England star comes home to banner

England star comes home to banner

THE communities of Penistone and Thurlstone had a whip round last week to have a banner made up that announces their pride of John Stones for his outstanding performance at the 2018 World Cup campaign.

As a Thurlstone lad and having attended Penistone Grammar School, John gained a place at the Barnsley FC Youth Academy.

Now playing for Manchester City and the national side, John is at the top of his game but at the age of just 24 he clearly has a long future in the beautiful game.

John is still very much a local lad and rather that returning from Russia and heading off to his home near Manchester, he came back to where his roots are.

Karen Tyas and Spike Mayston from Penistone have reacted to the overwhelming support for John’s achievements in Russia and rallied the community to fund a six-foot banner marking his achievements.

Spike told Look Local:

“School children from Springvale Primary School helped me put the banner up whilst John and his family were inquisitive as to what all the fuss was about.

“And much to the joy of the kids - and me - they came to see the banner for themselves! John signed a few shirts and chatted to us all.”

Lee McClure, head of Springvale School, remarked:

“John was very humble and clearly moved by what the community has done by having this whip round for the banner.

“He was a natural with the children and I think that they will remember this encounter for a very long time indeed.”

The banner is on the Trans Pennine Trail bridge above Bridge Street for all to see. After the cost of the banner was raised, a further £323.25p was left over and this is being donated to Claire Throssell’s Heads Together Barnsley Charitable Trust in memory of Jack and Paul Sykes.