Stansfield's Second Season With Hereford

As a tribute to Adam Stansfield who sadly died ten years ago today, BN looks back to his second season with Hereford United.

Adam featured in most of Hereford's pre-season friendlies in the 2005/06 season and found the net against Wrexham, Bristol Rovers and Aberystwyth.

He had a new strike partner. Guy Ipoua had joined the Bulls.

And it took Adam several games before his first league goal of the season. However he was playing well and was man of the match at Crawley.

"As long as we keep winning games then my goals will come," Adam told the NLP.

"I had a couple chances against Tamworth and I'm feeling confident heading into the Altrincham match."

But the match against Altrincham was drawn.

"It's disappointing to draw and only get one point when we dominated the game so well and had so many chances, quite a few myself," said Adam afterwards.

A groin strain kept Adam out for a few games and then a pulled muscle in training a few more. However the groin strain was worse then thought.

In the beginning of October Adam had a double hernia operation at a Manchester hospital.

"The operation will be carried out by one of the three top specialists in the country.," said Adam.

"He did a similar operation on Ryan Giggs. So, if it was good enough for him, it's good enough for me!"

Turner commented on October 21st.

"He's making good progress. He's on schedule for a return in early November." 

And eight days later another update.

"We've got Adam Stansfield to come back. Back at the start of the season I would have put my money on him to get twenty goals. He did last season. He's a goal scorer and there's no doubt we've missed him."

Adam returned to action on Tuesday November 22nd. Before the game he spoke to the media.

"I can't wait to be involved again. I want to play every game, every week - it's very frustrating not being involved," said 27 year old Stansfield.

"I travelled up to the game at Dagenham last weekend but I was sat in the stand and I couldn't help the team. 

"I scored in all our pre-season games but then stopped when the league started and then I got injured. I feel fully fit now."  

On December 10th Adam came off the bench and scored the only goal of the game against York City at Edgar Street.

'Hereford finally broke through with twenty one minutes remaining when Stansfield netted for the first time this season. Just two minutes after his introduction he controlled Stanley's cross on his chest and, with his back to the goal, unleashed an awesome shot into the far top corner leaving Stockdale helpless.'  

York manager Billy McEwan spoke about Adam after the game.

"They brought their sub on, he's a good player, showed a bit of class. That's why he has played for Yeovil, he's got League experience, quality finish.

"Just their luck that they brought him on!" 

Another goal for Adam came in Hereford's 7-1 win at Bognor in the Trophy a week later and a further goal three days later when Hereford defeated Scunthorpe 2-0 in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Into 2006 and Adam scored against Forest Green on January 2nd and at Scarborough the following Saturday.

'Craig Stanley hooked a ball over the top of the defence from inside of his own half and Stansfield raced ahead of his marker and poked the ball beyond the reach of Leigh Walker and into the back of the net, with eleven minutes gone.' 

"It was three very valuable points for us," said Adam. "Scarborough are very hard to play against, they lump it forward and have some good forwards who hold it up well." 

A week later the only goal of the game was scored by Adam in a Trophy tie against Halifax.

"Adam is contributing very well at the moment," said coach John Trewick. "He is capable of scoring goals against anyone and, with his energy, he shows how vital he is to us."  

However a week later Adam limped off during the second half of a win against Crawley. Back to fitness Adam scored Hereford first of three to defeat Cambridge on January 31st the win lifting the Bulls into the top three.

He was on target again in Hereford's 1-0 win over Halifax. 

Then on February 18th a nasty injury to Adam at Canvey Island.

'The game was marred by a challenge on Adam Stansfield, that left him with a suspected fractured cheekbone.'

Simon Travis spoke about the injury after the game.

"He looks in a bad way. He looks as though he has a depressed fracture of his cheekbones. His nose is in a pretty bad state as well. We know he is in hospital at the moment. It put things into propective when you see an injury like that it's just a game of football. There are far more important things than football and three points when Adam is in such a bad way."

Coach John Trewick said it was not a nice situation for Adam.

"We've now lost our top goalscorer for a lengthy period of time. Normally, with a fractured cheekbone, you are looking at a minimum six weeks before a return."

A few days later Graham Turner gave an update.

