Frank Stokes (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Frank Stokes was an English
professional footballer who played as a full-back
. In addition to his club career he played in several England
trials but was not selected.
from a local side in October 1898. He made his debut on 4 March 1899 in a 4–1 home win over Luton Town
and became a first team regular from September 1899. He made 82 appearances over all competitions for the Valiants before signing with Reading
in the summer of 1901.
He stayed with Reading for two years, but returned to the Midlands
in 1903 to sign with Small Heath
(later Birmingham). In seven years he made 213 appearances in all competitions before a serious knee injury forced his retirement. A muscular yet mobile defender, and formed an excellent full-back pairing with Jack Glover
.
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...
professional footballer who played as a full-back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. In addition to his club career he played in several England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
trials but was not selected.
Playing career
Stokes joined Burslem Port ValePort 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...
from a local side in October 1898. He made his debut on 4 March 1899 in a 4–1 home win over Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
and became a first team regular from September 1899. He made 82 appearances over all competitions for the Valiants before signing with Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
in the summer of 1901.
He stayed with Reading for two years, but returned to the Midlands
English Midlands
The Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
in 1903 to sign with Small Heath
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
(later Birmingham). In seven years he made 213 appearances in all competitions before a serious knee injury forced his retirement. A muscular yet mobile defender, and formed an excellent full-back pairing with Jack Glover
John Glover (footballer)
John William Glover , also known as Jack Glover, was an English professional footballer who played as a right back....
.