In trying to sum up for younger fans just why Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee are so revered in City’s history, perhaps the most key factor is that the fabled triumvirate provide a beguiling bridge between our glorious past and record-breaking present.
For its no exaggeration to say that the iconic trio – three of the greatest players in City’s storied 129-year history – would have fitted like a velvet glove alongside Pep Guardiola’s modern-day gladiators.
Colin, Francis and Mike each possessed technical ability of the highest calibre, demonstrating skills that would have graced any era.
But they were also armed with a ferocious will to win, an unquenchable fighting spirit and profound appetite for the game, characteristics that have also underpinned Pep’s wonderful City teams these past seven years or so.
Of course, City’s golden era of success across the late 1960s and early 1970s was every much a team effort.
Every single one of the players assembled by manager Joe Mercer and coach Malcolm Allison played a pivotal role in a glittering era that saw City first claim the Second Division title before going on to be crowned league champions, FA Cup winners, League Cup winners and European Cup Winners’ Cup victors.
But it was Lee, Summerbee and Bell who were the beating heart and all-round personification of what made that special City side synonymous with a swaggering, swashbuckling brand of football that truly lit up the swinging Sixties.
From the moment Colin Bell arrived at City from Bury in 1966 it was clear that City acquired a rare and precious talent.
From the get-go this mild mannered and modest of individuals, hailing from the North East, immediately established himself as one of City and English football’s towering post war talents.
Initially nicknamed Nijinsky in honour of the legendary 1970s racehorse, before later taking on the mantle of Colin the King, Bell was the elegant fulcrum of the City side that swept all before them.
As a midfield talent, it’s fair to say Colin had absolutely everything.
Brilliant as a box-to-box operator, highly proficient in the air and in the tackle, he was also armed with a goal ratio boosted by an almost unerring ability to score in one-on-ones.
In marked contrast to his ability, Bell was so unassuming and understated almost to the point of silence.
Instead, Colin always preferred to do his talking on the pitch and but for a terrible knee injury sustained in a derby in November 1975 he arguably would have gone on to add 50% or more to the near 400 games and the 100 plus goals he racked up in City colours, not to mention adding to his 48 England caps.
A haul of one First Division title, one FA Cup, two League Cups, a European Cup Winners’ Cup, a second Division title and two Charity Shields only scratches at the surface of his profound Impact.
To quantify his enormous contribution, it’s no exaggeration to say there are resounding echoes of King Colin’s genius in the way Kevin De Bruyne has gone about his business these past eight years or so… he was that good.
The fact that the Etihad Stadium has a stand named in his honour says everything about his standing in City’s history.
His passing in early 2021 was marked by an outpouring of love and respect throughout the football world.
There can be no more deserving recipient of an honorary statue.
Much the same could be said of Francis Lee.
A bustling, barrel-chested centre-forward hailing from Westhoughton, just outside of Bolton, Francis Lee arrived at City in 1967 – and for many was the final, defining piece in the dazzling jigsaw assembled by Mercer and Allison.
Blessed with a low centre of gravity and a nose for an opening, Franny also boasted a prodigious turn of speed over a short distance as well as the strength to hold off surprised defenders.
He was also equally adept at bludgeoning the ball beyond a goalkeeper or mesmerising them with the deftest of touches.
In addition, Franny was also equally deadly from the penalty spot, later earning the moniker of Lee Won Pen thanks to his quality from the spot – and knack for winning penalty kicks!
A tally of 148 goals from 330 appearances speaks volumes to his impact while many attest that he deserved far more than the 27 England caps he accrued.
Lee 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.
A hugely successful businessman to boot, Francis’ abiding love and passion for the Club then saw him return as club Chairman in 1994, with Lee spending four years at the helm and being a key figure in talks that eventually saw the Club move to the Etihad Stadium In 2003.
Just as with Colin, the sad news of Francis’s passing in September saw tributes pour in from far and wide in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the Club.
The statue again serves a fitting testament to another talismanic figure in City history.
Last, but by no means least, in completing City’s holy trinity was Mike Summerbee.
Nowadays a hugely respected Club ambassador who continues to work tirelessly on City’s behalf, half a century ago Mike was a formidable tormentor of defences, part-time centre forward, and genial man about town.
Raised in the south west, Mike began his career with Swindon before making the move to City in 1965 where he swiftly become one of the key components in the side assembled by Merce and Allison.
With his angular gait, Summerbee’s sharpened elbows were often stuck out at near 90 degrees, almost acting as stabilisers as he slalomed in and out of defences leaving dazed opponents in his wake and scorch marks on the pitch.
Blessed with a sense of humour almost as razor sharp as his ability, the man universally known as ‘Buzzer’ was one of the great characters of that golden era.
In full flight, the combative Summerbee’s crossing on the run was a thing of rare beauty while his fierce will to win only further endeared him to the City faithful.
This was one man you definitely wanted alongside you when the going got tough.
Again there are echoes with today given City’s penchant for thrilling wing wizards such as Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku.
All told over the course of 10 memorable seasons, Mike made 452 appearances for the Club, scoring 68 goals, and representing England eight times.
Buzzer collected a haul of one First Division title, one FA Cup, one League Cup, a European Cup Winners’ Cup, a second Division title and two Charity Shields.
His impact continued well after his playing days ended.
In retirement Mike has taken on and excelled in the role of Club Ambassador and, after overcoming a battle with prostate cancer, became an active charity campaigner to help raise awareness of the disease.
And his enormous contribution to the game and charitable causes saw him awarded the OBE in the summer of 2022.
Bell, Lee and Summerbee helped orchestrate a rhapsody in Blue across their glittering City careers.
Now the Club has ensured their enormous contributions will be celebrated forever in the form of our latest statue.
