JOHN Stones is set to become the first Barnsley man to play in a European Championship final since... John Stones three years ago.
The 30-year-old from Thurlstone – who started his career with the Reds – helped England to a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the semi-final on Wednesday, setting up a meeting with Spain in Berlin on Sunday evening.
Centre-back Stones will be hoping to erase memories of the penalty shoot-out loss to Italy at Wembley in the last final and add an international trophy to his glittering club CV after winning every possible major trophy with Manchester City.
Barnsley defender Marc Roberts, who was at Penistone Grammar School at the same time as Stones, said: “Big John Stones is from the same area as me so I knew of him growing up.
“We were in some of the same circles when we were younger.
“He’s a top lad and it’s really nice to see what he has done.
“I imagine Barnsley fans who saw him early doors are enjoying what he’s achieving.”
Roberts – who has returned to Oakwell this summer along with new player/coach Conor Hourihane – also played at Barnsley with England striker Ivan Toney.
Toney, who came on loan to the Reds during the 2015/16 promotion season, scored a penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out against Switzerland on Saturday without looking at the ball.
Roberts said: “Myself and Conor were saying this week we had a lot of good players in that squad and Ivan was one of them.
“He was really young and didn’t play that much.
“But he’s had one hell of a career and it could get even better.
“I didn’t see him take penalties like that at Barnsley but he’s got a knack of it, which is something England haven’t been good at in the past.”
Roberts also played with Real Madrid and England superstar Jude Bellingham at Birmingham City.
“Jude is a top top player obviously but the best thing for me was he was a really good kid with a good head on his shoulders.
“He’s from a good family.
“You can be the best player in the world but having some humility is better.
“Even though he is on the world stage, he will still talk and reply to you.”
