RIP Tony Book

Great signing great player and great servant to our great club. I’m sure we paid 12k for him at the time and most fans said he’s 32 but skip shown age didn’t slow him down. RIP Skip.
 
RIP Skip - A great football man and an even better human being.

As well as his 315 Appearances in Blue he represented his home town club Bath City 387 times and captained them to their first ever Southern League Championship in 1959/60. in the late 60's I heard lots of stories of skips tenacious play, the legend was always that if a winger should beat him, they'd never get away with it a second time.

In the 1980's he appeared on a HTV West program called "Flashback For The Fans" which invited West Country footballers to talk through their careers. Both Skip and Buzzer featured in episodes.Tony told a great story about being introduced to Princess Anne prior to the cup final and saying to her "Member me to your Ma'am".

The world feels a poorer place today.
 
Woke up this morning feeling gutted another hero gone, teary eyed and the wife not understanding calling me a silly old sod,
Skip was an example to us all on how to conduct yourself, he was a man who came across as normal respectful and kind because he was, he had a ferocious competitive edge and you know what, great players chose Skip as there leader.
One by one my heroes are taken.I'm going to try not to cry because it's over but, Smile because it happened, RIP Skip thank you for the memories.
 
just watching the tribute on twitter, mentions the Jeff Astle goal in the league cup final.....did he handle that?
 
hinchcliffes bulbous conk said:
Fair play to the fella at the game in front of me yesterday. Spent the entire first half trying to a rendition of ‘Tony Book’s Blue and White army’ going. Eventually spread to the whole end in the second half and sounded great. Well done blue.
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I'm slightly sad the old songs seem to have died. Not been a good week for me this.
 
A legend and manager in my early years
Met him and Sir Colin Bellin hospitality in 2018 as humble as they come
RIP
 
Tony was our manager when I went to my first match Vs Arsenal in 1976. We won and I remember going to school on Monday singing Tony Books blue and white army, Tommy docs red and white wankers….didnt even know what the word wankers was at the time… Anyhow, I’ve lived my life as a blue in the knowledge that Skip has always been with us. As a manager, a coach, an advisor a club ambassador.
I’m genuinely saddened by his passing. It’s a very very sad day for all of the City family. Tony has definitely played a massive part in our clubs history and he will rightly take his place as a City great. I really hope his family can take some solace in knowing just how highly regarded and respected he will always be to all blues. Rest in peace Skip.
 
It's impossible to find the words even to begin to pay adequate tribute to Tony, a player who was 32 before his association with our club even began. A right back who led a team of stars and some world class talents he achieved unrivalled respect, not only from City fans but from the whole of English football. This was down to his calm, unruffled and dignified leadership on and off the field. As manager his leadership was crowned with success in the triumph of 1976 and the next year City challenged for the league title - both never to be repeated for well over 30 years. And that was not the end of his service to the club. Only yesterday could do that but he will never be forgotten and his memory will inspire those who wear the sky blue shirt now and in the future. Farewell Tony and rest in peace.
 
I come in peace. I was saddened to hear of Tony Book's passing, though he lived a long and memorable life. I was lucky enough to watch the derby games of the 1960s (when Johnny Crossan was your skipper), and the 1970s, and the tussles Tony Book had with Bestie. He was an honest to goodness defender, never dirty, just a solid player who perhaps didn't get the accolades that Bell, Lee, and Summerbee got. But my late dad reckoned that, had he been a few years younger, he would have been a cert for England. The names from that time are gradually leaving us but we have some great memories of Manchester football of that era, and by heck, it was a good time. RIP.
 
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Alty Red said:
I come in peace. I was saddened to hear of Tony Book's passing, though he lived a long and memorable life. I was lucky enough to watch the derby games of the 1960s (when Johnny Crossan was your skipper), and the 1970s, and the tussles Tony Book had with Bestie. He was an honest to goodness defender, never dirty, just a solid player who perhaps didn't get the accolades that Bell, Lee, and Summerbee got. But my late dad reckoned that, had he been a few years younger, he would have been a cert for England. The names from that time are gradually leaving us but we have some great memories of Manchester football of that era, and by heck, it was a good time. RIP.
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Well said Anthony Taylor

;)
 
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