Jay Stansfield is hoping to make more FA Cup memories with Exeter City having made his senior debut in the world’s oldest Cup competition three years ago with Fulham.
The talented forward, who celebrates his 20th birthday today, was introduced as a substitute by Scott Parker as the Whites beat Premier League side Aston Villa 2-1. Stansfield, voted as the EFL’s young player of the month in October after excelling on loan for Exeter, told the Grecians’ official website about his first Fulham appearance.
“I remember meeting with the manager just before the game and he said he was putting me in the first team training session and told me to score as many goals as possible. He pulled me and said he wanted me involved in the game and he put me on at 2-1 and it gave me great confidence.”
City travel to Oxford United in Saturday’s second round tie and Stansfield knows Gary Caldwell’s men will need to be much better than in a league defeat to the U’s earlier in the season.
“Against Oxford, we have to go and put in a good performance and show what we can do. We weren’t at the races when we played them at home.”
Stansfield, who came through the Exeter youth set-up before joining Fulham, also described to Devon Live how his emotional return to St. James’ Park came about.
“The whole of last season I was around the first team and playing U23s games so going into the season and with Fulham promoted into the Premier League, the aim was to go and get game time. I started well in pre=season and was sharp and fit, but discussed with the manager that it would be best for me to go out on loan and get game time. Being a younger player, it is not all about the age, but the experience others had, so I had to go and get that experience.
I had wanted to stay and try and push my claims, but had the discussions and the best thing was to go get the game time and then come back and see what happens, and they have supported me massively. Short term I want to help the club improve where we are and be near the top of League One. I want to get as many goals as I can and mature for when I go back to Fulham. Next season might take me on another loan move, or I might be in and around the squad.”
