I’ve never seen the point of foot golf – but this Devon Live story might just have changed my this morning.
Dan has written extensively over the past year about his experiences of getting to know Adam Stansfield during his time at university in Exeter, where he became something of a fanatical City fan. We’ve all grown to love Jay Stansfield since he took what must have been a very tough decision to leave his boyhood club and sign for Fulham’s academy a few years ago. There was a great deal of pride following his first steps in professional football – and the emotions were stirred by Stansfield’s return to St. James’ Park on loan.
Young Jay signed off at Exeter in style and the Stansfield name will forever be synonymous with City following the work of the Adam Stansfield foundation as well as how the club and the city rallied round the family in the aftermath of Adam’s sad passing. It remains to be sign where our young striker will be playing next season, especially as the Grecians are keen on another loan deal, but the 20 year-old – who threw himself into several community projects down in the south west last term – opened the new foot golf course in Cullompton, where a hole has been named in his Dad’s honour, this week.
Jay Stanfield us a credit to his parents. His father would have been so proud of his achievements which I can see him playing in the top two divisions. I’m a Plymouth Argyle fan and in the 2 games I saw him play against us, he caused us so many problems. His workrate and quality on the ball was outstanding. I remembering Jeff Stelling, on soccer Saturday sky sports, would always reference Lisa stanfield every time Jay’s dad would score for Exeter, saying I bet Lisa is happy. RIP Adam.
Gary – That’s a quality comment from an Argyle fan, given the immense rivalry between Plymouth and Exeter. Shows just how much of impact both Jay and Adam have had in the south west.
Julian Warren, standing in for Jeff Stelling on Soccer Special in midweek, actually used the ‘Lisa will be happy!’ line when Jay scored his first senior goal, a brilliant effort at Birmingham in the League Cup two seasons ago.
Jay’s already played in the Premier League and did really well against Wolves and then Brentford, setting up the first goal in a big derby win at the start of last season, so we were quite surprised that Fulham let him go to Exeter but it made perfect sense.
My Grecians mates – and Dan’s – will kill me for this but best of luck to Argyle next season!
I’ve always been a Jay fan from when l first saw him play and his performances in the Prem early last season should be enough to keep him at Fulham in my opinion. But would he get game time is debateable with Mitro, Vinni and maybe one other in the window. Maybe a championship loan might be his best bet.