Francis Lee

[samarasra]

Not at all, the most naturally talented player maybe the club has ever had, but one mard ass and lazy runt.

A total waste of talent, he should be talked about in the same breath as Ronaldo and Messi, but outside Manchester is unknown.

He was the star player when he played for City. If he was with City now he would not be the stand out player but part of the collective. Nobody can say how he might respond to that context or what he would be like with modern training, coaching and dietary requirements and the influence of Pep. He was young, like many others, his career path could have been much different in a different age. Sergio was considered lazy when it came to training, look how well that turned out.

 

[BlueRockape]

We talk about statues stands named after players Francis Lee deserves to be one of the first mentioned.
The little stocky skillful tough goal scoring player could run through brick walls with the ball glued to his feet and what a fukin lethal right foot frightening players to death.
As I already said a true ledgend and my all time favourite those of my age will understand.
Those of you that love Kinky I understand but not fit to lace Fanny's boots

 

[Vienna_70]

Me too. He was the top card in my first ever packet of cards. I was six. I REALLY liked his hair, so I became a City fan.

I was seven.

 

[Vienna_70]

I know this has been posted before, but it is probably the best youtube video of the triumvirate..what is interesting is Franny commenting on how little football players received in that era compared to golfers and tennis players. He could see the future. This has everything from our heroes,the great matches including ballet on ice. When you watch this video you will actually see what a brilliant team we had. Actually not so different to our current team in playing style..it is over an hour but well worth a watch.. some great anecdotes, particularly the one about the unknown guy on the plane coming back with the Cup Winners Cup who the players told Joe Mercer was a terrorist and he needed to occupy him for the duration of the flight...they would be arrested for that now, how times have changed.

I bought that video as soon as it was released.

I loved it, and watched it so many times, I practically knew it off by heart.

 

[Vienna_70]

5 foot nothing Franny Lee goes toe to toe with Norman Hunter - got a few decent ones in!!

And Hunter considered himself a hard man.

Not a fucking patch on Frannie. Nor Buzzer, come to that.

 

[Vienna_70]

He even struggled to sign autographs, not that he did not offer he just did not have 1 pen ....

Oh dear.

Should I get your coat?

 

[Vienna_70]

I just wished to add that though I started the post about Franny, there are other legends who I grew up with like Alan Oakes, Neil Young, Mike Doyle..some of us are old enough to remember them..I just feel that people who have recently supported City, may not know about these guys, and frankly they should..do not want our club to become like the rags..expecting trophies,expecting success when in effect, we in living memory have had two recent peaks..around 1970 and the last few years..footy is cyclical and we will have a downturn at some point..but most of the old guys who experienced shit weekends after losing reguarly will know what I mean..we will still be there with our zimmer frames shit or bust..just hope the new guys coming in understand the history and will still be there..I have taught my two sons and they understand.City are in your genes and as the song says, my father said to me one day is it red or is it Blue..frankly never a discussion in my house. No options,only Blue.

We’re trying to bring up our grandson the same way, but it’s not easy, when we win most games.

He expects us to win every time, whereas we know it’s not that simple.

 

[Berts Neck]

We’re trying to bring up our grandson the same way, but it’s not easy, when we win most games.

He expects us to win every time, whereas we know it’s not that simple.

The truth is I have had it easy..I live in Kent so no distractions other than the usual London culprits so no problem for the lads..I guess in Manchester there are many influences at school etc. I do believe though that at an early age you choose your colours..my father and uncle influenced me. I remember at Oswald Road in Chorlton at play time it would be 25 a aside, a tennis ball and kicking the hell out of each other. My friends were Blues,never had a rag friend. My sister was born on the day of the Munich disaster. She loved George Best, but she knows how much City mean to me and is now a fan. I take pride in making people follow City. My son has got all his mates at uni. behind us.You can take a horse to water ... good luck

 

[eastmanc]

If he turned up as overweight as he did for his second season with us then Pep would have nothing to do with him. Turning it on when he felt in the mood would not have cut the mustard for Pep. Great talent but not a team player.

Pep would have made him one , unbelievable talent.

 

[eastmanc]

Kinkladze wouldn't have got anywhere near this team.

Behave yourself, if Stirling gets in it then Kinky would have been in it.