After nine illustrious seasons, the defender is set to depart the Club this summer.
In what proved to be her last campaign at the Joie Stadium, Gareth Taylor’s side narrowly missed out on the Barclays Women’s Super League title – with only goal difference keeping us from the division’s summit.
Regardless, the 2023/24 campaign provided plenty of positives and reasons to be excited about the future – including our return to the UEFA Champions League next term.
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And Stokes says City have the tools to compete among the game’s elite.
She said: “I think if you look at the talent. They’re so young and ambitious and want to win everything. Just this season from last has been night and day.
“I think it’s getting used to the league, it’s getting harder and players are getting better. It’s just about understanding how to win, which I think we’ve done this year.
“Looking forward, the Club does want Champions League and wants to compete for it, that’s the next step for this team and I think they’re more than capable of doing it.”
After Stokes’ arrival from Vancouver Whitecaps in January 2015, she helped City to seven major honours.
During that time, she also became our third highest appearance holder with 204 outings, scoring seven goals in all competitions.
For the defender, her proudest moment came in 2016 when we lifted our maiden WSL title and second of four Continental Cups.
She added: “That season [in 2016] was the best.
“I always touch on as defenders, we used to talk about not conceding, and we only conceded four goals.
“I loved that season, it was just don’t concede and we didn’t, everyone was on the same page.”
After nine memorable years at the Club, Stokes also hailed our fans’ devoted support and spoke of her honour to represent City on and off the pitch.
She concluded: “[I hope] I’ve helped people along the way. Obviously if I look now, we have so many different ages and characters in our group.
“Although I’m proud to have played at this Club on the pitch, for me it’s [also] about off it and how you conduct yourself. I’m just proud to have been able to help a lot of people in this building.
“Just thank you [to the fans], thank you for the support, you’ve been incredible, singing my songs and making me go bright red.
“The girls appreciate the support as well, stay on the journey, keep enjoying it – it’ll be a roller coaster but from me, thank you very much.”
