No football supporter, player or manager would ever go as far as to suggest that three points were not the primary concern on a match day. However, today is as close as it comes to a day when it's what goes on around the match that rivals the match itself. A day to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Adam Stansfield will see his whole family spend the day at Huish Park as Exeter City arrive for a League One match that almost feels of secondary importance.
Present at this afternoon's game will be Adam's parents Glynis and Roger, his widow Marie, and his three sons Jay, Taylor and Cody. Adam's sons will be the mascots for the game. The other member of the Stansfield family who will be making an appearance will be travelling by less conventional means - his brother Paul is arriving by foot, as part of a near 50 mile run between the two ground. He has told the Exeter Express and Echo that this was an important occasion for the family:
"All the family will be there because of the importance of the game. They are all going early to present the trophy at match being played by the supporters. Everything that is being done for Adam definitely helps the family. It is not the way we want to live but it is important to keep the memory of Adam alive and also raises money for good causes. Both clubs were obviously both very important to Adam and his career and they have both been fantastic in the way they have supported the family and helped Nick and I plan for the run."
The Glovers have received praise from Exeter's Director of Sport Julian Tagg, for the way the day has been set up, and felt that the positives were that it had helped bond the two clubs together:
"Right from the outset Yeovil have been extremely accommodating and concerned and done as much as they could to assist Adam's family. Adam obviously played for both clubs and he is held in the same high regard in Yeovil as he is in Exeter. I am sure it will be a very well supported game between two clubs that have a very good relationship that has been enhanced and improved through Adam and the same happening with supporters."
Comment on this News Item on Facebook
or Go back to Top of Page
|
25 September 2010 : 
