Quick Facts
Biography
Christopher Martin Thomas "Chris" Stokes (born 8 March 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for League One club Coventry City.
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.
Crewe Alexandra (loan)
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 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, and played four cup matches for Southern League Premier Division club Swindon Supermarine. On 11 November 2010, he signed for Forest Green, initially on a non-contract basis.
It took until 19 February 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.
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. 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.On 6 December 2012, Stokes signed a further extension to his contract at Forest Green, keeping him at the club until June 2015. At the end of the 2012–13 season Stokes earned a call up to the England C squad for a forthcoming international with Bermuda.
He made his hundredth Conference league appearance for Forest Green on 26 August 2013 in an away win over Chester.
In January 2015, it was reported that he had been allowed by Forest Green to train with League One side Yeovil Town. It was revealed a week later though that he would not be moving to Yeovil. He then began training with fellow League One side Coventry City in February 2015.
Coventry City (loan)
On 21 February 2015, Stokes signed a 28-day loan deal at Coventry City. He made his debut on the same day in a 2–2 draw against Sheffield United.
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.He impressed making it into the Football League team of the week. After impressing in his first seven games for Coventry, his loan was extended to the end of the 2014-15 season.
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.
Coventry City
On 30 June 2015, Stokes signed a one-year contract with Coventry City.
International career
Stokes was capped by England at under-17 level.
Career statistics
- As of match played 12 March 2016
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bolton Wanderers | 2009–10 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| Crewe Alexandra (loan) | 2009–10 | League Two | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Swindon Supermarine | 2010–11 | Southern Premier | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Forest Green Rovers | 2010–11 | Conference | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 0 | |||
| 2011–12 | Conference | 45 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 48 | 2 | ||
| 2012–13 | Conference | 36 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 0 | 40 | 5 | ||
| 2013–14 | Conference | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15 | Conference | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 21 | 1 | ||
| Total | 133 | 7 | 4 | 1 | — | 7 | 0 | 144 | 8 | |||
| Coventry City (loan) | 2014–15 | League One | 16 | 1 | — | — | — | 16 | 1 | |||
| Coventry City | 2015–16 | League One | 36 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 2 |
| Total | 36 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 187 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 204 | 11 | ||