Fulham’s Jay Stansfield completes Birmingham City’s end of season awards

Fulham’s Jay Stansfield completed a clean sweep of Birmingham City’s end-of-season awards.

The young striker won Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season, Supporters’ Player of the Season, Goal of the Season and Top Scorer after a superb loan spell in the West Midlands.

Birmingham’s relegation from the Championship was confirmed on the final day of the season after wins for Plymouth, Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday.

Stansfield, however, enjoyed an excellent personal campaign, contributing 16 goals and assists in all competitions.

The 21-year-old has built an impressive loan spell with Exeter City in the 2022/23 season. Stepping up to the Football Championship and putting himself firmly in contention for a place in Fulham’s first team.

Stansfield has already made his debut for the Cottagers but will be hoping to become a regular in Marco Silva’s side after taking up a commanding role on loan at Birmingham.

Able to play as both a centre-forward and number ten, Stansfield’s versatility and eye for goal make him an exciting prospect and with Fulham looking to add more goals to their ranks, he will be closely watched in pre-season.

Fulham have been boosted by the emergence of Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz this season. But even he has yet to hit double figures in the league and with veteran striker Raul Jimenez struggling for form and fitness, there is an opportunity for Stansfield to prove his worth.

Stansfield signed a new four-year contract before leaving for Birmingham in the summer and is widely seen as part of Fulham’s future.

Silva was keen to ensure they found the right move for Stansfield this season and despite Birmingham’s relegation it has been a productive year for the youngster.

Stansfield said Birmingham Live that, despite close links with Birmingham, his immediate future is at Fulham and that he will return to Craven Cottage looking to make an impact in the first team.

“I’m going back to Fulham and I’m going to do my best there. This is my team right now and I have to take everything I’ve learned from here and go there. The blues will always have a place in my heart.”

Fulham already have one eye on next season after Saturday’s draw with west London rivals Brentford ensured the Whites will not be able to equal last season’s points tally.

This means Silva will be in the process of assessing his squad ahead of next season, with Stansfield very much on the Portuguese’s radar.