Richard Stearman: I owe Ipswich loan to Wolves career
Richard Stearman believes his loan spell at Ipswich saved his Wolves career.
The 27-year-old defender steps out for Wolves tomorrow in a crucial play-off game against the club he served on loan in 2012-13.
And the former Leicester stopper, who has been at Molineux since 2008, believes his 15-match stint at Portman Road impressed incoming Wolves boss Kenny Jackett and helped extend his stay in the West Midlands at a time when his parent club were being relegated into League One.
"He (Jackett) saw what I could do at Ipswich at that time, and had I stayed at Wolves and not played I'm not too sure what would have happened," he said.
"I had to prove myself which I thought I did at Ipswich and that showed to the gaffer who was coming in here what I was capable of.
"And as a result of that I was delighted he wanted me around the place and showed faith in me at the start of his time here.
"He put a big part of his team around me and I was delighted that happened and hopefully I've repaid him."
Stearman thanks the man he signed him for Wolves and took him to Ipswich - Tractor Boys manager Mick McCarthy and assistant Terry Connor - for helping his career after he lost his place under Dean Saunders.
"At the time I wasn't playing as much as I'd have liked, but I was ready to stay and fight for my place," he said.
"But Mick came in, and while Ipswich were towards the bottom at the time and it was a risk, it was one I was more than willing to take given what I knew about him and 'TC'.
"It worked out well for me personally and for Ipswich, and I was really pleased with how it went.
"They were massive for me with Mick, who played in my position, buying me and playing me.
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"Mick and 'TC' moulded me and brought me through here and I owe them a lot."
Two years on and from fighting relegation battle to stay in the Championship, both clubs are fighting to get into the play-offs to return to the Premier League.
Stearman admits he is pleasantly surprised at the turnaround of both clubs' fortunes and places huge credit on Jackett for instigating the transformation at Wolves.
"It's incredible how both teams have come on since that time," he said.
"I'm more interested in Wolves and if we'd been offered where we are now at that time we'd have bitten your hands off.
"It's a great turnaround and credit to the gaffer and everyone in and around the club who has got us to this point.
"Hopefully it's not done yet and we can see through the job the gaffer set out to do when he arrived at the club.
"He's been meticulous and leaves no stone unturned in preparation and the proof is in the pudding with him racking up 50 wins quicker than any other manager.
"He wants more improvement to come and so do we and that's what we're all striving for."
From arriving as a fresh-faced 20-year-old seven years ago, Stearman is now one of the most experienced players with Carl Ikeme and Dave Edwards - all veterans of playing in three divisions for the club, two promotions and two relegations.
His total of 228 appearances puts him alongside Keith Downing on equal 57th in the club's all-time list, rapidly closing in on the top 50, where his one-time defensive partner Jody Craddock has tallied 237.
And as he eyes a spot in the top 50, he believes he is showing his best form ever.
"I only found out the other day I wasn't far from the top 50 appearance makers," said the Wolverhampton-born centre-half.
"Coming here as a fresh faced 20-year-old it's something I'm very proud of to have chalked up so many appearances for such a big club.
"I've got another year contracted and I'm trying to get as many as possible, so we'll see how it goes.
"I'm delighted with how I've been playing over the last couple of years.
"I feel this is the best form I've been in through my career and I'm in a good place right now – long may that continue.
"We're all trying to get into the Premier League and that would mean everything to everyone connected with the club.
"We're still in with a chance and are all desperate to get back there – that's the aim and what we're hoping to achieve in the next few weeks."
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As one of the most senior players in the dressing room, Stearman believes he has progressed massively in his seven years at the club.
"I think I've gone from a boy to a man in my time at Wolves, and have matured on and off the pitch," he said.
"That comes just from getting older, through life experiences and football experiences.
"I've worked under a lot of different people and played with a lot of different players and I think that all comes together and who I am now is the result of all that.
"There aren't many left here who have been here since I first came to the club.
"I suppose you could call it surviving! But it's nice I've been wanted for so long here – it's a great feeling to have.
"Hopefully I've repaid the club, the fans and the people I've worked for with some good performances.
"We've had some extremes here with the highs and the lows – you can't get too carried away when you're doing well are too down when you're doing badly.
"I hope people can see from the way I play I'm desperate to do well for the club.
"I feel with the bad times we've had, I've put it on myself that I owe the club to help get us back to where we belong and have been previously.
"Wolves have played a major part in my career, and also my life, and is something I hope will continue with some more successful times ahead."
