Derby County legend, Igor Stimac has done the unthinkable and further immortalized himself, by going to amazing lengths to help a Derby fan in need.
From the Derby County Telegraph
The football legend responded to a plea by the son of pensioner John Foster, who was desperately worried after hearing his father had taken ill while on holiday.
John, 74, of Heage, had been on a coach trip around Europe with wife Pearl.
The couple's son Mark was frantic with worry so decided to contact the only Croatian person he knew of – Igor.
He telephoned Derby County, who sent an email to him and the kind-hearted former player – who now lives back in Croatia – responded.
He made a 100-mile trip to visit John – a Pride Park North Stand ticket holder – in hospital and liaised with the British Embassy on his behalf.
The former Rams captain, who was once voted into a fans' greatest-ever team by readers of the Derby Telegraph, also made telephone calls to airlines to help the couple arrange a return flight home.
Igor said he wanted to help after remembering "how wonderful" Derby County's fans had been to him.
The 43-year-old said: "I was in Zadar when I received information about John, so I jumped in my car and did 100 miles to see him.
"I felt it was very important because I will never forget how wonderful all the fans were when I was at Derby County and how many times they travelled to support us.
"As well, it is important to refresh good memories with them about good old Derby times.
"I spent maybe half an hour with them and mostly spoke to them about my time in Derby, their holiday and the current situation at Derby County.
"They said to me they would like to see me in Derby as manager – it was nice to hear that."
Mr Foster was discharged from hospital and returned home yesterday
[telegraph]
