Francis Lee

Vienna_70 said:
We too were shocked to see Frannie on Sunday; I remarked to Mrs Vienna that Frannie has gone to look old.

Francis Henry Lee is the reason I support Manchester City.

For those old enough to remember, in those days, we used to get player collection cards; they came in packs of four with a piece of bubble gum.

The first year I collected them was 1970, and one day,we were in class discussing them, and one of my friends (R. I. P., Paul), pointed at a Frannie card, and said, "He must be a good player, there are loads of him."

He immediately became my favourite player, and therefore his team was my team. He remains my favourite, even to this day, despite all the modern-day heroes.

Even his time as chairman did nothing to erode my love for him. As others have said, I think the mess that the club was in was far worse than he realised. The impending transformation of the Kippax into an all-seater stand, and the necessary removal of the toxic waste underneath the old stand didn’t help.

However, to his credit, he started the transformation of the club’s corporate hospitality from its almost non-existent state to what it is today and his administration paved the way for the club's eventual move to CoMS.

I too hope that the slimmed-down version of Frannie is a conscious effort to lose weight, rather than linked to health issues.
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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.
 
Not seen the TV footage of Franny due to being at the game. I kind of don't want to see how ill he looks as i can imagine through all the old and frail comments on here. Was my favourite player as a young un and he'd no doubt score a bag full in today's team. I hope he's as well as can be.
 
Keeper! said:
Not sure about advisors, he simply did not have the money that was required.

Tarnished his reputation with his time as chairman for me, promised so much, used the fans to get rid of PJ Swales, then gave us Alan Ball!

Have to say after seeing him this weekend, he has lost the sparkle, does not look well at all.

All the best Francis, take care of yourself.
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Hope he is well as can be.
Tried to fix over 20 yrs of Swales mistakes.Unfortunately we had missed the gravy train and he did not have the money.The biggest mistake was sacking Horton who i believe would have kept us in lower mid table which would have kept the fans on side.
 
marcus said:
Me and my dad were shocked when we saw him. Thats ‘date of birth syndrome’ for you tho.

we got into the conversation about who from the past would get into todays team and he said, bell, franny lee and tueart . No one else
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Mike Doyle deffo.
 
melrose40yarder said:
Hope he is well as can be.
Tried to fix over 20 yrs of Swales mistakes.Unfortunately we had missed the gravy train and he did not have the money.The biggest mistake was sacking Horton who i believe would have kept us in lower mid table which would have kept the fans on side.
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Brian Who did a great job, played great football, but then the money dried up completely and Ball was brought in to dismantle the assets we still had.
 
The modern player that Franny is closest to in style is Tevez, in my view. Very clever and skilled with his feet, but also a bull-like player who could steam through opposition penalty areas. Healthy ego, too. No doubts about his own ability.
And just for fun, because it is always worth re-posting as the iconic photo of him:



I've sometimes thought that the appropriate headline for this is: "Winning the league gives Franny a stiffy.” I know how you feel, sir — I do know it.
 
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Nothing sort of a club legend. His tenure running club didn’t go to plan but that doesn’t take any of the shine off for me. He loved the club and wanted to make things better. He tried. And that’s what counts for me.

He did look a bit old on Saturday but he is I guess. Hope he’s well.
 
Was my favourite player absolutely loved watching him play. First game I went to he scored two goals and remember getting a poster of him from the souvenir shop. I have never cheered an opposition goal, but stood up to applaud as many did when he scored against us at Maine Road against Derby. I was in the platt lane right behind the goal he scored in. I was on holiday when the news came through he was going to Derby and remember being so upset. He could still teach our players a thing or two about penalties. Was also surprised how thin he looked. As chairman he was on a hiding to nothing after Swales, but he loves the club. Great player and brings back great childhood memories.
 
robbieh said:
Different world then. Loads of players abused their bodies. 200k a week might have concentrated his mind.
Technically a very good player.
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Technically a superb player but expected everyone else to do all the work and get him the ball for him to produce his magic. Quickly realised he was the most talented player in the team but didn't show the necessary application often enough. Went to Ajax and Derby and was never heard of again. Left some great memories of '95-96 though and for one season was exceptional.
 
Vienna_70 said:
I forgot to add that I met him once and told him that he was my favourite player.

He replied, "Thank you very much".
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I sat next to him at Swindon away when I was on what passed for a "corporate" there.

Once upon a time, used to see him regularly on a Saturday lunchtime at a pub near Dean Row before I headed to matches; never spoke to him.

Our Kid has sat in Franny's lounge and had a drink with him: he dated Franny's daughter briefly many years ago.
 
i kne albert davy said:
If I may be so rude Bollox. :-)
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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.
 
OB1 said:
I sat next to him at Swindon away when I was on what passed for a "corporate" there.

Once upon a time, used to see him regularly on a Saturday lunchtime at a pub near Dean Row before I headed to matches; never spoke to him.

Our Kid has sat in Franny's lounge and had a drink with him: he dated Franny's daughter briefly many years ago.
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Was that Fanny Lee?
 
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.

 
The original Kun.
When a lot of blues of my age had number 8 stitched on back of there shirts I had number 10.
Love Franny much misunderstood for having his no nonsense attitude my all time hero
 
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