When people talk about Birmingham City’s rise and the buzz around their Amazon Prime documentary Built in Birmingham, the spotlight naturally falls on NFL legend Tom Brady.
But beyond the Hollywood star power and boardroom drama, there’s a deeper, more personal story unfolding on the pitch—one that centers around a young striker who’s been through more than most.
A Childhood Marked by Loss and Responsibility
Jay Stansfield isn’t just another promising footballer.
He’s a young man who’s had to grow up fast.
At just seven years old, Jay lost his father, Adam Stansfield, to bowel cancer.
Adam was a respected footballer himself, having played for clubs like Yeovil, Hereford, and Exeter.
His passing left a huge gap—but also lit a fire in Jay’s heart.
Now 22, Jay remembers those early days vividly. “You mature quicker when you’re forced to,” he says.
“I had to be there for my younger brothers and help keep the family strong.
My mum did everything she could to hold us together.”
Rising Through the Ranks with Pressure on His Shoulders
Jay’s big move to Birmingham City came in 2024, a record-breaking £15 million transfer from Fulham.
The price tag raised eyebrows—and brought pressure. But he responded the only way he knows how: with goals.
He scored 23 of them in his debut season, helping Birmingham bounce straight back to the Championship.
Now, fresh off winning the UEFA Under-21 European Championship with England, he’s heading into the new season with high hopes—and an opener against Ipswich to kick things off.
Family First On and Off the Pitch
Jay’s journey hasn’t been a solo mission. His younger brother, Taylor, now works as a kitman for Birmingham City—something Jay arranged when he first joined on loan in 2023.
Their bond runs deep, and it’s clear family is everything to Jay.
He also speaks highly of his stepfather and credits his mum for helping him and his partner weather the emotional storms of recent years.
“Having that strong support system has made all the difference,” he says.
Battling Doubt and Finding Inner Strength
Despite a stellar season, there were moments when Jay struggled.
The expectations, the taunts about his transfer fee—they wore on him. So he did what many athletes are now embracing: he sought help from a psychologist.
“It wasn’t just football. It was personal things I’ve been carrying,” he admits.
“But those tough life experiences have given me the tools to deal with pressure.”
Clear Goals and Big Dreams
Where many players shy away from bold predictions, Jay is refreshingly open about his ambitions.
Yes, he wants the Golden Boot this season. Yes, he’s aiming for the Premier League.
And yes, he dreams of pulling on that senior England shirt one day.
Comparisons to Jamie Vardy have already started, but Jay says he models his game more after Harry Kane—admiring how the England captain moves, scores, and creates.
“I’m not a big target man,” he laughs, “but I’m sharp, I score goals, and I create chances. That’s my game.”
Could a World Cup Call-Up Be on the Horizon?
A place in the 2026 World Cup squad might seem like a stretch—but history says otherwise.
Players like Steve Bull and Theo Walcott made shock entries from lower divisions, so Jay’s dream isn’t out of reach.
He’s keeping his feet on the ground, though. “There are top players ahead of me, playing Champions League football.
I just need to keep developing my game.”
Behind the Scenes in Built in Birmingham
The Amazon documentary is pulling back the curtain on life inside Birmingham City, and Jay believes it’s a great thing for the fans.
“People only see us on the pitch,” he says. “This shows we’re real people with real stories. It’s honest, and it’s emotional.”
The Tom Brady Factor
Of course, it helps when someone like Tom Brady is part of your club’s leadership.
Jay speaks warmly of the NFL legend’s involvement .
You can reach out to him anytime. He’s clear about what it takes to win.
He brings that elite mindset into everything we do.”
Chairman Tom Wagner and Brady have helped instill a culture of accountability and ambition—and Jay is thriving in it.
Writing the Next Chapter
Jay Stansfield isn’t just scoring goals—he’s writing a story that’s rooted in love, resilience, and legacy.
As Birmingham City pushes for promotion and builds something special, Jay is proving that you can carry the weight of grief and still rise.
And as the season kicks off, one thing’s for sure: his father would be incredibly proud.
