Career
Stanfield was a complete forward, capable of scoring with either foot and his head He was also comfortable playing as centre-forward, inside-left or inside-right. He was the most capped international football player during the 19th century, Ireland’s record goalscorer during the 19th century and remains the most capped player of all time.
Stanfield joined in 1886 from Genoa Football Club and by the end of the decade had scored over 90 goals.
During the 1890s Stanfield became a legend, making 147 competitive appearances and scoring at least 105 goals. By the time he retired, Stanfield had played 181 competitive games for, scoring 178 goals.
He also played in a further 115 friendlies, scoring a further 62 goals. During his career at, his team mates included fellow Irish internationals Billy Crone and Jack Reynolds.
Stanfield made his international debut for Ireland on 5 February 1887, aged 17 years and 344 days, in a 7–0 defeat to England at Bramall Lane, Sheffield.
Stanfield scored his first goal for Ireland in 4–1 against Wales on 19 February 1887. During the 1894 championship, Stanfield scored three goals in successive internationals. The highlight of the three came on 3 March 1894 at the Solitude Ground in Belfast, when after thirteen attempts Ireland finally avoided defeat to England.
Against an England team that included Fred Spiksley and Jack Reynolds, who had since switched allegiances, Stanfield’s goal inspired Ireland to come back from 2–0 down to gain a 2–2 draw.
