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Demi Lee Courtney Stokes (born 12 December 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Women’s Super League 2 club Newcastle United.[3]

Early life

Stokes was born in Dudley, a town in the West Midlands; she is often incorrectly listed online as being born in South Shields, the area her family moved to in her youth.[4] Stokes has three brothers and a sister, and grew up in a single-parent household.[5]

She began playing football in primary school and captained the boy’s team.[4]

Stokes attended Gateshead College so she could continue to study while playing football.[6]

As a child, she played with Boldon CA girls’ team, as did future England teammates Steph Houghton and Jill Scott; as part of the “Where Greatness Is Made” campaign, plaques honouring Stokes and Scott were installed at the club in 2022.[7][8]

Club career

Sunderland

Stokes joined Sunderland‘s youth academy as an 8-year-old and began playing in the first team at 16.[9] She was part of the team which won the 2008–09 FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division and came second in the 2009 FA Women’s Cup, losing the final 2–1 to Arsenal.[10]

During her time at Sunderland, she played alongside future international teammates Lucy Bronze, Jordan Nobbs, and Lucy Staniforth.[4]

North American years

In 2011, Stokes accepted a four-year scholarship with the University of South Florida.[11]

In 2012, she played 13 games for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the pro-am W-League.[12]

Manchester City

In January 2015, Stokes signed a three-year contract with Women’s Super League club Manchester City.[13] Stokes won a domestic double (the league title and Continental Cup) during her first full season at City.[14][15]

In May 2017, Stokes started in the final of the Women’s FA Cup as City won the title for the first time in the club’s history.[16]

In mid-2018, Stokes suffered a hip injury which prevented her from playing for eight months.[17] She returned to the team as City secured their second domestic double, winning both the FA Cup and the Continental Cup.[18][19] Stokes won her third FA Cup with the club in November 2020 in a behind-closed-doors final delayed by over six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20]

In March 2021, Stokes signed a two-year contraction extension with City.[21] In March 2023, she signed a contract extension for a further year.[22]

In 2024, after 9 years at the club, it was announced that Stokes would leave Manchester City at the end of her contract on 18 May.[23] At the time of her departure, she was the second longest serving player (behind retiring captain Steph Houghton) and one of only three players to have made over 200 appearances for the club.[24] She won seven major honours with the club (a league title, three FA Cups, and three Continental Cups)[25] and finished runner-up in the WSL a further seven times.

Newcastle United

On 10 July 2024, Stokes joined Women’s Championship club Newcastle United.[26] Following the departure of Amber Keegan-Stobbs, Stokes was named as Newcastle’s captain ahead of the 2025-26 season.[27]

International career

Youth teams

In July 2009, Stokes was a part of the England under-19 squad who won the 2009 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship in Belarus.[28] In 2010, she helped England reach the final of the 2010 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship in North Macedonia, where they lost their title to France.[29][30] Later that summer, Stokes started two of England’s three games at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany.[11]

In July 2013 Stokes captained Great Britain to a gold medal in the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia.[1]

Senior team

Newly appointed England coach Mark Sampson included Stokes in a 30-player squad for an annual training camp in La Manga.[31] She made her senior debut during a 1–1 draw to Norway, starting at left back.[32] In April 2014 she scored in England’s 9–0 victory over Montenegro.[33]

Stokes was not included in England’s squad for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.[34] She was restored to the squad for the subsequent UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 qualifying campaign.

She represented England at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.[35] England were defeated in the semi-final by eventual champions the United States,[36] and lost the third place play off to Sweden.[37]

On 27 May 2021 it was announced that Stokes had been selected in the Great Britain women’s Olympic football team for the 2020 Olympics.[38]

In June 2022, Stokes was included in the England squad which won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.[39][40]

Stokes was allotted 183 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.[41][42]

Personal life

Stokes is of Jamaican descent through her father.[43]

She is openly gay.[44] She became engaged to her partner, Katie, during the UK’s COVID-19 lockdown.[45]

