Not only did we bring our Treble trophies to John Cretney’s home in Australia, we also played him a heartfelt video message from John Stones thanking the 80-year-old for his staunch support of City.
Manchester-born John, who now lives Down Under, received the devastating news recently that he has less than 12 months to live.
A true Blue, his first response on hearing his heartbreaking health update was to ask the doctor if he would be able to see another City season out.
His son David wrote to us at the CFA to see if the club could say ‘thank you to him for being there, always’.
It was the least we could do.
John, a gifted player in his own right when he was younger, has never missed a live, televised game – and, as his son told us in his letter, that’s quite an undertaking when it’s being played some 16,996km away.
“It’s been a lifetime of early morning kick-offs in the family lounge room,” David wrote.
“Dad has often been heard whooping and yelling in the wee hours of the morning across the neighbourhood.
“City has always been here for dad - and dad has always been there for City.”
Our community team, alongside Australian TV station Stan Sport and presenter Mark Bosnich, headed out to his home in Blue Mountains with the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and Super Cup trophies.
Needless to say, John was speechless as we walked in with the four glistening trophies.
And his day got even better when he watched a pre-recorded message from City and England star Stones who told him ‘to take lots of pictures with the trophies, you deserve it’.
It was an emotional day for John. It was an emotional day for us. And we hope it brought a smile to his face at such a tremendously difficult time.
You can watch the video in the player above.
