Hellenic League...
in August 2011, Stokes scored his first league goal for Forest Green in a 3-0 win over Bath City
Bath City F.C.
Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
on 29 August 2011.