Francis Lee RIP

[spacecadet]

Franny the great after his last City appearance substituted v Oldham in Texaco Cup. Doesn't look happy. Was back inside four months for his revenge. RIP hero

 

[pauls]

That's not exactly what happened though. He stepped down as chairman shortly before we were relegated but he still had a stake in the club. He had the presence of mind to bring Bernstein in who steadied the ship, but Bernstein himself was ousted by Wardle and Makin which in hindsight wasn't the best of moves and IIRC they owned far more shares than Lee at the time of the sale to Thaksin. In any case, while Doctor Death's ownership could well have ended badly for us, it arguably kicked open the door for the ADUG takeover to happen so I'm not blaming anyone for selling their shares to Thaksin.

Peter Swales caused far more damage to our club than Lee - or Thaksin, Wardle, or Makin - ever did. He's the fucker who turned us from one of the top 3 clubs in the country to a complete and utter laughing stock on the pitch with a stadium not fit for purpose and a club shop that was smaller than my fucking living room and was making more money for his mate than it did for City themselves. He was ALSO arguably responsible for ending Paul Lake's career prematurely due to his penchant for cutting corners and doing stuff on the cheap.

And his biggest masterstroke was bringing Malcolm back to prove if he could manage or just coach which backfired spectacularly. Still gives me nightmares now with Barnes,Owen,Hartford,Kidd,Watson all sold replaced by Robinson Mckenzie,Reeves,Lee,Daley.It cost the club and me 30 years of enjoyment.United don't know what bad times are and unfortunately they have the fan base and media backing to have a much shorter nightmare.

 

[ColinBellsjockstrap]

Franny the great after his last City appearance substituted v Oldham in Texaco Cup. Doesn't look happy. Was back inside four months for his revenge. RIP hero
View attachment 95094

What a fantastic photo. Never seen that before. Wonder what he was thinking?

 

[cleavers]

Peter Swales caused far more damage to our club than Lee - or Thaksin, Wardle, or Makin - ever did.

Agree, don't dispute any of what you said there either, but Franny was also part of the mess, however you look at it. Bernstein and Royle got us heading the right way, Thaksin nearly reversed it all, but thankfully handed us over to a far better owner and setup.

Anyway this thread should celebrate the player, and there's no disputing how great he was for City.

 

[ESP Blue]

RIP Franny. Found this, seems we were 3 days late paying the balance to Bolton.

 

[BufordUSABlue]

Can you post a picture?

As promised pal.... I also included the photo with KC and being presented with the match ball...
I will send some more shortly!

 

[BufordUSABlue]

Can you post a picture?

First one is with Rodney, who was a surprise guest at my 50th, we had a 'surprise' dinner downtown Atlanta, with him and his lovely wife Jean on the Friday, which totally overwhelmed me as i had no clue he was coming, why would I? I remember my first words to the great Rodney March being "F'kin hell its Rodney Marsh" :-)
They then came to the party at my house on the Saturday. which blew my ex-pat mates away and then, came to Fathers Day Brunch on the Sunday - absolutely brilliant bloke and spend hours chatting away to him, mainly about his upbringing, which was really tough and quite upsetting if i am being honest!
2nd & 3rd ones is my signed shirt from Kun :-)
4th one is a signed shirt for the 1969 FA Cup final win, with 'allegedly' only Tony Colemans name missing? This was my first time at Wembley and my red supporting Dad took me. I was like 9 and still have fantastic memories of the day. We stood on the terracing with a old Leicester supporter, who shared his packed lunch and flask with me at HT... Oh happy days.
These are all part of my most prized possessions which you will have to prise from my dying hands upon me leaving this earth!!
Enjoy!

 

[BufordUSABlue]

RIP Franny. Found this, seems we were 3 days late paying the balance to Bolton.
View attachment 95103

This is fantastic mate, do you own this?

 

[Rams65]

Hello Man City fans.
Thanks for accepting my ‘guest’ application.
Felt it very important to express my feelings about the player who literally changed my life forever.
At nine years old the news that City were transferring Francis Lee to Derby County broke my heart. I’d been sat with Dad in Platt Lane since ‘69 watching my heroes.
So upset, I told my sister and brother, season tickets holders, that was it for me, where Franny went I followed. ‘Ok bro, that’s fine!’ No doubt both thinking I’d get tired of a team 60 miles away and return to Maine Rd.
Well it didn’t happen and I adopted Derby County. Stood on The Kippax with my ‘silk’ Derby scarf surrounded by my family I witnessed ‘that’ goal. Admittedly I didn’t see much of it at 10 years old. Considering it was filmed at a time when TV coverage was a fraction of what it is now how lucky to be able to watch it time and again knowing I was there. I never made it to The Baseball Ground to see him live so that was my only time seeing him in a white shirt.
I never met my hero. Met Tommy Booth at a friends party and bored him to death no doubt about my allegiance switching because of my favourite player of all time. And I mean all time.
So here I am in 2023, following The Rams. Had a season ticket for a number of years before work ruled it out. Clearly made the right choice….that’s a joke just in case!!
I live near Stockport and City will always be my ‘second’ team. Was sweet when we beat City 6-0 at BBG I can’t deny it!!
Car crash, relationships all sorts happened, how different it all would have been had I been at Maine Rd.
So yes Franny Lee did change my life. And I’ve felt very emotional since his death was announced. Derby wore black armbands last night and City are tonight. I’m sure Bolton will if they didn’t last night.
Thanks for reading and next time our teams meet I know Franny will be there to take it all in. I raised a toast to my favourite player, and will do again tonight.
Thanks for the memories Francis Lee! Just look at his face.

 

[bluesmith]

Rest In Peace Franny. I'm sure he will have a send off fit for a legend on the 19th.