RIP Tony Book

Tony and co were before my time but had chance to meet him and that era in the lounge after matches. What was clear is that they were a tight bunch, huddled at the end of the bar, enjoying their own company after doing their stint as embassadors.

Great people, Tony was central to what we did then, and what we do now.

He will be missed, and all our love has to go to the family. He became ours.
 
Was talking to my brother about Tony Book the other day and the Brentford game. Lovely tribute from the home team. I know the City fans sang about TB but I didn’t hear ‘Tony Book’s blue and white army’?

Surely there’s enough of the legacy fans going to Ipswich to give the City legend a proper rendition?
 
I did go to the stadium today, as i wanted to leave a tribute.

When Neil Young died in 2011 many people left things along the memorial garden outer rail, so i made something for Tony to put on there (and waterproofed it so it hopefully lasts a few weeks as the Neil ones did back then). I know that may seem daft to some people (i printed some favourite photos and glued it together) but i really wanted to leave a tribute, as he was just such a good man.

I've never attached pictures on here so hope i do this right, here's some i took today - it's by Malcom's memorial, including the flag at half mast.



kippaxkid74 said:
Absolutely devastated. Always knew his death would hit hardest of all the city players, i love the man. Met him lots of times outside Maine Road and the Etihad and he always had time and was lovely. I grew up with him as someone to be in awe of, in the mid 80s as a kid seeing him on the youth cup winning famous photo and realising that's Tony Book, the name in all my city books - he's still here working for us.. i loved seeing him with the first team squad under Peter Reid and Brian Horton, loved that he was still right up there for us after all this time. Just loved him. To captain all those trophies, to being a manager winning the trophy we all held on to as the bright light to cling to for decades, to the youth team, the 1st team again, and still being at the etihad - Tony was the best.

I'm disappointed in the lack of a big news item on the local news, they do it for others, and did it for franny. Granada had a little article but the BBC just did a mention.

Have people been to the ground and left tributes in person? Anyone seen? I'd like to go by weekend and leave a tribute, for "Skip" xx
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As i recall 'Skip' scored two goals for City

The first in May 1968 in a very tight game against Neverton at Maine Rd , a win that opened up the possa/probability of winning the league, as on the same night the rags were trounced 5.2 away at WBA

His second was away at Sjoke in
another tight game.

'Skip's form had wobbled and there were murmers of crticism from some of the Main Stand moaners.

After he'd lashed the ball home he threw a huge V sign to the bench as his team mates piled on

He did miss a penalty v the dippers in a 0.0 draw at Maine Rd but we wont mention that here !!
 
xgorton said:
Was at Maine road 4 days later his home debut midweek 2-1 win v Liverpool,our first season back in the top division after 3 seasons in the old 2nd.
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Fabulous game Colin Bell was unplayable that night.

Pre match my late Father was in Joe Mercer's* office drinking tea with Bill Shankly & Matt Busby.

*They were in the British Army together and enjoyed a life long friendship.
 
kippaxkid74 said:
I did go to the stadium today, as i wanted to leave a tribute.

When Neil Young died in 2011 many people left things along the memorial garden outer rail, so i made something for Tony to put on there (and waterproofed it so it hopefully lasts a few weeks as the Neil ones did back then). I know that may seem daft to some people (i printed some favourite photos and glued it together) but i really wanted to leave a tribute, as he was just such a good man.

I've never attached pictures on here so hope i do this right, here's some i took today - it's by Malcom's memorial, including the flag at half mast.
Click to expand...
That’s a lovely thing to do in memory of the great man. God bless you.
 
xgorton said:
Was at Maine road 4 days later his home debut midweek 2-1 win v Liverpool,our first season back in the top division after 3 seasons in the old 2nd.
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I was at the liverpool game,stood around the back of the Kippax on the railings. As a 12year old ,the signing of Tony Book at 32,was ,what are we doing buying an old bloke. Bearing in mind, the lads in 5th year at school, I looked at them as men.
It wasn't until I got a little older ,did I appreciate what a great fullback, who imo,along with Kyle walker, were the best we've had in thar position. Also he was an unassuming, humble decent bloke, and a true blue.
RIP Skip.
 
Mike N said:
Was talking to my brother about Tony Book the other day and the Brentford game. Lovely tribute from the home team. I know the City fans sang about TB but I didn’t hear ‘Tony Book’s blue and white army’?

Surely there’s enough of the legacy fans going to Ipswich to give the City legend a proper rendition?
Click to expand...
They did sing that song at Brentford, Cheesey captured it here
 
Mike N said:
Was talking to my brother about Tony Book the other day and the Brentford game. Lovely tribute from the home team. I know the City fans sang about TB but I didn’t hear ‘Tony Book’s blue and white army’?

Surely there’s enough of the legacy fans going to Ipswich to give the City legend a proper rendition?
Click to expand...

It was loud and clear for about 5 minutes in the second half at Brentford
 
Mike N said:
That’s good to know. Hopefully the club will do something against Chelsea. Book was a fantastic servant for us.
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It took a little while to get going. But that was because in the first half it started off without the clapping as a bridge. But once the clapping was included, there was one long version for about 5 minutes and maybe 2 or 3 shorter versions.

I’m sure the club will do something for both Tony Book and Denis Law prior to the Chelsea game.
 
AshtonBlueMooner said:
That’s a lovely thing to do in memory of the great man. God bless you.
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Thank you. I hope it's still there for match day on Saturday.

I found hearing Mike Summerbee speak on Sky so very moving - so pleased he called out Sky for not mentioning Tony :(


I don't normally see much of it, but the first 15 minutes of "match day live" in city's you tube channel before the Brentford game is worth watching, David White speaks from the heart about what Tony meant to him and everything he did for city.
 
Pleased to see my tribute picture for Tony is still hanging on the rail by the memorial garden outside the colin bell stand - been up a week and survived the weather. Disappointed no other tributes for him. But we were both pleased to see it's still there today. In the ground now and surprisingly my phone is working (usually can't get online!)
 
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