Jay Stansfield: Exeter City loan 'the best thing' for Fulham youngster
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Jay Stansfield was an academy player at Exeter City before moving to Fulham
Jay Stansfield says joining Exeter City on loan from Fulham has been the best thing for his career.
The 20-year-old moved back to his boyhood club from the Premier League side on the summer transfer deadline.
Following in the footsteps of his late father Adam, he has gone on to score six goals in 38 appearances for City this season.
"Dropping down the divisions was the best thing to do personally," Stansfield told BBC Sport.
"I've come here and developed as a player and learnt a lot about myself and a lot about how to react on the pitch.
"Playing in the Premier League is brilliant, but I'm still only 20 and I've got a lot to learn and more experience to gain.
"League One's a great level to play in. It's tough but enjoyable and is challenging."
Having come to Exeter after making three Premier League appearances for Fulham in August, Stansfield's high-energy style has made him a favourite of fans at St James Park.
"He's a fantastic character and individual first and foremost but, on top of that, he's a football player with huge potential," Exeter manager Gary Caldwell told BBC Sport.
"He's learned a lot. It's been fantastic loan for him in terms of what he's got in terms of game time, first and foremost.
"He's gone through a full range of different emotions and experiences that for a young player is amazing.
"He's a player of Premier League potential. Whether he fulfils that is down to him."
Jay Stansfield was named EFL Young Player of the Month for October
Stansfield's father was an Exeter player when he died of cancer in 2010 aged 31.
He played more than 140 games for the Devon club across four seasons, scoring 37 goals - and Jay has worn the number nine shirt that the club retired in the wake of his father's death.
"I can't thank everyone at Exeter," he said. "The club, the players, all the staff, and especially the fans - enough for welcoming me back here with such open arms, and sticking by me.
"I went 23 games without a goal and some fans can turn massively and show disbelief in you, but these fans have stuck by me the whole way.
"Everyone remembers my Dad here, but I came here to make a name for myself and I think I have done that.
"We're very different people at different levels in our career at my age, but its a privilege to come here and wear that shirt, not just for me but my family."