City stars lead the tributes to super fan

●●Stephen Wilson with City’s Sean Goater (left of trio), Eliaquim Mangala and Fernandinho, (right). Stephen is pictured, right, with daughter Sarah

MANCHESTER City players have led tributes to a super fan who has died following a courageous cancer battle.

Stephen Wilson, 61, known as Steve, was a lifelong blue. He had a season ticket for nearly 25 years.

In June last year, Steve and his family were given the devastating news that he had terminal lung cancer.

The club sent two first team stars - and a City legend - to his home to surprise him in December.

Fernandinho, Eliquaim Mangala and former fan favourite Shaun Goater came to help finish and unveil ‘Stephen’s Bar,’ a special ‘man cave’ and shrine to Steve’s beloved club at his home in Reddish.

Steve watched the games there when he was too ill to make it to the Etihad Stadium.

The surprise was organised by Steve’s daughter Sarah, 28, who went to City games with him.

She reached out to City bosses to make her dad’s wish come true in December.

Steve sadly passed away last Sunday after his condition deteriorated. He had battled bravely for nine months. The players who met him took to social media to express their sadness. Shaun Goater posted: “My condolences to Sarah Wilson and family. Steve, the no.1 City fan has passed.

“I wish to thank the Wilson family and @ManCity for allowing me bring a little joy to his life in a small way. RIP, Steve”

Fernandinho tweeted to say: “So sad to hear about Steve. He was truly a City fan and I had the privilege to meet him last year. My condolences to Sarah Wilson and family. RIP, Steve.”

Eliquaim Managala tweeted: “My thoughts are with Steve and his family.

“It was a real pleasure to meet Steve, a real City fan and a great man. My condolences to his family. RIP, Steve.”

After the surprise visit just before Christmas, Steve said it was ‘hard to put into words how amazing it was.’

As well as daughter Sarah, Steve, originally from Miles Platting, who worked as a manager at Wythenshawe-based engineering firm Renolds also leaves behind his wife of 39 years Christine.

Following her father’s death, Sarah said: “The response we have had from everybody has been overwhelming and my mum and I have been touched by the hundreds of messages we have received.

“The day we had with City and the players gave us as a family such amazing memories during a really difficult time.

“For them to take the time to pay tribute to my dad meant so much and the messages I have received from total strangers following it have been incredible and really overwhelming.

“We never anticipated our journey over the last nine months to become something we shared so publicly with everyone. But that is testament to my Dad. He was brilliant, amazing and totally irreplaceable.”

The club tweeted Sarah saying: “Sending our thoughts and condolences to you and your family.”

Sarah is training for the London Marathon at the end of the month. She will now be running in her dad’s memory to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support, which cared for Steve in his final weeks.

She has already raised £6,500.

“I know my dad will be with me through those 26 miles,” Sarah said.

To donate to Sarah’s fundraising appeal, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ sarah-wilson138