Biography – Hereford United
Adam soon got into his stride at his new club. The 2004-05season was to be Adam’s most productive, scoring 22 goals. Adam again quickly became a fans favourite. Not just for his goals but his phenomenal work rate and never say die attitude. Adam played a big part in helping to get Hereford into the play-offs. The season was to end in disappointment though as the club lost to Stevenage Borough in the play-off semi finals.
The heartache of missing out on promotion seemed to spur the club on and the next season saw another exciting promotion push. In what was a stop start season after sustaining a fractured cheekbone in a horrid aerial clash at Canvey Island in February, Adam recovered in time for another play-off tilt in May. After beating Morecambe in the semi final Hereford went on to face Halifax Town in the final at The Walkers Stadium. Adam again had a big say in the outcome of the match by sending over the most sublime of crosses for strike partner Andy Williams to equalise in the promotion showdown. A 3-2 win after extra time saw Hereford United and Adam promoted back to the football league.
Richard Prime, Sports Editor of the Hereford Times paid this tribute to Adam and his time at Hereford United:
“A natural striker and a sunny personality.
When Steve Guinan moved on after United’s first tilt at the conference play-offs, there was understandably some concern about where the goals were going to come from in the new campaign.
But those worries soon evaporated when it became clear what a gem Graham Turner had signed in Adam Stansfield. An ever-willing worker, Adam’s enthusiasm and readiness to chase lost causes quickly made him a popular addition to the Edgar Street staff.
But he was much more than just a workhorse. Skill pace and a deadly eye for goal marked him down as an ideal striker at Conference level, and as he was later to prove with Exeter, at a higher level too.
As well as having the pleasure of watching Adam score his goals and contributing to the team on all levels, I also was fortunate to interview Adam for the Hereford Times on a number of occasions.
He was never anything less than accommodating, honest, intelligent and interesting, putting forward his opinions on the game and the club in a thoughtful and straightforward manner.
His warm smile and enthusiastic greeting whenever you met him, at the club or in the city, is something that I shall remember for a long time.
RIP Adam – you were one of the best.”
In June 2006 Adam was offered a one-year contract extension by Hereford. Adam had a growing young family and took the very difficult decision to decline the offer in favour of a two-year contract from what Adam deemed to be his Hometown club – Exeter City.