Stones is due to leave the Blues this summer with Sunday’s final day Etihad encounter with Aston Villa his last hurrah in the sky blue shirt.
It will offer his adoring fans a last chance to belt out some deafening choruses of ‘Johnny, Johnny Stones’, a chant that has echoed around our stadium for the last 10 years, since the classy centre half joined us from Everton in August 2016.
PRE-ORDER THE BERNARDO AND STONES BOOKAZINE
Stones was emotional as he faced the cameras to discuss his exit and especially when quizzed about the bond he’s formed with the City fans who’ve watched him lift 20 major trophies and cement a reputation as one of the finest players in our long and storied history.
“I think the love’s mutual to be fair,” he told City Studios.
“I never could have dreamed of having the love and the support.
“As a kid, you imagine these things and aspire to do these things in the garden or on the field or wherever you are. And you sing players’ names that you love or like and try and be like them.
“And I never could have dreamed of having my name sung or the love that I’ve had from wherever I’ve been in the world, whatever stadium we’re at.
“And it’s so special. I’m so, grateful for that - that trust and understanding, especially in the earlier years when we’re building something, it’s a new dynamic, a new style and I feel like it’s one-of-a-kind connection that I have and it’ll be missed.
“I’ll miss it a lot and I just want to say to everyone, what more can I say but thank you and I’ll cherish the moments forever.”
Watch the full interview with John Stones in the video player above.
