At the weekend, Exeter City played Yeovil Town in a match which celebrated the life of their former striker Adam Stansfield.
Stansfield tragically passed away from bowel cancer five years ago to this day, but his memory still lives on.Exeter and Yeovil, who he represented during his career, played out a thrilling match on Saturday, which saw the Grecians win 3-2.
It was a fitting tribute to Stansfield, who was a prolific striker. The clinical finisher’s career saw him score 96 goals in 316 appearances, and he played a key role in shaping the future for every club he represented.
Five years ago today, Adam Stansfield passed away.Thank you to all City and @YTFC fans for their respect on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Ozfi40Dy0d
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) August 10, 2015Stansfield helped Yeovil, Hereford United and Exeter to climb out of non-league and into The Football League – his goalscoring instincts helping to fire every club he represented out of the Conference.
Stansfield broke through at Yeovil, and he helped the Glovers achieve promotion from the Conference in the 2002/03 season. During his time with Town he also scored in an FA Trophy Final, netting the winner against Stevenage at Villa Park.
In 2004 Stansfield would leave Huish Park to join Hereford, and whilst with the side he repeated the feat of helping them out of non-league.
@YTFC Great tributes to Adam Stansfield #ytfc#EFCvYTFC@as9foundationpic.twitter.com/tgzNbeTCde
— ♥ Ali ♥ (@alilamps88) August 9, 2015A move back down south, in the summer of 2006, saw Stansfield join up with Exeter and it didn't take him long to complete a hat-trick of Football League promotions.
The front man helped Exeter into League 2 in 2008, and he then played a prominent role as they completed back-to-back promotions the following year.
His spirit lives on.