Chris Stokes (footballer)

Chris Stokes
Personal information
Full name Christopher Martin Thomas Stokes[1]
Date of birth (1991-03-08) 8 March 1991 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth Frome,[2] England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Barrow
Number 14
Youth career
2005–2009 Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Bolton Wanderers 0 (0)
2010 → Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2 (0)
2010–2015 Forest Green Rovers 133 (7)
2015 → Coventry City (loan) 16 (1)
2015–2018 Coventry City 79 (2)
2018–2019 Bury 41 (4)
2019–2020 Stevenage 25 (0)
2020–2021 Forest Green Rovers 39 (2)
2021–2023 Kilmarnock 37 (4)
2023–2024 Morecambe 21 (2)
2024– Barrow 0 (0)
International career
2007 England U17 6 (0)
2013 England C 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:53, 03 March 2022 (UTC)

Christopher Martin Thomas Stokes (born 8 March 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or full-back for EFL League Two club Barrow.

Club career

Early career

Stokes played for Southampton and Bristol City youth teams before joining Bolton Wanderers at the age of 14 for an undisclosed fee.

Bolton Wanderers

He 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.[4]

Crewe Alexandra (loan)

[5] On 12 March 2010, he signed for Crewe Alexandra on a one-month loan deal,[6] making his debut two days later in a 1–1 draw with Torquay United and played 90 minutes.[7]

On 11 May 2010, Stokes was released by Bolton Wanderers following the expiry of his contract.[8] On 21 July 2010, Stokes opted to quit his trial period at Crewe to take up a similar opportunity at Walsall, however was not offered a contract by Saddlers manager Chris Hutchings.

Forest Green Rovers

Stokes played for Conference club Forest Green Rovers' reserve team as part of a trial,[9] On 11 November 2010, he signed for Forest Green, initially on a non-contract basis.[10]

It took until 19 February 2011 for Stokes to make his Forest Green debut in a 1–1 home draw against Darlington.[11] After impressing in his first few months at Forest Green, Stokes was offered a new contract for the 2011–12 season.[12]

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.[13]

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.[14]

In January 2012, he signed an extension to his contract at Forest Green which would keep him at The New Lawn until the end of the 2013–14 season.[15] On 21 April 2012 it was announced at the final home game of the 2011–2012 season that Chris has been voted Supporters player of the season by the Forest Green Rovers fans. [16] On 6 December 2012, Stokes signed a further extension to his contract at Forest Green, keeping him at the club until June 2015.[17] At the end of the 2012–13 season Stokes earned a call up to the England C squad for a forthcoming international with Bermuda.[18]

He made his hundredth Conference league appearance for Forest Green on 26 August 2013 in an away win over Chester.[19]

In January 2015, it was reported that he had been allowed by Forest Green to train with League One side Yeovil Town.[20] It was revealed a week later though that he would not be moving to Yeovil.[21] He then began training with fellow League One side Coventry City in February 2015.[22]

Coventry City (loan)

On 21 February 2015, Stokes signed a 28-day loan deal at Coventry City.[23] He made his debut on the same day in a 2–2 draw against Sheffield United.[24][25]

In only his second game for Coventry, he scored a header against league leaders MK Dons to help Coventry to secure their first home win since October 2014, and to help them climb out of the relegation zone.[26] [27] He impressed making it into the Football League team of the week.[28] After impressing in his first seven games for Coventry, his loan was extended to the end of the 2014–15 season.[29]

He helped Coventry retain their League One status before the completion of his loan. On 4 May 2015, it was confirmed that he had been released by parent club Forest Green Rovers at the end of his contract.[30]

Coventry City

On 30 June 2015, Stokes signed a one-year contract with Coventry City.[31]

Bury

After three years at Coventry in which he helped the club to promotion and the 2016–17 EFL Trophy, he joined Bury on a free transfer on 16 July 2018, signing a two-year contract with the Shakers.[32]

Stokes helped Bury secure promotion to league 1 finishing 2nd in the league 2 table during the 2018-2019 season, making it back to back league 1 promotion for Stokes.[33]

Stevenage

Stokes left Bury on 2 July 2019 to join Stevenage.[34]

During his short spell at Stevenage Stokes helped keep 11 clean sheets in the 30 games he started.[35]

Forest Green Rovers (2nd spell)

On 31 January 2020, Stokes re-joined Forest Green Rovers on a short-term deal.[36]

Stokes' slotted straight into the team starting every league game before the season came to a premature end due to the global pandemic COVID-19 in March 2020, this was following an impressive display away at Swindon where Forest Green toppled the league two leaders, coming away with a deserved 0-2 victory and Stokes earning Man of the Match.[37] He was released by Forest Green at the end of the 2020-21 season.

Kilmarnock

In June 2021, Stokes signed a two-year contract with Scottish Championship side Kilmarnock.[38]

Morecambe

Following his release from Kilmarnock, Stokes returned to England, signing for Morecambe in June 2023.[39]

