Adam Stansfield facts for kids
Stansfield holding the FA Trophy following Yeovil's victory in 2002
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Adam Stansfield | ||
| Date of birth | 10 September 1978 | ||
| Place of birth | Plymouth, England | ||
| Date of death | 10 August 2010 (aged 31) | ||
| Place of death | Exeter, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Tiverton Town | |||
| –2000 | Cullompton Rangers | ||
| 2000–2001 | Elmore | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2001–2004 | Yeovil Town | 55 | (14) |
| 2004–2006 | Hereford United | 62 | (25) |
| 2006–2010 | Exeter City | 142 | (37) |
| Total | 259 | (76) | |
| National team | |||
| 2002–2005 | England semi-pro | 5 | (1) |
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Adam Stansfield (born September 10, 1978 – died August 10, 2010) was a talented English footballer. He played as a striker, which means he was a forward player whose main job was to score goals. Adam played professionally for Yeovil Town, Hereford United, and Exeter City. He helped all three teams win promotion from the Football Conference (a lower league) into The Football League (a higher league).
Adam started his career in non-league football with Cullompton Rangers and Elmore. At 23, he signed his first professional contract with Yeovil Town. He helped them win the FA Trophy in 2002, even scoring in the final. The next season, Yeovil won the Conference and moved up to The Football League. Adam later helped Hereford United and Exeter City also get promoted. He even helped Exeter reach League One in 2009. Adam also played five matches for England's national semi-professional team.
Sadly, Adam was diagnosed with a type of colorectal cancer in April 2010. He tried to return to training after surgery and treatment, but he passed away on August 10, 2010. After his death, his family created a foundation in his name. This foundation helps young people get involved in sports and also teaches people about colorectal cancer. Adam has been remembered in many ways, including having his image on an airplane and a local banknote in Exeter.
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Adam Stansfield's Early Life and Family
Adam Stansfield was born in Plymouth, Devon, England. He was the third of four children in his family. When he was young, he supported Nottingham Forest football club.
On June 2, 2001, Adam married Marie. They had three sons together. One of his sons, Jay Stansfield, also became a footballer. In the 2022–23 season, Jay played for Exeter City on loan from Fulham, wearing the number 9 shirt, just like his father. This number is very special to Exeter City fans because of Adam.
A journalist named Gary Andrews, who used to interview Adam, remembered him as a kind person. Adam would always spend time with his family after matches. He would also talk to fans and the press. Gary said that Adam's answers were "thoughtful and intelligent." He seemed very happy to be back home with his friends and family.
Adam Stansfield's Football Journey
Starting His Football Career
Adam's first football club was Evesham Colts under-10s. He played for county teams in Worcestershire, Leicestershire, and Devon as a child. When his family moved back to Devon, he joined Twyford Spartans. He scored an amazing 84 goals in 54 matches for them!
He started in Tiverton Town's youth team as a left back. But he soon moved to playing as a striker, whose main job is to score goals. This was at his first senior club, non-League team Cullompton Rangers. Later, he moved to Elmore. While there, he had trials with bigger clubs like Exeter City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Torquay United. However, these trials were not successful. Adam thought about joining the Royal Air Force, like his siblings. But he kept trying to become a professional footballer.
Playing for Yeovil Town
In October 2001, Adam's great performances for Elmore caught the eye of Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson. Gary signed Adam to play for Yeovil. Adam made his debut in the Conference league on November 9. His first goal for Yeovil came on December 1, helping them win 3–1 against Northwich Victoria.
His first season at Huish Park was very successful. He was the team's top scorer with 16 goals. Eight of these goals came during the club's winning run in the FA Trophy. He scored two goals in a thrilling match against Doncaster Rovers, where Yeovil came back from 0–3 down to win 5–4. In the final on May 12, he scored the second goal in a 2–0 win over Stevenage Borough.
At the start of the next season, Adam got injured in the first game. He broke his leg and missed the rest of the season. Even without him, Yeovil won the Conference league that year. This meant they were promoted to The Football League for the very first time!
Adam recovered and played in the next season. He made his league debut on August 16, 2003. This was Yeovil's first game in The Football League. He came on as a substitute in their 3–0 win against Carlisle United. His first league goal came on September 6, helping Yeovil win 2–0 against Swansea City. He scored six goals in the Third Division that season.
Moving to Hereford United
On June 14, 2004, Adam moved back to the Conference league to play for Hereford United. He was signed by manager Graham Turner. Adam scored 20 goals during his first season with Hereford. This included two goals in a big 6–0 win against Farnborough Town.
