Fred Stansfield Explained

Fred Stansfield
Fullname:Fred Stansfield[1]
Birth Date:1917 12, df=y
Birth Place:Cardiff, Wales
Death Place:Cardiff, Wales
Position:Defender
Years1:1943–1949
Years2:1949–1950
Clubs1:Cardiff City
Clubs2:Newport County
Caps1:106
Caps2:21
Goals1:1
Goals2:0
Nationalyears1:1948
Nationalteam1:Wales
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:1950–1953
Manageryears2:1954–1955
Managerclubs1:Newport County
Managerclubs2:Bedford Town

Fred Stansfield (12 December 1917 – 30 March 2014) was a Welsh international footballer.

Career

Stansfield, a centre-half, had been playing for Grange Athletic when he joined Cardiff City in 1942 as a part-time professional. He was immediately appointed captain and was a regular in the war-time regional side but, due to World War II, he did not play a league match until 1946, making his debut on the opening day of the season in a 2–1 defeat by Norwich City. His form during the following season saw him called up for the Wales squad, winning his first cap against Scotland in October 1948. It turned out to be the only time he would play for his country as he suffered a broken ankle three months later in a league match against Barnsley.[1]

His recovery meant he missed several months and on his return found his place in the Cardiff side taken by Stan Montgomery, who manager Cyril Spiers had signed from Southend United, and he left to join Newport County.[1] He spent one season playing for the club making 21 appearances before being appointed manager at Somerton Park in 1950. After three years in charge at Newport he was appointed manager of Southern League team Bedford Town between March 1954 and March 1955.[2]

After leaving football he owned a newsagents in Whitchurch, Cardiff until his retirement.[3] As of 2010 he was, along with Tommy Forse, one of the two oldest surviving Cardiff City players.[4] Stansfield died 30 March 2014, aged 96.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hayes, Dean . The Who's Who of Cardiff City . Breedon Books . 2006 . 177 . Derby . 1-85983-462-0.
  2. https://sites.google.com/site/bedfordoldeagles/the-rest/the-managers Managers and Coaches, 1945–82
  3. http://www.whitchurchandllandaff.co.uk/memories_of_whitchurch__llandaf.htm "Memories of Whitchurch Llandaf"
  4. http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2227488,00.html "Legend Fred Our Honoured Guest"
  5. http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/11117716.Former_County_player_and_boss_Fred_Stansfield_dies/?ref=var_0 "Former County player and boss Fred Stansfield dies"