Dean Stokes
Encyclopedia
Dean Anthony Stokes is an English
former footballer, currently manager at Rochdale Town.
A former professional with Port Vale
and Rochdale
, he has spent times with numerous non-league clubs, before moving into management in 2007.
played for non-league sides Castleton Gabriels, Armitage 90
, Redditch United
and Halesowen Town
.
He returned to the Football League
in January 1993, signing for John Rudge
's Port Vale
of the Second Division
. Halesowen Town eventually received £5,000 in payment, as a result of appearance clauses.
His professional debut came on 18 December 1993, at the age of 23, in a 1–1 draw with Burnley
at Vale Park
. He enjoyed regular football for the rest of the 1993–94
promotion
winning season, though did lose his place in April.
After undergoing ankle surgery in August 1994, he hardly played in Vale's 1994–95
First Division
campaign. He hardly featured in the 1995–96
season either, though did come back into first team plans in March 1996. He played in the 1996 Anglo-Italian Cup Final
, as Vale lost 5–2 to Genoa
.
One of the most successful seasons in Port Vale's history
was 1996–97
, Stokes played eleven games, ten of which were in the league.
In 1997–98
, he again appeared infrequently with just nine games that season, he was allowed to leave upon its conclusion. He in fact returned to the club of his youth – Rochdale
, who were as ever, in the basement division
.
After eleven games of 1998–99
, he was injured again.
For the first time in a long time, Stokes enjoyed consistent football in 1999–2000
. He played 26 games, six of which were cup encounters. However at the age of 30 he dropped out of the Football League to play for Leek Town
.
in 2007. He quit the post in March 2008.
In June 2009, he was made head coach at Rochdale Town.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer, currently manager at Rochdale Town.
A former professional with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
and Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, he has spent times with numerous non-league clubs, before moving into management in 2007.
Playing career
Stokes was a quick left-back, who after failing to make the grade at RochdaleRochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
played for non-league sides Castleton Gabriels, Armitage 90
Armitage 90 F.C.
Armitage 90 F.C. was an English association football club. They played at Kings Bromley Lane. The club competed variously in the Staffordshire Senior League, Midland Football Combination, Southern League, and Midland Football Alliance between 1990 and 1996, when the club folded. The club also...
, Redditch United
Redditch United F.C.
Redditch United F.C. is an English football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at the Valley.-Birmingham Combination:...
and Halesowen Town
Halesowen Town F.C.
Halesowen Town is an English association football club formed in 1873, since 2011 playing in the Southern League Division One South & West]]. The team is nicknamed "The Yeltz".-History:...
.
He returned to the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
in January 1993, signing for John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
's Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
of the Second Division
Football 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...
. Halesowen Town eventually received £5,000 in payment, as a result of appearance clauses.
His professional debut came on 18 December 1993, at the age of 23, in a 1–1 draw with Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
. He enjoyed regular football for the rest of the 1993–94
1993–94 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1993–94 season was Port Vale's eighty-second season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the Second Division. They won promotion to the First Division as the division's runners-up, just one point away from champions Reading...
promotion
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
winning season, though did lose his place in April.
After undergoing ankle surgery in August 1994, he hardly played in Vale's 1994–95
1994–95 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1994–95 season was Port Vale's eighty-third season of football in the Football League, and first ever season in the First Division following their promotion from the Second Division. John Rudge led his team to safety in the league, whilst reaching the Second Round of the FA Cup and League Cup...
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....
campaign. He hardly featured in the 1995–96
1995–96 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1995–96 season was Port Vale's eighty-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the First Division. Despite a poor start to the season, John Rudge led his side to a twelfth place finish. The league highlights were two derby wins over Stoke City, had these...
season either, though did come back into first team plans in March 1996. He played in the 1996 Anglo-Italian Cup Final
1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup
The 1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup was the last ever Anglo-Italian Cup competition. The European football competition was played between eight clubs from England and eight clubs from Italy. Italian side Genoa lifted the trophy after beating English side Port Vale 5-2.-Format:For the competition there...
, as Vale lost 5–2 to Genoa
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
.
One of the most successful seasons in Port Vale's history
History of Port Vale F.C.
The history of Port Vale F.C., an English association football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, began when the club was formed in 1876. In 1884, the club moved to the town of Burslem, changing their name to Burslem Port Vale in the process. The club joined the Football League Second Division upon its...
was 1996–97
1996–97 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1996–97 season was Port Vale's eighty-fifth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in the First Division. John Rudge led the club to its joint-second highest ever league finish, as Vale finished in eighth spot, four points from the play-offs...
, Stokes played eleven games, ten of which were in the league.
In 1997–98
1997–98 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1997–98 season was Port Vale's eighty-sixth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in the First Division. John Rudge managed to mastermind a final day escape from relegation, as rivals Stoke City instead lost their second tier status, leaving Vale as the top...
, he again appeared infrequently with just nine games that season, he was allowed to leave upon its conclusion. He in fact returned to the club of his youth – Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, who were as ever, in the basement division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
.
After eleven games of 1998–99
1998–99 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1998–99 season was Port Vale's eighty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the First Division. It was the end of an era for the club, as manager of sixteen years John Rudge was sacked in January, and was replaced by Brian Horton...
, he was injured again.
For the first time in a long time, Stokes enjoyed consistent football in 1999–2000
1999–2000 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1999–2000 season was Port Vale's eighty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and sixth successive season in the First Division. Vale suffered relegation in 23rd place, some thirteen points adrift of safety. They also exited the FA Cup at the Third Round, and were knocked out of the...
. He played 26 games, six of which were cup encounters. However at the age of 30 he dropped out of the Football League to play for Leek Town
Leek Town F.C.
Leek Town Football Club is an English football club based in Leek, Staffordshire, currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South...
.
Management career
A veteran of the non-leagues, Stokes became player-manager of Alsager TownAlsager Town F.C.
Alsager Town F.C. is an English association football club, based in Alsager, Cheshire. They currently play in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division and are members of the Cheshire County Football Association. The club have gone through a number of name changes since they were...
in 2007. He quit the post in March 2008.
In June 2009, he was made head coach at Rochdale Town.
Honours
with Port Vale- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 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...
runner-up: 1993–941993–94 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1993–94 season was Port Vale's eighty-second season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the Second Division. They won promotion to the First Division as the division's runners-up, just one point away from champions Reading... - Anglo-Italian CupAnglo-Italian CupThe Anglo-Italian Cup is a defunct European football competition that was played intermittently between 1970 and 1996 between clubs from England and Italy. Founded by Gigi Peronace in 1970, following the success of the Anglo-Italian League Cup, it was played as a professional tournament until 1973...
runner-up: 19961995–96 Anglo-Italian CupThe 1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup was the last ever Anglo-Italian Cup competition. The European football competition was played between eight clubs from England and eight clubs from Italy. Italian side Genoa lifted the trophy after beating English side Port Vale 5-2.-Format:For the competition there...