Stokes unimpressed with Rooks

IT'S now 15 months since Rooks veteran Paul Stokes suffered an horrific ankle injury in a bad tempered match against Leyton Pennant.

At the time Paul was downcast about his chances of ever playing again, and was virtually resigned to quitting the game.

However, after a series of operations and extensive rehabilitation, Paul is on the verge of full fitness and can't wait to pull on a Rooks shirt at the start of next season.

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In the past few months, while recovering from yet more surgery, Paul has been back involved in football as manager of Brighton League Division Five side, Mastertiles. And, the 30-year old midfielder has developed a Midas Touch which might leave Jimmy Quinn sweating for a new contract, as his fledgling side are on the verge of a league and cup double!

'It's been great fun. I enjoy taking the training and hopefully next season I can continue even when I'm back at Lewes,' said Paul (pictured).

'I even joined in the training last week, which I shouldn't have done, but I felt no reaction at all.'

Despite his new managerial involvement, Paul has found time to take in plenty of games at the Dripping Pan this season, but is unconvinced with what he's seen.

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'Our side last season and the season before would have gone on and done that team (Corinthian Casuals ) 10-0 on Saturday,' he added.

'We would have kept playing and finished them off, but players started to do stupid things on Saturday.

'Marc Cable, Stuart Hack and Paul Kennett and really holding the side together, and in all honesty the standard of the league in general is disappointing.

'It consists of five reasonable sides and the rest that should be in division three.

'We'll find it hard in the premier division unless we seriously invest in some new players.'