Francis Lee RIP

[Alan Harper's Tash]

What a character, who else can you imagine acting out a dive for the benefit of the ref?!

Think this is allowed as Franny would have found it funny.

 

[Northerndave]

RIP Franny, fantastic player and servant to the club. Colin will be welcoming him up there.

 

[Essex blue]

A true legend and one of my heroes when I first started following city. So underrated when people speak about 70s stars in football he was a naturally gifted ferocious player who could battle when needed or add that special bit of class too.

I know the timing is wrong and it’s probably too late rather than too early to talk about naming stands after him. It is a honour to have him Associated with our magnificent club and I feel we should give him the same respect as Colin Bell

 

[bluedave1894]

For the guys who were at the “just look at his face” game, what was the reaction of the city fans when he scored?

I was still gutted he wasn't playing for us. Franny was the reason I support City. He's from my neck of the woods, Westhoughton. We'd watched him grow at Bolton & then onto the Blues. It seemed inevitable that he'd leave somehow. Things seem to change when Big Mal left, Swailes famously said " there's to much showbiz about City", this is the guy who had a spot on local tv picking racehorses!, Swailes' Certs I think it was called. Anyhow the club appointed Ron Saunders as Manager, a good man but the complete opposite to Mal. We lost at Wembley to Wolves and it seemed Saunders didn't have the players with him & he was duly sacked to be replaced by Tony Book, someone else who Franny didn't get along with. So he eventually left, '75 season I think, went to Derby & won the league.

 

[eastmanc]

A true legend and one of my heroes when I first started following city. So underrated when people speak about 70s stars in football he was a naturally gifted ferocious player who could battle when needed or add that special bit of class too.

I know the timing is wrong and it’s probably too late rather than too early to talk about naming stands after him. It is a honour to have him Associated with our magnificent club and I feel we should give him the same respect as Colin Bell

Call the East stand after Franny as Pep is earmarked for the North Stand.

 

[malg]

View attachment 94943
Think this is allowed as Franny would have found it funny.

I liked that guy

 

[city2]

Of course BBC NW decides to use a clip of him scoring against City on their coverage. Cunts!!

So did ITV

 

[blubanjo]

RIP Franny, take your seat by the King, another great Blue gone too soon.

 

[cyan]

For the guys who were at the “just look at his face” game, what was the reaction of the city fans when he scored?

I was right behind it - it was a goal all the way and then we clapped

 

[Gordyola]

Francis Lee: a life in pictures

Manchester City’s former player and chairman has passed away aged 79 – we take a look back at his career

www.theguardian.com

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

It is, but the narrative was about him being a City player. They could easily have shown some of the other footage (like some blues have posted here) and then maybe finished with a sentence about his time at Derby (then showing the Derby goal).
It spoiled the tribute for me.

Same, I wouldn't have minded if they had told the narrative of his career and used the commentary, but unless I was sat too far from the telly they didn't even play the memorable "Just look at his face!" Just showed it as a random clip after they had described him as a City legend. As if to say 'now here's a belter he scored against the blue cunts'

 

[Blumooniac]

RIP, Franny. Privileged to have seen you, and so many of that great team, play.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Great to read everyones memories in this thread. I was too young to see him live but my Dad had the old Bell, Lee and Summerbee VHS I used to watch religiously as a kid! Loved his scrap with the big 'hardman' Hunter. He looked a right handy little fella! Rocket of a shot aswell. Think he was unanimous as the #9 in Citys all time XI until a little Argentine came along.

 

[Mr Kobayashi]

Same, I wouldn't have minded if they had told the narrative of his career and used the commentary, but unless I was sat too far from the telly they didn't even play the memorable "Just look at his face!" Just showed it as a random clip after they had described him as a City legend. As if to say 'now here's a belter he scored against the blue cunts'

It's featured as the clip in the article on the BBC website, it may not have been chosen because of time constraints or editorial reasons.

 

[bluebaja]

FH Lee Manchester City and England. A massive part of our club and a boyhood hero of mine. RIP. Thanks for the memories Franny.

Me too. Went to my first game in 1966, always loved Franny. Had such a great attitude. I am just going to have a dram and watch some video footage of that great side. RIP.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

Rest in peace. A wonderful servant of the club.

 

[chickaroon]

What a great player he was. So happy I had the pleasure of seeing his wonderful years in Blue. Thank you Franny for the talent and joy.

 

[KS55]

I can hardly believe it. The obituary for the BBC, written by McNulty, is actually very good and gives Franny all the praise he deserves.

 

[Baggins.mcfc]

Just heard the sad news. What a great player for our club. The man was hard as nails, beware Norman Hunter Franny is coming looking for you. RIP.

 

[vicg47]

Sad news, remember my first season going to Maine road, bell, Lee, summerbee, champions in 1968