+1

i'm certain we'de of won the world cup looking back. he put in some unbeleivable perfomances leading up to the world cup. you've got to have a special weapon to win the world cup.

i think he could of been englands special weapon at that world cup.

thats how good he was.

The biggest shame is that he will always be remembered for his injury and the tragedy of it, rather than his outstanding footballing ability to which he had in abundance. He could and should have been better than King Colin.

"Lake stayed on his feet and that was the key".
He was our future, he was the key to our golden age of youth players staying together to win things at city, he was our great hope. He used to do what Yaya has done this year. He drove us on, he created, he made the opposition worry about what we were doing, he scored, he was wearing the blue shirt with pride.
3 times I have shed a tear for events at City.
I cried at what might be when the King came back after injury,
I cried at what could have been at Lakey's testimonial,
I cried with joy when we won the league.

His injury and retirement had a massive impact on the club for so many years.

Lake was certainly a very promising talent , no doubt about that ... he was only about 21/22 years of age , yet had made about 110 appearances for City in the three or four seasons that he played before his injury ,..but sadly we'll never know now how good he could eventually have become.

Lakey's approaching his mid-forties now .....

Paul Lake ticked all the boxes. He was an outstanding prospect. But as others have said, we'll never know, because of his injury.

Great at right back, centre half, midfield or up front. Genuinely good in every position. Tall quick composed, the guy had no weakness.

It still saddens me that his career was cut short but despite that he's still a City legend and a big City fan too.

My brother was a very good centre half when he was young. He first played against Lakey in a under 15's cup final when Lakey played centre forward. No one ever scored when my brother man marked them....no one. His manager told him to man mark Lakey as he was the main threat. Lake had scored a hat trick of headers by half time and ran the game. My brother couldn't get near him and said he was the best he'd ever seen. I watched the game and afterwards the young Lakey told me he was on City's books. I knew he'd be a good un and was pleased to learn that he was a massive blue.

youtube clips are showing (briefly) what he was all about and, in all honesty after the euphoria we are (correctly) embracing after what happened 4 weeks ago, tonight I find myself shedding a different tear........ a pure travesty

Lakey was the type of player that brought a buzz to the terraces, it didn't take long for people to realise what a talent he was, he had everything in his locker, and in my book would have ended up as one of the finest midfielders of his generation in the country, and it would hae been no surprise if a top Italian club had come in for him within a couple of years had he not got injured( remember back in those days every top player worth his salt ended up in Italy) whether he would have left the club is another debate altogether! add to his talent the fact he was a level headed young man who didn't have the usual footballers big time Charlie ego, then you get some idea of what he was like. The perfect role model back then, and continues to be now!