Manchester City legend Francis Lee dies aged 79 | OneFootball

Manchester City’s legendary former player and chairman Francis Lee has died aged 79 after a long battle with cancer, the club have announced.

Lee was born in Westhoughton and began his professional career at Bolton Wanderers before Joe Mercer brought him to Maine Road for a club record fee in 1967.

The striker soon became part of the famous Holy Trinity along with Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee, helping City win the First Division title in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969, and the League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1970.

A renowned penalty taker, Lee was also capped 27 times for England and played at the 1970 World Cup, before finishing his career with Derby County.

After his playing days ended, Lee went into business as a toilet paper manufacturer and in 1994 he became chairman of Manchester City, ousting Peter Swales in what was a hugely popular move among the fanbase at the time.

But City were relegated from the Premier League following Lee’s appointment of Alan Ball as manager, and he ultimately stepped down as chairman in 1998 with the club on the brink of relegation to the third division.

In later years, Lee remained a popular figure at City and a regular visitor to the Etihad Stadium, and in 2016 he was awarded a CBE for services to football and charity.

His loss will be mourned by everybody associated with the club.