New signing

[sunburywhite]

The Club are pleased to confirm the signing of Jay Stansfield from Exeter City on a scholarship agreement.

The forward-lying player can operate from either the number ten role or as a front man and will link up with Steve Wigley and Ali Melloul in the Under-18s side.

Stansfield adds to the line-up of fresh scholars moving into the Under-18s which already includes Ollie O'Neill, Luciano D'Auria-Henry, Ibane Bowat, Adrion Pajaziti, Mika Biereth, Idris Odutayo and Mac Chisholm.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/august/01/jay-stansfield-signs

[Lighthouse]

As you well know the headline could have read 'Youth Player New Signing' so as not to get our hopes up.  Why such notable and experienced posters such as yourself want to cause disappointment is always beyond me.

[f321ffc]

📝 Club statement: Jay Stansfield

Exeter City wishes Jay all the best following his move to Fulham

Just now


Simon Larkins

882 views
Exeter City has reluctantly accepted an offer from Fulham for first-year academy scholar Jay Stansfield.

Jay, 16,  was a talented member of our under-18s side last season, helping the team to the final of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup and a credible third-place finish in the south west league standings last season.

However, following an offer from Fulham, Jay will now link up with the London side.

The fee agreed is undisclosed at Fulham's request. However, while it is more than what the club would likely get in an arbitration fee and also includes add-ons and sell on, it is below what Exeter City feel is Jay's true value.

Chairman Julian Tagg said: "While Fulham have payed above what we would likely to get in an arbitration fee from the Professional Football Compensation Committee and therefore it was sensible for the club to accept, the ability for football clubs, with much bigger resources at their disposal, to take young players from successful academies like Exeter City at a fraction of the cost of which they are valued, is a problem that football still needs to solve.

"We, like many clubs, feel the Elite Performance Player Plan's rules – which fix transfer fees between academies – is heavily weighted in favour of sides higher up the football pyramid and ignores clubs like Exeter City, which do a tremendous job in producing talented young footballers.

"We, of course, must praise the fine work of all of our staff at Exeter City Academy who continue to work tirelessly to develop the next group of excellent footballers and well-rounded young men.

"However, those efforts are being undermined by the current system in place and we will continue to work with the Football League to find a solution to this. And that is not just for our academy, but for all those coaches and staff around Leagues One and Two, who continue to work hard to produce the next generation of talented footballers for the English game.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Jay and his family for their hard-work and dedication to Exeter City and we wish them all the very best for the future.

"Every effort was made to keep Jay at the club, but our ethos has always been to put the player's wishes first and the move to a category one club in Fulham was what was felt best for Jay, by both him and his family, and we look forward to following his continued success in the game." 

Whilst we are on the Stansfield subject, following some questions from supporters, the club would also like to confirm that the No. 9 shirt of our much-loved striker Adam will not be used this season. The shirt did come back into circulation following nine years of retirement out of respect to Adam and his huge contribution to the team whilst wearing it.

It will be made available for use next season.

[west kowloon white]

Made my day.

[sunburywhite]

As you well know the headline could have read 'Youth Player New Signing' so as not to get our hopes up.  Why such notable and experienced posters such as yourself want to cause disappointment is always beyond me.

Because being a Fulham supporter part of the enjoyment is the pain of anticipation and I wouldn't like to let you down on that

[Tabby]

Speaking of the u18's, there is currently a live stream of them playing Basel where you might see our new signing in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOANEsF3z6Q&feature=youtu.be

[The Rock]

Finally, a defender that can walk into the starting 11. So relieved.

[sunburywhite]

1-0 Fulham

No 10

[Tabby]

1-0 Fulham

No 10

Think that is Stansfield.

[sunburywhite]

1-0 Fulham

No 10

You could be right

Ive been all around the world
Think that is Stansfield.

[ealex40]

We just converted a penalty. Now trailing 2-3

[ealex40]

Match over. Just a 60 minute match. Lost 2-3

[Fernhurst]

Not fair........ They were bigger than us 😢😢😩😩

[FPT]

Jay is actually the son of Adam Stansfield whose no.9 shirt is retired at Exeter City.

Whilst the sentiment of fixed transfer fees are (as stated correctly) leant to favour the bigger clubs with bigger resources, the actual aim to that more players can experience the higher quality training environments of Category One Academies (the categories are reviewed every few years). Whilst Exeter may be annoyed to lose a player to a Fulham because they are bigger, remember that Fulham are not as big as Manchester City, or Chelsea, or Arsenal, or Manchester United yet still have the same level academy.

Exeter have shown to be an excellent developer of young talent and have a pathway into the first team so it must be doubly annoying for them I guess.

[sunburywhite]

Not fair........ They were bigger than us 😢😢😩😩

They were a lot bigger

[Lighthouse]

As you well know the headline could have read 'Youth Player New Signing' so as not to get our hopes up.  Why such notable and experienced posters such as yourself want to cause disappointment is always beyond me.

Because being a Fulham supporter part of the enjoyment is the pain of anticipation and I wouldn't like to let you down on that

:012: