Francis Lee

[stony]

In one sense, Franny was very much a victim of circumstances, as Swales had fucked us over completely and the job was always going to be impossible without bags of money. But he also didn't help himself in a lot if ways. I think he saw us as an investment rather than a labour of love plus he made too many promises he couldn't keep.

Always thought Frannys problem was the bog roll fortune was not a fortune in football anymore. The sky money made what was a fortune in football terms in 89/90 worth feck all by '94. 5 years too late, but I'll always forgive him Ball for giving us Gio.

I thought it was Franny who gave us Gio and fuck all to do with Ball.

 

[Blue Streak]

In one sense, Franny was very much a victim of circumstances, as Swales had fucked us over completely and the job was always going to be impossible without bags of money. But he also didn't help himself in a lot if ways. I think he saw us as an investment rather than a labour of love plus he made too many promises he couldn't keep.

Always thought Frannys problem was the bog roll fortune was not a fortune in football anymore. The sky money made what was a fortune in football terms in 89/90 worth feck all by '94. 5 years too late, but I'll always forgive him Ball for giving us Gio.

I thought it was Franny who gave us Gio and fuck all to do with Ball.

Read it again. That is exactly what he is saying. He'll always forgive him Ball because he clinched the signing of Kinkladze.

 

[stony]

Always thought Frannys problem was the bog roll fortune was not a fortune in football anymore. The sky money made what was a fortune in football terms in 89/90 worth feck all by '94. 5 years too late, but I'll always forgive him Ball for giving us Gio.

I thought it was Franny who gave us Gio and fuck all to do with Ball.

Read it again. That is exactly what he is saying. He'll always forgive him Ball because he clinched the signing of Kinkladze.

Speed reading and alcohol is a dangerous combination.

 

[Blue Streak]

I think we all know that Francis Lee's first appointment as Manager was set to be Brian Kidd and he was badly let down. But what the hell then made him appoint Alan Ball? god only knows?

 

[Gary James]

I think we all know that Francis Lee's first appointment as Manager was set to be Brian Kidd and he was badly let down. But what the hell then made him appoint Alan Ball? god only knows?

There was also George Graham and let's not forget that Franz Beckenbauer had also had discussions. City were in a desperate state off the pitch when Lee arrived and that should never be forgotten. A club that used to make a profit year on year (with occasional exceptions) before Swales mysteriously started to lose money even though attendances increased (until the failures started!) and sponsorship opportunities arrived. Not worth going through the pain of it all again but perhaps what Franny should have done in 1993-94 was clear out all those who had fought against him that season (that may have limited the issues behind the scenes) and surround himself with people who could make a positive difference.

His first appointment as manager was poor, but so was Swales's (and there may even be some on BM who think that Khaldoon's was as well judging by some of the threads on Mancini that occasionally appear). Whereas Swales sacked Saunders before the players mutinied too much, Lee stuck by his manager (I'm guessing that he didn't want to be seen to go against his word at takeover time which was something like "I wont be a sacking chairman"). Had Ball been sacked as soon as it all went pear shaped in 1996 then things may have gone more positively (of course Lee should never have sacked Horton, but like Khaldoon with Hughes he gave his predecessor's choice a bit more time - actually Lee gave Horton more time than Khaldoon gave Hughes).

Personally, I believe Lee made significant progression off the pitch (the Kippax incidentally under Swales' plan, which did not mean moving to the new stadium at that time, would have included having plastic seats bolted on to the existing Kippax - I've seen the plans and yet more penny pinching and devaluing of our old stadium), but that ultimately his dismissal of Horton/appointment of Ball was what really shaped his time as chairman. Had Kidd, Graham or Beckenbauer arrived it could have gone differently; had Swales stayed it may even have got worse - we'll never know.

Fortunately now, all of this helped to make us a club worth investing in, instead of maybe a club that drifted along - Everton I suppose are what we'd have been at best under Swales & his supporting directors for all these years.

 

[derekthedog]

excellent post gary

 

[john blue]

never got the pens he SHOULD have got.

 

[Vienna_70]

never got the pens he SHOULD have got.

Do how many did he miss?

 

[CAPTAINKIPPAX]

I had the privilege to see Frannie in his prime during the early 70's and believe me he could mix it with any of the so called hardmen of the day his attitude was a terse and very blunt "well if they can't tek it they shouldn't dish it out" I used to stand almost at pitch level in the Kippax and could regularly hear the on pitch banter between him and doyley winding the opposition up if was as funny as **** neither of them would give an inch to the bully boys of the day Mike was a particularly brutal no prisoner taker when he faced Man Ure he despised them with a passion and Frannie was a great partner in crime great memories.

 

[SJT]

Francis Lee, the reason I support Manchester City.

Same here.

He is a total master of the art of football.

And the same here! he was the draw for me too, along with that beautiful sky blue colour!

The man's a f**kin' legend - Westhoughton hard nut he was, still is I bet.

Thats one book I'd read -someone do it!