Jay Stansfield discloses truth about tears and refuses to close door on Birmingham City

Jay Stansfield realized this when he earned his fifth prize, completing his clean sweep at Birmingham City’s end-of-season party.

Relegation to League One forces him to leave Blues behind.

“Going up there and knowing my teammates have voted for me, and the supporters, I just felt sad to be leaving,” Stansfield said. “It’s one of those things, I signed up for a season’s loan and I’ve loved every minute and learnt a lot.”

And St Andrew’s has enjoyed every minute of Stansfield. In a turbulent season of disappointments, Stansfield’s goals and bravery while others around him faltered gave Blues fans hope until the very end.

Stansfield has suffered more than anyone else in recent weeks, as relegation became a reality rather than a mere possibility. He wanted to repay the club and fans with whom he had connected, as so few loan players do.

“I think I’ve just built up such a relationship with the fans and the club that I wanted to give my all in every game,” he said. “We came up short in the end, and everyone at the club is saddened. I believe the club will be back where it belongs very shortly. “Hopefully, they’ll be able to continue next season.”

Stansfield’s magnificent opening score against Plymouth, the Blues’ goal of the season, established him as an instant hit, but 12 more goals would follow. He scored a goal for five different managers last season.

“The goal early on helped,” Stansfield remarked. “I won my respect on the first day and could demonstrate why I selected Birmingham. Being around the city and seeing the supporters and how nice and hardworking everyone is, there are beautiful people all over here.”

If the Blues had remained in the Championship, they would probably certainly have attempted to entice Stansfield to return to St Andrew’s. Who knows, maybe Stansfield has a place in the bright future that Tom Wagner and Knighthead envision.

“We’ll see what happens,” he replied. “I’m going back to Fulham and will do my best there. That is my current team, and I need to apply all I’ve learned here to them. “The blues will always have a place in my heart.”