There are fan favourites, and there is John Stones – City Magazine spoke to the man who can do no wrong in the eyes of our supporters to discover how what is seemingly an unbreakable bond first began…

There are many reasons why the City fans love John Stones, just as there are for many of our players.

A classy, unflustered Rolls Royce of a defender, he is now in his ninth season with the Club having joined from Everton in 2016.

He has shared many wonderful moments with the supporters, winning no less than 15 trophies so far with the Blues.

And, of course, he’s been a huge part of our many successes, contributing with incalculable last-ditch tackles, blocks and clearances - often moments that might be lost in the passage of time, such is the lot of defenders who maybe get to do the less glamorous, headline grabbing stuff – but Stones’ individual big moments seem to have stuck firmly in the minds of his legion of fans.

Listing them all would be an exercise in futility, but who will ever forget THAT goal-line clearance against Liverpool at the Etihad when his incredible, acrobatic hack to safety denied Jurgen Klopp’s men a goal by just 11 millimetres with the score at 0-0 in January 2019?

If Sadio Mane’s effort had gone in, who knows how that incredible title race might have ended? As it was, City won 2-1 on the day and the Blues ended up winning the title by one point more than Klopp’s team.

People don’t forget those moments and nor should they.

As earlier stated, there have been too many instances that have endeared Stones to the supporters’ hearts, and it is a bond that has only grown year on year.

Looking at the fresh-faced lad from Barnsley, it’s hard to think he’s 30, though he undoubtedly has many more great playing years ahead.

But it is fair to say his popularity has never been greater.

Already this season his last-gasp goals against Arsenal and Wolves have resulted in crazy celebrations, an additional three points won, and a further cementing of a relationship between supporters and the player that appears unbreakable.

The celebratory run to the fans to blow kisses is genuine. There isn’t a moment he doesn’t appreciate the sort of backing he gets week in, week out and when he gets the chance, he wants to reciprocate that affection.

Goal-scorers and/or creative and highly productive midfielders are used to that kind of adulation, but it’s rare to find that same kind of reverence in defenders.

So, why does Stones think he became such a terrace idol?

“I’ve no idea!” he laughs.

“It’s not something you can really put your finger on. I think we’ve enjoyed a lot of great nights and great moments together, but I suppose from my point of view, I just try and give everything every time I’m out there and I believe that’s really all fans and people want to see.

“I think they can relate to that, and it literally is just that as far as I can tell – giving absolutely everything, no matter what the circumstances are – each time you pull on that shirt.

“Luckily, we’ve won a lot more than we’ve lost or had bad games and even when things haven’t gone our way, we’ve still given it our all and I think our supporters genuinely appreciate that.

“Things aren’t always going to go the way you want them to be and from my perspective, this is the Club that I love and have been here such a long time now – and hopefully will be for a lot longer – and I can relate to a lot of the fans and their journeys in football because it was the same for me as a kid.

“They want to see you doing your best, being passionate at what you do and then sharing the special times with them.

“If I was pressed on a favourite personal moment with City, I’d struggle because there have been so many, but probably just the Treble season – just all of it, full-stop. I don’t think I could ever top that.

“On a personal level, I remember at the title presentation at the Etihad in 2023, and it was so special – something that will live with me forever.

“The fans singing my name when I was walking up to get my medal, honestly it touched my heart, and it touched my family’s heart.

“When you hear your name being continually sung, it’s so special, it really is and all I want to do is make them proud and make them love the team, the Club and everything we do as players even more.

“The majority of our fans have been here a lot longer than I have, and many have seen really difficult times as well as the good ones and I just want to help create more good times, memories and moments they can enjoy and never forget.

“My family are all City fans now – kids, relatives, you name it – and City are a huge part of their lives as well, so I feel privileged to be part of the fabric of this fantastic football club.”

The big question is – just how many John Stones chants are there?

Undoubtedly, the ‘Johnny, Johnny Stones’ song is the most popular, though we won’t reprint the full lyrics here for obvious reasons!

He also features in ‘The Boys in Blue’ chant as well as the ‘Follow, Follow, Follow!’ and there might even be more – but three songs ain’t bad for starters!

Does he know them all and their lyrics?

“I haven’t a clue if I’m honest! “ he smiles.

“There’s a few, I know that and obviously I know all the ones all the lads sing to me – one in particular! It’s super special, it really is.

“How does it make me feel? It makes me feel really, really good and I get a lot of banter from the boys about it.

“They will start singing it constantly around the place or in the changing room or even during games when our fans are singing they join in! It’s nice to be appreciated like that and I appreciate it as well.”

A father of three, what do John’s kids make of their dad being serenaded with his name echoing around stadiums at home, away or overseas? And do they sing them back to him?

“They know them, but they won’t sing them around me!” he smiles.

So, whatever the main reason for the connection between John Stones and the City fans is, we can only assume it’s a collection of those special moments mentioned above, or the fact he’s an excellent and innovative footballer who can effortlessly move from defence into midfield as though he’d played their all his life.

Maybe that plus he’s just a hugely likeable, intelligent and down to earth lad from Barnsley.

There used to be a flag some City fans brought to games a few years back, with a message that ended along the lines of ‘Play like we dream’.

It’s a mantra John Stones abides by each and every time he represents Manchester City.

Interview: David Clayton

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