Hereford reached the promotion play-offs that season, but they lost in the semi-finals. In the next season, they won promotion through the play-offs. Adam started in the final match on May 20, 2006. Hereford won 3–2 in extra time against Halifax Town, moving up to The Football League.
Success with Exeter City
On June 12, 2006, Adam's contract with Hereford ended. He decided to stay in the Conference league and joined Exeter City. He told a local radio station that his goal was not just to get promoted or score many goals. He wanted to help and inspire the younger players at the club.
In his first season, he scored nine goals in 40 league games. This included two goals in a 2–1 win against Southport, which helped Exeter get a play-off spot. Eleven days later, he scored a goal against Oxford United in the play-off semi-final. This goal sent the game to extra time and then a penalty shootout, which Exeter won. In the final on May 20 at Wembley Stadium, Exeter lost 1–2 to Morecambe.
On April 26, 2008, Adam scored in Exeter's 4–4 draw at Burton Albion. This result helped them qualify for the play-offs again. He started in the final, where Exeter beat Cambridge United 1–0 at Wembley. This win meant Exeter returned to The Football League after five years.
Adam scored 10 goals in 37 league games as Exeter won a second promotion in a row. They moved up to League One in the 2008–09 season. This included scoring two goals in two consecutive games. The next season, 2009–10, he was a regular player for Exeter in League One. He scored eight goals before his season was cut short due to his cancer diagnosis.
Playing for England's Semi-Pro Team
Adam played five matches and scored one goal for the England national semi-professional team. He played in the 2002 Four Nations Tournament. His first game was a 1–1 draw with Wales on May 14. He got injured in the last match against Scotland, which England won 2–0.
In 2005, while playing for Hereford, he was called up again for the tournament. Adam played in two matches as England won the tournament by winning all three of their games.
Adam Stansfield's Illness and Legacy
His Brave Fight and Passing
In early 2010, Adam started having stomach pain. He went to the hospital for tests in March. On April 8, 2010, Exeter City announced that Adam had been diagnosed with a type of colorectal cancer. His manager, Paul Tisdale, said that if anyone could face this challenge head-on, it was Adam.
Later that month, Adam had surgery to remove part of his colon. The club reported that the operation was successful. Adam seemed happy and was even making jokes. He joined the Exeter team for pre-season training in July, even though he looked weak from his treatment. Sadly, his condition quickly got worse. He passed away on August 10 in Exeter.
As a sign of respect, another club, Dagenham & Redbridge, postponed their game against Exeter. Exeter City also decided to retire his shirt number 9 for nine seasons. His son, Jay Stansfield, later wore the number 9 shirt when he played for Exeter City.
Adam's funeral service was held at Exeter Cathedral on August 25. More than 1,000 people came to pay their respects.
Remembering Adam Stansfield
At his funeral, Adam's wife, Marie, had an idea to create the Adam Stansfield Foundation. By the fourth anniversary of his death, the foundation had raised over £150,000. This foundation helps children get involved in football in Devon, Somerset, and Herefordshire. These are the three counties where Adam played professionally. It also helps disabled people play sports. The foundation also works to raise awareness about bowel cancer.
Fans of Adam's former teams continue to remember him. On August 9, 2014, a giant flag that looked like his club shirt was displayed by the crowd as Exeter played Portsmouth. Hereford, the new club formed after Hereford United, held a minute's applause in the ninth minute of a match in 2016. This was for Adam's number 9 shirt. Exeter and Yeovil also held a minute's applause in the seventh and ninth minutes when they played each other in 2015. This was for the shirt numbers he wore at each club.
In March 2011, Elmore named their new stand at Horsdon Park after Adam. From 2011 to 2015, an airplane belonging to Flybe had an image of Adam on it. In 2015, Adam was featured on £5 Exeter Pound notes in the city. In 2017, Adam was added to the Exeter City Hall of Fame to recognize his achievements. In 2018, Exeter City named their new stand the Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand.
Honours
Adam Stansfield achieved many great things in his football career:
Yeovil Town
- FA Trophy: 2001–02
- Football Conference: 2002–03
Hereford United
- Conference National play-offs: 2006
Exeter City
- Conference National play-offs: 2008
England semi-professional
- Four Nations Tournament: 2005
Images for kids
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Stansfield holding the FA Trophy following Yeovil's victory in 2002
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Yeovil Town celebrating their promotion to The Football League at Huish Park, 19 April 2003
