UNITED KINGDOM: Francis Lee, a former Manchester City-England striker and chairman, has passed away at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer. Lee joined the club in 1967 for £60,000 and became a legend, scoring 148 goals in 330 games.
He won the First Division title in 1968. He also won the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Lee later moved to Derby County, where he won the league again in 1975.
A striker with a barrel chest who once scored 15 penalties in a single season, Francis Lee was renowned for his ferocious shooting and accuracy from the spot. Gornik Zabrze of Poland was defeated by City in the 1970 European Cup Winners’ Cup thanks to a Lee penalty.
Lee earned 27 England caps while playing for City, all while being recognised by the club, and scored 10 goals while doing so. He also represented his nation in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
After retiring, Lee started his own business, producing toilet paper. He succeeded Peter Swales as chairman of Manchester City in 1994 and became the largest shareholder.
Francis Lee wanted to revitalise City and turn them into a powerhouse in the Premier League, but by the time he departed in 1998, the team was in danger of dropping to the third division.
Francis Lee was awarded the OBE in 2016 for his contributions to football and charity.
Francis, a club legend, made 330 appearances for Manchester 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.
After a protracted fight with cancer, Lee passed away early this morning. His wife Gill and children Charlotte, Jonny, and Nik expressed their gratitude for everyone’s warm thoughts and said he will be dearly missed.
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