Bobby Stokes

Bobby Stokes (30 January 1951 – 30 May 1995) was an English footballer, well known for scoring the winning goal in the 83rd minute of the FA Cup Final for Southampton F.C. against Manchester United in 1976.

Early career

Stokes was born in Portsmouth on 30 January 1951, and was brought up in the Paulsgrove area of the city. It is ironic that he was born in the city whose team rivals Southampton, the one he was most famous for playing for, although he did go on to play for Portsmouth at the end of his career. Following a successful period of boyhood football at schoolboy and county level, he quickly became a target for a number of clubs and looked likely to sign for Portsmouth. However, he failed a trial with them and instead signed for the Saints in September 1966 as an apprentice, turning professional in February 1968. He struggled to get into the first team as a young player but made his debut on 7 April 1969, scoring against Burnley. However, that was one of only two goals he scored that season and next season (1970–71), ravaged by injury, he only played one game. During the 1971–72 season he played 41 times and scored 7 times. He continued to impress in the next few years, despite suffering relegation in 1974 with the team.