Ex-Celtic Striker Anthony Stokes Joins Conor McGregor’s Amateur Team

Anthony Stokes, the former Celtic forward, has made a surprising return to football by signing with Blackforge FC, a pub team associated with MMA star Conor McGregor. His previous club was Livingston, where he signed in 2020 but left after a month without playing a match due to his dislike of artificial pitches.

Debuting for Blackforge, Stokes scored twice and assisted twice, helping the team aim to defend their league and cup titles. Interestingly, McGregor has also played for the team at times.

Stokes’ career has been marked by numerous incidents. In 2013, he received a two-year suspended sentence for headbutting a man in Dublin. In 2019, he pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-girlfriend and her mother, resulting in a five-month jail sentence for breaching court orders.

His recent challenges include a 2024 drug arrest, where police found him in possession of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine following a high-speed chase—incidentally while over the legal alcohol limit. He was initially sentenced to fifteen months in prison but was released within hours to appeal. The appeal resulted in a suspended sentence, and he received a community service order.

Stokes’ professional career began at Arsenal, though he made only one senior appearance. He subsequently played for clubs including Sunderland, Hibernian, and Blackburn. He made a significant impact at Celtic, with 192 appearances and 76 goals, winning three consecutive Scottish league titles, two Scottish Cups, and one Scottish League Cup. Internationally, he earned nine caps for the Republic of Ireland between 2007 and 2014.

Anthony Stokes has returned to football with Conor McGregor’s pub team

McGregor has occasionally played for the team himself

Stokes’ most recent club was Livingston, which he joined in 2020