Anniversary
Tony Stokes
Born: 7 January 1987, London, England
Clubs: West Ham United, Rushden and Diamonds (loan), Brighton & Hove Albion (loan), Stevenage Borough (loan), Ujpest FC (loan), Ujpest FC
Versatile midfielder or attacker Tony Stokes turns 25 today and is currently enjoying his football with Essex-based Isthmian League Premier Division club Concord Rangers. An Academy graduate, reserve-team captain Stokes made his appearance for West Ham United first team in a League Cup tie at Sheffield Wednesday in September 2005.
Following that experience, Stokes joined the first-team squad on their pre-season tour to North America in 2008. The player enjoyed three loan spells away from the Boleyn Ground at Rushden and Diamonds, Brighton and Hove Albion and Stevenage Borough before joining Hungarian club Ujpest FC in 2009, appearing in the UEFA Cup.
Classic match
Norwich City 1-2 West Ham United
FA Cup third round
7 January 2006
Hayden Mullins and Bobby Zamora were on target on what proved the starting point of a memorable FA Cup campaign. Mullins opened the scoring with a shot that went in off the post to beat Robert Green in the sixth minute before Zamora headed the second just before the hour. Norwich pulled one back through Paul McVeigh's penalty but it was to prove just a consolation in front of 23,968 fans.
Although Mullins got the ball rolling in the cup, he would miss out on the final against Liverpool the following May because of suspension. That Cardiff showpiece saw West Ham United race into a two-goal lead before being pegged back to 2-2. Paul Konchesky put the Hammers in front only for Steven Gerrard's last-gasp equaliser that led to extra time and the heartbreak of defeat on penalties.