Jack Grealish sends birthday message to Man City fan, Mary Spiers a happy 106th birthday in a touching video who wants a kickabout with him

England and Manchester City star Jack Grealish wished fan Mary Spiers a happy 106th birthday in a touching video.

Mary, one of the club’s oldest fans, was just 18 years old when City won their first league title in the 1936-37 season. She recently spoke of wishing to meet the current squad and even going for a kickabout.

“Oh my family love Manchester City, and I join in with them,” she told the BBC. “I’m hoping to meet some of the players, shake hands with them, kick a football around.”

She turned 106 on Sunday, the same day City took on Chelsea in their Premier League opener. Grealish, an unused sub as he continues to work his way back to top speed after injury, had earlier shared a message after BBC Radio Manchester contacted his club.

“Hey Mary, it’s Jack Grealish here,” the playmaker began. “I just want to send a quick video message – I’ve heard it’s your 106th birthday.

“I want to wish you all the best,” the former Aston Villa star continued. “I hope you have a lovely day and I’m sending you all my love. All the best.”

After the BBC reached out to City, an estimated 300 birthday cards were sent to the care home where Mary resides. “I believe I’ve got a whole post-box downstairs,” she said. “I keep saying ‘ I’m a celebrity get me out of here!'”

City didn’t need to call on Grealish as they got the better of Chelsea in Enzo Maresca’s first league game as the Blues’ manager. Erling Haaland put them into an early lead, with Mateo Kovacic scoring against his former club to make the points safe.

“I didn’t expect it,” manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports after his team’s victory. “We are away from our best so three points is the good news. The bad news is we have 65 games ahead of us.

“We have an advantage, it’s our ninth season together so we know each other well. Of course there are mistakes you have to improve but we talked, the difference in being champions was our body language, how did we behave?

“It’s the bad moments in the season and in the games that define the big teams. For me, it is an honour to be in charge of these guys. I’m so fortunate, I could not say more.”

City will play their home opener on Saturday, taking on Ipswich Town in a 3pm kick-off. The newly-promoted Suffolk club lost their first game, with two second-half goals giving Liverpool victory at Portman Road.