Ex-Premier League striker joins Conor McGregor's pub team after jail sentence for drug dealing and drunk driving overturned

Former Sunderland striker Anthony Stokes is linking up with Black Forge FC, a Dublin-based side that mixed martial artist McGregor owns. The former Hibernian forward was sentenced to 15 months in prison for drug dealing and driving offences in October 2024, but the sentence was overturned on appeal a month later, and now he will play for the pub team.

Stokes, who began his career at Arsenal before spells at Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, Celtic, and Blackburn Rovers, wrote on Instagram about the move: "Better get the dust knocked off the boots."

The former Republic of Ireland international has repeatedly been in trouble with the law, with the 37-year-old also previously charged with assault, as well as being jailed for five months pver breaching court orders against contacting his ex-girlfriend and her family. Incidentally, McGregor recently lost his civil jury appeal against a finding that he sexually assaulted a woman. Now, they are likely to be team-mates at Black Forge FC.

Ex-Falkirk and Persepolis player Stokes, who has not played professionally since signing for Livingston five years ago, is likely to make his debut for the Irish side in the not-so-distant future. Incidentally, he scored 160 goals in his career in 418 games.