Knighthead's £15m vindication is even bigger prize than a Wembley Hollywood derby
The sight of Jay Stansfield leaping joyously into the arms of Birmingham City’s adoring fans will have warmed the hearts of supporters inside and out the Lamex Stadium where Blues’ remorseless pursuit of an historic season ground on.
There was relief that the goal had finally arrived, that Chris Davies’ men would be spared the jeopardy of a penalty shoot-out and that Stansfield himself is back on the goal trail. Three in two games, worth three points and a place in the semi-finals of the Vertu Trophy suggest a return to form on that front.
After just a season-and-a-half at Birmingham City Stansfield has already rattled in 30 goals for the club. Twenty million down the drain, eh?
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Football tittered when news of his deadline day transfer from Fulham broke last August. No-one’s tittering now as the 22-year-old carries not only the burden of that record fee but also the intense pressure of being Knighthead’s poster boy. Don’t forget the emotions of facing Exeter City three times, the club where he started and for whom his father played.
But it’s not all been plain sailing. Davies and Stansfield have had to navigate tricky positional waters, once it became obvious Alfie May would only really thrive in the spot Stansfield was bought to fill, both manager and player have had to make tactical compromises. Stansfield has played several different positions and contributed in each.
In truth, though, last night’s winner was what he was brought in to do. Sent clear of a tiring defence with only seven minutes to go, he was clinical. Ruthlessly clinical.
As a result Blues’ are now one game from Wembley, a venue they gave graced just five times in their 150-year history. If they are to return to the national stadium for the first time since 2011, they must negotiate their way past a one game semi-final against one of Peterborough, Cheltenham, Bradford, Bolton or… Wrexham.
The connections with Barry Fry’s Posh are obvious, Peterborough’s director of football was Blues’ manager the last time they won this competition in 1995, the prospect of facing Bolton or Bradford, both of whom wouldn’t even have to try to sell an allocation that will be around 35,000, is engaging. But let’s be honest, it’s a Birmingham City vs Wrexham final the organisers will be slavering for.
Tom Brady vs Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, a third Hollywood derby of the season, the sponsors and EFL will be dizzy with desperation at the prospect. The competition will have never experienced exposure like it.
And there, in the middle of it all, would be Birmingham City’s and League One’s most expensive ever player facing just another examination of his footballing ability and his temperament. A public examination of what is a private romance – Stansfield x Blues.
With Newcastle United to face in the FA Cup on Saturday and a promotion campaign to resume on Tuesday, the player and his manager won’t afford themselves a second to dream or look any further than the next game.
But supporters can do that on their behalf and what better chapter to write in what is shaping up to be an incredible story than if Stansfield were to add his name to the Blues’ players who have scored at Wembley?
Joe Bradford in 1931, Noel Kinsey in 1956, Simon Sturridge and John Gayle in 1991, Paul Tait in 1995 and Nikola Zigic and Obafemi Martins in 2011. Legendary status and vindication awaits.
