Jay Stansfield says there was only one place he would accept if relegation meant dropping into League One — and that club was Birmingham City. A season-long loan turned into a deep bond with the fans and a sense that he had landed somewhere special.
He arrived at St Andrew’s and immediately felt the connection. The welcome from supporters, he says, gave him confidence during a difficult campaign in which the club slipped from the Championship amid off-field mistakes by those in charge. Even in a season that ended in relegation, Stansfield finished with 12 goals and made an impression through sheer work-rate and determination.
Supporters wanted him back, and the board obliged in dramatic fashion. Birmingham paid an initial fee reported at £15m to make the deal permanent, breaking the League One transfer record. For chairman Tom Wagner and the new ownership group it felt like a declaration of intent — and, to some eyes, a way of setting things right after a troubled year. Stansfield chose to focus on the project rather than the drama.
There has been plenty of scrutiny over the size of the transfer fee, but Stansfield accepts that scrutiny as part of the job. He says such debates are out of his control and that the only thing he can do is concentrate on his game and growth as a footballer. Handling the attention has been another step in his development.
On the pitch, the gamble paid off. Stansfield became emblematic of Birmingham’s new era, contributing 19 goals in 37 appearances as the Blues won League One with a record points haul. That form and exposure have helped him grow into a leadership role, both in the dressing room and beyond. He credits team-mates and staff for supporting that progress, and stresses there is still work to do.
Off the pitch, the club has been transformed by fresh investment. Improvements at St Andrew’s and upgrades to the training ground have changed the day-to-day environment for players. Stansfield says high-quality facilities bring the best out of the squad and that promises made by the owners are being delivered, creating increased expectation around the club.
Ambition has also been made literal with plans for a new 62,000-seater stadium, nicknamed the Birmingham City Powerhouse, scheduled to open in 2029. Stansfield admits it will be emotional to leave the intimate roar of St Andrew’s, where around 28,000 supporters create a unique atmosphere, but he is energised by the idea of walking out in a much larger arena that could amplify the club’s profile and benefit the whole city.
Back in the Championship, realism is required. Birmingham currently sit outside the play-off positions but have shown marked improvement, especially at home. Stansfield has already netted eight goals this season and believes the squad is beginning to click. He insists the team must keep focusing on playing its football and managing the fine margins the division demands.
Stansfield’s long-term aim is unambiguous: to reach the Premier League with Birmingham. He had a brief taste of top-flight football at Fulham and learned from the ups and downs of early loans, including a spell at Exeter. Now settled in a club with clear ambition and owners prepared to back the project, he says he is in a good place and eager to help deliver promotion back to the top flight.