International career

Stokes was capped by England at under-17 level.[40]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 03 March 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bolton Wanderers 2009–10[41] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2009–10[41] League Two 2 0 — — — 2 0
Forest Green Rovers 2010–11[42] Conference 14 0 — — — 14 0
2011–12[43][44] Conference 45 2 1 0 — 2[a] 0 48 2
2012–13[44][45] Conference 36 4 2 1 — 2[a] 0 40 5
2013–14[44][46] Conference 20 0 1 0 — 0 0 21 0
2014–15[44][47] Conference 18 1 0 0 — 3[a] 0 21 1
Total 133 7 4 1 — 7 0 144 8
Coventry City (loan) 2014–15[47] League One 16 1 — — — 16 1
Coventry City 2015–16[48] League One 36 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 38 2
2016–17[49] League One 7 0 0 0 0 0 2[b] 0 9 0
2017–18[50] League Two 30 0 2 0 0 0 3[c] 0 35 0
Total 89 3 3 0 1 0 5 0 98 3
Bury 2018–19[51] League Two 37 4 2 0 1 0 3[b] 0 43 4
Stevenage 2019–20[52] League Two 25 0 2 0 0 0 3[b] 0 30 0
Forest Green Rovers 2019–20[52] League Two 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
2020–21[53] League Two 29 2 0 0 1 0 2[b] 1 32 3
Total 34 2 0 0 1 0 2 1 37 3
Kilmarnock 2021–22[54] Scottish Championship 19 2 1 0 5 0 2 0 19 2
Career total 330 18 14 1 7 0 24 1 376 20
  1. ^ a b c Appearances in FA Trophy.
  2. ^ a b c d Appearances in EFL Trophy.
  3. ^ One appearance in EFL Trophy; two in EFL League Two play-offs.

Honours

Coventry City

Bury

Kilamrnock

References

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Forest Green Rovers" (PDF). English Football League. p. 30. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Chris Stokes". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Coventry City FC player profiles: 3. Chris Stokes". Coventry City. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Wanderers' FA Youth Cup adventure".
  5. ^ "Stokes Joins Crewe". bwfc.co.uk. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Crewe agree loan deal for Bolton defender Chris Stokes". BBC Sport. 12 March 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  7. ^ "Torquay 1–1 Crewe". crewealex.net. 13 March 2010. Archived from the original on 16 March 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  8. ^ "Trio Sign Extended Deals". www.bwfc.co.uk. 11 May 2010. Archived from the original on 16 May 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  9. ^ "Goals & appearances 2010/11". Swindon Supermarine. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  10. ^ "Ex-Bolton defender Chris Stokes joins Forest Green". BBC Sport. 11 November 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  11. ^ "Forest Green Rovers 1–1 Darlington". BBC Sport. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  12. ^ "Forest Green Rovers offer 11 players new deals". BBC Sport. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  13. ^ "England call for Forest Green Six". 24 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  14. ^ "Forest Green Rovers 3–0 Bath City". BBC Sport. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  15. ^ "Four players secure deals at Forest Green Rovers". BBC Sport. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  16. ^ "Popular defender is aiming high". stroud news& journal. 25 April 2012.
  17. ^ "Forest Green Rovers hand new contracts to five players". BBC Sport. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  18. ^ "England C squad announced". Football Conference. 10 May 2013. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  19. ^ "Chester 1–2 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  20. ^ "Forest Green defender Chris Stokes training with Yeovil Town". Gloucester Citizen. 21 January 2015. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  21. ^ "Yeovil Town end interest in Forest Green defender Chris Stokes". Stroud Life. 28 January 2015. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  22. ^ "Coventry City triallist Chris Stokes 'doing everything' to secure move, says coach Dave Hockaday". Coventry Telegraph. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  23. ^ Kieran Crowley. "TRANSFER: Coventry City sign Chris Stokes on a 28-day loan deal from Conference side Forest Green Rovers".
  24. ^ Kieran Crowley. "TEAM NEWS: Sheffield United vs Coventry City - Chris Stokes makes his debut in one change for Sky Blues".
  25. ^ Matt Joyce. ""Coventry City are a massive football club, I would love to sign here. I'm not getting ahead of myself though." Coventry City's Chris Stokes".
  26. ^ Matt Joyce. "MATCH REPORT: Coventry City 2-1 MK Dons - Sky Blues dig in for crucial win after brilliant defensive display".
  27. ^ Kieran Crowley. "HIGHLIGHTS: Coventry City 2-1 MK Dons - Chris Stokes and Dominic Samuel goals give City a crucial win".
  28. ^ Ryan Percival & Alex Butcher. "Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week".
  29. ^ Aidan McCartney (19 March 2015). "Coventry City confirm Forest Green defender Chris Stokes will remain on loan until end of the season". Coventry Telegraph.
  30. ^ "Forest Green: Six players released following play-off failure". BBC Sport. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  31. ^ "Stokes returns to Coventry". Sky Sports.
  32. ^ "Chris Stokes: Bury sign Coventry City left-back on free transfer". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  33. ^ "Bury FC fans celebrate as they secure promotion from League Two". May 2019.
  34. ^ "Chris Stokes, Charlie Carter & Paul Digby: Trio join League Two side Stevenage". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  35. ^ "Chris Stokes | Football Stats | Forest Green Rovers | Age 30 | Soccer Base".
  36. ^ "Chris Stokes: Forest Green Rovers re-sign defender from Stevenage on short-term deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  37. ^ "MATCH REPORT | Swindon Town 0 Forest Green Rovers 2". Archived from the original on 25 June 2020.
  38. ^ "Welcome to Killie, Chris Stokes". kilmarnockfc.co.uk. 10 June 2021. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Chris Stokes joins The Shrimps". Morecambe FC. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  40. ^ "Ice cool Donaldson". TheFA.com. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  41. ^ a b "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  42. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  43. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  44. ^ a b c d "C. Stokes". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  45. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  46. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  47. ^ a b "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  48. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  49. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  50. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  51. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  52. ^ a b "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  53. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  54. ^ "Games played by Chris Stokes in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  55. ^ Scott, Ged (2 April 2017). "Coventry City 2–1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  56. ^ Law, James (28 May 2018). "Coventry City 3–1 Exeter City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  57. ^ "League Two: 2018/19: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
    "Bury: Squad details: 2018/19". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  58. ^ "Killie win Championship title and promotion to Premiership". 22 April 2022.