Anthony Stokes (F free agent b.1988)

[OwlsFan]

Contract at Hibs cancelled by mutual consent. Linked with a move to Charlton before the transfer window closes

He scored twice for Hibs in that epic Cup Final win over Rangers so he has earned himself a place in the annals of that club. He has not featured in any of Neil Lennon's match day squads this year having reportedly been dropped for disciplinary reasons and subsequently requesting time off (according to RTE).

[zero]

opened this thread half expecting to read he has retired. couldn't cut it in the SPL for whatever reason. we can safely forget about him in terms of the national side.

[irishfan86]

opened this thread half expecting to read he has retired. couldn't cut it in the SPL for whatever reason. we can safely forget about him in terms of the national side.

Probably one of the most disappointing stories in recent memory with a one-time prospect. Could have done much more with his career IMO.

[seanfhear]

He certainly has had a lot of coverage for non football stuff .

Never good for a sports person .

[Closed Account]

Συμφωνία με τον Άντονι Στόουκς

http://www.fcapollon.gr/news/ola-ta-nea/35/@3227.aspx?returnpage=%2fcms%2f1-Home-Page.aspx%3fpage%3d0

[seanfhear]

Συμφωνία με τον Άντονι Στόουκς

http://www.fcapollon.gr/news/ola-ta-nea/35/@3227.aspx?returnpage=%2fcms%2f1-Home-Page.aspx%3fpage%3d0Its all Greek to me .

[Eminence Grise]

Google Translate gives this from the page -

Apollo Smyrna FC announces agreement with footballer Antony Stoke. Born on July 25, 1988, the Irish striker has fought in Hibernian, Blackburn, Celtic, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Sunderland, Falkirk and Arsenal. It is international with the Irish National Team.

Seems a bit harsh. It was just that one time in Buck Whaley's, I thought...

[OwlsFan]

Sun, sea and ouzo - that's going to work out just dandy.

[Fixer82]

He had plenty to make it as an international footballer but his attitude was wrong. Too much success, too soon it seems. Probably believed his own hype.

Everyone is entitled to a second chance but he's screwed up off the field numerous times.
If I was a manager I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole

[pineapple stu]

opened this thread half expecting to read he has retired. couldn't cut it in the SPL for whatever reason. we can safely forget about him in terms of the national side.
Agree with the first and last bits, but the part in bold is a little bit harsh. He did cut it in the SPL with both Hibs and Celtic; hit 20 goals four times in five years, as well as 16 in 18 with Falkirk.

Apollon Smyrni is some drop though. I don't think there's too much depth in Greece outside the top few, and Smyrni are just above the relegation zone, having been promoted last season. Average crowd less than 1000. Will presumably be hoping for a productive few months and a big transfer in the summer, but if it doesn't happen, he could well return to Ireland.

[zero]

Agree with the first and last bits, but the part in bold is a little bit harsh. He did cut it in the SPL with both Hibs and Celtic; hit 20 goals four times in five years, as well as 16 in 18 with Falkirk.

Apollon Smyrni is some drop though. I don't think there's too much depth in Greece outside the top few, and Smyrni are just above the relegation zone, having been promoted last season. Average crowd less than 1000. Will presumably be hoping for a productive few months and a big transfer in the summer, but if it doesn't happen, he could well return to Ireland.

I should have been more clear, I meant in his most recent spell... perhaps Dundalk wouldn't be a bad move for him though as you say a bit of success in Greece could see him find another team there or in Turkey / Cyprus etc.

[geysir]

It's not exactly a big fat Greek transfer but i'd take spring time in Athens over Dundalk.

[CraftyToePoke]

At it again.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/anthony-stokes-goes-awol-from-new-club-after-just-four-games-36804307.html

[seanfhear]

What a Plonker ! Can you imagine who ever ( agent or ) gets a player like this these chances and he just continues to fook up .

Who would be foolish enough to give him another chance if this ends they way its looking likely .

[Olé Olé]

Himself and Darron Gibson. Saw them in an Ireland under 19 match when I was a kid. They were a different level to all. Thankfully I didn't rely on then for inspiration. Two of the greatest wastes of talent Irish football will ever see. I hope they're proud.

