I hope dad is looking down on me and I am making him proud Crawley v Fulham

FULHAM STAR JAY ON HEARTACHE OF LOSING HIS FATHER TO CANCER

EMOTIONAL Jay Stansfield revealed his elevation to Premier League stardom is tinged with sadness.

The Fulham wonderkid, 19, made his league debut at Wolves last week and then impressed on his first top-flight start in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Brentford.

But Stansfield’s only disappointment was that his dad Adam was not around to see his rise.

Former Yeovil, Hereford and Exeter striker Adam Stansfield (circled, above right) was just 31 when he tragically died of colorectal cancer in 2010 (tributes paid by Exeter at the time of his death, above).

Jay (top) was only seven at the time but found inspiration from the memory of his popular father to reach the top.

He said: “Hopefully my dad has been looking down on me.

“When I made my debut it was quite emotional because I wanted him to be here. Sadly he is not but hopefully he is looking down on me and proud of me. I’m massively inspired by him.

“I don’t remember too much as I was quite young. I have had stories from my family, my mum always tells me of how he dealt with things.

“I just listen to people who were close to him. A lot of his close mates are managers. I talk to them quite a bit. I watch videos back as well.

“But it is just a moment where I have to keep pushing on and making him proud.”

Stansfield has taken his chance in the absence of Harry Wilson and Neeskens Kebano.

He hit the woodwork 45 seconds into his impressive first league start with Bobby De Cordova-Reid netting the rebound.

Stansfield can expect to start again in tonight’s Carabao Cup tie at Crawley.

He added: “It’s been a privilege to start in the Premier League. I knew I had to be on top form for my first start in such a high league and I wanted to show the fans what I can do.

“The fans were brilliant on Saturday, their support is always noticed.”