It is plainly clear that the guy represents all that football should be and his loss is massive to his family (he leaves his wife and three young children behind), friends, colleagues, and – well – the world.

My favourite tributes to him:

• Sam Cawley with some personal memories on this very blog
• Seb White’s thoughts on Sabotage Times (or here)
• Jeff Stelling says a few words on Soccer Saturday
• BBC Spotlight reporting his death

Adam Stansfield died on 10th August 2010 following a battle with bowel cancer, aged just 31. My thoughts are with all that are close to him.

“Stanno” had a massive positive effect on everyone wherever he went, he was one player that no one had a bad word to say about. He was one of the most genuine, honest, down to earth men you could ever hope to meet.

Adam was plucked from non league side Elmore by Gary Johnson, at the time, Yeovil fans thought that he’d lost the plot signing an unknown player from Elmore, what was he thinking…. turns out, he’d unleashed an absolute star in the making.

2001 was a difficult year for me, I lost my grandad (to cancer), a massive YTFC fan who had spent many an hour travelling to support the mighty green army, in the October and life was pretty low but my love for Yeovil didn’t diminish, in fact, it grew, it’s like I was going to the games not only for myself  but for my grandad and what a season it was!

Yeovil went onto lift the FA Trophy and us reaching the final was pretty much down to one man, who goes by the name of Adam Stansfield.

Adam gave his heart and soul to Yeovil Town FC and he scored plenty of goals in the build up to the final, and he scored the winner in the final which was very fitting… I was gutted that my grandad had not made it to see us lift our first piece of silverware for years but I also like to believe that part of him was down there on the pitch at Villa Park helping Chris Weale make the crucial save, helping launch Carl Alford into the air for the overhead kick and assisting Adam with the winner.

Trophy final day was special, seeing YTFC lift the trophy was an amazing feeling and it was also the day that I met a very good mate of mine and i’d like to thank Adam for his goals which led to that day and the friendship that developed but knowing how humble and modest Adam was, he wouldn’t have wanted thanks, he’d just say it was part of his job; he’s paid to score goals and that’s what he did!

Adam will be sorely missed, players come and players go but Adam had a special place in my heart, the day he broke his leg at Dorchester was one of the worst days in my life, I remember standing on the terrace and sobbing my heart out, I didn’t think it could get any worse but then it did…. this happened.

Adam, wherever you are, I hope that you are bringing joy to everyone and that your suffering is over and that you are still smiling, your smile was one of the best i’ve ever seen, and the smiles at the final whistle at Villa Park are an ever lasting memory, despite it being 8 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.

It was a joy to see you play and an absolute honour to have had the chance to talk to you, you always had the time of day for anyone who wanted to chat and that is something not many players will do these days.

I really hope the club be it Exeter or Yeovil do something to commemorate your life.

On that note, an Exeter fan called Nick Bryant is making a remarkable run from Exeter to Huish Park for the league game in September, the distance is over 50 miles and he is doing it in memory of Stanno and to raise money for Cancer Research UK, please sponsor him as I have now lost 2 special people in my life to the deadly disease and I hold onto hope that one day a cure will be found…. you can do so by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/arunforstanno/1

RIP ADAM STANSFIELD – WE ALL LOVED YOU XXXX

I still love you blog…

Anyway…

2005:

Coming soon: old “Stuff” etc etc

Group 1: Would really really really really like to attend

Australia
Canada
Singapore
Abu Dhabi
Monaco

These are my five events I would rank as those I am MOST keen to visit. Monaco needs no introduction – the “jewel in the crown” event of F1 and one I would love to visit – even if only once, despite the fact it’s proximity may make more than once a distinct possibility! Canada we mention above – Australia is a country I have waned to visit for ages, so it’s Grand Prix naturally follows. Singapore’s night race would be something completely different (reminds me of my long standing and still very much alive desire to go to Le Mans) whilst Abu Dhabi’s wealth attracts me. Well I can dream!?

Group 2: Would really like to attend

Malaysia
Europe
Belgium
Italy
Japan

Europe (Valencia) – there looked like there was an awesome beach nearby Belgium and Italy, Spa and Monza are purist motorsport fan venues I would LOVE to attend a Grand Prix at, if only for the history and to size up those places and their history… going east, Japan and Malaysia register. Japan’s unique circuit and the country as a whole attracts me, whilst Malaysia’s monsoons could be fun. One time only

Group 3: Definitely one day maybe

Brazil
Bahrain
China
Germany

Luke warm on these, but still should the opportunity arise I’d be there in a heartbeat! Brazil looks like a different kind of race and atmosphere. Bahrain too – a race in a desert must be somewhat unique! China and Germany for different reasons… the German round would probably have to be the Nurburgring mind you…

Group 4: Not arsed really

Spain
Turkey
Hungary

Again, would go if someone paid for me to, but not too arsed really…

Group 5: Where?

Korea

Not had a race here yet so can’t really make a judgement!

SO… where will I go for my first race abroad? We’ll see

For a laugh I have decided to keep an eye on (documented on here) one team from the top 8 tiers of the English football league system in the cup competitions of the 2010-11 season. The ones chosen are a mixture of my teams above, and others chosen at random if not. The chosen teams from each tier:

And there is news already for some of the lower tiers – but I’ll go through that all another time