It can be heard up and down the country in streets, pubs and in the stadiums of any club Exeter City may encounter.
Backed by a beating drum inside a heart, the chant is passionately sung and shouted by many. These people sing a song, for our Stanno, Exeter City’s number nine.
Adam Stansfield scored 39 goals in over 150 appearances for the Grecians, and he was nothing short of adored by the St James Park faithful. His tireless workrate and inspirational positive attitude quickly made Adam a fan favourite at the Park after he joined from Hereford United in 2006.
Perhaps what made Adam so unique was his targets as a professional footballer; he stated that his aim was not to achieve promotion or reach a certain tally of goals, but to influence the club’s younger players.
After helping City to back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One, and scoring eight goals at a level he had never graced before in the third tier, Adam was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2010.
The striker’s season was cut short by the diagnosis, but he was back for pre-season training in early July after various treatments. However, Adam’s condition rapidly declined and, after a loss to Ipswich in the League Cup, his death was announced on August 10, 2010.
We have never forgotten Adam though, and he will always remain an integral part of the fabric of our football club.
The number 9 shirt, Adam’s number, was retired for nine seasons and is still regularly printed on fan’s shirts with the name Stansfield adorned on the back. Furthermore, the new Grandstand will be known as Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand ensuring that the striker’s name will live on for decades at the club.
The Adam Stansfield Foundation was set up by Adam’s wife Marie and his immediate family in September 2010 with the aim to raise awareness of bowel cancer issues and to help give young people the opportunity to develop life skills through the power of football. You can help support the foundation through their website www.adamstansfieldfoundation.com.
Adam’s legacy will forever be known at the club, and you will never attend an Exeter City fixture without seeing something related to Stanno, because you see, he will always be at City with you and me.