"It's a depressed fracture of the cheekbone. The swelling has got to go down before the surgery can be carried out. But it looks as though he will have to have a plate inserted in the depressed fracture of the cheek."

Adam was back on the bench by March 25th for the visit of Kidderminster. He came on in the second half. And then rumours that Exeter wanted to sign him.

"A move wouldn't interest us at the moment. These rumours are always hanging around but there's nothing in them."

Again on the bench to start Adam scored a vital goal in Hereford's 1-1 draw with Southport on April 22nd. A week later a 3-1 win at York ensured Hereford finished runners-up in the league and so to the play-offs.

Adam started both legs, the first at Morecambe which ended 1-1. Then the second which Hereford won. No goals for Adam but a great assist.

'Adam Stansfield raced away down the left before nipping a ball inside to Rob Purdie. Purdie played the ball into the feet of Williams who, with his back to goal and a defender behind him, somehow managed to turn and fire, all in one motion, into the bottom corner of the net leaving 'keeper Steven Drench stranded.'

The play-off final was against Halifax at the Walkers Stadium. Adam started, provided the cross for Hereford's first goal, and had several chances.

'United continued where they left off after the restart, and Stansfield almost put The Bulls in front. His mazy run bought him some space inside the box and he homed in on goal from the right but, with a clear sight on goal from just yards out, shot low to the near post, where Kennedy somehow managed to keep the ball out with his feet.'

The Bulls won 3-2 and so a return to the Football League the following August. 

Afterwards Adam gave his thoughts to the press.

"It was amazing. To come back twice was brilliant. We have worked so hard over the course of a long season. In the end it came down to one game and we produced the goods.

"I have played in the FA Trophy final, but this was up there with the biggest games I have been involved in. The game had everything, the atmosphere was electric and to top it all off we won. The play-offs had become a sore point in the past few seasons. 

"Finishing second and not getting promoted had been a blow, especially as the club have been calling out for two teams to get automatic promotion. But it doesn't matter now. We are up and everyone is so thrilled.

"I haven't got a contract next season. I haven't been offered anything yet. We are in today and we will be told our futures in the next few days. I have had a few injuries, but hopefully I have done enough to be offered a new contract."

On May 26th it was reported that Adam was considering his options. 

"He (Graham Turner) has basically said he wants me but he is just waiting on his budget. Now we have gone up he is not sure what money he has got at the minute so he is just waiting on that before he gets back to us. I will wait to see what the offer is."

On June 10th it was reported that Adam was joining Exeter.

Turner explained what had happened.

"I spoke to him a week or so ago. He asked for a second year but the offer was for one year.

"He then asked if he played a certain number of games could a contract for a second year kick-in which I agreed.

"I thought he was away on holiday but I now read he's going to sign for Exeter.

"You lose one or two players. I won't lose any sleep over Adam going to Exeter. We wish him well. He did a decent job for us here."

Turner then revealed that there had been a problem with Stansfield two or three months before the end of the season.

"We got word that Adam had already spoken to Exeter, then denied it, but we were not too happy about that situation. So Adam Stansfield and Exeter - it's been a link for quite some time."

On June 15th Exeter confirmed the move.

Exeter City FC is pleased to confirm the signing of Adam Stansfield on a 2 year deal.

'Adam joins us from Hereford where he scored 22 goals in the 2004/05 season and helped fire them to a play-off spot in the last two seasons.

27 year old Adam, has previously been on the books at Elmore and Yeovil before joining Hereford.

A local Tiverton lad, he has decided that his future resides playing for Devon's premier club, and it speaks volumes that he still wanted to come to Exeter even though he knew we had no manager.

Welcome Adam and we hope you can help us to promotion this season.'  

Adam commented a few days later.

"Leaving Hereford was hard, it is a lovely place and the people there have been really good to me and my family. But they wouldn't offer me more than a year and I needed to look after my family and the offer from Exeter was a good one. And coming back to Devon will be good for the kids. It will be nice for them to see their grandparents more often."

But Stansfield refuted reports that he had 'done the dirty' on the Bulls: "What has come out has actually made me look quite bad, but I rang Hereford a week ago last Friday to let them know I was rejecting their contract offer."