Our Noughties Sky Blues Midfielder Hits The Big 4-0 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’, Eddie!!
Back in October 2021 we welcomed to the Association a new member, Eddie Stanford (courtesy of CCFPA’s then Recruitment Officer Ed Blackaby). Born in Blackburn (on 4th February 1985) we now have another celebration shared with him. Today is his 40th birthday. Congratulations!
The left sided full back or winger began his professional career with the Sky Blues where he began as a trainee. During his two-year stay with CCFC (2002-04) he pulled on the first team shirt only twice, both from the substitutes bench. He made his debut (replacing now fellow quite recent CCFPA member Youssef Safri) in a remarkable game on 2nd October 2002 in City’s Second Round League (Worthington) Cup tie at Highfield Road. The young Sky Blue team scored eight without reply against Rushden & Diamonds to notch a record cup victory! The win saw them go through to meet (and be put out by Crystal Palace) in Round Three
However, his league debut came on as a 73rd-minute substitute for Dean Gordon in City’s last day 2–0 away defeat by Millwall in Division One on 4th May 2003.
He was released by CCFC at the end of the 2003/04 season. Eddie later had spells in Poland with Legia Warsaw (2004) and Ruch Chorzow (2005) in the Polish Premier League and then Sandecja Nowy Sacz (2005) and Promien Zary (2006).
Back in the UK Eddie has featured for the following non-league sides – Nelson (2006), Chorley (2006), Curzon Ashton (2007), Burscough (2008), Radcliffe (2009), Stalybridge Celtic (2010), Clitheroe (2011) and Darwen (2012).
Holder of a UEFA A License, when Eddie went into coaching he first joined Manchester City in March 2014 as a Development Centre Coach and since February 2016 has been based at Blackburn Rovers coaching in their Academy currently as a Lead Foundation Phase coach. He also owns his own training outfit, ‘E S Elite Soccer Development’.
We hope you have a great Birthday today, Eddie! We would be delighted to see you back in Coventry whenever your other commitments allow to watch a Sky Blues game and/or attend an Association reunion!
