Bobby Stokes
Encyclopedia
Bobby Stokes was an English footballer
, well known for scoring the winning goal
in the 83rd minute of the FA Cup Final
for Southampton F.C.
against Manchester United in 1976
.
on 30 January 1951, and was brought up in the Paulsgrove area of the city. It is ironic that he was born in the city whose team rivals Southampton
, the one he was most famous for playing for, although he did go on to play for Portsmouth
at the end of his career. Following a successful period of boyhood football at schoolboy and county level, he quickly became a target for a number of clubs and looked likely to sign for Portsmouth. However, he failed a trial with them and instead signed for the Saints
in September 1966 as an apprentice, turning professional in February 1968. He struggled to get into the first team as a young player but made his debut on 7 April 1969, scoring against Burnley. However, that was one of only two goals he scored that season and next season (1970–71), ravaged by injury, he only played one game. During the 1971–72 season he played 41 times and scored 7 times. He continued to impress in the next few years, despite suffering relegation in 1974 with the team.
. Stokes had an average league campaign that season, scoring just 8 goals and he nearly left The Dell before the cup final as part of an exchange deal with Portsmouth for Paul Went
, However, Stokes changed his mind and stayed. Stokes scored against Blackpool
in the fourth round in a 3–1 victory. In the fifth round, Saints were drawn against West Bromwich Albion
and were forced to put out a significantly weakened team because of a stomach virus which affected many of the first team. Stokes was not one of the players affected however, and he scored a late equaliser in the game to draw it 1–1. Saints subsequently won the replay. Southampton's place in the final was sealed with a 2–0 semi-final defeat of Crystal Palace
.
Southampton faced Football League First Division
Manchester United
in the final. Stokes scored the only goal of the game, placing his shot accurately into the corner of the net past Alex Stepney
in the United goal. Initial thoughts were that he was offside but replays show that he was not. The result remains Saints' highest success as a club. He won a new car for scoring the first goal in the cup final; he had apparently started taking driving lessons prior to the final, fully expecting to win the vehicle.
to join Southampton bitter rivals, Portsmouth
. Just one year after joining them, he left Portsmouth to play for Cheltenham Town
.
Stokes next moved over to the U.S.A. to play for Washington Diplomats
. He played alongside fellow imports Jim Steele, his teammate in the 1976 final, Tommy O'Hara
, Wim Jansen
and Johan Cruyff
.
Upon returning to England he later played non-league football with Waterlooville
, Cheltenham Town
and Chichester City
and remained a popular and well respected figure, at least in the red half of Hampshire
. The pub was not a success though and Bobby took a job in his cousin's café on the harbour in Portsmouth. In 1994, he was granted a testimonial year by Southampton FC. He died aged 44, on 30 May 1995 after contracting bronchial pneumonia
, on the same day as Ted Drake
, another football legend who started his professional career at Southampton. He has been honoured by having one of the luxury hospitality suites at the St Mary's Stadium
named after him, and Stokes Court, one of the buildings on the site of Southampton's former ground, The Dell
.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, well known for scoring the winning goal
Goal (sport)
Goal refers to a method of scoring in many sports. It can also refer to the physical structure or area of the playing surface where scoring occurs....
in the 83rd minute of the FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
for Southampton F.C.
Southampton 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...
against Manchester United in 1976
FA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
.
Early career
Stokes was born in PortsmouthPortsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
on 30 January 1951, and was brought up in the Paulsgrove area of the city. It is ironic that he was born in the city whose team rivals Southampton
Southampton 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...
, the one he was most famous for playing for, although he did go on to play for Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
at the end of his career. Following a successful period of boyhood football at schoolboy and county level, he quickly became a target for a number of clubs and looked likely to sign for Portsmouth. However, he failed a trial with them and instead signed for the Saints
Southampton 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...
in September 1966 as an apprentice, turning professional in February 1968. He struggled to get into the first team as a young player but made his debut on 7 April 1969, scoring against Burnley. However, that was one of only two goals he scored that season and next season (1970–71), ravaged by injury, he only played one game. During the 1971–72 season he played 41 times and scored 7 times. He continued to impress in the next few years, despite suffering relegation in 1974 with the team.