When people talk about Birmingham City’s rise and the buzz around their Amazon Prime documentary Built in Birmingham, the spotlight naturally falls on NFL legend Tom Brady.
But beyond the Hollywood star power and boardroom drama, there’s a deeper, more personal story unfolding on the pitch—one that centers around a young striker who’s been through more than most.
A Childhood Marked by Loss and Responsibility
Jay Stansfield isn’t just another promising footballer. He’s a young man who’s had to grow up fast.
At just seven years old, Jay lost his father, Adam Stansfield, to bowel cancer.
Adam was a respected footballer himself, having played for clubs like Yeovil, Hereford, and Exeter.
His passing left a huge gap—but also lit a fire in Jay’s heart.
Now 22, Jay remembers those early days vividly.
“You mature quicker when you’re forced to,” he says.
“I had to be there for my younger brothers and help keep the family strong.
My mum did everything she could to hold us together.”
Rising Through the Ranks with Pressure on His Shoulders
Jay’s big move to Birmingham City came in 2024, a record-breaking £15 million transfer from Fulham.
The price tag raised eyebrows—and brought pressure.
But he responded the only way he knows how: with goals.
He scored 23 of them in his debut season, helping Birmingham bounce straight back to the Championship.
Now, fresh off winning the UEFA Under-21 European Championship with England, he’s heading into the new season with high hopes—and an opener against Ipswich to kick things off.
Family First On and Off the Pitch
Jay’s journey hasn’t been a solo mission. His younger brother, Taylor, now works as a kitman for Birmingham City—something Jay arranged when he first joined on loan in 2023.
Their bond runs deep, and it’s clear family is everything to Jay.
He also speaks highly of his stepfather and credits his mum for helping him and his partner weather the emotional storms of recent years.
“Having that strong support system has made all the difference,” he says.
Battling Doubt and Finding Inner Strength
Despite a stellar season, there were moments when Jay struggled.
The expectations, the taunts about his transfer fee—they wore on him.
So he did what many athletes are now embracing: he sought help from a psychologist.
“It wasn’t just football. It was personal things I’ve been carrying,” he admits.
“But those tough life experiences have given me the tools to deal with pressure.”
Clear Goals and Big Dreams
Where many players shy away from bold predictions, Jay is refreshingly open about his ambitions.
Yes, he wants the Golden Boot this season.
Yes, he’s aiming for the Premier League.
And yes, he dreams of pulling on that senior England shirt one day.
Comparisons to Jamie Vardy have already started, but Jay says he models his game more after Harry Kane—admiring how the England captain moves, scores, and creates.
“I’m not a big target man,” he laughs, “but I’m sharp, I score goals, and I create chances. That’s my game.”
Could a World Cup Call-Up Be on the Horizon?
A place in the 2026 World Cup squad might seem like a stretch—but history says otherwise.
Players like Steve Bull and Theo Walcott made shock entries from lower divisions, so Jay’s dream isn’t out of reach.
He’s keeping his feet on the ground, though. “There are top players ahead of me, playing Champions League football.
I just need to keep developing my game.”
Behind the Scenes in Built in Birmingham
The Amazon documentary is pulling back the curtain on life inside Birmingham City, and Jay believes it’s a great thing for the fans.
“People only see us on the pitch,” he says. “This shows we’re real people with real stories. It’s honest, and it’s emotional.”
The Tom Brady Factor
Of course, it helps when someone like Tom Brady is part of your club’s leadership.
Jay speaks warmly of the NFL legend’s involvement.
“You can reach out to him anytime. He’s clear about what it takes to win.
He brings that elite mindset into everything we do.”
Chairman Tom Wagner and Brady have helped instill a culture of accountability and ambition—and Jay is thriving in it.
Writing the Next Chapter
Jay Stansfield isn’t just scoring goals—he’s writing a story that’s rooted in love, resilience, and legacy.
As Birmingham City pushes for promotion and builds something special, Jay is proving that you can carry the weight of grief and still rise.
And as the season kicks off, one thing’s for sure: his father would be incredibly proud.