“His fans adored his brisk style and unwavering tenacity.”
He was a daring center-forward for Manchester City and an excellent representative of England on the international stage. According to Joe Mercer, Francis Lee, who passed away at the age of 79, was the last piece of the team’s jigsaw puzzle that would see success both domestically and internationally with a blend of flair and steel.
Lee’s drive, skill, intelligence, and ebullience are all brilliantly captured in the iconic photo of him raising his hands in front of 20,000 travelling City supporters at Newcastle United in 1968 after scoring the goal that secured the first division championship.
He scored 143 goals for City in all competitions in 320 appearances, helping them win the league in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup in 1970. His grit was as much a part of his game as was his undeniable ability to score goals. Another unforgettable image of Lee was when he and Leeds United’s Norman Hunter squared off in the middle of the pitch trading punches.
When Lee returned to Maine Road as a Derby player and scored, it became another legendary Lee moment. After he scored, the announcer Barry Davies suddenly said, “Just look at his face, just look at his face,” in response to his beaming smile.
Lee was the type of centre striker born out of the harsh, rough English football of the 1960s and 1970s. He was bold in a time when committing a section 18 assault was required to receive a red card. He knew how to take care of himself.
He was a member of the England team that fell in the 1970 World Cup quarterfinals in Mexico. He later claimed that if Alf Ramsay had chosen him for England’s fateful match against Poland in 1973, they would not have had to endure the severe humiliation of missing out on the 1974 World Cup.
Lee was acquired by the management pair of Mercer and Malcolm Allison from Bolton Wanderers, and as noted by football historian and City expert Dr. Gary James, Lee possessed “a bustling style and dogged tenacity” that fans admired. “Once he is going towards the box, he is probably the most dynamic and exciting player in the world,” Joe Mercer remarked of Lee. He is short, strong, and incredibly brave.
Another essential component of Lee’s game was his assurance when facing penalties. On the final day of the 1973–74 season, Lee made his farewell appearance for City in the infamous Manchester derby. He then joined Derby. After taking a retirement in 1976, he focused on the paper production company he had founded in the 1960s. He was a race horse owner and trainer as well.
As City became a laughing stock in football Lee returned to Maine Road gaining control as chairman. He had a burning desire to bring the good times back to the club. His managerial appointments were not successful, but he did bring some much needed stablity to a club in turmoil during a four-year tenure.
Lee lost his fight with cancer early on Monday after a protracted illness. His wife Gill, children Charlotte, Jonny, and Nik survive him.
City issued the following statement: “Everyone at Manchester City would like to extend their sympathies to Francis’ friends and family at this extremely trying moment. Flags are flying at half-mast all across the City Football Academy and Etihad Stadium out of respect. The club will continue to pay tribute in the coming days.
Francis Lee, an England World Cup representative, is still one of Manchester City’s most well-known former players and one of the team’s greatest heroes, according to Gary James. Mike Summerbee was the team’s entertainment, Colin Bell was the team’s most devoted worker, and Lee was the team’s energetic centre forward who never gave up.
Lee was up in Westhoughton, where he was heavily influenced by sports. Bolton Wanderers made an offer to him when he was training at Horwich Technical College. He subsequently stated, “I went to college in Horwich but left to sign for Bolton. The principal called me dumb, but my father, who had worked in a cotton mill for forty years doing a job he didn’t enjoy, said why not give it a shot. He advised me to give myself a year, and if I didn’t pass, I could always go back to college. I believed that I had a chance of succeeding within six months.
After only participating in eight Central League games, he made his professional debut on Bonfire Night 1960 at the age of 16. Coincidentally, Bolton defeated Manchester City 3-1 in the game, and Francis marked a fantastic start with a goal: “I scored at exactly 3.15. I know this because a picture of me leaving Bert Trautmann the following day with the time shown on the clock on the stand in the background was taken.
Lee played in 210 League and Cup games while at Bolton, scoring 106 goals. In October 1967, he left to join City. Bolton offered him £150 per week to stay; at the time, he was making £30. There were other interested parties besides the Blues. Wolves, Bill Shankly’s Liverpool, and Stoke all made offers after showing considerable interest. However, Joe Mercer was successful in capturing his target.
Mercer turned to face the player at one point and stated, “I hope you will sign. We believe we have a strong foundation for a team. We only need one more player, and we believe you to be that player. We’ll become a terrific team with the occasional goal or two. The Blues won the League Championship for the first time since 1937 within seven months of his arrival.
Derby played Lee in his final game on April 24, 1976. In the last few minutes of the game against Ipswich, he scored twice.
READ ON:
Manchester United’s training squad for their match against Galatasaray includes Francis Lee, who passed away at the age of 79, as tributes to the legendary Man City player come in. Rochdale, Oldham, and Altrincham learn their opponents in the Kobbie Mainoo FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw.
In the wake of the fallout from Erik ten Hag, Jadon Sancho emerges at Carrington with a Manchester United teammate. In preparation for Galatasaray, Antony trains as Man Utd give Mainoo a lift.
