Former Manchester Metropolis and England striker Francis Lee has died, aged 79.
Lee scored 148 objectives in 330 appearances throughout an eight-year spell at Metropolis, serving to the membership win a number of honours, together with the outdated First Division title in 1968.
Lee, who began his profession at Bolton Wanderers, joined Derby County from Metropolis, serving to the Rams win their second league title in 1975.
He additionally earned 27 caps for England, scoring 10 objectives.
“It’s with the deepest unhappiness and heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of former Manchester Metropolis participant and chairman Francis Lee, aged 79,” a Metropolis assertion learn, calling Lee “a membership legend in each sense” and one in every of Metropolis’s “all-time greats”.
The membership stated Lee died on Monday morning after a protracted combat in opposition to most cancers.
In his time at Metropolis, Lee additionally gained an FA Cup, a League Cup, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and the Charity Protect twice.
He returned to the membership in 1994 as chairman, spending 4 years in that function.
The assertion continued: “Francis’ spouse Gill and kids Charlotte, Jonny and Nik say he can be sorely missed and want to thank everybody for his or her sort phrases.”
“Everybody at Manchester Metropolis want to ship their condolences to the family and friends of Francis at this very tough time.
“As a mark of respect, flags across the Etihad Stadium and Metropolis Soccer Academy are flying at half-mast.
“Extra tributes from the membership will observe within the coming days.”
Lee, who was born in Westhoughton, Lancashire, began his profession at Bolton the place he broke into the aspect as a 16-year-old in 1959.
He went on to attain 106 objectives in 210 video games over eight seasons earlier than signing for Metropolis for a then club-record £60,000 charge.
“All at Bolton Wanderers are saddened to be taught of the passing of former ahead, Francis Lee. The ideas of everybody on the membership are with Francis’ household, associates and family members at this tough time,” a Bolton assertion learn.
Following his glittering spell at Metropolis, Lee joined Derby in 1974 the place he scored 30 objectives over two seasons, earlier than asserting his retirement.
“We’re deeply saddened to be taught of the passing of 1974/75 title-winner Francis Lee. Our ideas are together with his household, associates and all who knew him,” a Derby assertion learn.
Throughout his spell on the Rams, Lee was additionally concerned in a second of infamy as he clashed on the pitch with Leeds defender Norman Hunter, with the pair being despatched off and escorted from the sphere for buying and selling punches.
The footage aired on Match of the Day and is shared often throughout social media, with the video receiving tons of of 1000’s of views on YouTube, TikTok and extra.
“It is a good job I did not get within the dressing room afterwards,” stated Lee.
“I might need simply been popping out on parole now. It wasn’t play-acting you already know. He had tapped me on the shoulder, hit me and cut up my lip with a gold ring.”
Following retirement, Lee began quite a lot of enterprise ventures earlier than returning to Metropolis as chairman in 1994.
His spell was largely unsuccessful, nevertheless, with Lee resigning in 1998 with the membership dealing with relegation to the third tier.
In 2016, Lee acquired a CBE from the Duke of Cambridge for his companies to sport and charity.
‘A gentleman with an important sense of humour’
Fond tributes have been paid to Lee by associates, former footballers and pundits on social media.
Former Metropolis striker Paul Dickov stated: “Such unhappy information to listen to of the passing of Francis Lee. A gentleman, correct soccer man with an important sense of humour.
“The principle cause I signed for Man Metropolis together with his sheer love for the membership & can be without end grateful. Love & condolences to all his household & associates. RIP Mr Chairman.”
Metropolis fan and ex-boxing world champion Ricky Hatton stated: “So saddened to listen to of the passing of Francis (Franny) Lee. What a legend of a footballer & a person generally.
“By no means did a person love our membership greater than this man. On the pitch as a participant, off it as a md. He was blue via & via.
“Had the pleasure of being in his firm so many occasions. One thing I’ll always remember. A real Manchester treasure. Love & condolences to the household RIP Franny the king.”
Former Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore wrote: “Sending sincerest condolences to the household and associates of Franny Lee.”
“Had some beautiful chats through the years on right here and at Metropolis the place he rightly had his standing acknowledged by the membership through the years.
“One other legend gone too quickly. Relaxation in peace, Franny.”