Double celebration for League One footballer

FORMER Frome student, Chris Stokes has had lots to celebrate recently. Shortly after returning from his honeymoon in May, he signed a contract for League One team Coventry City.

Chris, who is now  24, attended Trinity First School and Selwood Middle School before signing as a youth academy player for Bolton Wanderers at the age of 14. But Chris showed his passion and talent for the sport at an early age.

Before leaving home to join Bolton Wanderers, he was a youth player for Frome Collegians before signing for Southampton academy age nine. He then joined Bristol City Academy age twelve.

His dad Martin Stokes said, “It’s all he’s ever wanted to do. At school when he was asked what he wanted to do when he was older, he would say, like most of the young boys in his class, ‘ I want to be a footballer’. But the others would forget they’d said it and say something different, a policeman or a fireman etc. but Chris stuck by what he had said, ‘I want to be a footballer.’

“His whole family are so proud of him. It’s been a long time coming. We’ve had good and bad days, but this signing is a massive step.”

Chris is also now a married man, having met Rebecca Roberts at Bolton Wanderers where she was a pre-match entertainer. They tied the knot on May 30th at St Peter’s Church, Hindley in Wigan. They then jetted off to Florida and Jamaica for three weeks for their honeymoon.

Chris said, “It was very nice to get the deal done. It was such a hectic few weeks with the wedding and the honeymoon, but I’m obviously really pleased to get it done.

“It’s been a crazy summer, I haven’t had any time to settle down but I cannot wait to get back and get my head down.”