ENGLAND’S star defender John Stones was back in Penistone this week fresh from the World Cup and took time out to meet and greet young fans.

Local residents and businesses held a whip-round to raise money for a banner congratulating him, which hangs from the Trans Pennine Trail bridge on Bridge Street on the way into Penistone, and on Tuesday he went down to see it, signed people’s shirts and chatted with those who’d organised it.

Stones, from Thurlstone, started his career as a youngster playing with Penistone Church Football Club, before he was snapped up by Barnsley FC’s academy and went on to impress in the first team.

He soon attracted the attention of Premiership clubs and transferred to Everton, and later Manchester City.

He scored two goals against Panama for England in the World Cup and played in every game.

Karen Tyas, owner of Penistone’s Café Crème, was one of those behind the whip-round.

“After the quarter final, there was a great sense of euphoria in the coffee shop and on social media to have a local lad representing England in the best international tournament we had for years,” she said.

Lee McClure, head of Springvale Primary School, was there when the defender came to see the banner.

“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.”

More than £320 was left after the banner had been paid for, which is being donated to Claire Throssell’s Heads Together Barnsley Charitable Trust in memory of Jack and Paul Sykes.