Bobby Stokes will forever be synonymous with one of the greatest moments in Southampton’s history, a split-second of clinical finishing that carved his name into football folklore and ensured that the Saints’ 1976 FA Cup triumph would be remembered as much for the scorer as for the victory itself.
PART ONE
Born in Portsmouth on 30 January 1951, Bobby Stokes seemed destined for a career at Fratton Park, especially given his impressive performances at schoolboy and county level. However, fate—or rather, a failed trial—dictated otherwise, and in September 1966, the youngster signed for neighbouring Southampton as an apprentice, turning professional in February 1968. It was a sliding doors moment, a decision that would ultimately lead him to the most famous day in the history of the club.
Stokes initially struggled to break into the first team, a common plight for young forwards attempting to establish themselves in a competitive squad. However, when his opportunity came on 7 April 1969, he seized it with both hands, scoring twice on his debut against Burnley. It was a performance that hinted at the talent he possessed, yet consistency would prove elusive in the following seasons. Nevertheless, he became a dependable squad member, featuring regularly as Southampton found themselves fighting battles at both ends of the league table.
By the 1973-74 season, Bobby Stokes had established himself as an important part of the Southampton team, featuring in all but one game. However, it was a campaign that ended in heartbreak, as the South Coasters suffered relegation from the First Division. The drop to the Second Division was a bitter blow, yet it proved to be the backdrop for what would become the defining season of his career.
The 1975-76 season saw Southampton embark on an FA Cup run that would ultimately bring them to Wembley Stadium. However, for Stokes, it was not a particularly outstanding league campaign, as he managed only eight goals. So much so that, at one point, he was almost traded to Portsmouth in a deal that would have seen Paul Went move in the opposite direction. Yet, fate—once again—had other ideas, and instead of swapping red and white for blue, Stokes found himself leading the line at Wembley against Manchester United.
That Southampton were even in the final was an achievement in itself. Their fourth-round victory over Blackpool had featured a goal from Stokes, but it was the fifth round that truly demonstrated his importance. Up against West Bromwich Albion and with the squad ravaged by a sickness bug, Southampton were struggling. However, Stokes salvaged a draw with a late equaliser, ensuring the Saints lived to fight another day. They would go on to win the replay, before dispatching Crystal Palace in the semi-final to set up a date with destiny.
Facing a formidable Manchester United side in the final, Southampton were very much the underdogs. However, with extra time looming, the ball fell to Stokes in the 83rd minute of the encounter. With remarkable composure, he placed his shot past Alex Stepney and into the corner of the net, sending the Saints fans into raptures. Initially, there were suspicions of offside, but replays confirmed the goal was legitimate. It was a moment that defined a career, an achievement that would forever make Stokes a legend on the south coast.
One might have expected that such a moment would catapult Stokes to further stardom, yet the reality was quite different. The following season, he made just 11 appearances for Southampton, scoring once. His time at The Dell was drawing to a close, and in 1977, he made a move to Portsmouth, fulfilling what had once seemed his footballing destiny by joining his hometown club. However, rather than the fairytale return, it proved to be a brief and largely forgettable spell.
PART TWO
At 26, Stokes sought a fresh start across the Atlantic, joining Washington Diplomats in the NASL. It was a league that had become a haven for British players, and Stokes found himself alongside the likes of Jim Steele—his old Southampton teammate—as well as the mercurial Dutchman Johan Cruyff. While the standard of football was often derided, it provided a decent living, and Stokes spent two years in Washington, playing during the summer months while returning to England to feature for non-league sides such as Dartford and Cheltenham Town during the winter.
The latter years of his playing career were spent in the lower reaches of English football, with spells at Chichester City, Waterlooville, Whitchurch United, and Petersfield United. By the time he retired, the bright lights of Wembley must have seemed a distant memory, yet the adulation of Southampton fans never truly faded.
Post-football, Stokes ran the Manor House pub in Cosham, though it was not a success, and he later took a job at the Harbour View Cafe in Portsmouth, working for his cousin. Life after football can be a struggle for many ex-players, particularly those whose careers burned brightly for a brief period rather than spanning decades at the top level.
In 1994, Southampton recognised his contribution by granting him a testimonial year, an act that reflected the affection with which he was still held by the club and its supporters. Sadly, he did not have long to enjoy the tributes, as he passed away on 30 May 1995 at the tragically young age of 44, succumbing to bronchial pneumonia.
His passing was met with sadness across the footballing world, yet his legacy endures. At St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton named a hospitality suite in his honour, while at the site of their former ground, The Dell, one of the residential buildings bears his name—Stokes Court. It is a fitting tribute to a man whose place in the club’s history is assured, not merely for scoring the winning goal in the 1976 FA Cup final but for embodying the kind of everyman footballing story that resonates so deeply with fans.
Ultimately, Stokes’ tale is one of destiny, misfortune, and fleeting glory, a reminder that football careers can be unpredictable and often unforgiving. Yet, while he may not have scaled the heights of some of his contemporaries, his name will forever be spoken with reverence in Southampton, proving that sometimes, one goal is all it takes to achieve immortality. And as for the irony of being the hero of Southampton while hailing from Portsmouth? Well, that’s football for you.