[seanfhear]

Himself and Darron Gibson. Saw them in an Ireland under 19 match when I was a kid. They were a different level to all. Thankfully I didn't rely on then for inspiration. Two of the greatest wastes of talent Irish football will ever see. I hope they're proud.
There is also the types that use the drink or what ever for not being good enough...

The, sure....I would have been great if only the drink did not get hold of me.........good cover if you were not good enough .

Admittedly , they can be under pressure to make the grade but some of these things can be used as a cover .

[Charlie Darwin]

With Gibson anyway, not sure you can use the not good enough reasoning. He just made very bad choices, combined with some bad injuries.

[samhaydenjr]

There is also the types that use the drink or what ever for not being good enough...

The, sure....I would have been great if only the drink did not get hold of me.........good cover if you were not good enough .

Admittedly , they can be under pressure to make the grade but some of these things can be used as a cover .

I think it's not so much about using the excuse of drink as cover for not being good enough, more that, in the modern game, not letting drink (or other vices) take hold of you is part and parcel of actually being good enough - and that's what makes players like Stokes so infuriating - we know he likely had the ability to be a really top player-an EPL and international team fixture, but that he settled for being part of a Celtic team that coasted to victories in a mostly Rangers-less SPL and failed to rise to greater challenges. Whereas on the other hand you have Jon Walters, whose early career seemed to mark him out as no more than a solid Championship journeyman, but through focus, determination and desire, took the chance offered to him by Stoke and racked up over 200 Premier League appearances and 43 goals along with 51 international caps and 14 international goals, all in the second half of his career. And Stokes still could make an impact, considering he should still be in the peak of his career at the age of 29, especially when you consider that Walters got 10 of his international goals after turning 30. But no... he's gone AWOL from another club.

[Closed Account]

1020020572569374720

[Olé Olé]

Iran? 2 years? Anthony Stokes? If he sees that contract out I would be utterly dumbfounded.

[colonelwest]

Iran? 2 years? Anthony Stokes? If he sees that contract out I would be utterly dumbfounded.

If he manages to survive 2 years in Iran without causing ructions or getting stoned/ a limb chopped off/ doing a legger for fear of getting any of the aforementioned etc I'll be utterly dumbfounded!

[samhaydenjr]

Iran? 2 years? Anthony Stokes? If he sees that contract out I would be utterly dumbfounded.


If he manages to survive 2 years in Iran without causing ructions or getting stoned/ a limb chopped off/ doing a legger for fear of getting any of the aforementioned etc I'll be utterly dumbfounded!

If he gets through his contract without causing Iran to re-start their nuclear program, I will count that as a win

[Eminence Grise]

I give it 15 minutes after he realises what his agent meant when he said Iran is a dry country...

[irishfan86]

As a non-Muslim he is allowed to drink but he’ll probably have to make it himself. Could actually be the beginning of a career after football....

[seanfhear]

He wouldn’t start a war would he ?

[OwlsFan]

If he manages to survive 2 years in Iran without causing ructions or getting stoned/ a limb chopped off/ doing a legger for fear of getting any of the aforementioned etc I'll be utterly dumbfounded!

He may well get stoned ok :)

[pineapple stu]

Leaves Tractor Sazi; reported to FIFA as a result.

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/former-celtic-star-anthony-stokes-13689711.amp

Was doing well in fairness; almost a goal a game

[Park_Lane]

"We even offered to allow his mother, father and sister to come and live in Tabriz, but he said he could not focus on playing for us. We tried to help him as a friend"

In fairness John Stokes could do worse then set up a players lounge in tabriz. No competition to threaten and no hope of the Queen ever visiting.

[Eminence Grise]

Now pitched up in the Turkish second division.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/anthony-stokes-set-for-move-to-turkish-second-division-after-signing-deal-with-adana-demirspor-38319448.html

Apparently Bolton Wanderers were interested, but their ongoing take-over issues prevented a deal.
https://www.boltonwanderers.news/columnist/comment-missing-out-on-transfer-target-anthony-stokes-a-worrying-sign/

[Eirambler]

Reportedly heading back to Scotland to join Livingston FC. Livingston marginally better than Iran I suppose.

