Francis Lee

[Dirty Harry]

Tbh I always thought he didn’t know exactly what a shithole the club was in until it was too late, was always my impression anyway.
So sad to see him as he was, Franny was always a chunky lad, so when weight drops off people like that, it tends to have a bigger impact, I’m hoping that’s all it is with him and nothing more sinister .

 

[radcliffe1309]

My hero when I was a kid .....always a place in my heart for him in spite of the years as chairman, blue through and through

 

[knuckles]

I guess like most of us I don't really know what's involved in running a football club, I suppose like any business its all about investment, profit and loss. Anyways, the investment in decent football players had gradually decreased under Swales (who I also believe was a Blue through and through) for whatever reason and it was way past time for a major change. So when Franny came and took over the club it was such a great feeling for us fans, his big mistake was the appointment of Alan Ball. Ball was just not the right guy, he was from a different era and his playing style really showed this. Franny was a fantastic player for us and played in that amazing team of the 60's and 70's (and left before time). I think he did us a great service really, he moved us on from Swales which led to Bernstein and onto Thaksin, then the rest is history.

 

[Berts Neck]

Spot on knuckles.. my thoughts precisely..I can never knock someone for trying..I believe he did try..I just hope he is well.Not a legend, but a City great.

 

[paulchapo]

I think he let his heart rule his head in the takeover and once he was in place realised we were in a bigger mess than anyone realised. Crazy to appoint Ball as manager but I've got a lot of time for him. Fantastic player who would be in this team no problem, along with the King. He looked very frail but getting older does that to you, you can look great and then wham it catches you up.

 

[Trojan1962]

Bit of a shock when I saw him on tv the other day. Didn’t look well at all sadly

 

[i kne albert davy]

I think Trevor Francis would have a good shout and Kinkladze might be pushing for a place.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

That's just reminded me. When they showed him on the telly I didn't believe it was him.

 

[robbieh]

I think Trevor Francis would have a good shout and Kinkladze might be pushing for a place.

Imagine Guardiola could turn Kinky into quite a good player!

 

[Corky]

Like many of you who saw the picture of Franny at the weekend, I was shocked. Reading many posts about him, he seems a marmite guy for Blues. Great as a player but not so cherished as a CEO.He never wanted to go to Derby.He scored almost a goal every other game for City. As far as his time as CEO, I actually take my hat off to him for trying to resolve the mess Swales created.I genuinely believe he thought he could bring the good times back.He tried, and I believe he loves the club. Yes he made mistakes especially by appointing Ball. Well the rags signed Mourinho.Shit happens.The hardest thing for me to comprehend is his falling out with the KING, and I guess sitting in the Etihad seeing those pictures of the KING in the stadium probably saddened him. He looked deflated.He was part of the greatest City triumvirate,Bell,Lee and Buzzer. Well I for one will always cherish Franny. Will always support any City player, but I feel he deserves more credit than he seems to get on this forum. Franny Lee Won Pen.

He was never CEO, the position didn't exist until we got Americanised.