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From Prison Overturn to Pitch Revival: Ex-Premier League Striker Joins Conor McGregor’s Pub Team
In a remarkable turnaround, a former top-flight footballer is stepping back into the game with a unique squad owned by a famous MMA fighter, following the reversal of serious legal convictions. This story highlights resilience in sports, where past troubles don’t always define future opportunities. Anthony Stokes, known for his stints in the الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز and beyond, is now set to lace up his boots for Black Forge FC, amid ongoing discussions about redemption in athletics.
- Former inmate makes football comeback
- Irish forward with Premier League experience
- Signs with team linked to Conor McGregor’s bar
Ex-Premier League Striker Anthony Stokes Teams Up with Black Forge FC
Anthony Stokes, who once donned the jersey for سندرلاند, is now aligning with Black Forge FC, a club in Dublin under the ownership of MMA icon Conor McGregor. The ex-Hibernian player faced a 15-month incarceration for charges related to narcotics distribution and impaired driving in October 2024, but an successful appeal led to the conviction being quashed just weeks later, paving the way for his involvement with this amateur outfit.
A Career Marked by Talent and Turmoil
Stokes kicked off his professional journey at أرسنال, followed by periods at clubs like Sheffield متحد, كريستال بالاس, Celtic، و بلاكبيرن Rovers. Announcing his latest chapter on social media, the athlete posted: “Time to shake off the rust from these old cleats.”
Legal Challenges and Recent Developments
This Irish وطني team alum, now 37, has encountered multiple brushes with authorities, including accusations of physical violence and a prior five-month stint behind bars for violating restrictions on approaching his former partner and her relatives. Interestingly, McGregor himself faced a setback in a civil case involving allegations of assault, which was recently upheld. Despite these histories, the pair could soon share the field at Black Forge FC.
Stokes’ Return to Action with Conor McGregor’s Pub Team
The veteran, who also featured for Falkirk and Persepolis, hasn’t competed at a pro level since his time with Livingston half a decade ago. He’s poised to debut soon for the Dublin-based team. Throughout his career, Stokes netted an impressive 160 goals across 418 appearances, a tally that remains noteworthy even as recent stats from 2024 show declining goal averages in lower leagues, emphasizing the value of experienced scorers like him in community football.
