By Chris King • Updated: 03 Oct 2023 • 14:46
Image of former Manchester City and England footballer Francis Lee. Credit: Twitter@ManCity
THE former Manchester City and England footballing legend Francis ‘Frannie’ Lee passed away this Monday, October 2.
A statement released by City read: ‘It is with the deepest sadness and heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of former Manchester City player and Chairman Francis Lee, aged 79′.
It continued: ‘A Club legend in every sense, Francis made 330 appearances for City, scoring 148 goals. He won one First Division title, one FA Cup, one League Cup, a European Cup Winners’ Cup and two Charity Shields during a glittering eight-year spell as a player – a legacy that ensures his position among Manchester City’s all-time greats is secure’.
It is with the deepest sadness and heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of former Manchester City player and Chairman Francis Lee. Everyone at Manchester City would like to send their condolences to the friends and family of Francis at this very difficult time. — Manchester City (@ManCity) October 2, 2023
It is with the deepest sadness and heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of former Manchester City player and Chairman Francis Lee.
Everyone at Manchester City would like to send their condolences to the friends and family of Francis at this very difficult time.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 2, 2023
‘He would later return to City as club Chairman in 1994, spending four years at the helm. Franny passed away in the early hours of this morning after a long battle with cancer. His wife Gill and children Charlotte, Jonny and Nik say he will be sorely missed and would like to thank everyone for their kind words’, it added.
The statement concluded: ‘Everyone at Manchester City would like to send their condolences to the friends and family of Francis at this very difficult time’.
A tweet from the England men’s team read: ‘We are saddened to learn of the passing of Francis Lee at the age of 79. Franny won 27 caps and scored ten goals for the #ThreeLions between 1968 and 1972. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends’.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Francis Lee at the age of 79. Franny won 27 caps and scored ten goals for the #ThreeLions between 1968 and 1972. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/NxXJYIXgXB — England (@England) October 2, 2023
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Francis Lee at the age of 79. Franny won 27 caps and scored ten goals for the #ThreeLions between 1968 and 1972.
All of our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/NxXJYIXgXB
— England (@England) October 2, 2023
As confirmed by Club Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in May 2022, a statue that will be erected outside the Etihad Stadium commemorating Francis’ legacy has been commissioned.
Flags around the Etihad Stadium and City Football Academy are flying at half-mast as a mark of respect to one of the club’s biggest legends.
A link was provided online for fans wishing to write messages in an online condolence book at In memory of Francis Lee.
Lee left City in 1975 to join Derby County, with whom he spent two successful seasons including winning the old First Division title for a second time in his first season. He eventually retired in 1976.
A tribute was also posted by Bolton Wanderers, his home town. They wrote: ‘All at Bolton Wanderers are saddened to learn of the passing of former forward, Francis Lee. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Francis’ family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time’.
All at Bolton Wanderers are saddened to learn of the passing of former forward, Francis Lee. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Francis' family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time. #bwfc pic.twitter.com/OOYp5x2At7 — Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) October 2, 2023
All at Bolton Wanderers are saddened to learn of the passing of former forward, Francis Lee.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Francis' family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time. #bwfc pic.twitter.com/OOYp5x2At7
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) October 2, 2023
Man City fan and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher tweeted: ‘Frannie Lee, RIP LG x’.
FRANNY LEE RIP LG x — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) October 2, 2023
FRANNY LEE RIP LG x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) October 2, 2023
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Originally from Wales, Chris spent years on the Costa del Sol before moving to the Algarve where he is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com
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