Below is Tom Bevan's report from the Express and Echo about Flybe naming one of their aircraft after Adam:
Family delighted with Flybe plane tribute to Adam Stansfield
By Tom Bevan
EXETER City's number nine Adam Stansfield was terrified of flying.
On long away days he would battle to overcome his fears but would have rather caught the team bus, his family said. And they say the 31-year-old, who lost his battle to bowel cancer last year, would have had a "cheeky grin" on his face after he become a permanent fixture in the sky. Yesterday, during a joyous and emotional ceremony at Exeter International Airport, he became only the fourth person to have a plane named after them in Flybe's "footballing fleet." He is joining illustrious company, with George Best in Belfast, Matt Le Tissier in Southampton and Kevin Keegan in Newcastle, previously having been recognised in this way. His widow Marie, in the company of their three children Jay, Taylor and Cody, unveiled the Q400 aircraft that featured a striking image of the Grecians' legend in action alongside his name. Shortly afterwards, the Adam Stansfield embarked on its maiden flight to Belfast with Adam's brother Wayne among its passengers. Wayne said: "Adam would have had a bit of a giggle about this as he really was quite scared of flying. Many times he would have liked to have gone on the team bus with the kit. But he overcame that like he overcame so much else in his life. He will be looking down with a sly grin on his face. "We flew in from Belfast with my wife and five children this morning and to return on the first flight of this aircraft will be a real honour and something very special. "The love we have felt from everyone has been unbelievable and this is just another example of that." The sentiments were echoed by Adam's mother Glynis who said: "It is so amazing and I really don't know what Adam would have made of it. Every time I think about it I have a silly grin on my face. "It is a huge thing for the family. We go and visit Wayne and his family in Belfast quite a lot and, hopefully, at some stage, we will be able to fly on it. That would be amazing." Joining the large gathering of Adam's family for the unveiling were several players and members of staff from Exeter City including Steve Perryman, Marcus Stewart, Steve Tully, Matt Taylor and Richard Logan. Speaking on behalf of the club, chairman Julian Tagg said: "This is a very fitting tribute to Adam and his family. Most of the fans of all the teams he played for would not have come across a player who put so much effort in. It would be a privilege for the team to fly in it at some stage. I don't know what its schedule would be but it would be nice if that came to fruition." Simon Lilley, director of marketing for Flybe, said the plane would be based primarily in Exeter and would be flown across the UK and sometimes into France. He said: "We only name aircraft after genuine local sporting icons and he is joining a wonderful, legendary group of sportsmen. But Adam is a genuinely true local hero." Flybe will hold a week of collections on the aircraft in aid of the Adam Stansfield Foundation which has been set up to help youth football in Devon and Somerset.
Source: www.thisisexeter.co.uk
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