Anthony Stokes Signs with Conor McGregor’s Black Forge FC

The tumultuous career of Anthony Stokes takes a new turn as he officially joins Conor McGregor’s Black Forge FC, a move announced via an Instagram post where the 37-year-old expressed his eagerness to return to the pitch. This latest development comes after a career marked by both significant achievements and controversies.

A Promising Start and Rising Star Status

In 2004, Stokes began his professional journey by signing with Arsenal from the Shelbourne youth ranks. He made an immediate impact, debuting for the first team in a League Cup match against Sunderland in 2005. By 2006, he had established himself in the Scottish Premier League (SPL) with Falkirk, scoring an impressive 16 goals in just 18 appearances. His performance garnered attention, earning him two Young Player of the Month awards and leading to his debut with the Republic of Ireland U21 team.

Stokes continued his rise, making his senior Ireland debut in 2007 against San Marino. Following a £2 million transfer to Sunderland, he faced challenges, including being left out of a crucial match due to tardiness, an incident that prompted a ban from a local nightclub by manager Roy Keane.

Successes and Struggles

After a series of loan spells, including stints at Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, Stokes found success in Scotland once again with Hibernian in 2009, scoring 22 goals and making headlines for the fastest goal in SPL history, recorded just 12.4 seconds into a match against Rangers. His career continued to flourish as he signed with Celtic in 2010, where he won multiple titles, including four SPL championships.

Despite his on-field success, Stokes faced increasing scrutiny off the pitch. In 2013, he received a two-year suspended sentence for assaulting an Elvis impersonator in a Dublin nightclub. Legal troubles continued to plague him in the following years, including a five-month prison sentence in 2019 for stalking his ex-girlfriend, leading to a series of court appearances and ongoing controversies.

In 2020, Stokes’ professional career appeared to be winding down following short spells in Turkey and Scotland. His struggles culminated in 2024, when he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for drug possession and a high-speed car chase, although he later received a suspended sentence and community service order.

Now, with his recent signing for Black Forge FC, Stokes aims to revitalize his career in a new league. His Instagram announcement, stating, “Better get the dust knocked off the boots,” signals a desire to reclaim his place in professional football.

As Stokes embarks on this new chapter, football fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he balances his past and present in this unfolding narrative.