In May 2022, shortly before her participation in and eventual victory at the Women’s Euro, Stokes and her partner became parents. Their son was born six weeks premature.[46]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 2 May 2026[47][48]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sunderland 2007–08 WPLR 8 0 0 0 — — 8 0
2008–09 WPLR 13 0 2 0 — — 15 0
2009–10 WPLN 21 3 2 1 — — 23 4
2010–11 WPLN 17 7 2 0 — — 19 7
Total 59 10 6 1 0 0 0 0 65 11
Vancouver Whitecaps 2012 USL W-League 13 0 — — — 13 0
Total 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
Manchester City 2015 Women’s Super League 14 0 3 0 5 0 0 0 22 0
2016 Women’s Super League 16 2 3 0 4 0 0 0 23 2
2017 Women’s Super League 7 0 — 0 0 8 0 15 0
2017–18 Women’s Super League 15 0 4 0 4 0 8 2 31 2
2018–19 Women’s Super League 11 1 4 0 2 0 0 0 17 1
2019–20 Women’s Super League 14 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 23 0
2020–21 Women’s Super League 10 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 15 0
2021–22 Women’s Super League 19 1 5 0 4 0 2 0 30 1
2022–23 Women’s Super League 3 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 9 0
2023–24 Women’s Super League 4 0 0 0 1 0 — 5 0
Total 126 4 24 0 27 0 26 2 203 6
Newcastle United 2024–25 Women’s Championship 20 1 2 0 3 1 — 25 2
2025–26 Women’s Super League 2 19 0 1 0 3 0 — 23 0
Total 39 1 3 0 6 1 0 0 48 2
Career total 237 15 33 1 33 1 26 0 329 19

International

As of match played 12 October 2022[47]
Year England Great Britain
Apps Goals Apps Goals
2014 12 1 –
2015 8 0 –
2016 9 0 –
2017 16 0 –
2018 4 0 –
2019 8 0 –
2020 1 0 –
2021 6 0 3 0
2022 10 0 –
Total 74 1 3 0
Scores and results list England’s goal tally first.
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 5 April 2014 Falmer Stadium, Brighton and Hove, England  Montenegro 7–0 9–0 World Cup 2015 qualification

Honours

Sunderland

Manchester City[50]

