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Teenage Brain-Tumour Survivor To Present Manchester City With Premier League Trophy

Teenage Brain-Tumour Survivor To Present Manchester City With Premier League Trophy

Son of a Manchester City legend and teenage fan will present trophy on Sunday.

Alex Reid

Alex Reid

A 15-year-old brain-tumour survivor, Jake Tindale, and the son of a Manchester City legend will present the team with the Premier League title on Sunday.

Captain Fernandinho and departing star striker Sergio Aguero will receive the trophy from Dr Jon Bell, son of club great Colin Bell who died in January, and Manchester City supporter Tindale on the pitch at the Etihad after the match against Everton.

Around 10,000 City fans will be at the game, while further members of Colin Bell's family will also be in attendance.

However no fan will be quite as involved in the title celebrations as Jake. The teenager was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and underwent surgery over the Christmas period to remove it, according to the Man City website.

Jake is now in recovery. However on hearing his story, Pep Guardiola and various players sent video messages to Jake over Christmas, promising to invite him to enjoy a special experience at the Etihad once fans were able to return.

The news that he would be part of the trophy presentation party was delivered via a surprise video message from Pep himself.

"You will be the guy - you will present the trophy to Fernandinho, before he lifts it to the sky," said Guardiola.

"So you're more than welcome, looking forward to seeing you that day in the stadium. I will hug you - and there is no better person right now than you, o give Fernandinho the title."

A chance to award the Premier League crown and a hug from Pep. A win-win as far as we are concerned.

Jake responded to the message: "When he said I'm going to be presenting the trophy I was just speechless - it was one of the best surprises of my life.

"I still don't think it's fully set in what I'll be doing yet, I can't wait."

No word if Dr Jon Bell, a consultant radiologist at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, will also be getting a hug from Guardiola. But he was full of gratitude for the honour in tribute to his father, the stylish midfielder who scored over 150 goals for the club in the 1960s and 70s.

"There are so many people who would be worthy of walking the Premier League trophy out, particularly this year, but it's a beautiful gesture from the club to invite me to be part of it," Dr Bell explained. "They are very in touch with their supporters and I think this will be something they will appreciate.

"It's something for them and something for dad."

City have already wrapped up the league title ahead of Sunday's game, but still have the following weekend's Champions League final against Chelsea in Porto to occupy the mind of the manager and his players.

All imagery: Manchester City/PA Images

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Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Premier League