The first page of this thread from 16 years ago makes for fairly depressing reading looking back at it now, the hopes for Stokes back then were very similar to what we're saying about some of our young players coming through at the moment.

[seanfhear]

Reportedly heading back to Scotland to join Livingston FC. Livingston marginally better than Iran I suppose.

The first page of this thread from 16 years ago makes for fairly depressing reading looking back at it now, the hopes for Stokes back then were very similar to what we're saying about some of our young players coming through at the moment.
It would be no bad thing for any young player to read this thread ! !

[livehead1]

Reportedly heading back to Scotland to join Livingston FC. Livingston marginally better than Iran I suppose.

The first page of this thread from 16 years ago makes for fairly depressing reading looking back at it now, the hopes for Stokes back then were very similar to what we're saying about some of our young players coming through at the moment.

Agree to an extent but the players we are excited about now are playing regularly in the top two leagues of English football, Stokes had a 6 month period on fire at Falkirk; the two are polar opposites.

[tetsujin1979]

Livingston announced two signings earlier, but not Stokes: https://livingstonfc.co.uk/lars-lokotsch-and-julien-serrano-join-the-lions/
One of them - Lokotsch - is a striker, so maybe he isn't going to sign for them?

[youngirish]

Reportedly heading back to Scotland to join Livingston FC. Livingston marginally better than Iran I suppose.

The first page of this thread from 16 years ago makes for fairly depressing reading looking back at it now, the hopes for Stokes back then were very similar to what we're saying about some of our young players coming through at the moment.

I agree. I have a post in the first couple of pages mentioning the likes of Stokes, Andy Keogh, Billy Clarke, Shane Long and Richie Sadlier who all had shown promise at a very young age. Only Long forged what amounted to be a decent career out of all those mentioned and he never could be described as a top striker.

Somebody else mentioned a 17 year old Terry Dixon at Tottenham (remember him). Unfortunate that none of these guys for a variety of reasons never made it to the top. We could really have done with a decent striker to partner Keane.

[Diggs246]

I was and an still surprised quinn and keane didn't do more damage upfront

[Demesne Lad]

Stokes has now signed for Livingston, according to 'The Scotsman' (22 August)

[Eirambler]

Signs a one year deal at the Spaghettihad. Surely his last chance as a professional footballer.

[Bielsa´s irish]

it is a shame he didnt play for Eire as much as he should when he was younger.
One thing that i strongly criticize from the previous managers is the lack of chances they gave to the young players. I think Trap and in some degrees MON and Roy didnt wanna try youngsters, and is something the "big nations" are doing atm. Wes Hoolahan is an example.

[Philly]

Are you seriously saying Stokes was a missed opportunity for Ireland when we had Keane, Walters and Long?

[samhaydenjr]

Reportedly heading back to Scotland to join Livingston FC. Livingston marginally better than Iran I suppose.

The first page of this thread from 16 years ago makes for fairly depressing reading looking back at it now, the hopes for Stokes back then were very similar to what we're saying about some of our young players coming through at the moment.


Agree to an extent but the players we are excited about now are playing regularly in the top two leagues of English football, Stokes had a 6 month period on fire at Falkirk; the two are polar opposites.


I agree. I have a post in the first couple of pages mentioning the likes of Stokes, Andy Keogh, Billy Clarke, Shane Long and Richie Sadlier who all had shown promise at a very young age. Only Long forged what amounted to be a decent career out of all those mentioned and he never could be described as a top striker.

Somebody else mentioned a 17 year old Terry Dixon at Tottenham (remember him). Unfortunate that none of these guys for a variety of reasons never made it to the top. We could really have done with a decent striker to partner Keane.

Wasn't it enough to have Quinn, Morrison, Doyle, Long and Walters to partner him during his time. On the general point, I agree with Livehead that there is reason to believe that this crop of strikers holds more promise than Stokes, Keogh, Clarke and Sadlier:
- Keogh was 23 when he made his Premier League Debut, only played 14 times in the EPL scoring one goal - he only reached double figures in the Championship once - he was still good enough to earn 30 caps
- While Sadlier was talented and his career would clearly have been more successful if he didn't have to retire aged 24, up to then he had only played in the second and third tiers
- Billy Clarke never played in the Premier League and only scored four times in The Championship

By comparison, of the new crop:
- Aaron Connolly turned 20 in January, has played 24 times in the EPL, scoring 3 goals already
- Michael Obafemi turned 20 in July, has 28 EPL appearances and 4 goals to his name
- Adam Idah already has 12 appearances and he only turned 19 in February and, while he has yet to score in the EPL, in his only appearance against Championship opposition, he grabbed a hat-trick
- Troy Parrott is a year younger than Idah, already has a couple of EPL appearances under his belt, and will likely get a full season of Championship football this season.