England

See also: Collective honours for the England women’s national football team

Individual

See also

References

  1. ^ a b “Athlete Information”. Universiade Kazan 2013 Russia. Retrieved 19 January 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. ^ “FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ List of Players – England” (PDF). FIFA. 27 May 2019. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  3. ^ “Demi Stokes signs for Newcastle United Women”. 10 July 2024. Newcastle United (official website). Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b c “Growing Up: Demi Stokes”. England Football. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  5. ^ Ferguson, Donna (24 February 2024). “Footballer Demi Stokes: ‘Mam paid for my kit in weekly instalments’“. The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  6. ^ “Gateshead College”. Gateshead College. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  7. ^ Goodwin, Nicole (9 January 2023). “Jill Scott returns to Boldon Girls club to visit aspiring Lionesses in BBC show”. ChronicleLive. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  8. ^ “England’s Euro 2022 winners honoured with gold plaques at local football clubs”. 90min. 22 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  9. ^ “Demi Stokes: England profile”. The Football Association. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  10. ^ “Demi Stokes player profile”. MCFC.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ a b “Demi Stokes”. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  12. ^ “2012 Statistics”. United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  13. ^ “Demi Stokes joins Manchester City Women on three-year deal”. BBC Sport. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  14. ^ “Women’s Super League One: Manchester City Women 2-0 Chelsea Ladies”. BBC Sport. 25 September 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  15. ^ Garry, Tom (30 September 2019). “Women’s Continental Cup final: Manchester City 1-0 Birmingham City (aet)”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  16. ^ “Manchester City clinch SSE Women’s FA Cup in style”. The FA. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  17. ^ Lavery, Glenn (30 May 2019). “Demi Stokes stronger and smarter after eight-month lay-off”. The FA. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  18. ^ Aloia, Andrew (4 May 2019). “Man City beat West Ham to win Women’s FA Cup – follow reaction”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  19. ^ Oatway, Caroline. “Bardsley heroics clinch Conti Cup”. MCFC. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  20. ^ “Everton 1-3 Manchester City”. The FA. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  21. ^ “Demi Stokes: England international signs two-year contract extension with Man City”. Sky Sports. 17 March 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  22. ^ “Demi Stokes’ City career in numbers”. Manchester City FC. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  23. ^ “Roebuck, Stokes, Mace & Angeldahl leaving Man City”. BBC Sport. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  24. ^ Kelsey, George. “Four players set for City exit”. Manchester City FC. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  25. ^ “Demi Stokes’ City career in numbers”. Manchester City FC. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  26. ^ “Newcastle sign England defender Stokes”. BBC Sport. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  27. ^ “Demi Stokes appointed Newcastle United Women captain”. www.newcastleunited.com. 6 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  28. ^ “‘Team’ England take maiden honours”. UEFA. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  29. ^ “England complete hat-trick over Sweden”. UEFA. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  30. ^ “Clinical France time run perfectly”. UEFA. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  31. ^ “Lianne Sanderson recalled to England training squad”. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  32. ^ “New England women’s boss Mark Sampson denied winning start”. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  33. ^ Magowan, Alistair (5 April 2014). “Toni Duggan hits hat-trick as England thrash Montenegro 9–0”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  34. ^ Brookes, Christian (19 January 2016). “Demi Stokes interview: Lionesses defender’s breakout beats with the Bulls”. Beats & Rhymes FC. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  35. ^ “FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ – Matches – Japan – England”. www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  36. ^ Garry, Tom (30 June 2019). “England 1-2 USA: Lionesses beaten in Women’s World Cup semi-final”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  37. ^ Garry, Tom (5 July 2019). “Women’s World Cup: England finish fourth after Sweden defeat”. BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  38. ^ “Team GB: Steph Houghton, Sophie Ingle and Caroline Weir in Olympics squad”. bbc.co.uk. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  39. ^ Davies, Callum (15 June 2022). “England Women’s final squad named for Euro 2022”. England Football.com. The FA. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  40. ^ England Squad. UEFA. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  41. ^ “England Player Legacy and Results Archive” (Press release). The Football Association. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  42. ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). “Lionesses introduce ‘legacy numbers’ for players past and present”. mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  43. ^ Oatway, Demi Stokes, Caroline. “Letter to My Younger Self: Demi Stokes”. www.mancity.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ “Demi Stokes: England defender hails inclusive women’s game”. BBC Sport. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  45. ^ “Demi Stokes: My life in six pictures – by Man City and England defender”. BBC Sport. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  46. ^ Lally, Maria (17 November 2022). “‘I Was Born Ten Weeks Premature – And Ended Up Playing For England’“. Grazia. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  47. ^ a b “England – D. Stokes – Profile with news, career statistics and history”. Soccerway.
  48. ^ “Demilee Stokes player stats | the FA Women’s National League”. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  49. ^ “Arsenal win FA Women’s Cup”. 4 May 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  50. ^ “D. Stokes”. Soccerway. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  51. ^ Sanders, Emma (31 July 2022). “England beat Germany to win first major women’s trophy”. BBC. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  52. ^ “England record statement win over Japan to clinch prestigious SheBelieves Cup”. The Football Association. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  53. ^ “England 3 – 1 Germany”. BBC Sport. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  54. ^ “PFA WSL 1 Team of the Year: Five Chelsea Ladies players named”. bbc.com. BBC. 19 April 2018.
  55. ^ “PFA Women’s Team of the Year: Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City dominate”. The Guardian. 26 April 2019.
  56. ^ “Lionesses and Sarina Wiegman given Freedom of the City of London after Euros win”. ITV News. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.

Further reading

  • Aluko, Eniola (2019), They Don’t Teach This, Random House, ISBN 9781473564480
  • Caudwell, Jayne (2013), Women’s Football in the UK: Continuing with Gender Analyses, Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9781317966234
  • Dunn, Carrie (2019), Pride of the Lionesses: The Changing Face of Women’s Football in England, Pitch Publishing (Brighton) Limited, ISBN 9781785315411
  • Dunn, Carrie (2016), The Roar of the Lionesses: Women’s Football in England, Pitch Publishing Limited, ISBN 9781785311512
  • Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women’s Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803240368