2:30pm Friday 19th March 2010
By Dan Barnes
TROWBRIDGE teenager Chris Stokes is still trying to catch his breath after a whirlwind professional league debut last weekend.
The 19-year-old defender was plucked from the reserves at Premier League Bolton Wanderers to run out for League Two side Crewe Alexandra in their 1-1 draw at Torquay United after a hastily-arranged loan switch.
And former John of Gaunt pupil Stokes has set his sights on playing first-team football in the top flight after his surprise introduction to league football.
“I was just sat at home watching television on Thursday night and I got a call from Dario Gradi (Crewe’s manager), telling me that I was coming to Crewe,” said the young left-back, who has played for England at U17 and U18 levels “I travelled down the next day, made my debut, and now I’m living in Crewe for the month that I’m here.
“I haven’t had the chance to put my feet up but I really enjoyed playing and it was a lot different to reserve football.
“The pace was a lot quicker and it took me a little while to get used to it but I think I did well in the end and I’m looking forward to playing again.”
Stokes’ parents, who live in Azalea Drive in Trowbridge, also witnessed their son’s maiden first-team run-out.
“We’re just chuffed with him and we’re so proud of his achievements,” said dad Martin, who is an engineer. while wife Wendy is a council officer for Bath and North East Somerset.
Stokes was born in Frome and started off playing youth football for Frome’s U7s before moving to Trowbridge with his family and playing for Trowbridge Town and Trowbridge Wanderers.
Spells at Southampton and Bristol City academies followed before the defender’s performance at a Bobby Charlton Soccer School led to Stokes being approached by Bolton and joining their youth set-up at age 14.
The youngster is now hoping to impress enough in League Two to make his presence felt at the Reebok Stadium.
“I just want to play as much as I can and try to force my way into the team at Bolton in the next pre-season,” he told the Wiltshire Times.
“I’ve been there for four and a half years and I want to carry on but I’m focussing on my time at Crewe now.”
Crewe manager Gradi was pleased with Stokes’ performance in his debut.
“He got stronger as the game went on and more confident and that was promising from his and our perspective. Now he has to train and play well enough to stay in,” he said.
Stokes could make his first appearance at Crewe’s Gresty Road tomorrow, when the Railwaymen host promotion-chasing Notts County.
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