In fact, while not wanting to disrespect Keogh, Clarke and Sadlier, who are all fine footballers, our next tier of striking talent (Cassidy, Scully, Kayode and Afolabi) look about as promising as them currently - not to mention a few more showing strong potential at academy level (Odubeko, Oko-Flex, Cannon and Varian)

[Bielsa´s irish]

Are you seriously saying Stokes was a missed opportunity for Ireland when we had Keane, Walters and Long? Also Sammon, Cox, Keogh, Noel Hunt and the big lad from Hull City Caleb Folan. Kevin Doyle was the aldridge of the time was class.

yeah but when he was at Celtic he should have been given more chances, he was getting good i thought. Robbie Keane was 35 in euro 2016. Walters was called up once he got transferred to Stoke and i think in 2011. I said that Trap and Martin should have tried younger players at the time. Damien Delaney, Hoolahan . Joey O´Brien, Marc Wilson and a few more guys.

[Eirambler]

To be fair Anthony Stokes was a huge missed opportunity, but it was an opportunity missed by Stokes, not by Ireland.

[seanfhear]

To be fair Anthony Stokes was a huge missed opportunity, but it was an opportunity missed by Stokes, not by Ireland.
He made a lot of mess ups but did he have the pace to make it at higher level ! !

We may well be asking the same questions about Parrot in the coming years ! Mind you some players use other attributes, one of the best examples was Teddy Sheringham = little or no pace but excellent positionally , very good passer and was very good in the air. He still did not play for England much but a fine player that got over a lack of pace. A dedicated trainer and dedicated to football as far as I know anyway. That makes a big difference !

[DCWA]

I remember well a few occasions when Stokes showed talent and ability above what his career path may have reflected.

One particular Champions League game in the San Siro Against Milan he lead the line for Celtic and was superb. Showed all the qualities of a player the level of the opposition that night despite Celtic (obviously) losing.

He was often either a sub or played off Hooper however who was a more effective goalscorer. Certainly a very very talented player.

[Bielsa´s irish]

I think it was Trappatoni the one who shut down players. Once Brady left his positiion it was his fate and Marco's.

[pineapple stu]

Agree to an extent but the players we are excited about now are playing regularly in the top two leagues of English football, Stokes had a 6 month period on fire at Falkirk; the two are polar opposites.
I think that's harsh. Stokes scored 100 goals over a 5-year period excluding the Falkirk spell. Definitely wasn't a half-season wonder

[Eirambler]

Heard a rumour yesterday that Stokes was being released from his Livingston contract already as he had been set a fitness and training program to get up to speed but hadn't been sticking to it.

The Daily Ranger in Scotland is now reporting the story, but the reason being given is that he didn't like training on the artificial pitch at Almondvale.

Either way, you would imagine that's his final chance blown as a full time professional.

[elatedscum]

Heard a rumour yesterday that Stokes was being released from his Livingston contract already as he had been set a fitness and training program to get up to speed but hadn't been sticking to it.

The Daily Ranger in Scotland is now reporting the story, but the reason being given is that he didn't like training on the artificial pitch at Almondvale.

Either way, you would imagine that's his final chance blown as a full time professional.

Odds on him heading back to Shels before he retires?

[DeLorean]

Heard a rumour yesterday that Stokes was being released from his Livingston contract already as he had been set a fitness and training program to get up to speed but hadn't been sticking to it.

The Daily Ranger in Scotland is now reporting the story, but the reason being given is that he didn't like training on the artificial pitch at Almondvale.

Either way, you would imagine that's his final chance blown as a full time professional.

Confirmed.

1305778505632952321

[Fixer82]

He's a wrong 'un