1976: the Cup Final year
The year would be remembered for Saints reaching the FA Cup FinalFA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
. Stokes had an average league campaign that season, scoring just 8 goals and he nearly left The Dell before the cup final as part of an exchange deal with Portsmouth for Paul Went
Paul Went
Paul Went was an English footballer with a quick turn of pace who played professionally for five clubs over a fifteen year period. Hewas one of that generation who bridged the gap between terminological eras, beginning his career as a centre-half and ending it as a central defender despite playing...
, However, Stokes changed his mind and stayed. Stokes scored against Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
in the fourth round in a 3–1 victory. In the fifth round, Saints were drawn against West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
and were forced to put out a significantly weakened team because of a stomach virus which affected many of the first team. Stokes was not one of the players affected however, and he scored a late equaliser in the game to draw it 1–1. Saints subsequently won the replay. Southampton's place in the final was sealed with a 2–0 semi-final defeat of Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
.
Southampton faced Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the final. Stokes scored the only goal of the game, placing his shot accurately into the corner of the net past Alex Stepney
Alex Stepney
Alexander Cyril "Alex" Stepney is a former English football player who was Manchester United's goalkeeper when they became the first English club to win the European Cup.-London beginnings:...
in the United goal. Initial thoughts were that he was offside but replays show that he was not. The result remains Saints' highest success as a club. He won a new car for scoring the first goal in the cup final; he had apparently started taking driving lessons prior to the final, fully expecting to win the vehicle.
Post-1976
During 1976–77, his final season with Southampton, Stokes made only 11 appearances and scored once. He left Saints with the club still in the Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
to join Southampton bitter rivals, Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. Just one year after joining them, he left Portsmouth to play for Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
.
Stokes next moved over to the U.S.A. to play for Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
. He played alongside fellow imports Jim Steele, his teammate in the 1976 final, Tommy O'Hara
Tommy O'Hara
Tommy O'Hara is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Active in Scotland and the United States, O'Hara made over 350 career league appearances. He also earned a cap with the U.S. national team in 1982....
, Wim Jansen
Wim Jansen
Wilhelmus Marinus Anthonius Jansen is a Dutch former association football player and manager.- Playing career :He spent most of his playing career with his hometown team, Feyenoord, between 1965 and 1980...
and Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff
Hendrik Johannes Cruijff OON , known as Johan Cruyff, is a retired Dutch footballer and is currently the manager of the Catalan national team as well as a member of the AFC Ajax board of directors. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1971, 1973 and 1974, which is a record jointly held with...
.
Upon returning to England he later played non-league football with Waterlooville
Waterlooville F.C.
Waterlooville F.C. was an English football club based in Waterlooville, Hampshire. They ceased to exist in 1998 when they merged with Havant Town to form Havant & Waterlooville.-History:...
, Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
and Chichester City
After football
By 1981, Stokes was running a pub in Portsmouth. He took an active interest in horse racingHorse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
and remained a popular and well respected figure, at least in the red half of Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. The pub was not a success though and Bobby took a job in his cousin's café on the harbour in Portsmouth. In 1994, he was granted a testimonial year by Southampton FC. He died aged 44, on 30 May 1995 after contracting bronchial pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
, on the same day as Ted Drake
Ted Drake
Edward Joseph "Ted" Drake was an English football player and manager. As a player, he first played for Southampton but made his name playing for Arsenal in the 1930s, winning two league titles and an FA Cup, as well as five caps for England. He was also a cricketer, but only ever played sparingly...
, another football legend who started his professional career at Southampton. He has been honoured by having one of the luxury hospitality suites at the St Mary's Stadium
St Mary's Stadium
St Mary's Stadium is the home of Southampton F.C., in the city of Southampton. It is a UEFA 4-star rated stadium and with a capacity of 32,689 is the largest football stadium in the south of England, outside of London.-History:...
named after him, and Stokes Court, one of the buildings on the site of Southampton's former ground, The Dell
The Dell (Southampton F.C.)
The Dell in Milton Road, Southampton, England was the home ground of Southampton Football Club, between 1898 and 2001.-New stadium:Since 1896, Southampton had been tenants of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in the summer of 1896...
.