SHOULD John Stones cap his glittering career with a World Cup winner’s medal in the next ten days, there will be no louder cheers than in the homes of his first coaches at Oakwell.

The defender from Thurlstone came through the Barnsley youth system after joining from Penistone Church and played 28 first team games before being sold to Everton in 2013.

He has since won every possible trophy in club football with Manchester City and gone to six major tournaments with England including the current World Cup in North America where the Three Lions are due to face Norway in the quarter-final on Saturday.

Mark Burton, who led the academy when Stones was there along with Ronnie Branson, told the Chronicle: “Nothing surprises me with John.

“Getting a bit of silverware with England would just top his cabinet up nicely to go alongside his Champions League, Premier League, EFL Cup and Carabao Cup medals.

“It’s eluded him so far but it has eluded a lot of players over the years. They have the opportunity to do something England hasn’t done in 60 years.

“There would be no prouder people in the world if he lifts that World Cup trophy than myself and all the academy staff from his time at Barnsley.

“But there is a long way to go and they will need to play three perfect games.”

Stones started the first game of the tournament but has been on the bench for the next four, coming on in the two knock-out matches.

The Barnsley man came off the bench during Monday’s last 16 win over hosts Mexico in the Azteca Stadium following a red card for Jarell Quansah early in the second half.

He played a key role in a heroic defensive effort to win 3-2 with ten men.

Burton said: “Thomas Tuchel has said there are 15 or 16 starters in the squad and John is one of them. He may well start against Norway because of his familiarity with Erling Haaland from Manchester City. But whatever part he plays, he will be influential.

“I am hoping he plays. You need experience at the back in these sort of games.

“He’s now one of the most experienced players in the squad and a valuable asset on and off the field. When he comes on he knows his role and responsibilities. But off the pitch he will pass on his advice and experience.

“That’s the type of guy he is.”

A video went viral of Stones dancing in the dressing room at the Azteca after the win.

Burton said: “That’s the type of lad he is.

“He knows there is a line he won’t cross but he has a freedom as a person which is infectious.

“I guarantee he’s one of the biggest characters in that dressing room.

“It’s really good he’s showing that side of himself because that is what he’s like. We encouraged players at Barnsley to be themselves because football is really too serious now.”

The Mexico game was a 92nd England cap for Stones which puts him 12th on the all-time list of men’s players for the Three Lions.

Burton said: “We were a small part of his journey.

“We created an environment at the academy where he spent about ten years, coaching him closely in the last few.

“We wanted to play a possession style to develop an elite player because we thought that was the way the game was going.

“We brought some good players through – Mason Holgate, James Bree, Jordan Clark, Danny Rose, George Maris and Rhys Oates.

“But John has gone way beyond our expectations.

“I knew he would be a top player but I didn’t predict he would have nearly 100 England caps.

“He’s undoubtedly the best sportsman Barnsley has ever produced.”

Burton has recently returned to England, and lives in Penistone, after three years working in Egypt with Aston Villa’s feeder club ZED FC.

He has joined League Two Rochdale as head of coaching, player development and methodology.