Dean Stokes

Dean Anthony Stokes (born 23 March 1970) is an English former footballer and manager. A former professional with Port Vale and Rochdale throughout the 1990s, he spent time with numerous non-League clubs before moving into management with Alsager Town and later Rochdale Town. He helped Port Vale to promotion out of the Second Division in 1993–94 and played in the final of the 1996 Anglo-Italian Cup.

Playing career Stokes was a quick left-back, who after initially turning down Rochdale played for non-League sides Castleton Gabriels, Armitage 90, Redditch United and Halesowen Town.

He returned to the Football League in January 1993, signing for John Rudge's Port Vale of the Second Division. Halesowen Town eventually received £5,000 in payment due to appearance clauses. He played five games for Leek in August and September 2000. and became part of the coaching set-up at Eccleshall.

In June 2009, he was made head coach at Rochdale Town. The club finished bottom of the North West Counties League in 2009–10.

Post-retirement Stokes worked as a P.E. teacher at Abraham Moss High School. In 2024, he was teaching at Falinge Park High School, Rochdale.

Career statistics

Honours Port Vale Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 1993–94 Anglo-Italian Cup runner-up: 1996