Francis Lee had a distinguished career with a number of clubs but his impact at Manchester City ensures he will forever remain a club legend.
Some of the most eye-catching moments of Francis Lee's football career didn't happen in a Manchester City shirt.
Until the arrival of Sheikh Mansour and his billions in 2008, the 'Holy Trinity' of Lee, Mike Summerbee and Colin Bell were the gold standard for the fanbase of a grand, historic team for giving them English and European silverware forty years earlier. "He was Mr Personality. We had some great players in that team but I think Francis Lee had the biggest of all the personalities," explained Kevin Parker, head of the Official Supporters' Club who fell in love with City and football after Lee scored in the first game he attended.
"The great thing is that we had some unbelievable players since the takeover and you do think of players such as [Sergio] Aguero, [Vincent] Kompany, Yaya [Toure], David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and the list goes on and on. "We have a responsibility as caretakers of this great club. And while obviously the statues that have been built so far have recognised the modern-day heroes of Manchester City, what this new statue is going to give is something that I think every City fan I think truly appreciates, which is the great history of this club.
"He was an honest man, so cheerful and friendly. I can still hear his laugh and his broad Lancastrian accent and he absolutely loved that club. There was a shareholders' meeting afterwards and his hands were shaking as he gave a speech because he wanted to do everything he possibly could for the club.
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