Robin Durie was one of the Exeter City supporters who visited Edgar Street last Saturday to take part in the one minute applause in memory of Adam Stansfield. He has written the following tribute.
The death of Adam Stansfield came as a profound shock to football fans throughout the country, but especially to supporters of Exeter City, Hereford Utd and Yeovil Town. I had spent a little bit of time with Adam following our dramatic win over Huddersfield in the last game of the season, which preserved our League 1 status. Adam was in great spirits, his face lit up by that trademark smile - the fact that the success of his team should give him such unbridled pleasure, despite all he was going through, was absolutely typical of the man. A couple of months later, he had postponed his latest round of chemotherapy, in order to join the City players at their first day of pre-season training. On both occasions he looked frail, but there was no inkling of the tragedy that was to strike so suddenly.
Hereford fans will know the value of Adam, both as an individual player, but also as a team member. He never gave less than his all when he was on the pitch. He was a skilful player, but it was his commitment, his effort, his willingness to run for every ball, that so endeared him to fans of all the clubs for which he played. Exeter City went through some pretty grim times during the early years of the last decade. We weren't able to sign players, and we didn't have the resources to pay big wages.
When we signed Adam Stansfield, it was felt to be a bit of a turning point - when a player of Adam's stature decides to come to our Club, we thought, then things must be on the up. We weren't wrong! There were some who would say he wasn't good enough for League 2 football, and certainly not for League 1 football. They were wrong. Adam was a vital component in City's promotion from League 2 in 2008/9. More than that, though, City manager Paul Tisdale built his League 1 team around Adam during the 2009/10 season. Tisdale recognised that Stanno was the heart of the team, the player who could literally lead from the front on the pitch, the one player whose head would never go down. I believe Adam was playing the best football of his life...and then disaster struck.
As everyone who knew Adam, or knew of him, during his time at Hereford, Yeovil or Exeter, will have been aware, Adam was a person who always made time for fans. The fans at Exeter have created a moving tribute to Adam on the Big Bank at St James Park. But whilst signing for Exeter meant "coming home" for Adam, he was as loved and cherished by fans at both Hereford and Yeovil as he has been at Exeter. So, when City's game with Dagenham was postponed - to allow family, players and fans more time for grieving - and when Chris Powis and others posted on "exeweb" that City fans would be welcome at Edgar St for the game with Gillingham, I felt that it would be a fitting way of remembering a player who united fans in their admiration for him, and who was respected by supporters of all teams he played against, if we joined Bulls fans in the Meadow End during the game at which Stanno was remembered by Hereford Utd.
From the moment we arrived, we were treated brilliantly by all the Hereford fans. It was very touching to be able to share memories of Adam with Utd supporters. It was even more important to have the opportunity to share in the minute's applause - wonderfully observed, and a fitting way to celebrate Adam's life. Most of all, it was very special to be able to stand, shoulder to shoulder, in our team colours, alongside Hereford Fans in the heart of the Meadow End. I lost count of the number of Utd fans who made the effort to thank us for joining them, and who exchanged brief words about Adam. When 2 of our number tried to sneak out early, only to receive the applause of the whole ground, & a rousing chorus of "Their's only 1 Adam Stansfield", it was a moment which transcended the day-to-day business of football - it's something which I'm pretty sure would have brought a lump to Adam's throat had he been there. At the end of the game, some Hereford fans came up to us, and presented us with Utd shirts and scarves inscribed with mementoes to Adam. We have taken them and laid them alongside all the other moving tributes to Adam on the Big Bank at Exeter. Thank you to all the Hereford Utd fans who went out of their way to make us so welcome at Edgar St on Saturday. Thank you for the way you enabled us to join you in remembering, and celebrating, the life of Adam Stansfield. He was a special man, and a wonderful footballer - a true inspiration.
Robin Durie
Meanwhile, The Adam Stansfield Foundation is being set up by his family, to promote youth football in the South West. More details on the Exeter Offical Site.
His funeral will take place next Wednesday - 2pm at the Exeter Cathedral.