Manchester City have led the tributes to superfan Vera Cohen, who has died, aged 104.
A season ticket holder for almost 90 years, Mrs Cohen and her younger sister Olga were regulars at City games.
To celebrate her centenary, the club held a lunch in her honour. “They gave me a City shirt with 100 on the back,” she later told the JC. “All the players signed it. I wore it once for Purim, though I didn’t wear shorts with it!”
We are saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong fan Vera Cohen.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 7, 2021
Vera was a much-loved member of the City family and everyone at the Club would like to send love and best wishes to Vera’s family at this difficult time pic.twitter.com/MRf0CydUqa
Then City skipper Vincent Kompany paid a surprise visit to the sisters to thank them for their longstanding support and at the age of 102, Mrs Cohen became the Premier League’s oldest mascot, leading the team onto the pitch with David Silva for the game against Fulham at the Etihad in 2018.
Most would have settled for a kiss from the midfield star but Mrs Cohen also requested that he score a goal for her. Silva duly obliged in a 3-0 victory.
She held City boss Pep Guardiola in high regard, saying: “There’s something about him that brings the best out of the players. He’s fantastic. I hope he stays forever.”
98 year-old Olga and 102 year-old Vera are amongst our mascots today! Blues for 85 years! #cityvffc #mancity pic.twitter.com/63Zjmc8l43
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 15, 2018
In a statement, the club expressed sadness at the death of the lifelong fan “famed for her baking skills and raising money for the Christie Hospital, Vera was visited by [Vincent] Kompany, who popped over to her house for a cup of tea and a slice of her homemade cake.
“Everyone at Manchester City would like to send love and best wishes to Vera’s family at this difficult time.”
Others took to social media to share memories of Mrs Cohen, who was a member of the Shaare Hayim Sephardi community in Didsbury.
Rest In Peace - Vera Cohen
— HARLANalyst (@Our13thMan) February 7, 2021
Special lady, a dedicated blue, a bright star amongst the blue moon.
Will never forget her face the day myself and Jess passed the car and waved at her, she waved back and her smile could've lit up the Etihad. We acknowledged who she was.
Legend x pic.twitter.com/lnVK6rbxz5
A brief tribute to @ManCity super fan Vera Cohen who has passed away at the grand old age of 104. What a wonderful lady blue, who will be so sadly missed when we eventually return to the Etihad. They say City has no history - Vera witnessed most of it https://t.co/c9PuMDv0Tq pic.twitter.com/4bWeb6Yno2
— David Walker (@djwskyblu) February 7, 2021
One City fan who sat in the same row as her wrote: “Oh no. Such a lovely lady. She always had a twinkle in her eye as she pretended to trip me with her walking stick — a nailed on yellow card every time.”
Another tweeted: “Inspirational pillar of the community. Legendary baker of delicious cakes for charitable causes. Esteemed season ticket holder.”
A fellow supporter noted: “Some say City has no history but they’d be wrong — Vera witnessed most of it!”