Swashbuckling Stampy didn't appear to fit into Steve McClaren's plans but after being called in from the cold he was desperate to prove he deserved another chance at Boro.
Competing within a squad all desperate to impress the new boss, the Boro-born midfield battler had his nose pushed out and looked destined to leave for pastures new.
He’d already been allowed to join Millwall on loan earlier in the season as Steve McClaren got to grips with the personnel at his disposal on the Rockliffe training field but rejected the chance to make the temporary move permanent for £500,000.
Stamp admitted it was a gamble.
But after being named as a surprise inclusion in Boro's squad for the trip to Villa Park, Stamp had been dangled a branch of hope from which to cling onto and had his mind set on forcing himself into the first team fold.
Phil Stamp"I was a bit surprised to be included at Villa, but it was nice to be involved again," admitted Stamp to the Gazette on this day in 2001.
"It’s been hard for me because there have been times when I haven’t even been in the reserves, but the manager has always said that everyone would get a fresh start.
"I've worked hard in training over the last few weeks, and hopefully I’ll get the chance to stay in the squad now.
"It’s funny how football works, one month you’re not in the second team, then the next you’re playing against Aston Villa."
Stamp was focused on working hard in training, keeping his fingers crossed that more chances in the first team would come his way.
They did. But not until more than six weeks later.
It was on New Year’s Day when the then 26-year-old next got his taste of first team action in the 1-0 home win against Everton.
And he obviously impressed, keeping his place in the squad for the trip to Wimbledon in the FA Cup the week later.
Five appearances would follow in the next five weeks but that was as good as it got for the engine-room grafter.
Although he had turned his back on a move to Millwall, Stamp knew by that stage his time at Boro was coming to an end.
And despite having a year still to run on his contract, he headed north of the border and signed for Hearts the following summer.
It didn't take him long to make himself known in the SPL. Four yellow cards and a sending off in the first two and a half months of the season made sure of that.
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